Montepulciano wedding photographer – Dominique & Matt
Dominique and Matt’s wedding in Montefollonico
Dominique and Matt came from New York to get married in Montefollonico, a small hilltop village a few minutes from Montepulciano that few people outside Tuscany know.
They chose La Zampugna, a country house among the olive trees, and spread the celebration over two days.
Dominique had one request for me: be discreet.
She didn’t want a photographer getting in the way, not at the welcome party and above all not during the ceremony.
That’s how I like to work anyway, so for two days I stayed at the edges, close enough to see everything and far enough not to be noticed.
It started the evening before with a pizza party under the marquee on the lawn, with wine on the long tables and the light going down over the hills.
The next day they said their vows on a lawn under the olive trees, with their friends sitting among the trunks.
We had only just finished the ceremony when a violent storm broke over the hills.
Wind and rain put the marquee to a real test, and yet nobody let it spoil the day: Dominique, Matt and their guests carried on with dinner, speeches and dancing as if the storm were part of the party.
Wedding venue
La Zampugna, Montefollonico: the venue
La Zampugna is a stone country house just outside Montefollonico, about 10 minutes from Montepulciano and an hour from Siena.
The olive grove next to the house makes a natural setting for a ceremony, and a marquee on the lawn can host both the welcome party and the wedding dinner.
Plan a solid one: summer storms in the hills can be sudden and strong, as Dominique and Matt found out.
Montefollonico is quieter than Montepulciano or Pienza, with the Val d’Orcia and the Val di Chiana on either side. If you’re drawn to these lesser-known villages, have a look at Margo and Mason’s wedding at Villa La Fornace in Montisi or visit La Zampugna website.
Montepulciano and the surroundings
Montepulciano is one of the most beautiful Renaissance towns in Tuscany, built along a ridge between two valleys and famous for its Vino Nobile, which is still aged in cellars carved under the town. Piazza Grande, at the top, is the place to go for a glass at sunset.
On one side lies the Val d’Orcia, with Pienza about twenty minutes away; on the other, the wide plain of the Val di Chiana. Montefollonico sits quietly in between: a small walled village that feels far from the busier towns, while being only a few minutes from all of them.
For guests arriving a few days early, it’s an easy area to explore: wineries, hilltop villages and long dinners, all within a short drive.
Planning a wedding at La Zampugna?
- Where it is: in the countryside near Montefollonico, about 10 minutes from Montepulciano, an hour from Siena and around two hours from Florence or Rome.
- Size: Dominique and Matt had around fifty guests. Some stayed on site, in the apartments, the cottage and Villa Gaeta.
- Welcome party: a marquee on the lawn is perfect for an informal evening the day before, pizza and wine included.
- Ceremony: the olive grove next to the house makes a natural, shaded setting.
- Weather: summer storms in the hills can be sudden. Plan a solid marquee and a backup for the ceremony.
- Light: the fields around Montefollonico are beautiful for portraits in the hour before sunset.
BEST OF MONTEPULCIANO WEDDING
Kind words
“
Hiring Luca was one of the best decisions we made in planning our wedding. From beginning to end he was a joy to work with in all ways, and his photography of our celebration is exquisite.
I am very picky when it comes to photography and all my expectations were exceeded by Luca and his work. He captures a spirit and a beauty that feels authentic and alive, and is the opposite of overly staged cookie cutter wedding photography.
He’s also a delight to be around: classy, fun, thoughtful and game for anything!
Dominique & Matt · La Zampugna, Montefollonico
Getting married in Montepulciano or elsewhere in Tuscany?
I’ve photographed weddings around Montepulciano, Montefollonico and the Val d’Orcia, and in many villas across Tuscany.
Here’s how I work as a Tuscany wedding photographer, or tell me about your day below.
