San Galgano Abbey - A Stunning Tuscan Wedding
EMMA and GRAHAM’s WEDDING VIDEO FEATURE
The VenuE
San Galgano’s Teaser Film
San Galgano Abbey, nestled in the rolling hills of Tuscany, Italy, stands as a testament to the harmonious blend of history, architecture, and natural beauty. This magnificent site, perched amidst sprawling vineyards and olive groves, offers couples an extraordinary backdrop for their wedding celebrations. As a former Cistercian monastery dating back to the 12th century, San Galgano carries an air of grandeur and serenity, making it an ideal venue for those seeking a unique and enchanted setting to exchange their vows.
A Historical Gem
San Galgano Abbey, with its striking Gothic ruins, was originally built in 1185 and completed by the end of the 13th century. The abbey's history is steeped in legend, famously associated with the tale of Saint Galgano, who sheathed his sword in a stone as a vow of chastity and devotion. This legendary act is reminiscent of the Excalibur tale and adds a layer of mystique to the venue, creating an abiding sense of romance that many couples find alluring.
The structure’s impressive stone walls, soaring arches, and stunning stained glass create a scenic atmosphere that is both majestic and intimate. The abbey remains partially intact, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside; the interplay of light through the ruins offers an enchanting ambience, especially during dusk. This ancient site, enveloped in history and spirituality, provides a captivating setting for the most important day of one’s life.
Breathtaking Surroundings
One of the primary advantages of choosing San Galgano Abbey as a wedding venue is its stunning natural surroundings. The abbey is positioned in the heart of the Tuscan hills, offering panoramic views that change with the seasons — lush greens in spring, vibrant hues in autumn, and the rich golden tones of summer. This idyllic landscape serves as a stunning backdrop for wedding photographs, allowing couples to capture their special moments against the beauty of one of the most picturesque regions in Italy.
Moreover, with its tranquil atmosphere, the abbey establishes an oasis of peace away from the hustle and bustle, inviting couples to fully immerse themselves in their wedding experience. The sound of birds singing, the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind, and the visual splendor of nature work together to create an atmosphere that is both serene and romantic.
Versatile Wedding Options
San Galgano Abbey provides a variety of spaces for couples to customise their wedding day. The abbey’s main nave can accommodate a large number of guests, making it suitable for both intimate ceremonies and grand celebrations. The open-air setting allows couples to exchange their vows surrounded by ancient walls and the open sky, providing a striking backdrop that is sure to create lasting memories.
In addition to the indoor ceremony possibilities, couples can opt for outdoor celebrations within the expansive grounds. The manicured gardens offer serene spots for smaller gatherings, cocktail hours, or receptions under the stars, where guests can delight in alfresco dining. The flexibility of the venue allows couples to shape their wedding day according to their vision, ensuring a personalised and memorable event that reflects their style.
Unique Ceremony Options
For couples wishing for a religious ceremony, the abbey's romantic ambiance and historical significance create a deeply meaningful setting. Blessings and spiritual ceremonies can also be held on-site, allowing for a personal touch that resonates with the couple's beliefs. Officiants familiar with the abbey may offer unique rituals that incorporate the rich history and natural surroundings, adding depth to the exchange of vows.
Additionally, the site is rich with potential for symbolic gestures. The iconic sword in stone, emblematic of the San Galgano legend, can serve as a focal point for the wedding theme or be incorporated into the ceremony itself. This ethos of devotion and commitment can resonate deeply with the couple and their guests, creating an unforgettable experience.
Logistics and Amenities
Despite its remoteness, San Galgano Abbey is conveniently located near the charming town of Chiusdino, providing couples with easy access to accommodations, catering, and other services. Numerous hotels and villas in the area offer luxurious lodging options for guests, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the tranquillity of Tuscany while being close to the wedding venue.
When it comes to catering, Tuscany is renowned for its gastronomic delights. Couples can take advantage of local chefs and catering services to craft a menu that showcases regional flavours. From sumptuous antipasti to exquisite wines from local vineyards, the culinary experience at San Galgano Abbey can be as delightful as the day itself.
A Sustainable Choice
Choosing San Galgano Abbey as a wedding venue also aligns with sustainable practices. The movement toward eco-friendly weddings has gained momentum, and hosting a celebration in a historic site such as this promotes conservation and appreciation of cultural heritage. Couples can select local vendors to support the surrounding community, minimising their ecological footprint while embracing the beauty of their surroundings.
Emma and GRAHAM’s Wedding Day Plans
San Galgano Extended Feature Film
Emma Jane is a fashion and wedding photographer based in the UK and Graham is an architectural photographer, so I was flattered that they chose me to film their wedding day, particularly at such a stunning location as San Galgano Abbey.
The couple got ready at a nearby villa with their family and friends in the morning and with two videographers it was possible to get some really nice shots of both of their morning preparations before moving over to the abbey for a beautiful Italian wedding ceremony. We knew Emma’s entrance into the abbey with her father would be special, so we made sure to capture a great shot of that before moving into the ceremony proper, which contained some lovely heartfelt vows from the couple.
After the ceremony we took some portraits with the couple around the abbey grounds, which was easy as Emma is a trained pro when it comes to posing photos!
Back at the villa the drinks and canapés then began to flow and after getting some footage of this we headed back to the abbey for some golden hour photos as the light in Tuscany cannot be beaten at sunset.
After the sun had set over the Tuscan hills the couple sat down for dinner followed by some really emotional speeches, which are included in their film.
After dinner the guests danced the night away as well as playing games, all outside in the warm Tuscan evening air.
It was a great day, providing me with many cinematic moments to produce a selection of different films.
Wedding Videography Approach
My main aim as a wedding videographer is to produce cinematic, yet authentic, mementos of a wedding day. I want them to be stylish, filled with all the emotions of the day while being infused with a classic cinema flair, which I always have in the back of my mind when choosing which lens to use in a certain moment, how to frame a shot, the sounds and music I will use to tell that part of the story and thinking always about the edit.
Me filming a wedding in Portugal with my minimalist set up.
As Emma and Graham’s’ day was filled with so many heartfelt and emotional moments I made sure this influenced the tone of their films, while also showcasing the beautiful scenery and imbuing all of their edits with my trademark cinematic style. As photographers I knew the visuals would be very important to Emma and Graham so I’m pleased they were so happy with the final products.
Once I have the story telling elements in place I make sure my films are as cinematic as possible, and what I mean by that is I use every tool and technique at my disposal, from the filming style on the wedding day, to the editing and colour grading techniques afterwards, to create a piece of work that feels like a mini-movie, like a short piece of classic cinema, with a proper beginning middle and end, establishing people, place and story as elegantly as possible, woven together with music I choose carefully for each project.
Most importantly though, I use equipment and a filming style on the day that allows me to capture these moments without leaving a heavy footprint on the day- I use very minimal equipment, similar to a photographer, and avoid stage managing the day in any way because the most important element of making a great film is authentic moments and emotions and the only way to achieve these is allow them to happen naturally, unhindered by over posing/staging and manufacturing the events.
