Videographer: @storyofyourday
The 2023 Autumn RSVP Wedding Symposium in Venice brought together the elite of the wedding & event industry. The meeting of global wedding creatives Photographer Stuart Wood, Luxury Wedding & Event Planner Sonia Petrazzi, and International Wedding & Event Videographer Emma Wilson of Story Of Your Day led to the collaboration of a very special project.
With the backdrop of the most beautiful city in the world, the team wanted to celebrate the San Clemente Palace Kempinski being ranked #1 top hotel in Venice by no less than Conde Nast in their Readers’ Choice Awards.
Stuart Wood says, ‘What started out with a crazy idea over lunch grew into this major endeavour, which only goes to show that collaborating with like-minded people and genuine teamwork can bring the very best out of us all. I just knew that my photography would rise to the challenge when we got going and that with the calibre of those around me, I would never settle for anything less than the very best from myself’.
So a luxury styled shoot was planned for early 2024 and this would include an assembled cast of truly world-class suppliers, all of whom excel in their fields.
One of those world-class suppliers that made up a vital part of the team is Italian handmade album manufacturer Graphistudio.
Based only an hour from Venice, it was decided that their luxury product would be perfect for the project. In a world that is increasingly digital only and where viewing pictures from a screen is the norm, the tangible act of viewing exquisitely printed pictures placed within their renowned plush and ultra-slick designed albums would only ever enhance the photography.
Jeremy Price, MD of Graphistudio UK, says, ‘The wedding album becomes a family heirloom and the only thing that truly increases in value to couples long after the wedding is over. Creating this stunning bespoke album for our Venice collaboration gave us a chance to really show how photographs can be appreciated, as they are meant to be wrapped up in the finest of Italian leathers and linens with heritage Italian printing to complement all the amazing facets of this event.
The chosen filmmaker for the project was Swiss-based Wedding Videographer Emma Wilson of Story Of Your Day. Having someone so experienced at filming destination weddings & events with an outstanding reputation in the wedding industry was crucial to ensure a styled shoot film that did not simply mimic the photography, but was unique and different enough to enrich it and rightly sit alongside it.
Emma Wilson says, ‘It’s been a while since I have filmed a styled shoot but the location and fabulous suppliers involved made it an easy decision. I wanted my film to look and feel more like a luxury elopement rather than a traditional styled shoot film. So I decided to make a film that wasn’t a ‘Behind The Scenes’ but instead captured the real essence of Venice and the stunning venue.’
It was decided that the project would need two days to shoot the images and the film. The first day was based on the private island of San Clemente, which concentrated on the hotel and its own historical church, with the second day shooting generic images of the couple Irene and Marco around Venice itself.
For the wedding dresses, leading Haute Couturier Sian Hughes Cooke, founder of Shimmering Ivory, was invited to present her newest collection.
Sian says, ‘Venice would always be a perfect backdrop to showcase our ethereal Shimmering Ivory couture designs. We selected a sheer pure white oversized floral embroidered corset & oversized skirt, the epitome of elegant and modern sophistication. Perfect for the garden of the San Clemente Kempinski.
For the old town of Venice, we chose a blue silk ruffle oversize dress inspired by the sea. This looked stunning against the city’s iconic canals. We also featured a sleeker look for the gondola and bridges of Venice with a stunning French lace and embroidery dress that really created the perfect Venetian look.
The logistics of planning and organising all of the suppliers and then getting them out to the island and around the city on time and for all of this to work together so flawlessly could undoubtedly become a whole article on its own. Still, without any doubt whatsoever, this venture could never have happened without the impeccable skills of Sonia Petrazzi and her team. Sonia has worked at the very highest level for over three decades on luxury weddings and events, not only in Venice but all over Italy, Europe, and South America.
Sonia says, ‘I have a deep affection for this enchanting city that I know inside out. Venice never fails to surprise me, offering a constant stream of new discoveries.
We aimed to showcase the beauty of the city and the Island of San Clemente with Hotel Kempinski. The collaboration was fantastic.
Alongside local Venetian suppliers, florists, and designers, we meticulously brought every detail to life. Drawing inspiration from Venice’s natural allure, the floral arrangements boasted a soft pastel palette and lush greenery, infusing a whimsical romantic ambience into the venue.
It is indeed a further testament to the calibre of the assembled team that they attracted the likes of Bella Belle shoes and Fregoli Haute Couture handbags, which perfectly accessorise the imagery.
Credits
Venue: @sanclementepalacekempinski
Planning: @sonia_petrazzi @artwedding_italy
Photographer: @stuartwoodphoto
Videographer: @storyofyourday
Photo Album: @graphistudio @ukgraphistudio
Dress: @shimmering_ivory
Suit: @finaest
Performers: @gabrielerizzi.lab
Flowers: @centrofiorivenezia
AV & Set-Up: @knowhowproduction_venice
Models: @modelsonice
Hairstyle & Makeup: @letiziacordellamakeup @wedding_venice_hair_makeup
Bridal Bag: @fregoli_italia
Shoes: @bellabelleshoes
Wedding Cake: @pasticceria_racca
Water Taxi: @landseaservice
Piano: @interpretiveneziani
Venetian costumes: @atelierlabauta
Content creator: @socialsoiree_uk