There is something about the idea of a destination wedding in Florence that makes my heart flutter. Maybe it’s because they exude elegance, romance, and sophistication. Maybe it’s the history and the architecture that makes this city such an alluring place to tie the knot. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m hooked. So when this Florence wedding styled shoot landed in my inbox, I was totally blown away. The photo session was inspired by the Mona Lisa. And not one detail was overlooked when this amazing group of vendors collaborated to bring their vision to life. A huge shout-out goes to the incredibly talented Johanna of Ambientimage Photography for capturing and sharing this masterpiece with us. Make sure you scroll to the end, where she tells us all about the inspiration behind this impressive photoshoot. Enjoy!
About this Florence Wedding Inspiration Shoot
Photographer Johanna Jacobson tells us more about their inspiration:
This Florence wedding shoot was inspired by the real Mona Lisa, or Lisa Gherardini “la Gioconda” and her enigmatic expression painted around 1503 – 1506 by Leonardo da Vinci in Florence. She was the wife of a rich Florentine silk merchant and through a series of circumstances the Mona Lisa can be found at the Louve in Paris, but in 1911 an Italian employee of the Louve feeling patriotic, felt that the painting deserved to be in Italy. He stole the painting and attempted to sell it two years later to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Makeup artist Silvia Gerzell used golden eye shadow powder and tones as a reference back to the nearby Uffizi galleries and the golden halos painstakingly applied to the saints portrayed in masterpiece works of that era.
Located near Santa Trinita, where Mona Lisa spent her childhood, the Antica Torre di Tornabuoni is a historical residence built in the 1300’s that she certainly passed by daily. We can imagine that she may have been a visitor to the property and perhaps friendly with the tower’s original owners, the Gherardini family.
With an unmistakable resemblance to our famous muse, our model captured the enigmatic and undecipherable, but welcoming smile that graces the most famous painting in the world.
The modern, yet romantic silhouette of Sarah Foy’s wedding dress design effortlessly reminds us of a classic but aristocratic style that perfectly mirrors the renaissance monuments in the background. The red-hued Duomo in the center of Florence, along with the San Miniato al Monte church overlooking the city, all contribute to the overall feeling of La Gioconda in a modern, but historical Florence.
Smitten on Paper’s gorgeous stationary reflect the pink and green pastel marble used on the intricate designs of the Duomo. The pastel pink and white blooms further contribute to this soft modern romance under a turquoise sky. The gold makeup and hues are further reflected in the choice of shoot location in front of the Ponte Vecchio where the world’s finest goldsmiths sell their historical designs.
Vendors
Photographer: Ambientimage Photography
Wedding Planner and Stylist: Rosie Meleady
Dress: Sarah Foy
Model: Kristina from Look Now
Hair and Make up: Silvia Gerzeli
Florist: Violamalva
Confetti (bonbons): La Confetteria Firenze
Guest Gifts: Officina Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
Venue: Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni, Florence, Italy
Stationary: Smitten on Paper
Postcard, Stamps, Florentine Leather Journal: Photographer Ambientimage’s private vintage collection
A Classy and Romantic Disney Wedding
