When Katie and Tatton asked me to photograph their wedding at Tonnara di Scopello, I knew it was going to be something special. Set right on the coast, with rugged cliffs and turquoise water, Tonnara di Scopello is the kind of place that takes your breath away the moment you arrive.
What made it even more special (if that could even be possible!) was the fact Katie and Tatton booked the venue for the entire weekend, so their family and closest friends could enjoy exclusive access. And seeing as my other half Jessica is one of Katie’s closest friends (and was one of the bridesmaids), I was lucky enough to experience it all alongside them.
Sicily was in the midst of a heatwave, with the mercury hitting 40 degrees when we arrived, but the wedding day itself was beautifully overcast - still warm, but much kinder for everyone (and perfect for destination wedding photography). There was a group swim at 11am, then an afternoon to reset and prepare for the 5pm ceremony, which was as you would expect, heartfelt and intimate - with just the couple, their families, and close friends, surrounded by the sea and the beauty of the venue. Then it was time for good food, plenty of wine, and a selection of speeches that were warm, full of love and from the heart.
For me, this Tonnara di Scopello wedding really summed up what I love most about photographing intimate celebrations. It wasn’t about grand gestures or a packed guest list - it was about the connection between people, in one of the most stunning locations you could imagine. It was a weekend I won’t forget in a hurry - the swims, the food, the laughs with old friends, and most of all, the love between two beautiful people.
