- A Varenna Italy Wedding on Lake Como | Villa Cipressi
I am typing this blog post from thousands of feet in the air. We’re on our way home from Italy, and I have a hard drive full of images that I can’t believe I had the opportunity to take!! There aren’t words to adequately describe how much I loved Greg and Kate’s wedding!! If you have followed me for a while, you know that engagement sessions are a MUST for us. That’s our time to get to know our couples and get them comfortable in front of the camera, but when you’re on maternity leave and your couple lives in Chicago… sometimes an engagement session just isn’t possible. I knew going into Greg and Kate’s wedding day that I would not only be meeting them for the first time but I would also be teaching them how to be comfortable in front of the camera as well!
Thankfully, after about 2 minutes of photographing them, I knew that I had absolutely nothing to worry about. These two are simply amazing, not only because of their modeling abilities…. but because they made us feel like a part of their family instantly! When we left their reception I told Michael that I could have hung out with them for another WEEK! They are the type of people that you tell other people about! They’re fun, kind, entertaining, thoughtful and genuine.
The majority of their dinner was spent listening to the most beautiful toasts. I hear toasts ALL of the time, and it takes a lot for me to tear up during them. I think I cried during at LEAST 4 of their toasts from family and friends, and I didn’t want them to end. However, they definitely saved the best for last. Kate’s family shared earlier in the evening that she was known for preparing poems for EVERY life celebration when she was younger! It was like her “thing”. So it was only fitting that she made a poem for her wedding day that included individual lines for EVERY. SINGLE. GUEST. All 70 of them! First of all, who has a destination wedding to the other side of the world and has 70 friends and family invest in coming all the way over there?! That’s how you know that you have truly invested in people’s lives, and that you’re deeply loved!
Not only did Greg and Kate toast their friends, they also spoke so highly of their families…. especially their parents. Maybe I think this way because I’m a parent now, but I think it’s the most beautiful thing to hear a young couple tell their parents that they love and respect them more than anyone else. Greg and Kate both come from families that love each other so much, and it was so evident to us after just spending one day with them!! It was such a honor to be in their presence and an even greater honor to be the ones capturing their memories!!
Having their wedding at Lake Como was a wild idea that became the most beautiful reality! I can honestly say that it has to be the most beautiful wedding location I have EVER photographed. Hands down. It was a gorgeous day and at moments, I couldn’t believe that it was really happening! We’re getting ready to land and so even though I have so much more to say, I need to let you see these images!! I still can’t get over them!!!!
How amazing are those PLANTS?!
Michael’s amazing shot! Can’t take credit for this one!
I can however take credit for this one! They are such a classy couple!
These are AMAZING! Her dress and veil are so awesome. And what a setting. Seriously a dream.
Oh my goodness! What a dream! I was following all your snapchat stories. What an incredible trip! Congrats to the newlyweds!
THESE ARE SO GOOD!
Hi Katelyn,
Absolutely Gorgeous!
Would love to read a blogpost how you handled things with Everly? Did she travel with you? Who watched her? How did you handle the breastfeeding/pumping situation?
All the best from Germany
Paulette (mommy of Theo 2 years, Elise 4 days old)
Oh my GOODNESS, the light – and the photos on the boat are to die for!! What a dream!!
Oh my GOSH…Katelyn…These photos are absolutely spectacular! What a DREAM location! Gorgeous couple, absolutely perfect dress and veil and above all else, such talent to grab every ray of light just perfectly, every wisp of wind, and a softness and romance in every setting…SO WELL DONE.
Absolutely, positively stunning! These photos and this wedding are so beautiful it’s impossible to capture it in words.
Katelyn–the pictures are wonderful….we spent some time in Lake Como and it is beautiful !! You caught details of her gorgeous dress and veil…. Congrats on your new little girl, too!
Seriously stunning! I’m in love with her dress, and the shots of them on the speed boat! Gorgeous wedding!
Beautiful!! Just BEAUTIFUL!
These are magically beautiful Katelyn & Michael!!
Absolutely STUNNING!!! Those boat portraits are AMAZING!!!
This wedding…. you guys knocked it out of the park, Katelyn & Michael!! This was exactly what I needed to see before my wedding season starts – so much beauty and great posing!
Katelyn! I believe you have outdone even yourself!!! These are so so so stunning!!!!
KATELYN!! You have outdone yourself!!! Oh my goodness these are absolutely stunning!!!!!!!! WOW!!!
This wedding is gorgeous in every way!!! And so beautifully captured by two amazing photographers!
Wow! You guys are more than amazing. Speechless
Simply gorgeous! These make me want to get married all over again! And start shooting weddings! And I’m a landscape photographer! Love.
Katelyn, Congratulations on a dream come true career adventure! These portraits are incredible! I’ve followed your work for years and hope to meet you someday. And Congratulations to Greg and Kate on a beautiful wedding. :-) Best, Jenn
Wow, wow, wow!!! What more is there to say?! These are absolutely stunning!!! <3 <3
KATELYN AND MICHAEL!!! These are gorgeous!! Like seriously, it looks so editorial. Way to go both of you.
Magical!! These are amazing!!
Katelyn and Michael!!! How on the Lord’s beautiful earth do you expose the way you do? Or is it editing? I know that would mean spilling all of your secrets, but how are you able to not have everything blown out? I’d love to hear your thoughts!! Also, I am so encouraged by you two. I love how you run your business with joy and laughter. I’ve been struggling here recently trying to find joy in wedding photography again. I am a lover and follower of Jesus and have been praying that this job would be used to His glory. I want to grow and get better consistently all to honor him. Any tips, thoughts, encouragement, and prayers are so welcome! Thank you!!
Absolutely gorgeous Katelyn. You weren’t kidding; this is the most beautiful location I’ve ever seen! Congrats Greg and Katie!
Beautiful work Katelyn! Oh yes, this place is just stunning, no wonder you had to remind yourself, that is really happening there and you are part of it. I always enjoy to see your work, but this was very special to me too. Congrats to the young couple and to you two, as well, to go there with a baby and work so hard and create an awesome memories to them. xoxo
Love Lake Como. Happy you had the chance to visit one of the prettiest places on the planet! Such a paradise
These photos caused me to tear up–and I don’t know them! Exquisite. So much joy, detail, beauty, and love captured in these photographs. <3
Ummm okay wow- everything about this is GOALS!! So dreamy!!
Most beautiful wedding, family , setting and pictures ever!!!!
Umm is this real life!? My favorite one yet!
For those of us that could not attend, THANK YOU for capturing the emotions and beauty of the Kennedy wedding! You do an amazing job!
Wonderful job K & M! Italy is a beautiful place to have a wedding. I’ve been to Italy about 10 years ago in that area, at the lake just west of where you were, at a famous castle on Isola Bella. They know how to landscape in that area.
EPIC!! Just, epic. I loved that chiffon layer to her gown, it added such depth to her look!
one word: AMAZING
I didn’t want this gallery to ever end! Such unbelievably beautiful photos.
I really love your editing style. There is this fine line between too much or too less, it’s not that easy to achieve.
These are breathtaking! I’m totally speechless. I’m also dying to know… does anyone happen to know where the bride’s earrings are from? They’re amazing!
Katelyn!! This is the most stunning wedding! What incredible photos!!! So glad I stumbled upon this one today!!! WOW!! great job team!! Thank you for living your God sized dreams!! <3 Jess
Stunning photos~ I love everything about this photoshoot, so beautiful and emotional.
Katelyn, I am just browsing your blog for inspiration before we leave to shoot a wedding today and came across this one. It’s so gorgeous! After watching you in KJ All Access, I can just imagine how much you were squealing while shooting this one! lol <3