A Dream Wedding in Procida: Giuseppe and Valentina’s Story

When I first spoke with Giuseppe and Valentina, I could immediately feel that their wedding wasn’t going to be just another event on my calendar. It was a homecoming. Even though they both live and work in the bustling heart of Rome, Giuseppe’s roots are deeply planted in the volcanic soil of Procida. There is something profoundly different about photographing a couple when one of them belongs to the land where they are saying their vows. It changes the way they walk through the streets, the way they breathe in the salty air, and the way they look at the horizon.

When I first spoke with Giuseppe and Valentina, I could immediately feel that their wedding wasn’t going to be just another event on my calendar. It was a homecoming. Even though they both live and work in the bustling heart of Rome, Giuseppe’s roots are deeply planted in the volcanic soil of Procida. There is something profoundly different about photographing a couple when one of them belongs to the land where they are saying their vows. It changes the way they walk through the streets, the way they breathe in the salty air, and the way they look at the horizon.

The Soul of the Mediterranean: Why We Choose Procida

The choice between a wedding-in-anacapri and a celebration in Procida often comes down to the kind of story a couple wants to tell. Anacapri is the “secluded and tranquil” twin of Capri town, famous for its designer boutiques and the legendary Hotel Caesar Augustus. It is a world of refined elegance. Procida, on the other hand, is the island of fishermen and poets. It is the island of Arthur, as Elsa Morante wrote, and the island where the colors of the houses are as bright as the stories of the people who live in them.   

I remember walking through the narrow alleys of Procida with Giuseppe and Valentina during our first site visit. Giuseppe pointed to a small corner near the harbor and told me a story about his grandfather mending nets right there. That is the magic of this place. It isn’t curated for tourists; it is a working, breathing community that just happens to be breathtakingly beautiful. While Anacapri offers that “cosmopolitan” vibe for the international jet set, Procida maintains a “timeless vibe that harks back to Italy in the 1950s”. 

As a photographer, my job is to capture the light, but also the spirit. In Procida, the spirit is everywhere—in the “shades of orange, red and pink” that decorate the houses of Marina Corricella and in the “purity of white” that reflects the island’s traditional soul. It’s an island that doesn’t close itself off; it invites you in. For Giuseppe and Valentina, this was the only place that could truly represent their union—a bridge between their sophisticated Roman lives and Giuseppe’s authentic island heritage.

The Morning at Solchiaro Resort: A Sanctuary of Light

The day began high above the sea at Solchiaro Resort, located in the southernmost part of the island. This area, Punta Solchiaro, is perhaps the most peaceful spot on the whole island. The resort itself is an “oasis of peace and tranquility,” surrounded by citrus groves and Mediterranean gardens that seem to soak up the sun and release it as a gentle perfume.   

Valentina was getting ready in one of the beautifully furnished rooms that reflect the island’s craftsmanship. I remember the atmosphere in the room—it was calm, filled with the soft light of a Mediterranean morning. As a photographer, I am always searching for that perfect window of light. In the early hours at Solchiaro, the sun is still low, casting long, soft shadows that are incredibly flattering for bridal portraits.   

I suggested we move outside to the pergola. This is one of my favorite spots at the resort. The way the vines filter the sunlight creates a dappled effect that adds a layer of natural texture to the photos. Valentina stood there, her dress catching the light, and I captured a series of single portraits that I still consider some of my best work. The greenery of the pergola and the blue of the sea in the background created a color harmony that was simply perfect.   

There is a functionality to Solchiaro that makes my work much easier. The layout of the gardens and the various terraces means I can find twenty different “looks” within a five-minute walk. We moved to the main terrace, where the view stretches out toward the islands of Ischia and Capri. Valentina looked out over the water, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. It’s these moments of quiet reflection that I live to capture. The resort isn’t just a place to sleep; it’s a stage where the light performs every day.

Mastering the Pergola: A Technical and Emotional Study

People often ask me why I’m so obsessed with the light under a pergola. The reason is simple: it’s nature’s softbox. Direct Mediterranean sun can be harsh and unforgiving, especially at midday. But under the pergola at Solchiaro, the light is broken up and softened. It creates what we call “cinematic light”.   

When I was shooting Valentina’s portraits, I was looking for the way the light caught her eyes. By positioning her just at the edge of the shade, I could use the bright surroundings as a natural reflector while keeping the skin tones soft and creamy. This is where my experience as a studio comes into play—knowing exactly when to click the shutter to catch that one ray of light that highlights the lace of the dress or the shimmer of a necklace.

I shared an anecdote with Valentina that morning to help her relax. I told her about a wedding I did years ago where the bride was so nervous she forgot her bouquet at the hotel, and we had to use lemons from the trees at Solchiaro as a temporary “floral arrangement” for some of the prep shots. We laughed about it, and that laughter is what I captured in the photos. Building that relationship is key. I’m not just a guy with a camera; I’m a companion on their journey.

The Meeting at Santa Margherita Nuova: Tradition and Emotion

Giuseppe and Valentina decided not to do a “first look” in private. Instead, they wanted their first meeting to be at the ceremony site, but in a way that felt intimate before the official rite began. We chose the courtyard of the church of Santa Margherita Nuova.   

Perched on the ridge of Terra Murata, the highest and oldest part of the island, Santa Margherita Nuova is a place of incredible historical weight. The complex has been a monastery and a center of island life for centuries. Today, its courtyard serves as one of the most majestic locations for a civil ceremony in Italy.   

The logistics of a wedding in Procida can be tricky, especially in the historic center where traffic is restricted. I always advise my couples on the best times to arrive to avoid the heat and the few tourists that might be wandering around. We timed their arrival perfectly. Giuseppe was already there, standing in the courtyard, looking out at the sea and the island of Vivara.   

When Valentina walked into the courtyard, the sound of her steps on the ancient stones was the only thing you could hear. There was no music yet, just the wind and the distant sound of the sea. They met in the center of that vast, open space. The architecture of Santa Margherita—with its clean lines and sun-bleached walls—provided a neutral backdrop that made the emotions of the couple the absolute focus of the frame.

The beauty of the civil ceremony here is that it doesn’t feel like a government office. It feels sacred. The location is “raised above the sea,” giving everyone a sense of perspective. The history of the “island that does not isolate” felt present in every word spoken during the ceremony. Capturing a civil wedding in such a setting is a privilege because the environment does half the work for you. The light reflects off the water and bounces into the courtyard, creating a natural glow that is dreamlike.

Navigating Terra Murata: A Photographer’s Secret

Terra Murata is the heart of Procida, but it requires a bit of mastery to photograph well. The sun can be very strong up there, and the white walls can lead to overexposed shots if you don’t know what you’re doing. I’ve spent years learning the “opening and closing hours of access” and the exact moments when the sun hits the courtyard at the most flattering angle.   

For Giuseppe and Valentina, I suggested a ceremony time that allowed us to use the late afternoon sun. This is the “golden hour,” when the light turns warm and soft, disappearing the harsh shadows that can make people squint. By timing the meeting in the courtyard just before the ceremony, we captured that raw, first-sight emotion in the best possible light.   

I remember a small anecdote from that moment. A local cat—and Procida is full of them, much like the “semi-wild cats” you might find in other coastal Italian towns—decided to walk right between Giuseppe and Valentina as they were holding hands for the first time. It was a reminder that in Procida, life continues around you. It’s not a closed-off set; it’s a living world. We kept that photo in the final album because it was so “Procida.”

The Colors of Marina Corricella: A Photographic Odyssey

After the ceremony, we headed down to Marina Corricella. If you’ve seen a picture of Procida, it was likely of this village. It is the oldest fishing village on the island, a “place full of colors, with unique architecture where there is no lack of small windows, stairs and viewpoints”.   

Corricella is a vertical village. The houses are built one on top of the other in a way that seems to defy gravity. The colors—pink, yellow, blue, red—were originally chosen so that the fishermen could see their homes from the sea even in bad weather. For a photographer, it is a playground of geometry and pigment.   

Walking through Corricella with a couple in wedding attire is always an experience. The locals, the “nonni” sitting outside mending their nets or gossiping, always stop to give a blessing or a smile. Giuseppe felt right at home here, greeting people in the local dialect. This is where my role as a photographer shifts into that of a storyteller. I’m not just taking portraits; I’m capturing the couple’s interaction with the soul of the island.   

The light in Corricella is at its best during the “golden hour” for reflections in the harbor, but it’s also beautiful in the “early morning for soft light”. Since we were there after the ceremony, we caught the transition from day to night. As the sun dipped below the horizon toward Ischia, the lights of the restaurants began to twinkle on the water, and the colorful houses took on a deep, saturated glow.   

We walked along the harbor, passing the famous “Locanda del Postino,” where the iconic film was shot. Procida has always been a “film set,” and that evening, Giuseppe and Valentina were the stars. We avoided the main crowds by ducking into some of the narrow “secret spots” I’ve discovered over the years—small staircases and backyard terraces that offer a view of the marina without the bustle of the restaurants.