CARLA & DEVON: WHEN AUTHENTICITY BECOMES CINEMA IN THE CHIANTI HILLS
There are weddings where, right from the first meeting with the couple, you already sense the direction the film will take. With Carla and Devon, that’s exactly how it was.
Having arrived from Chicago, they brought with them a calm energy, almost disarming in its naturalness. And right from the evening of the welcome dinner shared with me and their guests in the Tuscan hills there was an atmosphere that felt more like a family gathering than an event. It was exactly what they wanted: a sense of belonging and shared serenity, even before their wedding day had begun.
An estate that doesn’t need to be described it needs to be experienced
Tenuta di Monaciano, in the heart of the Sienese Chianti region, is one of the most beautiful locations I’ve ever had the good fortune to work at. An ancient estate that has preserved its 18th century character intact: Italian gardens, centuries old trees, marble statues, and vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see across the surrounding hills. A location that captures the most authentic essence of Tuscany without any need for artifice.
It’s one of those places that simply lends itself to being captured on camera: light streams through the interior spaces with a rare quality, and every corner of the estate from the historic garden to the panoramic terrace seems tailor made to tell a story.
If you’re curious about other Tuscan venues with this same cinematic quality, I explored many of them in my guide to the best locations for weddings in Tuscany.
Adrenaline, anticipation, and a bridal suite that says it all
The wedding day was a vibrant mix of adrenaline and emotion, palpable from the very first hours of getting ready, in both rooms the bride’s and the groom’s.
At Carla’s, the bridesmaids sang and danced to ease the tension, in a lighthearted and intimate atmosphere. At Devon’s, however, the pace was different but just as authentic: first, a relaxing moment by the pool with the best men, then a game of pool, a game of chess, and a shared whiskey while waiting for the most important moment. Two different energies, but with the same common thread: the authenticity of those living that day without filters.
Carte blanche, because authenticity can’t be directed
What Carla and Devon were looking for in this film was, first and foremost, authenticity: the chance to see and hear themselves exactly as they were, without any artificial constructs or embellishments.
They gave me complete creative freedom from the visuals to the music selection placing their full trust in my documentary style. It’s within this space of trust that I’m able to work best: when the couple doesn’t ask for a specific aesthetic, but simply asks to be seen for who they are.
If you’ve ever wondered how this approach differs from a more cinematic one, I wrote about exactly that in my piece on cinematic vs. documentary wedding videography.
The voices of those who truly know them
In the film, images from the day intertwine with the voices of those who know Carla and Devon better than anyone else. The words of family members and closest friends who are able to capture the essence of both of them in just a few words become an emotional counterpoint that runs throughout the entire montage.
And then there are the promises, spoken with a sincerity that needs no embellishment: it is precisely in those words and in the moments of spontaneous singing that broke out during the party that the film finds some of its most intense moments. These are not mere decorative touches. They are living proof of that sense of family that had already taken root from the very first evening.
An unexpected rain shower, and the true spirit of the guests
Among the many moments I’ll carry with me from this day (beyond the dips in the pool, the laughter during the pizza party at the welcome dinner, the heartfelt tears during the ceremony, and the speeches at dinner), one in particular has stayed with me more than any other.
During the wedding dinner, it suddenly started to rain. It wasn’t expected. The estate staff, acting with great promptness, handed out umbrellas to all the guests, who continued to eat and laugh as if nothing had happened: the only thing that mattered, at that moment, was being together.
It didn’t last long, but that brief moment says more about who those guests truly were than any speech ever could. I chose to include that very scene in the film’s trailer because, for me, it’s the true spirit of this wedding. It’s the moment when you realize that no imperfection can spoil a celebration built on the genuine joy of being together.
A venue that presents no challenges, but offers endless possibilities
From a technical standpoint, Tenuta di Monaciano posed no difficulties whatsoever.
The interior spaces are spacious and bright, bathed in extraordinary natural light at all times of the day. The outdoor areas, from aperitifs to dinner, proved just as generous: an extremely photogenic setting that captures its purest essence without requiring any artificial touches.
A soundtrack that follows the rhythm of the day
The music for this film wasn’t chosen in advance, but was crafted to reflect the actual energy of the day, moment by moment. The liveliest and most upbeat tracks accompany the preparations, when the bridesmaids danced to release tension; the softer, more relaxed sounds creep in during the cocktail hour, making room for conversation and the light of the sunset; while as the ceremony and speeches approach, the soundtrack becomes more intimate, allowing the words and silences to breathe.
It’s a balance crafted by listening to what the day itself was telling us, translating into sound the very authenticity that the couple chose to experience unfiltered.
If you’re interested in how music shapes a wedding film, I talked about this in depth in my article on the role of music in wedding videos.
When cinema is born from truth
Carla and Devon’s film is proof that there’s no need to stage anything when the truth is already powerful enough on its own. A location that tells its own story effortlessly, a group of guests capable of turning even an unexpected moment into a cherished memory these are the ingredients that make for a cinematic wedding without anyone having to direct it.
It’s on days like this that my style finds its purpose: observing, listening, and letting the story tell itself.
