A Wedding Weekend at Monastero Santa Margherita, Todi
125 guests from New York and three days at a medieval monastery in Umbria: a welcome party by the pool, a church wedding with a brass-band walk to dinner, and a pool party the day after.
For three days at the end of August, a medieval monastery on the edge of Todi belonged to Gianna, Kenny and 125 guests from New York. Monday was a welcome party by the pool. Tuesday was a Catholic wedding at the Renaissance church of Santa Maria della Consolazione, a brass band down the road and dinner under the umbrella pines. Wednesday was everyone back in the pool.
I photographed all three days. This is the weekend, in the order it happened.
The weekend at a glance
Dates: Monday 24 to Wednesday 26 August 2026
Where: Todi, Umbria, Italy
Welcome party: Monday evening, by the pool at Monastero Santa Margherita
Ceremony: Tuesday, Catholic, at the Tempio di Santa Maria della Consolazione
Reception: Monastero Santa Margherita, about 200 metres from the church on foot
Pool party: Wednesday, back at the monastery pool
Guests: 125, flying in from New York
Wedding dress code: Black tie
Palette: blue, white and citrus on Monday; butter yellow, ivory and blush on Tuesday; yellow, white and tomato red on Wednesday
Monday: Benvenuti in Italia
The weekend opened at the monastery pool, with the dome of Santa Maria della Consolazione just up the slope. Every guest got a jute bag tied with a silk scarf. The tables were dressed in blue hydrangeas, oranges and lemons, an orange spritz cart stood on the lawn, and nearly everyone came in blue or white.
Gianna wore off-shoulder lace, Kenny a white suit. We took twenty minutes between the columns at the edge of the lawn while the sky went from gold to blue, then they went back to give their welcome speech. The night ended with a tiramisù the length of a table, piped with Fino alla Fine: until the end.
Round tables set with blue hydrangeas, citrus and paper fans by the pool.
The couple pose for an editorial portrait above the valley at dusk.
The couple pose for an editorial portrait above the valley at dusk.
The couple pose for an editorial portrait above the valley at dusk.
welcome bags under palm trees monastero santa margherita todi umbria
A quiet moment, veil catching the lake breeze..A quiet second beside the rotor blades.
An orange and white spritz bar cart dressed with blue hydrangeas.
The bride-to-be leans on her fiancé's shoulder against a blue evening sky.
The couple pose for an editorial portrait above the valley at dusk.
The couple pose for an editorial portrait above the valley at dusk.
Tuesday: the morning
Red Cartier boxes on an antique table, two wedding bands against a painted ceiling, Gianna's heels hung on a marble statue, and the gown waiting on its hanger. Rooms like these do half the styling for you.
The view the whole day was built around.
The first look, lace and morning light.
Caught mid-thought by the window.
An hour that belonged entirely to her.
Silk, satin ribbon
Chapter Five
The Gown
Backlit in the window, the ballgown finally on
Down the garden path, lake below.
Watching over the water, as it has for centuries.
The great three of Balbianello
The ballgown, in full.
Chapter Seven
The Garden
Among the hydrangeas, the ballgown finding its second life outdoors.
An aisle between two stone archways, dressed simply in white and green, where they said their vows.
The loggia, dressed and waiting for the toast.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Chapter Eight
Among the Hydrangeas
The bridal party, loose and unposed, in the villa's summer garden.
An aisle between two stone archways, dressed simply in white and green, where they said their vows.
The loggia, dressed and waiting for the toast.
Chapter Nine
The Terrace
The lake-view terrace, where every portrait ends up sooner or later.
Changed for the party, feathers and all.
One last portrait, veil catching the evening light.
Waiting for the boat, tulle catching the breeze.
The villa behind her, for the very last time.
Chapter Eleven
The Ceremony
The first kiss — the moment nobody had to direct.
Changed for the party, feathers and all.
One last portrait, veil catching the evening light.
Waiting for the boat, tulle catching the breeze.
The villa behind her, for the very last time.
Chapter Twelve
The Vows
A stone-path aisle, dressed simply in white and green, above the water.
Changed for the party, feathers and all.
One last portrait, veil catching the evening light.
Waiting for the boat, tulle catching the breeze.
Waiting for the boat, tulle catching the breeze.
Chapter Thirteen
The Celebration
The first dance, right as the light turned gold.
Chapter Fourteen
The Reception
Dinner set right at the water's edge, as the sky over Como turned pink.
An aisle between two stone archways, dressed simply in white and green, where they said their vows.
The loggia, dressed and waiting for the toast.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
A Note From Constantin Weddings
"This is the day I picture when a couple asks me what's actually possible on Lake Como. Arrive by helicopter, marry above the water, leave by boat at sunset — I wanted to see it through a lens, start to finish, at least once."
Lake Como Helicopter and Riva Boat Luxurt Wedding
Lake Como Helicopter and Riva Boat Luxurt Wedding
Chapter Fifteen
The Departure
One last boat waiting at the dock, this time to take them away from it.
Chapter Sixteen
Into the Golden Hour
A classic wooden Riva boat, the whole lake to themselves, and the best light of the day.
An aisle between two stone archways, dressed simply in white and green, where they said their vows.
The loggia, dressed and waiting for the toast.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Dinner beneath the arches, dressed in sage green, blush, and candlelight.
Final Frame
Off Into the Evening
The very last frame of the day — still laughing, still dancing, Lake Como fading into evening behind them.
Book Your Lake Como Wedding Photographer
Yes, you really can arrive by helicopter and leave by boat
Constantin Weddings photographs a small number of luxury weddings and editorial days across Lake Como each season. If a day like this — or any version of it — is what you're picturing, I'd love to hear about it.
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