There are some wedding venues that simply take your breath away, and Corte San Mattia in Verona is definitely one of them.
Set high in the hills above the romantic city of Verona, surrounded by vineyards and with incredible views stretching across the city, it was the perfect setting for Claudia and Chris’ beautiful Italian wedding.
From the moment we arrived, the whole day felt relaxed, emotional and incredibly personal.
Getting Ready in the Verona Hills
Claudia and Chris spent the morning getting ready separately in a small house within the grounds of Corte San Mattia.
While preparations were underway, Dulcie was busy dressing the ceremony area in the gardens, creating a beautiful setting overlooking Verona.
Nathan and Étienne captured the morning as it unfolded, including some particularly emotional moments as gifts were opened.
There were presents for Claudia and her daughter, photographs of Claudia’s dog who unfortunately couldn’t be there, and some very special photographs remembering Claudia’s mum, who had sadly passed away when Claudia was young.
It was one of those moments that really brought home just how much emotion and meaning can be packed into a wedding morning.
A Beautiful Garden Ceremony
Before the ceremony, we took some time to photograph the bridal party around the gardens and grounds of Corte San Mattia.
The groomsmen made their way down a beautiful tree-lined path, while Claudia and her bridesmaids had photographs among the greenery surrounding the estate.
With everyone ready, guests gathered in the garden overlooking Verona.
Jeanette delivered a beautiful symbolic ceremony before Claudia and Chris exchanged their own vows and rings.
There was something particularly lovely about the ceremony being symbolic. Without the need for lots of formalities, it became entirely about Claudia and Chris, their relationship and celebrating it with the people closest to them.
As they walked back up the aisle as newlyweds, guests filled the air with bubbles instead of traditional confetti.
It looked fantastic and made for some brilliant photographs and video footage.
Prosecco, Gardens and Views Across Verona
Following the ceremony, everyone relaxed into the afternoon with canapés and drinks in the gardens.
We then took Claudia and Chris away for some photographs around the estate and overlooking Verona.
There was no rush. We spent around an hour wandering the grounds, enjoying some prosecco and wine and making the most of the incredible scenery.
That is one of the things we love most about Italian weddings. When the timeline allows it, there is space to actually enjoy the day rather than constantly rushing from one moment to the next.
And Corte San Mattia is exactly the kind of place where you want to slow things down and take it all in.
An Italian-Inspired Wedding Breakfast
Later in the afternoon, everyone moved towards the main house for dinner.
A long table had been beautifully styled beneath the ivy and traditional green shutters, with lemons, olives, olive branches and flowers running along its centre.
It felt perfectly Italian.
Simple, elegant and completely in keeping with the surroundings.
The combination of the old stone building, greenery, bright yellow lemons and soft florals looked beautiful and brought the whole design together.
Looking around, you could easily have believed you were somewhere deep in the Tuscan countryside rather than in the hills overlooking Verona.
Sunset in the Vineyards
As the sun began to drop, we took Claudia and Chris out into the vineyards.
This was one of our favourite parts of the entire day.
The light was absolutely beautiful, with the sun setting behind them as they walked through the vines.
Étienne also flew the drone, capturing Claudia and Chris from above with the vineyards, hills and Verona landscape stretching out behind them.
The result was some truly cinematic footage and a completely different perspective on the wedding. It also showed just how special the setting at this Verona wedding venue really is.
“Sometimes you can plan every detail of a photograph. And sometimes Italy simply gives you the moment.”
Emotional Speeches and Plenty of Laughter
As evening arrived, the live band made their way from Florence and began playing, creating a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere as everyone settled in for the evening.
Then came the speeches.
They were incredibly emotional in places but also very funny, which is exactly how the best wedding speeches should be.
There were tears one minute and laughter the next.
The best man, Joe, was particularly memorable and definitely became one of the characters of the evening.
By the time the dancing started, he had his tie around his head and had somehow managed to borrow the bride’s father’s crutches for his own unique contribution to the dance floor.
Some moments you simply couldn’t plan.
A Prosecco Tower, Wedding Cake and Dancing
As the evening continued, it was time for the Prosecco tower and cake cutting, set against a backdrop that could easily have been a Tuscan landscape.
The glasses were stacked high before Claudia and Chris poured the prosecco from the top, gradually filling each level below.
Later came the cake cutting, perfectly positioned with the lights of Verona beginning to glow in the distance.
Then the band stepped things up and the party really began.
Guests packed the dance floor and confetti filled the air during Claudia and Chris’ first dance.
It was the perfect ending to a day that had everything: emotion, laughter, beautiful styling, incredible scenery and, most importantly, a brilliant group of people celebrating together.
A Perfect Wedding at Corte San Mattia
Corte San Mattia really is a special place for a wedding in Verona.
You have vineyards, beautiful gardens, traditional Italian architecture and one of the best views across Verona, all in one location.
In fact, with the vines, olive trees, old stone buildings and rolling landscape, you could easily be forgiven for thinking you were in Tuscany.
But what made Claudia and Chris’ wedding so memorable wasn’t simply the venue.
It was all the personal touches throughout the day.
The photographs remembering Claudia’s mum, the gifts exchanged that morning, the intimate ceremony overlooking Verona, the laughter during the speeches and the slightly chaotic moments on the dance floor all made the wedding completely their own.
A beautiful setting, a wonderful couple and a genuinely unforgettable day in the hills above Verona.
Congratulations Claudia and Chris.
What a perfect, perfect day.
If you’re dreaming of something similar, take a look at how we help couples plan their day, browse our favourite wedding venues, or simply get in touch.
