Rahel & Emanuel — Sandra Ardizzone Photography - intimate weddings in Europe and beyond

The day Rahel and Emanuel got married, everything was absolutely perfect. The day before, the bride and her maid of honor already had the hotel suite booked, spent the evening relaxing in the hot-tub and just enjoying Rahel’s last day as a non-married woman. When I arrived the next day to photograph Rahel’s preparations they were super relaxed and were ready for Rahel to get married: The gorgeous dress, Rahel’s tiara and of course a chilled bottle of Moscato were just waiting for them :) We had lots of fun during preparations and the girls even had time to pose as nacho-models before it was time to drive to the church, where Emanuel was already waiting for his bride.

The ceremony was led by a close friend of the couple who is also a minister at the church they go to. This made the whole ceremony much more personal and emotional than when the officiant is a stranger and I suggest if you know someone who can and will lead your ceremony, that you ask them. At Rahel and Emanuel’s wedding there was lots of singing, beautiful prayers and a really sweet ring-bearer who couldn’t get the rings out of her hands quickly enough :) Rahel and Emanuel read each other vows and the love they have for each other shone through in every word. It was a beautiful ceremony and when they exited the church as husband and wife everyone was loudly cheering for them.

While the day we had met up for their engagement shoot was one of the coldest of the whole year (read the blogpost and see the images here), their wedding day was so hot that people opted to stay inside for the reception. The tables outside, despite being in shade, stayed empty while the buffet with different infused waters had to be filled up constantly. I also made sure to bring a bottle of water for formals and I guess the couple appreciate it. During weddings, it’s important to stay hydrated so always having a bottle of water closeby is something I strongly suggest you do.

In Switzerland it’s not common to have bridesmaids. Instead, you usually have the maid of honor and maybe one other person helping you out. I, for one, love the idea of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Not only because it makes for great pictures, but also because it’s fun having your closest girls with you during the day and it makes it easier for guests to pick out who’s part of the close-friends-group. Rahel and her girls had decided on a soft lavender color for their dresses and BOY DID THEY LOOK AMAZING. That’s a tradition I could totally see catching on here. What do you guys think?

For the couple’s shoot we went to the closeby Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute, a park overlooking Lake Zurich, and found a few quiet spots to take calm, elegant portraits of the two of them, before their drove off in the amazing car they had rented for the day to party with their loved ones while I was left behind with a happy smile and many great memories of yet antoher wonderful wedding day.

Rahel and Emanuel, I wish you the absolute best for your future as husband and wife and I am so glad we found each other. Thanks for having me be a part of your wedding day!