Bologna will always hold a piece of my heart because of this wedding

Bologna will always hold a piece of my heart because of this wedding. It wasn’t just an event—it was a turning point, a reminder of why I do what I do, and proof that love truly is transformative.

Italy has a way of making love feel bigger than it is. Or maybe, love was always this big, and we just needed the ancient walls of a villa to remind us. I don’t know.

There are moments in life that redefine everything you thought you knew. For me, that moment happened in Bologna, during a wedding that turned out to be so much more than just a celebration. It wasn’t simply the vows or the laughter—it was the way love seemed to transform the air, how it wove itself into every detail, and how it left me forever changed.

Then came the vows, spoken in soft, trembling voices. The words they exchanged weren’t just promises; they were declarations of faith, vulnerability, and an unshakable belief in the future they were building together. Something about their raw honesty hit me deeply. It reminded me of why I became a photographer—to capture not just moments, but the emotion, the truth, and the beauty that can exist between people.

As the day unfolded, I found myself swept up in the magic of it all. The reception took place in a rustic courtyard, with tables adorned with simple yet elegant decor: candles, wildflowers, and wine from nearby vineyards. Guests danced under strings of lights, their joy unfiltered and contagious.

And yet, it was in the quiet moments that I found my perspective shifting. A shared glance between the couple during dinner. The bride leaning her head on the groom’s shoulder as music played softly in the background. It wasn’t just about the images I was capturing; it was about what those images meant.

This wedding reminded me of the power of love, not just in grand gestures, but in its ability to create meaning, connection, and change. It wasn’t just their lives that were changed that day. It was mine, too.

Bologna will always hold a piece of my heart because of this wedding. It wasn’t just an event—it was a turning point, a reminder of why I do what I do, and proof that love truly is transformative.

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Dario&Chiara & Futurelab