Most couples who dream of Tuscany picture June. I understand why, but if you ask me, October is better. The light is lower and warmer, the heat has gone, the vineyards are turning, and the whole countryside smells of the harvest. Mr. & Mrs. Withworth's autumn wedding in Tuscany, at Borgo Vescine in the Chianti hills near Siena, is a good example of why.

Borgo Vescine

Borgo Vescine is a small stone hamlet surrounded by vineyards, woods and cypress-lined roads, in the province of Siena. It has that slightly hidden feeling that a lot of couples are looking for: you drive up a white road, and suddenly there's a village that seems to exist only for you and your guests.

An al fresco wedding

Everything happened outdoors: the ceremony, the aperitivo and the dinner. Wildflowers in wicker baskets, a bride in an embroidered floral gown with a long veil, a bouquet of garden roses. Nothing looked staged, and that was exactly the point.

Why an autumn wedding in Tuscany works so well

• The sun sets earlier, so golden hour arrives before dinner instead of in the middle of it. Portraits fit naturally into the day.
• No midsummer heat. Guests in suits and long dresses are comfortable outside all afternoon.
• The harvest is on. Vineyards, olive groves and wine are at their best, and the food follows.
• Venues and suppliers are often more available than in June.

The only real caveat: evenings get cool. Plan heaters or shawls for the dinner, and agree on a covered plan B with your venue in case of rain.

The party

After dinner the evening turned into a proper party. A guest went around with a vintage camera all night, and at one point the bride was lifted off the ground by a friend in the middle of the dance floor. I shot most of the night in black and white, because the energy mattered more than the colors.

See the full story of the wedding at Borgo Vescine, and our luxury wedding photography in Italy. If you're considering an autumn wedding in Tuscany, we'd be happy to help you plan around the light.