Europe
A European wedding photographer and videographer
Most of the couples we work with fly in from the United States to marry in Europe, and most of them choose Italy. Some choose the French Riviera, a lake in Switzerland or an island in Greece. Wherever you marry, you need the same things: a team that understands the place and its light, plans every detail with your planner from far away, and tells your story with taste.
Cinemotions Films is a luxury wedding photography and film studio founded by Luca Cristofari and based in Rome. Before devoting his work to weddings, Luca spent years working in the United States, Spain and France alongside some of the world’s leading wedding photographers. Today we photograph and film weddings across Italy and Europe, we accept a limited number of weddings each year, and the founder is personally present at every celebration.
Photography
European wedding photography, photography first
Photography comes first in everything we do. Natural, elegant, editorial images with very little posing: the quiet of the morning, the ceremony, the portraits at golden hour and the dance floor at night. The light of the Mediterranean is strong and changes quickly, so we build the day around the hours when it is kind to faces.
Film
Cinematic films from a European wedding videographer
Our films are built like short pieces of cinema, with real sound, rhythm and the voices of the people you love: the vows, the speeches, the music. Watch Maxim & Harriet’s welcome dinner film at the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, made by the same team that photographs and films our weddings in Italy. Many couples choose photography and film together, so one team tells the whole story with a single signature.
Where we travel
From Rome to anywhere in Europe
Italy is our home and where we work most, and we travel wherever your celebration takes place.
- Italy.Rome, Lake Como, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Umbria and the Veneto, where Konstantine & Delie’s wedding at Villa Freya was featured in Vogue España.
- France. The French Riviera, from Cannes to Antibes and Saint-Tropez, Provence and Paris. On the Croisette we filmed Maxim & Harriet’s welcome dinner, the first chapter of their wedding weekend.
- Spain and Portugal. Mallorca, Marbella, Seville and Barcelona; Lisbon, Sintra and the Douro Valley.
- Switzerland and the lakes. Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne and the Alps, a short drive from Lake Como.
- Greece and the islands. Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, where the light is as strong as on the Amalfi Coast and the timing of the day matters just as much.
From the United States
Planning a wedding in Europe from far away
A few things we plan around with every couple who marries in Europe from the United States.
- The legal ceremony. Italy allows non-residents to marry legally with the right documents; France and Spain generally require one of you to be a resident, so many couples marry at home and hold a symbolic ceremony at their venue, at the hour of the best light.
- Time zones. We plan by video call at times that work for you, and we coordinate the timeline directly with your planner and venue.
- The light and the season. From June to September the Mediterranean sun is high and hot; ceremonies about an hour and a half before sunset are kinder to faces, guests and photographs. May and September are the favorite months.
- Drones. Since 2021 the European Union has common EASA rules for drones, but each country adds its own no-fly zones and permits. We check every location in advance.
- Music. We choose your soundtrack from properly licensed music, so your film can be shared online in the United States and in Europe.
Stories
Weddings in Europe
Hôtel Martinez, Cannes · Maxim & Harriet
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Villa Erba, Lake Como · Renee & Tino
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La Rondinaia, Ravello · Antonia & Andrew
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Castello Odescalchi, Rome · Beatrice & Evan
View the storyQuestions
Europe destination wedding photographer: your questions
A few answers for couples planning a wedding in Europe.
Do you photograph and film weddings outside Italy?
Yes. We are based in Rome and most of our weddings are in Italy, but we travel anywhere in Europe. On the French Riviera we filmed Maxim & Harriet’s welcome dinner at the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, and Luca Cristofari spent years working in Spain and France alongside leading wedding photographers.
Which countries in Europe do you travel to?
Anywhere your celebration takes you: Italy, France, from the Riviera to Provence and Paris, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Greece and beyond. We plan the logistics with your planner and venue, so the day runs as smoothly abroad as it does in Rome.
Does travel change the proposal?
Travel within Europe is planned case by case and included clearly in your proposal, with no surprises. Tell us the place, the dates and the size of the celebration, and we will prepare a proposal for you.
Can American couples marry legally in Europe?
It depends on the country. Italy allows non-residents to marry legally with the right documents, while countries such as France and Spain generally require one of you to be a resident, so many couples marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony in Europe. Our guide to getting married in Italy as a foreigner explains the Italian options.
Do you work with American couples and planners?
Yes. Most of our couples come from the United States. We work in English, plan by video call across time zones, and coordinate every detail with your planner long before you land.
How do we choose the best wedding photographer and videographer in Europe?
Ask to see full galleries and full films, not only highlights; listen to the sound in the films; check awards and publications you can verify; ask who will actually be there on the day; and, if you want both, consider one team for photography and film. Our work has won a Zankyou International Wedding Award and several WEVA awards, and has been featured in ELLE and Vogue España.
Can you fly a drone at a wedding in Europe?
Often yes. Since 2021 drones in the European Union follow common EASA rules, but every country adds its own no-fly zones and permits, especially near cities, airports and historic centers. We check each location in advance and plan aerial and FPV images only where they are allowed.
Do you offer both wedding photography and film?
Yes. One team creates both, with photography first, so the photographs and the film tell one story and never compete for the same spot. See our Portfolio Photography and Portfolio Videography.
Inquire
Your wedding in Europe
We accept a limited number of weddings each year, so that every couple receives the time and care they deserve. Whether your celebration has been planned for a long time or is coming together at the last minute, we would be delighted to hear your story.
Inquire about your date