Il Segreto di Pietrafitta, San Gimignano
Cody & Steve — An Intimate Countryside Wedding with Views of San Gimignano
Cody and Steve celebrated their wedding in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere at the historic residence Il Segreto di Pietrafitta, a charming Tuscan borgo nestled in the countryside at the foot of San Gimignano. Surrounded by rolling green hills and vineyards, the setting offered the perfect backdrop for a quiet and meaningful celebration. A small group of close friends and family gathered in Tuscany to share this special moment and celebrate their love together.
Reception venue: Il Segreto di Pietrafitta
Ceremony: Symbolic
Service type: Full time
Style: Rustic
Month: August
Guests: 45
Cody and Steve’s wedding took place on a warm August day at Il Segreto di Pietrafitta, a charming agriturismo surrounded by the rolling Tuscan countryside and with the unmistakable skyline of San Gimignano visible in the distance.
As I often do when arriving at a new venue, I began by photographing the location itself. The setting is never just a backdrop — it’s an essential part of the story, the place the couple carefully chose to celebrate their wedding day.
When I entered the couple’s accommodation, preparations were just beginning. Getting ready is always a very intimate and delicate moment, something that should be photographed quietly and with discretion. Cody and Steve helped each other while getting dressed, especially with the small details like fastening their boutonnières. Shortly afterwards, close friends and family arrived to join them for a toast. The atmosphere quickly became warm and welcoming, almost like a family gathering filled with laughter and excitement for the day ahead.
Soon everything was ready for the symbolic ceremony on the lawn. Guests began to arrive, some in pairs and others in small groups, slowly making their way to their seats. I followed their movements quietly, documenting every moment without interrupting the natural flow of the day. Finally, the couple made their entrance. As often happens with intimate weddings, the officiant was a close family friend, which made the ceremony feel even more personal and heartfelt.
The ceremony was brief but deeply emotional, celebrated under the attentive gaze of the medieval towers of San Gimignano rising on the horizon. When Cody and Steve exchanged their vows and said their “I do,” a long and joyful round of applause accompanied them as they walked back down the aisle, smiling and dancing while greeting their guests.
For the couple’s portrait session we decided to take advantage of the afternoon light with a relaxed walk through the countryside surrounding the borgo. The landscape offers vineyards, cypress-lined paths, and open views across the Tuscan hills — the perfect setting for natural and timeless photographs. It was a moment of pure intimacy, with no one else around — just the couple and me walking slowly through the landscape.
During these moments my role is intentionally minimal. I rarely interrupt or tell couples what to do, because most of the time it isn’t necessary. Experience helps me understand if and when a small suggestion might be helpful, but very often the most authentic images happen naturally.
After about half an hour of relaxed walking and photographing, some family members joined us for a few portraits together in the Tuscan countryside. Just a few minutes were enough to create a few slightly more structured images, requiring only minimal direction.
Soon afterwards the celebration truly began. The reception is always the moment when guests can relax, congratulate the newlyweds and enjoy the atmosphere of the day. A toast here, a laugh there, a few selfies — and before long it was time for dinner. A long table had been prepared, decorated with elegant yet simple flowers that perfectly reflected the relaxed Tuscan style of the celebration.
Before the first courses arrived, it was time for the traditional speeches. Emotional words spoken from the heart, moments I always try to preserve carefully through my photographs so they remain lasting memories.
As evening approached, I took advantage of the last rays of sunlight to photograph Cody and Steve once more. They walked hand in hand along the small hill in front of the ceremony lawn, with the unmistakable skyline of San Gimignano behind them. Only a few minutes were needed to create some beautiful images — sometimes all it takes is recognising the right light at the right moment.
Contact me if you want to book a Wedding Photographer in Tuscany or in Italy
I am Duccio Argentini, a professional photographer specializing in destination weddings and the creator of the Fusion method.
Let me photograph the Best Day of your Life. On Your Italian Wedding Day, I will let you to enjoy your happy time with your friends and family, so you can relax and don’t think about photography at all.
