The day Matteo told me that he was going to celebrate a traditional African wedding with his partner, he couldn’t believe it. Matylla is originally from the Ivory Coast and Matteo is from Milan. From the beginning the two were clear that to celebrate their wedding they had to mix their traditions.
Being a wedding photographer is a way for me to get to know different people and cultures. I never imagined that one day this job would be so enriching. I am curious by nature, the new and different amuses me. This wedding gave me the opportunity to discover a different celebration, full of color and joy. And at the same time have the honor of being part of the celebration, feeling comfortable as one more.
Matylla and Matteo formalized their union in Milan with a civil wedding and a few days later they organized a big party in a town in the province of Cuneo: il La Sirenetta Lake di Savigliano. On this occasion, the bride and groom wore traditional costumes from the Ivory Coast, changing costumes at different times of the party. and they lived a movie day with their great traditional African wedding.
I’ve known Matteo since we went to high school together in Milan. At the age of nineteen, we took a trip for the end of the course that took us to the island of Jamaica. We shared extraordinary experiences but then I would never have imagined that one day I would document their wedding…
Hundreds of guests, relatives and friends from the Ivory Coast and various parts of Italy gathered for the occasion. The party was held outdoors in a large park next to a lake in the summer months. The guests enjoyed traditional African food, music and dances typical of the Costa d’avorio from noon to the wind.
The celebration was an apotheosis of emotions and colours. For Matteo and Matylla it was a formidable experience, and for the guests as well. Italian friends and family had the opportunity to experience first-hand a piece of the culture and traditions of the Matylla’s family.
Florencia and I enjoyed every moment photographing this wedding. We try to document in the best way this explosion of colors, music, flavors and new perfumes. This is a small selection of the photos we took.
We hope you like them as much as we do.
