The Italian Villa Wedding Photographer & Videographer

A villa in the Italian Garden at Compton Acres

The Italian Villa sits within the gardens of Compton Acres in Poole, Dorset. The venue describes three elegant suites surrounded by an ornate Italian garden with classical statues, ornate fountains and lush greenery, and says it is recognised as one of the best wedding venues in Dorset.

We photographed and filmed Erica and Pete's wedding here on 1 June 2023. This page follows it in photographs. Our Bournemouth guide and Dorset guide show the villa beside other venues nearby, and here we stay with the venue itself. What we say about the villa comes from the venue's own website, and what we say about the photographs comes from looking at them.

For current venue details, explore The Italian Villa. The venue's own pages cover capacities, pricing and accommodation, so ask for the current figures when you enquire.

01 / The spaces / From the venue's own description

Three suites and an Italian Garden of your own

The venue says bookings are exclusive: the entire space is yours for the duration of the celebration. It has three suites, with lifts to all three floors, air conditioning, built-in sound systems, a stage and screens, and direct access to the Italian Garden, which it says suits ceremonies, drinks receptions and relaxed dining.

For seated dinners the venue gives a capacity of up to 180 guests, and up to 300 for a standing reception. It also says there are sandy beaches just moments away.

02 / June 2023 / Erica and Pete

Erica and Pete: rings on the steps, a lily pond and a garden bridge

Erica and Pete married at The Italian Villa on 1 June 2023. The photograph at the top of this page is from their portraits beside the lily pond, an intimate pause with the villa rising behind them.

Their ceremony took place on the steps of the villa. Erica and Pete stand facing each other as they exchange rings, their guests seated in rows in front of the tall doorway above them. Afterwards they stand hand in hand on the same steps, smiling, with the house behind them.

Out in the gardens the couple walk hand in hand along the terrace beside the lily pond, and kiss on a wooden bridge among the trees.

Inside, the breakfast room is set for dinner with round tables, white linen and flowers beneath arched windows and chandeliers.

Planning your photographs at The Italian Villa

A few things worth asking the venue, and how we would plan around the answers:

1. Where the ceremony happens: The villa's steps made a dramatic setting for Erica and Pete. Ask the venue which ceremony spaces it offers for your numbers and tell us your choice so we can plan the morning around it.
2. Rain: Agree an indoor or sheltered option with the venue when you confirm the order of the day. On the day we settle it together with you and the venue.
3. Group photographs: We do as many as you like and typically recommend around 15, which usually take about 20 minutes. The steps, the terraces and the garden give you several places to choose from. Ask a groomsman or bridesmaid who knows everyone to round people up.
4. Portraits: We usually take a portrait walk of about 15 minutes, with photo and video together. The lily pond, the terrace and the garden bridge give very different backdrops within a few minutes of each other.
5. Getting ready: If you and your partner are in different places, we move between you together, splitting our time as a team. Groom preparation typically takes about 15 minutes.

One team for the photographs and the film

Cam and Beth have photographed and filmed over 400 weddings together, so a villa in a formal garden, with terraces and a lily pond, is familiar territory. You get one conversation about the timetable, one set of questions for the venue and one plan for the portrait walk.

The photo and video team package carries a £120 deposit and a £400 saving over booking photography and videography separately. We are based near Cardiff, and travel across England and Wales is included in standard full-day packages. When the drive is over two hours we always stay in a hotel the night before and cover it.

Questions about a The Italian Villa wedding