Your wedding at Villa San Crispolto in Umbria will never be like in the timeless pictures below

Your Fairytale Wedding cannot be at Villa San Crispolto if you want to be free to choose your vendors

Villa San Crispolto is located in the heart of Umbria, offering a romantic setting with views of Lake Trasimeno, surrounded by fields that glow warmly in the sunlight and an ancient structure steeped in romance and history.

Unfortunately, the venue has rules that can impose more than a few limitations on our couple, and we don’t feel comfortable suggesting this place to them unless they are okay with the following cons.

We have received many requests for being wedding photographers in Villa San Crispolto from American brides and grooms who have viewed our recent works. We actually suggested the place as we found it gorgeous, especially based on the experience with the couple of this wedding. But we did not know that it was an exception and the planners and vendors we used to work with were there by a lucky chance, since the couple insisted on having us there, despite the venues doing everything to push their vendors.

The question is why they push specific vendors and ask couples to pay an extra fee if they want to choose other Italian wedding photographers, planners, florists, makeup artists, musicians, and more?

Villa San Crispolto is far from being a lush place, although it is nice. In Italy, even the most important and luxurious villas allow couples the freedom to choose their wedding photographers. In our long career, we have never found even one place that does not give people the chance to choose their own style to keep memory of their best life experiences.

We have been contacted by several couples who fell in love with our wedding portfolio and asked us where we took weddings in Umbria, and we genuinely named Villa San Crispolto as we worked very well with an external planner (now she doesn’t work with this venue anymore for the same reason). So that could have been a good reason to meet her again.

My studio does not suggest vendors and venues based on our convenience. When we suggest planners, venues, or other vendors, it means we have worked with them in a very good way, and the experience level of our couples was good because of this positive feeling.

Read carefully the contract of Villa San Crispolto Wedding Packages before booking your date

We suggest you pay a lot of attention when you read the contract of this venue. They will ask you to pay extra money if you choose external vendors. This condition is not hot-spotted. So if you want to work with an external wedding planner, or an external photographer, makeup artist, or florist, you have to pay extra money for each.

Many couples don’t pay attention when they sign a contract, in most cases because they are under huge enthusiasm. On the other hand, as wedding photographers in Umbria and Italy, we don’t accept bookings until the date is 100% set. That’s the reason why we always invite our couples to connect with the venue first, and once the date has been finalized, then they can book our services.

A recent couple caught in trap and wrote us this email:

Hi Emiliano,

I saw them, thank you for responding to my questions! As per my package and the process for hiring an external photographer at the villa rather than an internal one, the process seems to be a little different and there is a fee given by the villa to us. I will refer to my venue to see what that looks like and let you know what my fiance and I decide to do. 

Thank you and I will keep in touch!

Obviously they won’t reply anymore, as I agree. It is not convenient pay extra money for each external vendor you want to involve in your wedding. But the result in photography will be not having the pictures with the style you want to, just because the Venue want to take advantages by forcing their vendors to couples.

Despite this medieval practise, disrespectful and not professional behave there are some pros that you should consider if you really want to get merry at Villa San Crispolto and these bad limitations is ok for you.

Our way to criticize Villa San Crispolto is based on real experiences, that you can definitely read in their terms and conditions, until they change them when they – hopefully – understand that this practice is rooted in the medieval mindset of Italy (that in 99% of the Italian venues is absolutely gone forever).

The pros: Why you should get merry at Villa San Crispolto

Although we are aware of all the negative aspects, our study does not let this influence us in listing all the positive things that can be found in the structure and that we are nevertheless pleased to list.

The beauty of interior spaces

The villa combines Renaissance and medieval elements, typical of the region. Vaulted ceilings, massive wooden beams, and terracotta or local stone floors create a rustic yet refined atmosphere. The main rooms, such as the hall of honor, are embellished with frescoes depicting mythological scenes or floral motifs, characteristic of Umbrian art of the 16th century. Carved stone staircases and monumental fireplaces add a touch of grandeur.

Authentic materials dominate the interiors: limestone, oak wood, and wrought iron intertwine in artisanal details. Antique doors with inlaid frames and arched windows frame panoramic views of the Umbrian hills, while decorative stuccos and gilded frames highlight the aristocratic past of the residence.

The walls host oil paintings, Flemish tapestries, and religious works, reflecting the cultural heritage of the area. Period furniture—such as carved chests, walnut tables, and wicker chairs—completes the spaces, along with wrought iron or crystal chandeliers that diffuse a warm light.

Large windows and internal loggias allow natural light to flood the rooms, creating a constant dialogue with the external landscape of olive groves and vineyards. Internal courtyards with fountains or secret gardens offer oases of tranquility, typical of Umbrian villas, where water and greenery become an integral part of the spaces.

• The Library: Lined with dark wooden shelves and equipped with ancient volumes, it is a place of study and contemplation.
• The Private Chapel: Adorned with sacred icons and colored stained glass, it testifies to the devotion of historical families.
• The Master Bedrooms: Bedrooms with canopied beds made of fine fabrics and painted chests, enhanced by oriental carpets.

The atmosphere is one of aristocratic tranquility, where the past merges with the present. Each room tells a story through carefully preserved details, such as the family crests on the beams or the time-worn terracotta floors. Sensitive restorations have maintained authenticity, integrating modern comforts without altering the original spirit.

The interior spaces are therefore ideal for getting ready photos or even very intimate couple photos, as can be seen in our images.

The outdoor areas of Villa San Crispolto

Its gardens and outdoor spaces are one of the strong points for those looking for an elegant environment immersed in nature for a wedding or a special event. The villa’s gardens span a lush and well-maintained area, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake and the Umbrian countryside. Every corner is designed to create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere, ideal for outdoor ceremonies or for setting up an aperitif at sunset.

One of the most evocative elements is the terrace, perfect for enjoying the unique view of Lake Trasimeno while guests indulge in moments of relaxation. Next to the gardens, the olive groves and cypress trees that surround the villa provide an authentic and typically Umbrian touch to the landscape.

The villa also has a panoramic swimming pool, surrounded by comfortable lounging areas and a well-kept lawn. This space is often chosen for social moments or to take unforgettable photographs.

Villa San Crispolto is a versatile choice, capable of hosting different types of events thanks to the spacious outdoor areas that can be set up for receptions, gala dinners, or moments of celebration under the stars. Every detail of the villa and its gardens is meticulously crafted to ensure elegance and comfort, making every event unique and memorable.

The couple depicted in this gallery chose the amphitheater as the venue for the symbolic ceremony, which is an incredibly beautiful setting, even if not ancient in its finishes, but the columns at the top are appreciable, where among other things some shots were taken.

The Cons: Why you should not choose Villa San Crispolto for Your Wedding

Now let’s analyze the drawbacks of choosing Villa San Crispolto as a location for your wedding in Umbria. Let’s sincerely assess everything you should take into account when deciding to book this venue.

Severe limitations in the selection of wedding vendors, from the wedding planner to the photographer.

Come you may have read in the opening part of the article, the first trap of this villa is in their contract, which we once again recommend reading carefully before paying even just one dollar. They will force you to choose from a very limited number of vendors, and if you don’t, you will have to pay additional fees.

We believe this practice is completely outdated in Italy. Based on our experience, we have never encountered such a practice. If we were to find one, we would inform you. We kindly ask you not to assume that we are all so “old-fashioned” in our way of doing business and behaving, because that is not the case at all. This is just the Villa San Crispolto wedding way.

The consequence of restrictions with the planning at Villa San Crispolto

Regarding the planning, some couples referred to a very tight timing that didn’t even take into account the season and lighting conditions. The couple in the photos was very lucky because they were able to interact with the planner, who set up a very broad schedule considering that the couple wanted many photos and thus preferred a timing that started early in the morning.

Recently, I received an email regarding the timing from a couple who was asking for my opinion on a 3:00 PM start for a wedding in mid-October. They wanted to take many couple photos and also asked if I would recommend going outside the venue for additional pictures.

I don’t believe there’s any need to leave the venue for more diverse couple photos, unless you specifically want to have a photoshoot near Lake Trasimeno. While the venue is situated by the lake, its view isn’t as appealing compared to other venues that are better positioned.

However, I believe that inside the venue there are enough backgrounds to have at least an acceptable variety of photographic shots. The problem is that with their forced-internal wedding planning, you won’t have the flexibility you expect, which I believe you are entitled to given what you will pay.

A couple that wanted to book us for October was very concerned about not having enough time for the wonderful photos they had in mind and shared their schedule with us via email. When I read the schedule, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Not even a beginner would have made such a mistake. I found myself facing a very compressed schedule in which there was no room for any unforeseen events. The couple and the guests would have to move like in a military barracks and quickly before the sun went down given the autumn time.

II put myself in the couple’s shoes and realize that it is difficult to accept the idea of losing such a substantial deposit, and thus being able to choose better venues in terms of rules, terms, and conditions. This couple, now driven by the fear of losing the deposit, will not be able to ask for anything beyond what has already been established, will not be able to change the wedding planner, and especially will not be able to change the photographer.

The consequence of the venue restrictions with wedding photography

We are aware that in the 2020s couples navigate the internet and social networks in search of inspirational images for their wedding, and they often come across our site and are captivated by images depicting brides and grooms in dream locations.

Thus, often our couples find our photos and contact us for useful information before choosing a venue. And we are more than happy to provide advice taking into account their needs and our real experiences. In fact, we feel we must advise against Villa San Crispolto to anyone at this time.

Among the reasons why we are chosen to photograph weddings are these strengths:

• Our ability to depict the couple immersed in the beauty of the surrounding environment, thereby somehow enhancing the venue itself. This is why venue management of any venue treats us exceptionally well wherever we go. They literally adore us, just as we adore them, because in 99% of cases but Villa San Crispolto, we are talking about very hospitable people.
• Our way of capturing light and knowing how to manage it in challenging lighting conditions, whether it’s very harsh and direct light or in low light conditions. In fact, our most representative photos are taken precisely in not-so-easy conditions, and we are proud of this.
• Definitely our way of communicating and our professionalism.

At the moment you book this Villa, you must be aware that you will lose any possibility of choice regarding photography and you will therefore have no way to:

• Having your memories in the style you desire, because they will require you to pay an additional fee to have your preferred photographer.
• The photographer will not have a say in determining the best times based on the light, and you will have to adhere to the timing set by the venue.
• You won’t be able to customize your photoshoot as you’d like, because you’ll have a limited choice.

Elements of the service that we did not like at the wedding at Villa Sal Crispolto

There were elements that we did not particularly enjoy during this wedding, which we are not accustomed to seeing elsewhere and which raised considerable perplexity in us, and we are convinced that other couples would also find it inappropriate to have.

During our couple photo session in the avenue out front, we repeatedly asked for the cars to be moved outside so they wouldn’t be in the photos, and we had to delay the moment because they weren’t moved right away. This may seem trivial, but during a wedding it is hard to accept, especially when the couple and we as photographers have to stick to a timeline, and it’s a shame that the couple loses the chance to have iconic photos in such important moments.

As can be seen from the photos of the dinner, the tent covering of the dancing area was visible and was right behind the table of the newlyweds. We had to play around with the angles a lot to keep it from being too visible in the photos; however, as can be inferred from the pictures, the tent structure is visible along with other distracting elements listed below.

Despite having removed some distracting elements in Photoshop, others remained visible, such as the cake cutting bin, which should not have been positioned behind the couple. Some might say that we should have cropped the composition to avoid capturing the bin, but we chose not to because on the left side of the photo there is a glimpse of Lake Trasimeno, which helps to contextualize the experience and thus the memory after years.

If we remove all the distracting elements via Photoshop and the guests are there, live, seeing everything that could disturb the view, how can we define the overall level of experience for those present at the event? And if we think that anyone can photograph the event with their smartphones and publish images in real-time with those distracting elements, it seems clear that photography is not the only factor determining the quality level of a wedding at Villa San Crispolto.

Without counting that behind the couple there was catering that was cooking and dishes and tables were exactly behind them. So yes, I can do my best to capture the couple from angled perspectives rather than frontal ones (although this, in the long run, degrades the variety of the photos themselves). But the guests who will look at and photograph the couple will see them behind white tables with dishes and utensils that I was only partially able to remove in Photoshop.

Unfortunately, we rely on Photoshop to create the illusion of erasing everything that disturbs us. We believe that memory will remain solely tied to the images we receive at the end. However, to achieve this, we must ask our memory to make an incredible effort. We should also encourage our guests to do the same or to avoid taking photographs at all. Setting aside smartphones would be advisable to fully enjoy a memorable day.

You can’t believe that photography is the only thing that matters. It may seem paradoxical to say this, but it’s true. If photography is a priority for you, then you can’t select Villa San Crispolto for your wedding, where they impose their photographers on you. If you don’t choose them, they will penalize you with higher fees. The reality is, to enhance the experience for yourself and your guests, you shouldn’t pick this venue if you care about the finer details. While it is beautiful as a whole and offers stunning views of the Italian landscape, the details can easily become trivial.

The couple in this wedding was fantastic because they went beyond all these elements. They preferred to focus on the most beautiful and intense moments, especially since all the guests were emotionally involved, they were truly captivated by their union. In fact, it was wonderful to photograph them, and thanks to the fact that the wedding was so intense and full of beautiful moments, even we temporarily forgot everything that was going wrong due to the management.

Lorree and Sean – Beyond the wedding in San Crispolto

When I first met Lorree and Sean, it was during an incredibly special proposal at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello. Sean had contacted me well in advance, full of excitement and nervous energy, to document his marriage proposal. The setting was flawless, with the stunning Amalfi Coast as a backdrop, and the memories of that day still bring a smile to my face, Sean on one knee, Lorree’s joyful tears as she said “yes, ” and the love they shared. You can see more about this breathtaking proposal in the wedding proposal gallery.

A year later, I was delighted when they reached out to me again, this time for their wedding at Villa San Crispolto. Seeing them again, now surrounded by all their loved ones, was truly heartwarming.

Lorree and Sean’s celebration at Villa San Crispolto was a testament to the beauty of this place. The picturesque landscapes, the deeply emotional moments, and the incredible connection between the couple made it an unforgettable day for everyone involved. Each image captured that day reflected not only the love they shared but also the beauty of this villa, serving as the stunning backdrop for the beginning of their journey together.

It can be said that their wedding at Villa San Crispolto is unrepeatable. Evidently, Sean had expressly requested from the very beginning that we be the photographers. The structure, which had not closed the contract, had no choice but to accept, I imagine with some reluctance, because they would certainly have preferred to offer one of their limited choices to gain obvious advantages.

We later realized the improper practices by the management of Villa San Crispolto, and we wanted to share our experience regarding a venue we genuinely proposed to our couples. During this event, we had a wonderful experience working with the wedding planner, and we were confident we could collaborate with her again for future events. Unfortunately, we discovered that she no longer wants to work with Villa San Crispolto for the same reasons, as she doesn’t appreciate how suppliers are treated.

However, I must speak positively about the catering, which was excellently prepared, and the staff treated us very well. I want to emphasize that the catering team is not responsible for management and lacks the necessary structure. If it weren’t for Sean, we would have had nothing to eat because no one from management, aside from this external Umbria wedding planner and the wonderful couple, took the initiative to ensure we had what anyone needs after a 10-hour service.

The dancing hall and the plan B

You will definitely find better places to dance at any wedding in Umbria. While the space is large enough, its long and narrow layout creates a scattered atmosphere, making it less suitable as a backup plan in case of rain. Additionally, there is no view, and you will be enclosed between a wall and greenery on the left.

The LED lights are not the best option. We had to shoot in manual mode with our mirrorless cameras; otherwise, we would have encountered serious banding issues. Unfortunately, this problem is not limited to our location. Many venues underestimate the importance of a high-quality lighting system.

On the other hand, the audio system was excellent and the sound quality was perfect. This is rare to find in venues overall. At Villa San Crispolto, we encountered an audio system that was truly impeccable.

Better wedding venues compared to Villa San Crispolto: our vetting criteria

Now that you have learnt the pros and the cons to choose Villa san Crispolto as venue for your wedding in Umbria you have two options:

• Contact them in case you want to get merry there despite their “old-fashionaed” strict rules that are definitely far from the Gen_Z evolution.
• Keep reading this article and learn what and how we selected the best wedding venues in Umbria based on our criteria.

We do not deny that each wedding vendor or venue may have preferred vendors with whom they find it easier to work. However, we contest the practice of using economic pressure to force clients into choosing options that primarily benefit the venue, to the client’s disadvantage. While we also have venues that we prefer, we do not impose these choices on our clients. They remain free to decide, and if they trust us, it is for good reason.

We chose the venues based on our personal and professional experiences. After discussing the pros and cons in detail with our trusted wedding planners, we considered various elements, including hospitality, experience level, communication, service quality, the transparency and fairness of terms and conditions, photo opportunities, flexibility, and much more.

It is essential that the level of communication and transparency at the venue is guaranteed for our clients. We recommend venues that treat everyone well, not just the guests and the couple. If other professionals do not perform effectively, the overall satisfaction can decline. Therefore, if the rules are too strict, both planning and photography will be impacted, limiting our ability to fully meet the clients’ needs.

Clearly, we view attention to detail in setting up the space as an important factor. Additionally, the location we select must be iconic and represent a recognizable aspect of Italian identity, as we know our clients seek this.

All the venues listed below can move and remove disruptive elements that may diminish the visual experience for the couple and their guests. This is why we will work closely with the external planner, who will undoubtedly enhance our photographic experience as well.

The experiential level offered by the facility must be high quality. We have observed that Villa San Crispolto has received numerous negative reviews online, strangely not many on TripAdvisor but yes on Google! Some complaints highlight the lack of additional services, such as drivers, which would facilitate easy movement in the area. We want our couples to achieve an exceptionally high level of satisfaction in this regard as well.

The venues must have a dignified backup plan in case of rain that does not clash with the beauty of the surrounding environment. Additionally, the area dedicated to dancing should be well-maintained, as we recognize the importance of entertainment. Therefore, we request that the venue be open to significant changes in the positioning of the lights.

All the decorative elements and flowers are essential to us. The venue should not enforce its own florist. Especially for a wedding planner, collaborating with a florist who is unwilling to adapt their style can undermine the beauty of the wedding and the professional image of the planner.

These venues should not be overly strict with timing, especially in autumn when daylight is limited. We all need to be more flexible, especially since 90% of our couples want ample couple and group shots. Additionally, if they wish to incorporate local traditions into their wedding, we must collaborate with an open-minded and modern venue management team.

The level of courtesy should be widespread and inclusive for everyone present, rather than limited to the waitstaff or personnel. If the owner of the establishment is attending the event, they should be the first to show hospitality by being humble and welcoming to both external vendors and wedding guests, treating everyone equally. They must recognize that they are living in the third millennium, not the twelfth century.

Our preferred venues for your wedding in Umbria:

Here you can overview our selection and visit each venues website, then make your better choice:

Frequently Asked Questions