WEDDING IN VILLA WENKENHOF, BASEL
Some weddings feel like a warm late-summer evening you never want to end.
Vivian & Santiago’s Chilean–Spanish–Italian celebration at Villa Wenkenhof was exactly that kind of day: light-filled, emotional, joyful and with a dancefloor that never really stopped.
A religious ceremony in the beautiful church of Arlesheim, followed by an elegant reception at Villa Wenkenhof in Riehen, near Basel. Surrounded by family who had travelled from far away, they finally celebrated the church wedding they had been dreaming of for a long time.
Here you can step into their day through photographs and film — from the quiet getting ready, to the golden light in the gardens, to the lively Latin-Italian party at night.
A romantic late-September wedding at Villa Wenkenhof
Vivian & Santiago chose Villa Wenkenhof for their reception — a historic villa surrounded by manicured gardens, statues and views that already feel like a film set. Even with simple décor, the venue itself brought so much character and beauty to the day.
Their wedding took place on the 27th of September, a sunny late-summer day. The light was soft and warm, perfect for capturing emotional moments in the garden, with the villa in the background and guests from Chile, Spain and Italy sharing stories, hugs and laughter.
From the first messages, it was clear how much they loved each other and how important this day was for them as a family. They are sweet together, they laugh a lot, and their daughter is a very important part of their life and their story — something that appears naturally throughout the photos and film.
Getting ready – emotions building up at home
The day started in a very intimate way: Vivian getting ready at home.
Surrounded by familiar walls and everyday objects, this part of the day was all about anticipation and emotion.
As she put on her dress and shoes, you could see on her face the mixture of nerves, joy and the realisation that “today it is finally happening”. These moments are quiet, but full of feeling — hands adjusting details, deep breaths, little smiles in the mirror.
For me as photographer and filmmaker, it’s a privilege to be there, observing gently and capturing those expressions that often only appear in these private minutes before everything begins.
A meaningful religious ceremony in Arlesheim church
The ceremony took place in the church of Arlesheim, a beautiful and symbolic setting for them. For Vivian & Santiago, this church wedding was something they had been waiting for and dreaming about for a long time. When they spoke about it, you could feel how much it meant to finally stand there, together, at the altar.
Surrounded by family who had travelled from different parts of the world, the ceremony felt deeply emotional. It wasn’t just about signing papers or formalities — it was about giving a spiritual and symbolic shape to the love and commitment they had already been living.
Their daughter was with them throughout, including at the altar. Her presence added a tender, very human dimension: this was not only the story of a couple, but of a family. Glances, small gestures, a hand reaching out — all these details made the ceremony incredibly touching to capture.
Bubbles, an oldtimer and tender moments after the church
After the ceremony, there was that beautiful release of emotion when everyone steps outside the church. Vivian & Santiago walked out into a shower of bubbles, smiles and congratulations. These are moments full of movement and spontaneity: children running around, family members trying to get close for a hug, friends laughing and cheering.
One of my favourite parts was the time they spent with the oldtimer. The car became a little space of calm between the church and the reception — a chance for them to breathe, look at each other and feel that “we are really married now”. The images from this part of the day are full of tenderness and quiet joy.
Arriving at Villa Wenkenhof – first moments
From Arlesheim, they headed to Villa Wenkenhof in Riehen, near Basel, for the aperitif, reception and party.
The arrival at the villa is always special: the architecture, the steps, the garden opening up in front of you… it feels like entering a small, elegant world made just for this celebration.
As they stepped out of the car, the late-September sunlight gave everything a warm glow. Guests gathered in the garden, children explored the lawns and statues, and conversations flowed between Spanish, Italian and other languages — a beautiful mix of cultures and energy.
Couple session in the gardens – a quiet pause for the two of them
We did the couple session as soon as they arrived at Villa Wenkenhof. This is often one of my favourite parts of the day, because it gives the couple a short, quiet pause together in the middle of everything.
We walked through the gardens of the villa, using the greenery, the statues and the villa façade as our backdrop. The light was soft and flattering, coming from the side and giving depth to the images.
There were moments just between Vivian & Santiago — holding hands, laughing together, letting the emotions of the ceremony sink in. And there were also very special moments with their daughter, especially later in the day, as the sun was going down and she was running around the garden.
Those images, with the three of them in the glowing light of the garden, are some of the most touching of the whole story. They show not only a couple in love, but a family enjoying a unique, unrepeatable evening together.
For me, these sessions are never about stiff posing. I guide you gently, but I’m always looking for real connection: the way you look at each other, the small jokes, the way your body relaxes when you forget the camera is there.
A beautiful celebration at Villa Wenkenhof
In the garden and inside the villa, we captured many moments between friends and family:
children playing on the grass, groups chatting in the late-summer light, relatives greeting each other after long journeys. The villa in the background added a timeless, cinematic quality to these scenes.
Cake, emotions…
Later, the celebration moved more towards the evening, with cake, toasts…
The cake moment was full of smiles, cheers and cameras in the air — a simple gesture, but one that always gathers everyone around the couple in a circle of joy.
A lively Latin–Italian party
And then, of course, the party!
With a mix of Chilean, Spanish and Italian guests, it was no surprise that the dancefloor quickly came to life. The music, the rhythm, the way people encouraged each other to join in — it all created a warm, fun, Mediterranean-Latin energy.
As a photographer and filmmaker, I love these parts of the day: movement, light, shadows, arms in the air, eyes closed while singing along… It’s where you can really feel how happy people are to be there. For Vivian & Santiago, the party was a natural extension of who they are: joyful, affectionate and surrounded by people who love them.
Vivian & Santiago – love, laughter and gratitude
Vivian & Santiago are truly sweet together.
They love each other deeply, and you can see it in the way they look at one another, in how much they laugh together and in how lovingly they care for their daughter.
Throughout the day, they were very grateful and warm with me. They appreciated how I communicated, how I moved around them, and how present yet discreet I was.
After the wedding, when they saw the photos and the film, they were very moved and thankful — impressed by how everything had been captured and by the way the images reflected not only the big moments, but also the subtle, emotional details.
For me, working with couples like them is exactly why I do this job: to witness and preserve these connections in a way that feels honest and real.
Why Villa Wenkenhof is a wonderful place for a wedding
From a photographer and filmmaker’s perspective, Villa Wenkenhof is an exceptional wedding venue near Basel:
– The gardens are beautifully maintained: green lawns, statues, paths and an open view towards the villa create endless opportunities for portraits and candid moments.
– The light at midday and towards sunset works wonderfully, falling sideways across the garden and the façade of the villa. This gives a soft, flattering glow that is perfect for emotional, cinematic images (also from the drone!).
– Inside, the villa offers colourful rooms, painted walls, artwork and antique furniture — a dream setting for capturing getting ready moments, small group scenes and intimate portraits.
My advice for couples considering Villa Wenkenhof is to use both worlds:
enjoy the garden for group moments, aperitif and couple photos with the villa in the background, and also plan time to use the unique, colourful rooms inside for smaller, more intimate scenes.
How I like to tell wedding stories
For Vivian & Santiago, I was with them from getting ready at home until the end of the party, capturing the full arc of the day.
My approach is to combine:
– Natural, candid moments — the nervous smiles while getting dressed, a child’s hand in a parent’s, a quick look at the altar, a hug that lasts a bit longer, the way friends laugh together during the aperitif…
– Gently guided moments — couple and family sessions that feel relaxed and true to who you are, rather than stiff or overly posed.
What matters most to me is that, when you look back at your photos and film, you can feel your day again.
Thinking of getting married at Villa Wenkenhof?
If you’re planning your wedding at Villa Wenkenhof (or a similar historic villa in Switzerland) and you’re looking for someone to capture not only how it looked but how it felt, I would be very happy to hear from you.
Together, we can create a photographic and cinematic story that becomes a treasure for your future — for you, your families, and the generations to come.
GET IN TOUCH
I am looking forward to hearing from you!
I’d love to hear more about your plans.
Tell me about your day, your families and what matters most to you, and together we’ll create photos and a film that let you relive those moments for the rest of your lives.
