wedding at moschti stäfa, zürich

Some weddings feel like a burst of pure life.
Désirée & Giuseppe’s celebration at Moschti Stäfa, by the lake near Zürich, was exactly that: half Swiss, half Italian, and 100% full of energy, laughter and emotion.
A rustic lakeside venue, white and green tones that fit perfectly with the nature around, an intimate ceremony moved indoors because of a summer storm, and a party where nobody stopped dancing – here you can step into their day through natural photos and a cinematic wedding film.

A Swiss–Italian wedding full of energy

From the very beginning, this wedding had a special atmosphere: relaxed, cheerful, and incredibly warm. Both sides of the family – Swiss and Italian – brought their own flavour, and together they created an environment where people were constantly laughing, talking, and later dancing with all their heart.
It was not just about decoration or details (even though everything looked beautiful in white and green, matching the lake and the greenery). What truly defined this day was the energy – that lively, expressive Italian side combined with the calm warmth of Swiss hospitality.

Getting to know them – a pre-wedding session in a forest

A few months before the wedding, I met Désirée & Giuseppe for a pre-wedding session in a forest near Sempachersee. That afternoon already told me everything I needed to know about them.
Désirée is elegant, with a quiet grace, and Giuseppe has an incredible energy – he laughs a lot, and his joy is contagious. Together they are tender, playful and deeply connected.
During that pre-wedding session we walked through the forest, close to the lake, and I could see how naturally they interacted: joking, holding each other, smiling in a way that felt completely real. By the time the wedding arrived, it already felt like meeting friends again!

Moschti Stäfa – a rustic lakeside location

Moschti Stäfa is a very special place to get married. It sits close to the lake, surrounded by green, with a rustic building and a terrace that feels cosy and relaxed.
What I love about this venue is the atmosphere they create:
– Trees and plants framing the outdoor spaces
– A terrace where drinks and aperitif feel casual but beautiful
– Decor that blends with nature rather than competing with it
You don’t need a huge amount of extra decoration here – the location itself, with its greenery and lake surroundings, gives you a naturally charming backdrop for both photos and film.

GETTING READY

The day began in a relaxed, natural way. While friends and family were getting ready for the celebration, Désirée took her time to prepare, surrounded by a quiet excitement. You could already feel a mix of calm and anticipation in the air – that special kind of tension just before everything begins.
These getting ready moments are always important to me: the dress waiting on a hanger, small details being adjusted, a look in the mirror, a deep breath. They are the beginning of the story, where the day still feels intimate and full of promise.

EMOTIONAL FIRST LOOK WITH FATHER

The first truly big emotional moment came with a first look between Désirée and her father.
When he saw her dressed as a bride, the emotions were immediate. There were tears, long hugs, and that particular silence you get when words are not enough.
I’ll be honest: we were all moved. And later, when I was editing the film, I found myself with tears in my eyes every time I reached that part again. It’s one of those moments that reminds you how important these images and clips will be for years and generations to come.

CEREMONY

The original idea was to have the ceremony outdoors, but the weather had other plans. Just at the time of the ceremony, a strong storm arrived – so the decision was made to move everything inside, into the same room that would later host the dinner.
In the end, this created a very intimate and powerful atmosphere.
The ceremony was deep and personal, with beautiful vows and honest words spoken directly from the heart. Both of them were visibly moved, and emotions flowed through the entire room.
There was also a lovely detail: each guest had a small bottle for a shared toast, creating a sense of connection between everyone present! It felt like one big family circle, all united around Désirée & Giuseppe!

Apero, reception and lakeside atmosphere

Once the storm had passed, the rest of the day unfolded outdoors again around Moschti Stäfa.
The aperitif and reception took place there: people standing with drinks in their hands, chatting under the trees, laughing, kids moving between tables, music in the background… It was one of those afternoons where everything feels easy and natural.
The white and green tones of the decoration matched perfectly with the surroundings – the green of the grass and trees, the soft light after the rain, and the rustic character of the building. For photos and film, it created a coherent, organic look that felt very “them”.

GROUP MOMENTS

What I loved most about Dési & Giuseppe’s wedding was the contrast:
On one side, very deep, emotional moments
The first look with her father, the ceremony, the vows, the tears in their eyes when they spoke to each other.
On the other side, an explosion of energy
Friends and family laughing loudly, talking with expressive gestures, and later dancing with all the intensity you would expect from a Swiss–Italian celebration.
This combination is perfect for storytelling: the quiet, intimate scenes and the wild, joyful ones, all in the same day.

COUPLE SESSION

Later, once the ceremony emotions had settled a bit, we took some time for a couple session around Moschti Stäfa.
This wasn’t about stiff posing. Désirée & Giuseppe simply moved, laughed and held each other as they normally do. My role was to guide them gently and capture the in-between moments – the way they looked at each other, the way they relaxed once it was just the two of them again, the way their energy together felt both fun and deeply connected.
These images created a beautiful visual bridge between the emotional intensity of the ceremony and the wild joy of the party later on.

GAMES, FATHER SPEECH & CAKE

During the reception, friends had prepared different games and little surprises for the couple. These moments brought a lot of laughter and expression – guests cheering, the couple reacting, playful challenges that showed their personalities and the strong bond with their closest people.
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was the speech from Désirée’s father. His words were touching and sincere, filled with love and pride. You could feel how important this day was for him, and how deeply he cares for his daughter and for Giuseppe.
The cake moment added another joyful highlight to the night: a simple, happy scene full of smiles, applause and warm glances between the couple, their families and their friends. For the story of the day, these elements – games, speech and cake – created a perfect rhythm between emotion and fun.

PARTY

The party at Moschti Stäfa was unforgettable. From early on, the dancefloor was full of life – people dancing, singing, shouting lyrics, hugging each other.
But the moment everyone will remember forever came with a surprise choreography to “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by the Backstreet Boys.
The couple, their parents and some of their closest friends had prepared a full dance routine. When the music started and they took their positions, the room exploded: cheers, laughter, phones in the air, and so much joy.
For the wedding film, this became one of the star scenes of the night – a perfect example of what this wedding was about: fun, connection, and not being afraid to give everything on the dancefloor.

DÉSIRÉE & GIUSEPPE, a joyful, genuine couple

Désirée & Giuseppe are the kind of couple you immediately feel at ease with. She has a natural elegance and a gentle way of being; he brings an incredible, contagious energy. Together, they laugh a lot, support each other and create a space where everyone around them feels welcome.
From our pre-wedding session at Sempachersee to the wedding day at Moschti Stäfa, our connection kept growing. We joked, shared emotional moments and, by the end of the evening, it truly felt like I was celebrating with friends rather than just “working” at a wedding.
After the wedding, when they saw their photos and film, they sent me a message that meant a lot to me – a heartfelt feedback saying how moved they were and how much they loved the way their story had been captured. I will include a little screenshot of that conversation here, because for me it reflects exactly what I wish for every couple: that they can recognise themselves in their images, feel the day again, and be genuinely happy with the way their memories have been told.

My advice if you’re planning a wedding at Moschti Stäfa

From a photographer and filmmaker’s point of view, Moschti Stäfa is a beautiful and very photogenic location – but like with any lakeside venue in Switzerland, weather is an important factor.
If rain or storms are possible, my main tip would be: Instead of moving the entire ceremony indoors, consider planning for tents or canopies outside. This way, even if it rains, you can still keep the natural background: the trees, the greenery, the lake, and the rustic charm of the venue. For photos and film, this makes a big difference: the environment around you becomes part of the story.
Of course, moving inside (like we did for Désirée & Giuseppe) can also create a very intimate feeling – but if your dream is an outdoor ceremony, it’s worth preparing that extra option in advance.

HOW I LIKE TO TELL WEDDING STORIES

For this wedding, I worked as both photographer and filmmaker, focusing on capturing:
– The emotional depth of the day – the way they spoke to each other, the relationship with their families, the tears and the quiet moments
– The powerful, contagious energy of their friends and guests – the laughter, the dancing, the surprise choreography
My goal is always the same: that when you look at your photos and your film, you don’t just see your wedding – you feel it again.
If you’re planning a wedding at Moschti Stäfa or a similar lakeside location in Switzerland, and you want someone to capture both the emotion and the energy of your day, I would be happy to hear from you!

WEDDING TEAM – VENDORS WHO MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE

THINKING OF GETTING MARRIED AT MOSCHTI STÄFA?