On Monday the 20th June, Jay and Mary became the unlikely starring couple in what was described by the Abruzzo press as the 'real life romantic comedy film'. On a month long tour of Italy, with wedding dress and Tuxedo in tow, Jay and Mary had planned to use the trip to marry in one of Italy’s iconic locations. They landed in Rome with all their paperwork completed and set to task. However, the price of over 1000 Euros to complete the 15 minute ceremony in Rome's town hall put the couple off and the wedding plans went on hold. Florence and Venice were to follow on the trip. That was until they arrived at their next stop in the beautiful little town of San Vito on the Abruzzo coast. Undettered, Jay and Mary approached what looked like the most likely civic building in town and tried to explain their request. Their words, albeit not well understood, fell on kind ears and local English speaker, Ernesto, was summoned.
Ernesto, who could've given an experienced wedding planner a run for their money, set to work and that evening the three of them met the local town officials after church. Jay and Mary had arrived at the beginning of the towns Festa. By 10am the next morning all had been set; the ceremony was planned for three days time at 6.30pm. I had been drafted in as a short notice photographer and was instructed to meet the couple on their doorstep at 6pm on the day of their wedding.
