Bankole & Gilda

Villa Ortensia D'Avalos wedding, Caserta

Bankole and Gilda's Villa Ortensia D'Avalos wedding, in the countryside near Caserta, brought two cultures together in one day. The villa gave the frame: long cypress avenues, a baroque stone fountain, marble busts along the terraces, a lake in the park.

VenueVilla Ortensia D'AvalosPlaceCaserta

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Bride and groom by the baroque stone fountain in the gardens of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

Marble bust in the gardens of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos wearing a coral bead necklace, Nigerian-Italian wedding detail near Caserta.

Groom standing between marble statues at a Nigerian-Italian wedding at Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

Bride seated on the rim of a baroque stone fountain in the villa gardens, off-the-shoulder gown and bouquet.

The morning moved between painted rooms with antique furniture, from the gown hanging on a garden statue to the groom's bow tie; after the ceremony the couple walked the avenues and the woodland paths, the bride's veil caught by the wind.

Nigerian tradition gave the day colour and rhythm: coral bead necklaces and bracelets, gele and agbada in blue, green and pink, a traditional entrance danced among the guests and money spraying late into the night.

In the evening came the champagne tower, the cake under string lights and a celebration that belonged to two families and two countries at once. Photographed in an editorial and documentary style, in colour and black and white.

Black and white photo of the bride and groom walking down the cypress avenue, her long veil trailing.

Flat lay of bridal shoes, wedding rings and invitation on bird-patterned porcelain plates.

Groom kissing the bride's head as she holds her bouquet of peach and white roses among the trees.

Black and white embrace in the villa woods, the groom holding the bride close.

A coral bead bracelet being fastened on the groom's wrist, Nigerian wedding tradition during preparations.

Black and white portrait of the groom in a tuxedo inside a room of the historic villa.

Bride and groom standing side by side in the cypress avenue of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

Two elders in traditional Nigerian attire and gele seated together inside the villa.

Black and white photo of the bride and groom at the champagne tower during the evening reception.

Bride and groom small beneath towering cypresses, her veil flowing along the avenue.

Bride and groom in traditional Nigerian attire, the groom in a pink agbada and coral beads, the bride seated with a fan.

Close-up of the bride's face framed by her veil.

Bride and groom standing together on the lawn of the villa park, trees behind them.

Bride in a minimal gown standing in the doorway of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

Black and white photo of the couple walking hand in hand under tall cypress trees.

Group of groomsmen dressed in traditional blue Nigerian agbada attire, celebrating cultural heritage with pride and unity.

Bride beside a marble bust in the gardens, her long veil caught by the wind.

Bride gazing into the distance, her soft veil framing her face — a poetic moment of anticipation before the ceremony.

Bride and groom standing by the lake in the park of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

Black and white close embrace, the bride's veil framing the couple and her bouquet.

Wedding cake table under string lights in the garden at night, the couple cutting the cake behind a bed of flowers.

Groom kissing the bride's shoulder in the villa courtyard.

Black and white portrait of the groom in a tuxedo in front of a marble bust.

Bride and groom walking along a woodland path in the villa park.

Bride and groom at the villa entrance between urns of pink and white flowers.

Close portrait of the bride pinning her hair, off-the-shoulder gown against a painted wall.

Bride on the terrace with her arms along the iron railing, the gardens behind her.

Group of wedding guests in blue traditional attire, gathered joyfully for the outdoor ceremony celebration.

Bride walking alone down the cypress avenue of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos before the vows.

Groom in a black tuxedo by painted walls and old frames inside Villa Ortensia D'Avalos, Caserta.

Two wedding guests in shimmering blue and silver Nigerian outfits celebrating at night.

Bride and groom in a tight embrace, foreheads touching and eyes closed, intimate romantic portrait beneath the trees at the Italian villa.

Groom in a tuxedo sitting on an ornate armchair in a salon of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

Guest in white traditional attire with coral bead necklaces and sunglasses, seated among guests.

Black and white portrait of the groom standing between two antique armchairs in the villa salon.

ride seated on a vintage sofa beneath framed artwork, soft window light creating a serene bridal portrait at Villa Ortensia D’Avalos.

Groom facing a marble bust on a pedestal in the villa gardens.

The bride's face reflected in the car window before leaving for the ceremony.

Bride laughing beside a marble bust, gently touching the statue in a whimsical, art-inspired portrait at Villa Ortensia D’Avalos, Italy.

Guest in an emerald gele and embroidered dress dancing joyfully at the reception.

Bride in the cypress avenue holding her bouquet, her long veil flying in the wind.

Groom in a white shirt standing between two marble busts on the villa terrace.

Close-up of the bride's off-shoulder neckline and her hands holding the fabric.

Couple walking away down a cypress-lined path, veil trailing behind — romantic movement through the gardens of Villa Ortensia D’Avalos.

Guest in light-blue traditional Nigerian attire holding banknotes for money spraying at the reception.

Classical marble statue in the gardens with the wedding gown hanging from it.

Groom in a tuxedo glancing at a marble bust in the villa courtyard in Caserta.

Bride and groom in pink Nigerian attire dancing their way in among guests at night.

Friend adjusting the groom's bow tie during getting-ready.

Close-up of the bride with pearls and soft curls at Villa Ortensia D'Avalos, Caserta.

Groom leaning between two marble busts in the villa gardens.

Black and white photo of the couple by the lake in the villa park in Caserta.

Bride holding the terrace railing above the gardens of Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

Groom beside framed paintings inside the villa in Caserta.

Guest in blue traditional attire and gele seated on a pew in the chapel.

Bride standing in front of the baroque stone fountain on the terrace, her veil spread on the tiles.

Groom buttoning his white shirt against striped wallpaper while getting ready.

Bride seated on the stone fountain with her bouquet, the slit of her gown and the veil around her.

Bride with her bouquet beside a classical statue in the garden, Caserta.

Black and white photo of the bride walking to the white wedding car, her veil trailing on the cobbles.

Bride and groom by the marble balustrade inside the church after the ceremony.

Groom lifting the bride on a tree-lined path, her veil flying, a joyful moment at Villa Ortensia D'Avalos.

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