The couple holding their fire sticks into a fire pit, creating one large fire during their ceremony

Out in the countryside of Tuscany, there’s two young lovers marrying by a campfire.

This is how S + C officiated their nighttime elopement; a symbolic fire unity ritual. The whole ceremony felt like a “running away in the middle of the night to wed” type wedding.

The couple kiss, with their hands interlocked, under the night sky. A drape is hung over the olive tree behind them, swooping down. On the table in front of them is their cake, illuminated by candle light.

With an entirely DIY’d elopement, it was as gorgeous as it was private and special.

Both are lovers of the earth, and each other. Though Italy has a long way to go in LGBTQ+ rights, nothing was going to stop this couple getting married the way they wanted to.

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The day consisted of four main moments; Getting ready, the first look, the ceremony, and a cake cutting. There was no reception to follow, just the specialness of being together forever.

Beginning the process in the late afternoon, makeup was done outdoors, with the afternoon sky being their only form of light. The flowers and foliage chosen for the couple matched their natural theme and surroundings. Dried flowers in warm colours and olive branches were used, based on the hot Tuscan summer.

Fire rituals are used in many cultures. For example, in a Hindu wedding, fire represents the separate lives coming together as one, accomplished through a ceremony fire ritual. It can symbolise a new beginning, releasing the old and welcoming a new adventure.

Initially, the couple weren’t set on how they would use fire in their ceremony, but with help of their creative celebrant, the ideas began to flow. With little to no inspiration for a fire ceremony in Tuscany, they created something that is totally unique to them, their story and their marriage.

The couple carrying their own fire sticks, toward their ceremony. They're hand in hand.

Fire is symbolic for this couple, as Carla is a fire eater performer. With the help of their amazing Celebrant, they were able to create a ceremony that honored that, and felt just right for them.

The fire symbolised their passion, the power behind their feelings for one another, and it tells a story of how they came to be.

They began the ceremony by each carrying their own small flame, to symbolise their separateness at the beginning of their relationship.

Together, they lit the large fire, representing their joining together. Creating a big, strong fire it was an example of how they lift one another up, supporting each other and being stronger together.

Surrounded by cypresses and olive trees, they gathered in a small, natural amphitheater. With no wedding planner, this wedding was entirely DIY. Carla’s mother is a dressmaker, and made her dress for her. The entire setup was done by the couple, with help from the celebrant and photographer.