MOMENTS PASS BY,
BUT PHOTOS STAY FOREVER!
One of your biggest day in your life is ahead of you. And you deserve to have beautiful photos to remember it by. Photos that you will be happy to look at over and over again. Memories that you will love to share with your kids and grandkids…
If you’re looking for a photographer who can capture spontaneous and emotional moments, without posing and pretending to be something you’re not… you have come to the right place. I will not be just a photographer, I will be the person you can count on on your wedding day.
CREATING TIMELESS MEMORIES WITH YOU
Hi, I’m Vanessa
My mission is to capture your best moments in a spontaneous and natural way, with no posing.
The one advice I’d give to any couple is: “Make sure to choose the right photographer for you.” You see, your wedding day will be one of the best days in your life. Now imagine a photographer that you don’t “click with” being around you the entire day. You should be surrounded with your favourite people and wedding vendors you can trust.
If you’re looking for a person that is relaxed, creative and always smiling, then you’ve come to the right place. Contact me for more info and let’s talk about how I can make you wedding day the best!
3 EASY STEPS FOR YOUR PERFECT PHOTOS
1. CONTACT ME – send a quick message on hello@vanessativadar.com and check my availability
2. MEET ME ONLINE – we’ll schedule a video call where we can meet and discuss more about your big day and my approach to weddings and photography
3. SIMPLY ENJOY – I’m there for you on your wedding day, so you can just be yourself and be happy. I’ll take care of the rest 🙂
In a world where weddings are increasingly turning into grand spectacles, true value still lies in simple, authentic moments. The smile of a bride when she first sees her groom, the embrace of parents as the wind whispers through Karst pine trees, or the golden glow of sunset over terraces overlooking the Vipava Valley—these are the moments that truly matter. This is exactly the kind of story created at Štanjel Castle together with the Ferrari Garden, a magical wedding destination in the heart of the Slovenian Karst. This medieval castle and its iconic landscaped garden have become one of the most sought-after intimate wedding venues in Slovenia. And if you are looking for a photographer who does more than simply capture these moments—someone who brings them to life with artistic sensitivity and authenticity—the answer is simple: Vanessa Tivadar.
Vanessa Tivadar, a third-generation photographer, specializes in wedding photography that follows truth rather than trends. Her style is natural, spontaneous, and emotional, free from staged poses and artificial smiles.
“I don’t want you to pretend,” she says. “I want you to be yourselves. I’ll be there to capture everything.”
Her work is timeless—photographs you will revisit decades later, remembering not only the day, but also the emotions, the scent of the Karst air, the texture of stone, and the light of that special day at Štanjel Castle and the Ferrari Garden.
Why Štanjel Castle and Ferrari Garden inspire exceptional wedding photography
Štanjel Castle and the Ferrari Garden are more than just a venue—they are a living story of love, history, and nature. They stand in the picturesque Karst village of Štanjel, perched on a hill where medieval narrow streets meet breathtaking views of the Karst and the Vipava Valley.
The Ferrari Garden, a cultural monument of national importance, was created between the two world wars as part of the Ferrari villa, owned by Trieste-based physician Enrico Ferrari. Renowned architect Maks Fabiani designed it as a terraced landscape in harmony with the Karst terrain. He used traditional stone retaining walls and staircases, while adding distinctive elements of the time: an oval pool with a romantic island at its center, fountains, an artificial grotto, a panoramic pavilion, and tree-lined paths of Mediterranean species.
Today, it remains one of the rare larger park complexes from the first half of the 20th century in the Karst and a highly sought-after wedding ceremony location.
A wedding ceremony in the Ferrari Garden feels almost like a fairytale. Civil ceremonies can take place on the romantic island in the middle of the pool, on a spacious lawn, or on terraces overlooking rolling hills. As the couple exchanges vows, sunlight filters through the tree canopies, creating magical patterns of light on the stone walls.
Vanessa Tivadar often says this is where it is easiest to capture genuine emotion. No artificial lighting is needed—nature and history do everything. The surrounding terraces, fruit trees, and lush greenery form intimate corners perfect for detail shots—bouquets in the bride’s hands, gentle touches on the island, or laughter beneath the pines.
Štanjel Castle itself enhances the atmosphere with its stone halls, the Belvedere overlooking the courtyard and village, and a terrace with panoramic views. The interior offers a warm, rustic setting for preparations or receptions if the weather turns unfavorable.
Together, the garden and the castle provide endless perspectives—from the narrow medieval streets of Štanjel, where couples can stroll among historic houses, to sweeping views across the Karst landscape. Photos taken here are not just beautiful—they tell a story of beginnings, roots in the Karst soil, and growth beneath a sky shaped by Fabiani’s vision.
The garden is ideal for golden sunsets, soft shadows beneath the trees, and a sense of endless space.
“There isn’t a single boring corner here,” Vanessa says. “Every step reveals new light—from reflections in the pool to stone walls shaped by centuries of sun.”
If it rains, the focus seamlessly shifts indoors to the castle’s stone halls or the Belvedere, where warm lighting and textured stone create dramatic, cinematic imagery.
How the wedding photography experience unfolds
Vanessa doesn’t arrive with just a camera—she arrives as a trusted partner. Before the wedding, she connects with the couple via video call to plan the entire day, from early preparations to the final dance.
On the wedding day, she is present from the morning, capturing preparation moments in a private room of the castle, the bride getting ready with views of the Karst, the first look, the ceremony in the garden or castle, portraits, and the full reception.
Her philosophy is simple: to be invisible, yet always present.
“Guests don’t feel like they are being photographed—they simply enjoy the moment,” she explains.
The result is a collection of images filled with laughter, tears, and genuine embraces. At Štanjel, this includes soft morning light through castle windows, details on stone floors, the aroma of coffee, and the excitement of family.
The ceremony follows on the island in the pool or on the lawn, captured in emotional, uninterrupted sequences. Then come portraits among the terraces, at the pavilion with panoramic views, or in the narrow streets of Štanjel during golden hour. Vanessa gently guides couples to keep them relaxed and natural.
The evening brings spontaneous moments in the castle courtyard, toasts in the stone hall, and night portraits beneath the stars above the Karst. The following day, often called the “morning after,” offers relaxed portraits in the garden, among pine trees, or on terraces—perfect for additional romantic imagery.
Vanessa also offers comprehensive packages, from essential wedding coverage to additional services such as family photography, video, and premium-quality albums. Based in Slovenia, she knows the Karst region intimately and understands every hidden corner of Štanjel Castle and the Ferrari Garden.
The venue accommodates between forty and up to one hundred twenty or one hundred forty guests, creating an intimate and exclusive atmosphere with local Karst cuisine.
Why choose Vanessa Tivadar for Štanjel Castle and Ferrari Garden
Because she understands that a wedding here is not just an event—it is an experience, where the history of Maks Fabiani meets love in the embrace of the Karst.
Her photographs are not just documentation—they are art. Couples who have worked with her at similarly romantic locations, from Slovenian castles to Istrian gardens, praise her ability to capture the soul of the day.
In the Karst, where light plays uniquely across limestone, water, and greenery, her sensitivity to detail and emotion truly stands out.
Štanjel Castle and the Ferrari Garden offer intimacy, sustainability through local ingredients, and refined elegance without excess. Vanessa complements this with her presence—warm, creative, and reliable.
Together, they create memories that stand the test of time.
If you dream of a wedding where medieval history meets love, where every image carries the scent of Karst air and garden blossoms, then Štanjel Castle and the Ferrari Garden are your destination—and Vanessa Tivadar is the photographer who will bring that vision to life.
Contact Vanessa via vanessativadar.com or directly at hello@vanessativadar.com. Don’t wait—the most beautiful stories are written now, in the light of the Karst, on the island in the pool, beneath Fabiani’s terraces, through a lens that values truth.
Štanjel Castle, the Ferrari Garden, and Vanessa Tivadar are a combination that creates legends. Your wedding can be one of them.