Trani, deep in the foot of Italy is a city more beautiful than most. A theatre for the vanity of the South. And nowhere does a wedding like they do it in Trani . . . 
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".. great, hold it there, keep pretending to be happy". With these words a photographer immortalizes the blissful pose of a newlywed couple under the porticoes of Trani in the south of Italy. For me it was a wonderful moment. I happened to be in Trani on another job but I stood there transfixed by the movement of these nuptial groups with their photographers, assistants, friends and relatives who mingle amongst each other exchanging the location of the next shoot: the cathedral courtyard, the porticoes, the fishing nets in the harbour. I had never seen so many weddings taking place at the same time. "But this is nothing. You should come here in July or August, that's the real wedding season". So, indeed, I did come back. After pursuing some of the more sought after wedding photographers I managed to insert myself in this 'dream factory'. It is a frenetic world when in full flow, with its clearly defined traditions and rules. A photographer in Trani, and a wedding photographer in particular, is untouchable, he is director of the purest form of reality show. A fantastical fire-eater, armed with digital cameras, flash guns and reflectors, master of the stage on which pass the sacrificial couple - knowing victims heading towards an inevitable destiny. The wedding album. Yes it is the wedding album which they will receive after a year, an expensive trophy to display at home and pass amongst friends and family, that shall remain as evidence of the day. Of the dream. Trani is a city further south than any other, and more beautiful than most. It is a theatre for the vanity of the south. A city made for weddings. Everything revolves around them: the numerous, dynastic photographic studios, reception halls, clothes fairs, vintage car hire and much more. That's how the idea for this reportage was born. It is a very Italian story, very southern-Italian, retold in surreal colours that render the dream transfigured.
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