Serpentine tables, drapery and warm tones: Jasmine + Carlo in the heart of Sicily

Real Wedding

New Year’s Eve 2024, the Italian Alps, a snowy walk and a proposal that didn’t quite go to plan. Carlo had imagined champagne, a sleigh ride and a romantic dinner, but Jasmine wasn’t feeling her best and unknowingly threw a spanner in the works. Thankfully, love doesn’t need a perfect plan. After a little detour, Carlo got down on one knee, and Jasmine of course, said yes. When it came to their wedding, the destination felt just as natural. With Carlo’s Sicilian roots and years of summer holidays spent on the island together, they headed to the Ragusa countryside for a celebration that was intimate, unfussy and full of feeling, with olive trees, serpentine tables, warm tones and the unmistakable magic of Sicily setting the scene.

LOCATION

We are both Italian, so we would never have considered any other location for our day.

May is our favourite month, but unfortunately, where we were born, in Piedmont, it tends to be very rainy.

Since Carlo has Sicilian roots (both his parents and his sister were born and raised in the province of Syracuse), and we have visited Sicily together for our summer holidays since we were teenagers, it felt like the perfect choice. Besides, Sicily is a place that gets under your skin. Its landscape and its people have a special quality that makes you feel instantly at home.

VENUE

By chance, on a holiday rental website. I was tired of coming across the usual Sicilian venues—they were beautiful, but often lacked personal charm and were extremely expensive!

We were looking for somewhere different, authentic, and lesser-known, where we could also stay with our families and friends for the entire wedding week without spending a fortune.

We even celebrated my birthday there two days beforehand—I couldn’t have asked for anything better! Additionally, the Ragusa area offers an authentic, rustic yet refined side of Sicily, where the sea is present but, given the sheer beauty of the countryside, almost takes a back seat.

VOWS

Our dear friend Daniele officiated the wedding amidst the olive trees, in front of a magnificent tree. It was a magical moment, and we felt wrapped in a warm embrace by all our guests.

The ceremony was short and, at times, very spontaneous. I wouldn’t change a single thing—not even the mispronunciations of my last name!

We were able to have a legally binding civil ceremony right at the villa. We took care of all the paperwork at the Ragusa town hall a few days beforehand, so Daniele could officially marry us.

STYLING

Effortless is the keyword. However, simple doesn’t mean easy—it took months of preparation! Luckily, we met Carlotta, who was an incredible help.

Once we found the villa, everything became much more straightforward. The fabrics, colours, and materials needed to complement this wonderful, authentic venue without overwhelming it.

REFLECTIONS

It’s an intense but beautiful day that flies by in a flash. I don’t think there is just one important moment; rather, it’s made up of many fleeting instances that will never happen again.

I promised myself I would pause and take mental snapshots throughout the day, and I managed to do that. In the end, what meant the most to us—the truly important part—was feeling the immense love of everyone around us and celebrating the lifelong friendships we share.

From what I’ve been told, we made almost everyone cry (happy tears, I suppose), even the most stoic guests.

SPECIAL TOUCHES

I really wanted to give every guest a personal keepsake that went beyond the classic wedding favours.

Months in advance, I asked a ceramicist friend of mine to craft small objects, which were placed at each guest’s table setting. These were animals and objects that Carlo and I felt represented a particular characteristic of each person.

Everyone loved them, and it turned into an impromptu game, with guests trying to guess why a particular object had been assigned to them. It was great fun!

FOR FUTURE COUPLES

Planning a wedding means setting clear priorities and being straightforward about your expectations.

First and foremost, clear and unambiguous communication is essential. You need support from people who can turn the couple’s vision into reality.

It’s not just about aesthetics, but also about crucial logistics—working with people who understand the potential challenges behind certain choices and know how to resolve them seamlessly, without adding stress for the couple.

Unexpected hiccups will always happen; the difference lies in who you’ve chosen to handle them.