Old-Sicily drama with a contemporary twist: Saša + Diana at Castello Xirumi

Real Wedding

Some couples plan a wedding day; Diana + Saša created an experience. Originally from Romania and the Netherlands, the pair brought their ‘When in Sicily…’ vision to life at Castello Xirumi, with old-Sicily glamour, a little Tarantino-inspired drama and the kind of Italian hospitality that makes it very hard to leave the table (or the dance floor). There were vows beneath a centuries-old fig tree, long dinners in the Sicilian sunshine and a recovery day that turned into yet another party.

With family and friends flying in from around the world, they made the most of having everyone together, stretching the celebrations across several days. From the castle’s grand gardens to a red-room after-party, every setting had its own character, but the vibe stayed the same: ‘serious looks, unserious vibes’ — in the words of the bride herself.

LOVE STORY

We met at work. He was my manager, actually! We only started dating after he moved to a different project and we were no longer working together. True story!

The proposal was a complete surprise. We had been planning a trip to Japan for over a year, and Saša knew I would never expect him to propose there. He took me to Fushimi Inari in Kyoto and, in a secluded corner of the shrine, got down on one knee. I nearly fainted. Dramatic, I know, but I was genuinely shocked! I was also impressed that he managed to get the ring exactly right and surprise me with the whole thing.

THE CONCEPT

The creative concept for the entire week was “When in Sicily…”, a playful twist on “When in Rome”. Each event had its own chapter and Sicilian phrase, giving the celebrations a shared thread without making every day feel the same.

Chapter One: The Welcome Party — When in Sicily… festeggia subito! Celebrate straight away.

Chapter Two: The Wedding — When in Sicily… ama molto! Love deeply.

Chapter Three: Recovery Day — When in Sicily… vai piano! Take it slow.

Chapter Four: The Ever After — When in Sicily… vai fino alla fine! Go all the way to the end.

The smaller details continued the story, from the phrases on our bar and food menus to the welcome mirror. We wanted the concept to feel like an inside joke woven through the week, rather than a theme imposed on the setting.

WHY ITALY

I have a deep connection with Italy. I love almost everything about it, and it remains my favourite country to travel through. I always knew I wanted to get married there. It was also a practical choice, sitting roughly between the Netherlands and Romania, where our families live.

Sicily was at the top of our list because it felt most aligned with who we are and what we love: dramatic scenery, lush landscapes, incredible food served generously, warm people and a certain unpolished beauty. There is a rawness to the island that makes it feel alive rather than overly curated. And, as I speak Italian, I knew that with enough enthusiasm and a well-placed “ma dai!”, almost anything could be arranged.

THE VENUE

We had contacted more than 50 venues when a friend recommended Castello Xirumi. The management sent us a video walking us through the different spaces, and I remember watching it and immediately knowing this was the one. It was love at first sight, even through a screen. We ended up building the entire celebration around the castle.

We booked it straight away. The only dates available were 2 and 8 May, which happen to be my lucky numbers, so we chose the 8th. The weather turned out to be fantastic, too. Sometimes things really do fall into place.

THE STYLING

My starting point was always to let the castle be the protagonist. Castello Xirumi has a character that is difficult to describe until you experience it in person. It is lush and regal at the same time, with so much space to wander, yet it somehow feels intimate and welcoming.

I worked closely with Helga and Lorenzo at Noiduewedding, who are not only exceptional planners but florists too. They understood that the goal wasn’t to decorate every corner, but to enhance what was already there.

We wanted a little old-Sicily drama with a contemporary twist, followed by a complete change of mood for the after-party: a glitzy, red-room atmosphere inside the castle. We love films, and Quentin Tarantino was one of the first things we discovered we had in common. The Godfather and Pulp Fiction are among our favourite films, so we wanted to bring a little of both worlds into the celebration, subtly, of course. No one got hurt!

THE DRESS

Finding my wedding dress was probably my biggest struggle. I had never really pictured myself as a bride, so I had no clear vision of what I wanted. Add the endless inspiration on social media, and I was going in circles.

Then I came across Blanc Wear on Instagram and saw La Septième. Something about it immediately caught my attention. It was simple yet unmistakably bridal, made from beautiful silk dupioni, and, most importantly, comfortable enough to wear throughout the day and night.

There was also a lovely coincidence: the dress was made in Amsterdam, the city where Saša and I met and lived together for six years. It felt like a small piece of our own story coming with us to Sicily.

THE ATMOSPHERE

I wanted the day to flow naturally, without feeling like we were constantly watching the clock or rushing from one scheduled moment to the next. I also wanted to feel calm and present rather than caught up in managing the logistics. We put a lot of thought into the atmosphere and the experience, but ultimately, the most important thing was being able to enjoy it all with our friends and family. I wanted a celebration that felt lived in, not performed, that felt like us and our guests to feel part of one big party, not as though they were attending a tightly scheduled event

STAND OUT MOMENT

The ceremony, without a doubt. I underestimated how emotional it would be to walk down the aisle with my dad and see everyone there, especially people I hadn’t seen in years, cheering us on. Then came the vows beneath the fig tree. It was one of those moments when everything else falls away, and you realise exactly why you’ve brought everyone together.

BEST MONEY SPENT

The venue, catering, photography and planning were the big ones for us. The venue set the entire tone, the food was a huge part of the experience, and the photographs are what will allow us to relive it all for years to come.

Our entertainment was largely taken care of by friends and my brother, which made it even more personal. Had we needed to pay for that same level of entertainment, I would happily have invested in it.

But if there is one thing I would tell every couple to budget for, it is a great planner. Having someone who understands your vision, takes care of the moving parts and lets you actually enjoy your own wedding is worth every penny.

FOR FUTURE COUPLES

Trust the process a little. Things have a way of working themselves out in Italy, sometimes in ways you couldn’t have planned for. You can spend months trying to control every last detail, but the best moments often happen when you let go a little.

Choose people you trust, be clear about what matters most to you, and leave room for things to unfold. You’re planning a celebration, not a military operation. Enjoy it.