Gia & Mariano’s Palermo Destination Wedding

Are you dreaming of saying, “je le veux,” in a chateau in the South of France or promising, “Hasta que la muerte nos separe,” on the brilliant beaches of Cabo? When it comes to planning a destination wedding, the world is your oyster and there are a lot of locations to decide from! Whether your location is two hours away from home or across the globe, destination weddings contain both unbelievable benefits and unexpected difficulties alike.

As the allure of destination weddings continues to captivate, couples from all over now have the opportunity to think outside of their ZIP code for their special day. For instance, Gia and Mariano, a couple from Elmhurst, IL, epitomized the enchantment of a destination wedding with their beautiful celebration in Sicily. Their story, beginning with childhood friendship and youthful crushes, culminated in a breathtaking ceremony overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea in the summer of 2023.

Mariano’s parents were both born and raised in Sicily. The idea of having their wedding in Palermo initially began with Mariano’s mother wanting the couple’s sons to visit her hometown and meet the extended family. With the seed of this type of trip planted, the couple decided to make the most of it by planning their wedding there as well. Gia and Mariano embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly, appreciating the chance to connect their children with their heritage and immerse their guests in the rich Sicilian culture.

For Gia, the best part of having a destination wedding was the gathering of family and friends in a stunningly beautiful place. Many of their guests had never visited Sicily, making the wedding not just a ceremony but a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. “My favorite part about marrying away from home was having all of our family and friends in this beautiful place celebrating with us,” says Gia. “Many of our friends had never been to Sicily, so that worked in our favor with quite a few people making the trip for us.”

Planning a wedding from afar, especially in a foreign country, is no small feat. The couple faced challenges, including the time difference and language barriers. Coordinating with her wedding planner, who spoke little English, required Mariano’s translation skills and some patience. The couple also found differences in wedding customs. Certain requests and ideas that were common in American weddings were unfamiliar to Sicilian vendors. Despite these obstacles, Gia managed to incorporate unique elements like a flower cart, which was a novel concept for the locals.

Mariano’s extensive family network in Sicily eased logistics such as accommodation and transportation. Their local relatives played a crucial role in helping guests navigate their stay and feel comfortable. Although most guests were in town for just three days, the couple planned additional events and provided recommendations to make their short stay memorable.

Gia and Mariano’s wedding itself was a vibrant celebration infused with the local culture. “We had a lot of Sicilian culture and vibes throughout our wedding,” says Gia. Such elements like the colorful Sicilian carts, used historically for parades and street festivals, added an authentic touch and wowed their guests, fully immersing them in the local culture. Additionally, they opted for colorful florals over classic white, reflecting the lively spirit of the island. Since Gia and Mariano admit that they took on life unconventionally, having children and buying a home together before getting married, they didn’t feel the desire to stick to traditional wedding aesthetics, with Gia adding, “We wanted this to be more of just a celebration of us finally getting married.”

The food was another highlight, with abundant authentic dishes served at various buffet stations during cocktail hour followed by a plated dinner under the stars. From pasta and mussels to cannoli and espresso, the menu gave guests a true taste of Sicily.

Gia and Mariano’s experience underscores the importance of having a local wedding planner. The planner’s knowledge and connections were invaluable, from sourcing unique decor to securing top-notch catering. Gia’s advice to other couples considering a destination wedding is clear: invest in a good wedding planner. Despite only visiting Sicily twice before the wedding, the bride felt reassured knowing she had someone on the ground to bring her vision to life.

By blending personal heritage with the allure of travel, Gia and Mariano’s Sicilian wedding is a perfect example of how intentional and stunning destination weddings can be.

Vendors

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY Avenir Studio
VENUE Castello di Solanto
PLANNER Maria Macchiarella
FLORAL Giardina Wedding Flowers
HAIR & MAKEUP Glam Atelier Chicago
BRIDE’S GOWN Alena Leena from Alice in Ivory
BRIDE’S JEWELRY Christie Nicolaides
GROOM’S FORMALWEAR Nicholas Joseph Custom Suits
CATERING Galati Catering
LIGHTING JMG Luminarie
SAXOPHONIST Gerardo Vitale
FIREWORKS Francesco Marino