Sicily is a location that is growing in popularity with couples from abroad looking for a destination wedding. The largest island in the Mediterranean, It’s charming, luxurious but also folkloristic, boasts fantastic food, and enjoys a warm climate year-round, with seemingly endless summers.

So there’s no surprise that Sicily is chosen time and time again by discerning brides and grooms.

We have planned many destination weddings here in Sicily, for couples from around the world, organizing big parties for hundreds of guests to the most intimate and luxurious celebrations. Each time, they tell us that memories of the island take a special place in their heart because they somehow felt at home.

Based on our experience and inside out knowledge of Sicily as a destination, here are some of the reasons why Sicily is one of the most popular places to get married in Italy.

Contact us if you are looking for a creative destination wedding company with extensive experience in organizing luxury weddings in Sicily and Italy.

1. In Sicily the weather is always temperate

Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and is blessed with a generally warm climate all year round.

The most popular time of year for a wedding in Sicily is of course the spring and summer months when you can enjoy the best of Sicily’s sun, sea, and beaches, on top of everything else.

In Taormina, during the hottest month of August, average daytime temperatures are around 29 degrees Celsius. However, the coldest month of January sees average temperatures of a generous 10 degrees Celsius.

Springtime in Taormina offers a comfortably warm climate, with average daytime temperatures of around 20 degrees Celsius, making these attractive months for couples looking for an outdoor celebration.

There is something appealing about each season in Sicily, with the summer months offering the best of la dolce vita, and the autumn and winter months offering their own charms.

2. Sicilian food is great and can please any taste (Vegetarian and Vegan too!)

We may be biased, but we believe Sicilian food offers the best of Italian cuisine. It is often simple and made with local, high-quality ingredients, which is ultimately reflected in the taste!

Having a wedding in Sicily, couples are able to give the chance to their guests to try authentic Sicilian foods. They can choose a classic style (Sicily has many traditional dishes) or opt for a chef who has interpreted Sicilian traditions with their own twist.

Since the cuisine centers on local and seasonal produce, the cuisine is varied and there is something to suit all tastes and dietary needs. Vegetarians and vegans will also be satisfied!

When we plan a destination wedding in Sicily, we have on hand top local chefs, having their roots in Sicily but bringing their own style and flair to their cooking. We work closely with guests and the chef to create a menu that fits their culinary vision for the special day.

We have relationships with top Michelin-starred chefs who will be sure to deliver something spectacular and leave guests with lasting memories of Sicily’s fabulous cuisine.

Depending on the style and location of celebration, some couples choose to have a buffet-style dinner (for example, a street-party celebration in Castelmola), while others will opt for an elegant sit-down meal.

Either way, the food is sure to be a highlight of any wedding celebration in Sicily.

3. Wedding at the beach, in the countryside, on the slopes of Etna or on a boat – Sicily can offer them all 

Sicily is an island of varying natural beauty and landscapes. All within one hour of each other, you can experience the sparkling turquoise sea and charming beaches, tranquil countryside, and of course the mighty mount Etna who serves as a constant striking presence on the landscape of Sicily’s East coast.

This means that in Sicily, the options of wedding location really are endless.

Perhaps you will opt for a countryside wedding, which offers the most privacy for family and friends to celebrate together. For example, Noto is a beautiful spot for a Sicilian countryside wedding.

For wine lovers, a romantic vineyard wedding on the slopes of Mount Etna would be unforgettable. In autumn, the colors really come to life and the photos can be stunning!

We think Taormina is the best destination in Sicily for an unforgettable wedding.

Here you have some of the top luxury hotels in Sicily, including the classic Grand Hotel Timeo (Belmond), and the newly revamped San Domenico Palace (now a Four Seasons hotel).

The grounds of these hotels provide a classic and luxurious setting for a wedding celebration, each with fantastic views stretching towards the sea and beyond to Mount Etna for a dreamy photo backdrop.

Having a wedding in Taormina means the chance to stay in a beautiful small town with every facility at your doorstep. Staying at one of these fabulous hotels will be a beautiful experience where no detail is spared.

Our wedding planner helps you choose the best locations to stay for both you and your guests, but wherever you stay in Taormina, guests will love the chance to wander around small Italian streets and soak in all its charms.

4. There are many activities you can organise for your guests

By spending a few more days in Sicily, guests can experience other top highlights such as an Etna excursion or some days exploring historical sites.

A wedding in Taormina also offers guests the chance to relax and enjoy the Sicilian sea and sun at close-by beach clubs.

When couples opt for a destination wedding, it is often a chance for guests to spend some time enjoying the location before or after the wedding. Sicily offers the perfect setting to explore, with so many un-missable sites and activities to suit all tastes.

As luxury Sicily wedding planners, we are experienced in crafting itineraries to suit all kinds of travelers. For example, we can organize for couples or their guests to discover more about Taormina with a historical walking tour. 

Nature lovers can take an unforgettable trip to Europe’s most active volcano, Mt. Etna. There are many ways to do it, including hiking, a jeep tour, or even a fabulous helicopter tour where you can enjoy the splendor of the volcano is comfort and style.

Other natural sites that guests will love include mystical places such as Alcantara Gorges or the Nebrodi Mountains.

Wine lovers will surely not be disappointed, since we have several world-class wineries at our doorstep, available for tours and tastings.

Those interested in history and archeology will also be spoilt for choice, and we can organize unforgettable experiences including Taormina ancient Greek theatre and excursions to important sites such as the Valley of the Temples, and the Syracuse archaeological park.

Allow us to suggest some top experiences for you and your guests so that you can make the most of Sicily as a fabulous destination and create some memories you won’t forget.

5. Sicily is easy to reach from any main European city

Sicily is an ideal location for those based in Europe: it is a Mediterranean escape that’s easily accessible from any main city. If you are opting for a wedding on the east coast (e.g. in Taormina, Castelmola, or Noto) then you can easily fly into Catania airport.

Most main cities offer direct flights to Sicily, which take no more than a few hours. For example, from London there are frequent direct flights taking 3 hours.

From Paris, you can take a direct flight in 2 hours 45 minutes, and from other main Italian cities there are frequent and speedy flight connections.

If you are coming from outside of Europe, for example, from USA or Russia, a wedding in Sicily offers the opportunity for guests to explore other European spots and satisfy their wanderlust.

6. Sicily can be both destination wedding and honeymoon destination

One of the beautiful things about getting married in Sicily, and we think what makes it an ever more popular choice, is that Sicily doubles up as a beautiful wedding destination but also an ideal location for a honeymoon.

By choosing Sicily, you don’t have to travel twice if you want a destination wedding and also a beautiful Mediterranean honeymoon.

After tying the knot and celebrating in a stunning location, you can continue your romantic Sicilian escape with a prolonged stay in a luxury hotel or yacht, or take some time to discover the territory with exclusive and unforgettable tours.

Why not spend a week in Sicily relaxing at the beach club, and taking exclusive, romantic excursions such as winery tours or a helicopter ride over Mount Etna. 

7. A wedding is Sicily is something your guests will never forget

Ask someone who has been to Sicily to describe it to you, and they will probably say it is a warm, charming, and unforgettable place that has been imprinted on their hearts. Indeed, the Spanish writer Gabriel Garcìa Marquez said, “Going to Sicily is better than going to the moon”.

Though Sicily is in Italy (the country’s largest region), it possesses its own identity full of traditions and customs. The people of Sicily are warm, proud, and eager to share with you the things that make this island so special.

The charms of Sicily exist at every turn; from small interactions with a shop owner or bartender to the seemingly simple plate of food that’s bursting with flavor to the wines given their character by the fertile volcanic soil, to even the simplest of things like wandering the streets and admiring the synonymous baroque architecture.

While in Sicily, you’re sure to have moments where you look around and feel as though you are in a dream. When you return home, the memories you made will only be stronger.

By holding your wedding in Sicily you are also giving your guests and family the beautiful gift of a trip to remember, filled with love, cheer, and the spirit of Sicily that stays with you.

8. Sicily offers you the perfect balance between luxury and folklore

A wedding in Sicily offers the chance to experience ‘understated luxury’. The luxury that Sicily offers is not necessarily flashy but exists in the authenticity and charm that radiates from its people and places.

At the same time, it offers the simple delights of luxurious sun, sea, and endless treats for the senses and taste buds. To us, this is the most luxurious combination of all!

In addition to the ‘luxurious’ side to Sicily, you can also experience its folkloristic, traditional side.

Many couples who choose Sicily enjoy the chance to add touches of tradition to their celebration. For example, we can organize entertainment in the form of the traditional Orchestra a plettro or traditional Sicilian dance.

To soak up the real authentic Sicily, you could choose to have your ceremony or celebration in one of the island’s grand palaces.

For example, Castello degli schiavi is a popular venue for a private event – any Godfather fans among your guests will be particularly thankful!

This venue was selected by Francis Coppola as the perfect setting for the main scenes in The Godfather movies: the ultimate representation of Sicily on screen.

One of our favorite places where you can experience a wedding featuring both luxury and tradition is the charming village of Castelmola.

With us, this small medieval town, considered one of the most beautiful in all of Italy, can be hired exclusively and is a chance to involve all the locals, from the food to the entertainment and even the decorations.

We think Castelmola offers an ideal location for an unforgettable wedding in Sicily. Find out why in our post all about Castelmola.

9. You can find many experiences wedding planner (for any kind of budget)

The beauty of Sicily means that you don’t have to necessarily break the bank in order to experience the best bits. One of the jobs of a destination-wedding planner is to make an unforgettable celebration happen working with various budgets.

In Sicily, if your budget is at the lower end of the scale, our wedding planner advises you on which elements to spend more, which to spend less, and which can be avoided altogether.

The best thing about a destination wedding in Sicily is the fact that you are in Sicily! Regardless of how elaborate you can afford to be, the best things about Sicily can be experienced without having to spend a lot.

On the other hand, if you have a large budget and you are looking for an elaborate affair with no expenses spared, our destination-wedding planner also knows how to put on an impressive, decorative show. Think light installations, Sicilian horse and cart, themed events, photo booth, live music and Michelin-star banquets.

10.  Sicily is just beautiful

Perhaps the main reason to choose Sicily is that ultimately, it is a beautiful Mediterranean destination. Its beauty comes from the combination of a beautiful natural environment and climate, combined with its ancient history and traditions, an unbeatable food culture, and the warmth of its people. It’s a beauty that is easy to feel, but difficult to explain.

Come and experience the charm of Sicily by choosing the island for your wedding. We will help you to make sure it’s an occasion that lives on in your hearts!

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If you are interested in exploring Sicily as an option for your destination wedding, get in touch with our friendly team and we can tell you all about it.

The incredible variation of landscape and cities with incredible sea views has long made Sicily a favorite location of many directors.  Forza D’Agro is an enchanting medieval town that faces a privately owned Arab-Norman castle atop a spur of red dolomitic limestone.  On one side of the main plaza there is a street that leads to the baroque Chiesa Madre.  With its beautiful 16th century facade it became the set for an Easter celebration scene in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather Part 2, and as the wedding location in The Godfather Part 3.

When Michael Corleone takes refuge in Sicily, his father’s homeland, The Godfather saga takes on a much more authentic aspect.  After a day of hunting in the mountains with his bodyguards, Michael Corleone is blinded by the beauty of a Sicilian girl who crosses his path on her way back from picking berries.  When he arrives at the local bar he meets Mr. Vitelli, father of Apollonia, the girl who caused love at first site for Al Pacino.  Vitelli is also the name of the bar in Savoca and has remained unchanged for the past 50 years.  The locale is found in a building dating from the XIII century called Palazzo Trimarchi, located in the piazza Fossia.  The interior as well as the exterior allow you to relive the exact atmosphere of that summer day in the 70’s made famous by the worldwide success of the film.  For those who want an even deeper “behind the scenes” experience of the set and locals who fascinated the actors and directors, you can chat with Mrs. Maria, owner of the locale.  Maybe even treat yourself to a delicious lemon granita with some”zuccarati”, a typical sweet of the area.

Savoca is one of the many idyllic villages at the base of Mount Peloritani between Taormina and Messina.  

At one time, it was one of the most important settlements on the entire west coast of Sicily, but over the centuries it has picturesquely crumbled, making it the perfect substitute in The Godfather for Corleone, a much less photogenic location.  

Michael Corleone married Appolonia in the church of Santa Lucia and the wedding was celebrated at Bar Vitelli, which still uses a granita machine from the 30’s and is a place of pilgrimage for film fanatics.

If you want to visit Savoca and find out all Godfather filming locations have a look at our Godfather private tour. If you are planning your holidays in Sicily having as base Taormina make sure to read also our ultimate guide to things to do and see in Taormina.

Mount Etna is found on the western coast of Sicily and is the highest active volcano in all of Europe, and one of the most active on the planet.  Thanks to her 2700 years of activity, the highest tip of the volcano now exceeds 3300 meters and is about 45 km at its base.

Although as a collective image the volcano symbolizes destruction, Etna has given life to an agribusiness production which, thanks to the surrounding microclimate, is amongst the best worldwide.  Wine, in particular, is the diamond of the sector, so much so that a path has been established to include all the excellent cellars and vineyards on the slopes of the volcano.

This “path” is called Strade del Vino dell’Etna.  Moreover, a walk on the now inactive craters or one of the many nature trails, or even skiing with a sea view, are all experiences that can make your stay in Sicily unique.  Etna became a World Heritage site in 2013.

Syracuse, in the southwest of Sicily, was a city of great importance in the history of Mediterranean civilization.  Founded in the VIII century BC as a Greek colony on the small island of Ortigia, Cicero defined it as, “The greatest and most beautiful Greek city.”  The world heritage site includes the rock necropolis of Pantalica, which contains over 5000 tombs carved into the rock dating back between the XIII and VIII century BC.  It was assumed that Pantalica was an indigenous Sicilian society that preceded the Greek colonization.  Other than the ancient archaeological remains, it is worth noting the uncontaminated nature of the place.  The entire area is part of the Valle dell’Anapo natural reserve and is a beautiful location for those who love to hike, as it offers many different paths for all levels of outdoorsman and woman.  It became a World Heritage Site in 2005.

During the Arab domination Noto functioned as the “capovallo”, or administrative center of reference, hence the name Val di Noto.  The 8 cities that make up the site are found in the southeast part of Sicily: Caltagirone, Militello, Catania, Modica, Noto, Palazzolo, Ragusa, and Scicli.  Every one of these cities was rebuilt after 1693 earthquake, which razed entire city centers and devastated the urban memory of the area.  These cities, completely reconstructed to be masterpieces of art and late 17th century baroque architecture, are the facade of this side of Sicily.  The elegant buildings and churches with invaluable interiors and breathtaking exteriors make this location an exceptional example of the architectonic influence on the island and the greatest expression of the Late-Baroque style.  To lose yourself in the little streets and tunnels of the city is the best way to evoke the stories of its glorious past.  The Val di Noto became a World Heritage Site in 2005.

The Villa Romana del Casale at Piazza Armerina is a sublime example of a luxury villa in the late Imperial Roman style, and symbolizes the diligent use of the territory by the Romans as a base for the rural economy of the Western Empire.  Villa del Casale is one of the most lush of its genre, and is famous for the richness of its mosaics, which are known as the most beautiful of the Roman mosaics.  This gem attests to the lifestyle of the ruling Roman class and shows the mutual influence between cultures, and the exchanges taking place in the Mediterranean between the Roman world and North Africa.  This is so much more than merely an admirable representation of Roman architecture.  The Villa, thanks to the perfect preservation of its rooms and of the mosaic representations and inimitable frescoes, tells the story of Roman life and civilization.  Like the Valley of Temples, Villa del Casale was added to the list in 1997.  

So long as oil was the main form of illumination, lanterns were an indispensable household item.  You would find bronze or copper in the stately homes, and ceramic or terracotta in the poorer houses.  In the countryside oil lanterns lasted even after gas lamps came on the scene, and were only abolished after the arrival of electricity.  The most common type of terracotta lantern was made of a small circular pan with a spout on the rim.  The flame rose up the spout and thus allowed for easy grip. For the most part, the sixteenth-century figurines in majolica depicted noblewomen posing with one arm at her side and the other at her belt, richly adorned with necklaces and tiaras.  The long wick was embedded in their body.  Some structures have remained over time especially in the factories of western Sicily, like Palermo, Sciacca, and Trapani.