Alessandra + Francesco’s homecoming Sicilian wedding
Photo: Stefania Paternostro
For Italian couple Alessandra and Francesco, Italy was THE only option for their wedding celebration. “Italy is one of the best destinations for weddings, where else should two Italians get married?” From their home in London the couple planned their Sicilian wedding on Ustica Island and whilst they had the advantage of the language and knowledge of the country, choosing to have a wedding at this hidden gem did challenge the plans though.
Bringing colour and party vibes to this relatively unknown venue, Alessandra and Francesco give us a masterclass on how wedding energy creates these unforgettable moments and how with a passionate team of vendors you really can achieve your wedding dreams.
SUPPLIER TEAM
Wedding planner: Loviù Event | Venue: Ailanto Park | Photographer: Stefania Paternostro | Videographer: Mauro Messina Visual Storytelling | Floral Designer: Frascati Fiori | Hair and make up: Ernesto Lo bello | Bridal Fashion: Hermosa le Spose - Le spose di Gio | Catering: Bar Rosanero | DJ: Nio Tropea | Percussionist: Joseph Brazil | PA & Lights: Angelo Messina | Stationery: Studio Grafico Bagheria | Wedding Gifts: Tuti Design
The Dating
“We met in Palermo (Sicily) in 2019. We were both coming home for the Easter holidays, and we met in a club through mutual friends. At that time, I was living in Milan and Francesco was living in London. When I went to London a month later for a trip, I got in touch with Francesco and that was when we had our first proper date.”
“Italy is one of the best destinations for weddings, where else should two Italians get married?”
Alessandra, bride
The Engagement
“Francesco proposed in September 2022. We were at Francesco's house in Mondello, a seaside area near Palermo. The proposal was lovely and romantic, beside the pool with the view of the Gulf of Mondello behind us.”
Did anything go wrong?
“Ustica and Ailanto Park were not used to host big weddings and in the planning phase we have had to deal with a lot of issues. Starting from the limited accommodation of the island, to the limited availability of suppliers (catering, flowers, photographer, musicians, lighting). However, with some resilience we were able to plan without great issues.”
Top piece of advice?
“Work hard in the planning, but forget everything when it comes the day and enjoy it.”
“It is impossible to pick a stand out moment because it was a few days of strong emotions.”
Alessandra, bride
Stand out Supplier
“Ailanto Park, where we organized the wedding, and Il Faraglione, where we organized the rehearsal dinner, were very collaborative venues and partners making this wedding happen. All other suppliers came from Palermo, overcoming logistics complications and delivering a great service to the highest standards. Special mention to the catering Bar Rosanero and the supervisor Domenico Bernabò, together with the flexibility and professionalism of our wedding planner, photographer and videographer.”
“If the wedding is experienced as a party, without anxiety, the result is always fantastic - you can see it in the photos.”
Stefania Paternostro, photographer
SUPPLIER TEAM
Wedding planner: Loviù Event | Venue: Ailanto Park | Photographer: Stefania Paternostro | Videographer: Mauro Messina Visual Storytelling | Floral Designer: Frascati Fiori | Hair and make up: Ernesto Lo bello | Bridal Fashion: Hermosa le Spose - Le spose di Gio | Catering: Bar Rosanero | DJ: Nio Tropea | Percussionist: Joseph Brazil | PA & Lights: Angelo Messina | Stationery: Studio Grafico Bagheria | Wedding Gifts: Tuti Design
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