Chris + Jessica’s intimate Sicilian wedding
Photo: The Lopes Photography
After meeting at a Canadian University ten years ago, Jessica and Chris Sicilian wedding dream grew after the couple fell in love with a Belmond hotel in Madeira, Portugal. “We loved it so much, so we explored what other Belmond hotels there were in the world. We fell for the Grand Hotel Timeo.” And their Italian wedding planning started!
Recognising how important an intimate wedding, good food and an unforgettable venue was to them as a couple, allowed them to side-step many common pressures which go hand-in-hand with hosting a big celebration.
Not counting the money spent! “We definitely went over our budget especially when we convert the European dollar to Canadian dollars. As we got married on an island, the choices for vendors was limited; so we spent around 50K Canadian (34K euro), which included an activity we planned for everyone the day after we got married.”
SUPPLIER TEAM
Venue + Catering: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo | Photographers & Super 8 & Us: - The Lopes Photography | Floral Designer: Sebastian Flowers Italy | Music Entertainment: Musica e Sposi | Celebrant: Wedding Sicily | Custom Embroidered Napkins: Baltic Bloom Embroidery | Bride’s Pre-Wedding Dress: Amanda Uprichard | Bride’s Pre-Wedding Shoes: Alohas | Headband: Shashi NYC | Grooms Pre-Wedding Outfit: Club Monaco and Zara | Grooms Pre-Wedding Shoes: Gucci | Vespa: Dior and Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco via White Satin Bridal Botique | Veil: Amelie George| MUA: Benny Makeup | Hair: Rosario D’anna | Shoes: Andrea Wazen | Bracelet: Numbering Engagement Ring: Philippe and co | Grooms Suit: Harold by Harry Rosen | Grooms Shirt: Eton Shirts | Grooms Pocket Square: Tom Ford | Grooms Shoes: Magnanni
The Dating
“We met in university. Chris was part of a fraternity, and I was in a sorority, and met at a party. We will be celebrating our 10 years together this year on October 30.”
“I paid for the musicians the night before the wedding, that's how slow the communication was.”
The Engagement
“Chris proposed in Lisbon, Portugal. I'm actually Portuguese so it was meaningful that he proposed there. We had a photoshoot planned to get pictures near the main sights and Chris did it then.”
Why did you choose Italy?
“I always dreamed of getting married in Italy. But didn't think it would be possible as initially I thought we needed to have a big wedding. But when we started planning and noting what was important to us, one of the main things was an amazing venue and good food. Italy ticked both of those boxes.”
Stand out Moment?
“There are two moments that I always reminisce about. The first one is our Vespa photoshoot the morning of our wedding. Both of our love languages is quality time so doing something fun just the two of us really calmed down the nerves. The second one was our first look and vows to each other where it was the two of us. I can't imagine having done our personal vows in front of everyone. The moment was so special. ”
Did anything go wrong?
“Nothing went wrong but communication is a lot slower in Europe than in Canada. We answer emails quickly in our jobs but there would be weeks of radio silence where we didn't get a response. But no one ever seemed stressed on the other side. I mean, I paid for the musicians the night before the wedding, that's how slow the communication was. ”
“Our advice for future couples would be: Cut down on your wedding guest list and plan well in advance with lots of research.”
Stand out Supplier
“The Lopes Photographers - they were not only a supplier, but became friends in the process and made us feel comfortable and allowed us to be ourselves every step of the way.”
The styling
“I loved my shoes. They were pink and girly. Chris loved his pocket square, such a small detail but it was floral and matched the inside of his vest.”
“Have on the day wedding coordinators. I think we had about 4 on site and I never had to worry about where to be. I have friends who are planning everything themselves with no coordinator, but you don't want to have added stress on your wedding day.”
SUPPLIER TEAM
Venue + Catering: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo | Photographers & Super 8 & Us: - The Lopes Photography | Floral Designer: Sebastian Flowers Italy | Music Entertainment: Musica e Sposi | Celebrant: Wedding Sicily | Custom Embroidered Napkins: Baltic Bloom Embroidery | Bride’s Pre-Wedding Dress: Amanda Uprichard | Bride’s Pre-Wedding Shoes: Alohas | Headband: Shashi NYC | Grooms Pre-Wedding Outfit: Club Monaco and Zara | Grooms Pre-Wedding Shoes: Gucci | Vespa: Dior and Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo | Wedding Dress: Alexandra Grecco via White Satin Bridal Botique | Veil: Amelie George| MUA: Benny Makeup | Hair: Rosario D’anna | Shoes: Andrea Wazen | Bracelet: Numbering Engagement Ring: Philippe and co | Grooms Suit: Harold by Harry Rosen | Grooms Shirt: Eton Shirts | Grooms Pocket Square: Tom Ford | Grooms Shoes: Magnanni
Travel into Italy is changing and we have the latest ETIAS information for you. This is a must-read for couples planning their weddings from mid-2025; it would be slightly dramatic if you weren’t permitted into the country for your wedding!
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