A poolside ceremony and a twinkling al fresco reception, doesn't that sound like the most dreamy destination wedding setting?! Well, that's exactly what our real wedding couple Tom & Hilary opted for with their Italian wedding at Villa Mon Repos, a gorgeous wedding venue in Taormina in Sicily. Along with the help of their wedding planner, the couple’s planned a celebration that was vibrant, full of personality, and timeless. The magical day was captured by photographer and videographer Avenir Wedding Films—thank goodness it was because we can’t stop staring at their images!
Tom and Hilary who are from the UK and the US, but currently based in The East Coast of the US first met while one of them was studying abroad, through mutual friends.
The proposal happened as the bride puts it, "on a spectacular mountaintop – you can imagine how it went!".
The couple opted to do a first look which they both agree was one of their favourite parts of the day. "We took first look photos in Villa Scimone – an oasis in Taormina full of family memories."
Even before ever selecting a venue, Hilary and Tom had a clear vision for their celebration. "First and foremost, to be able to share a magical place with close friends and family."
When it came time to choosing the venue for their day, the pair had their hearts set on Sicily, where they were then seduced by the beauty of Villa Mon Repos in Taormina. The bride tells us, "It was the right size, with the spectacular backdrop of the ocean plus Mount Etna. The chef and manager also made us feel well taken care the moment we met him."
Describing the overall look and feel of the day, Hilary tells us it was, "Elegant, colorful and joyous. Pure Sicilian magic!".
She adds, "Despite being a more intimate size, the celebration felt grand due to all the delicious food and dancing. Like our wedding planner, it dazzled! Covid led to a delay, like it did for many people, so when the day finally arrived we felt unbelievably lucky."
The bride tells us that their wedding aesthetic was inspired by the dreamy location. "Sicily speaks for itself. The landscape, architecture and abundance of natural beauty are a work of art. We latched on to the theme of Sicilian oranges, and wanted as little traditional wedding white as possible."
Adding to the romance of the occasion was the stunning floral arch before which Hilary and Tom exchanged their vows. Two half arches, varying in height, adorned with roses, peonies and lush greenery, created a mesmerizing backdrop for their heartfelt promises.
Looking back on their day, the couple tell us their ceremony was incredibly special and filled with wonderful moments including dear friend reading a passage from Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist,” which the bride says "was really special". This reading describes twin flames and how it feels when you finally find that person that seems to have been destined for you. It's a truly romantic ceremony reading option.
Following the vows, there was a fun and fabulous cocktail hour, before their colourful al fresco reception dinner which was brimming gorgeous details.
Hilary wowed in a chic lace halter neck bridal gown by the designer Emmie Mae Indigo. She completed her bridal look with a simple gold block heel, gold bangles and drop pearl and gold earrings. Her soft braided updo was perfect for letting the beauty of her dress shine.
The bridesmaids graced the occasion in a harmonious combo of both elegant long and midi dresses. Each dress showcased a unique design, as chosen by each individual bridesmaid. We do love a mis-matched bridal party!
The groom and his men all rocked soft grey linen suits from Next, perfect for keeping cool in the summer heat.
From the elegant bride and bridesmaids bouquets to the captivating colorful centerpieces, florals added a touch of natural beauty, creating a dreamy ambiance that perfectly complimented the special day. The floral centrepieces boasted an enchanting palette of coral peonies, yellow, orange and peach roses, and lemon Lisianthus.
Oh to be a guest at this colourful celebration!
Offering advice for other couples planning their day, Hilary says, "Hire a wedding planner if you can!" She adds, "No matter how big or small your event, a planner will take so much stress off your plate. We cannot thank our planner, Emily, enough and would have been lost without her contacts and coordination."
Dressed in a pristine white and adorned with delicate bunches of fresh blooms, the cake by Villa Mon Repos stands as a work of edible art!
Dreaming of the honeymoon? Then you should definitely consider taking a leaf out of Hilary and Tom's book. "We love to travel, so we consider every trip since our wedding a mini-moon!".
A very special thank you to Hilary, Tom and Avenir Wedding Films for sharing this gorgeous Sicily wedding day with us at One Fab Day!
Dreaming of tying the knot in the sunshine? We have so many Destination Real Weddings for you to pore over!
