A Sunset Love Story: Andrea and Silvia's Enchanting Wedding at Marzamemi Old Tuna Fishery

Love Story

Their love story began against the backdrop of a Cape Town sunset, though they lived in the same city without ever crossing paths before. Andrea and Silvia's journey to the altar was one of patience and perfect timing. "First time we met there was a sunset in the background and we were in Capetown, South Africa," Andrea shares with a smile. "Then we have to wait many years to understand that our was a true love story."

The proposal was as intimate as it was unexpected. "We were in bed and Silvia went to the kitchen for a coffee, while she came back and sat on her bed place she fell in the ring box, and she started crying." From that day forward, they created their own morning ritual – Andrea brings Silvia coffee each day, a promise that was even signed into their wedding vows.

The couple envisioned a destination wedding that would capture the essence of Sicily while maintaining a romantic and charming atmosphere. With 170 guests and a year of planning, they transformed their dream into reality.

The color palette of sage green, peach pink, dove grey, and white was carefully chosen to enhance every element of their celebration. What made their wedding truly unique was their innovative approach to the venue decoration. "We decided to arrange the Tuna fishery by using a unique combination of chandeliers and textile on the roof covering the entire area of the fishery inside to reproduce a romantic and charming style," they explain.

Their wedding planner's creative vision played a crucial role in bringing their dreams to life. "Ideas of our wedding planner showing us the possibility to set up this valuable location in a unique style," they recall with excitement. "It was one of the first marriages in which the use of textile was so original anticipating the trend of the 2024 season, and probably 2025s one."

Morning details

The couple's attention to detail shone through in every aspect of their wedding preparations, starting with their exquisite stationery. The invitations, a true work of art, were designed by Veronica Di Salvo of Verygraphy Calligrafia. "We start from the idea of our wedding planner to have romantic invitations using an original calligraphy handmade," they explain with evident pride. "We added the idea to personalize it with a paint of the wedding location, in order to give to the guest a special gift because they can keep with them for life as a paint, the details were positioned on the other side."

The couple's commitment to quality extended to their choice of rings. "It was our choice, we go straight vs the perfect Italian style of DAMIANI," they say, their decision reflecting their appreciation for timeless elegance. The wedding rings weren't just jewelry – they were a symbol of their commitment to excellence and Italian craftsmanship.

Veronica Di Salvo's artistic touch extended beyond the invitations to create a cohesive suite of wedding stationery. Each piece was carefully crafted to maintain their romantic aesthetic, from the church record book to the personalized place cards. These place cards held special meaning, not only thanking guests for their presence but also informing them of the couple's thoughtful donation to a non-profit organization supporting research for sarcoidosis, a rare disease – adding a touch of meaningful generosity to their celebration.

Bride getting ready

Silvia's journey to finding her perfect dress was a thoughtful one-month search at the Pronovias atelier in Rome's city center. "The choice was so difficult because the intention was to combine the desired idea of "the princess" with the romantic Sicilian style," Silvia shares. The dress was chosen from the Pronovias’ private collection, seeking something unique and exclusive that would perfectly embody the bride’s vision.

The getting-ready moments unfolded in a picturesque setting at the old tuna fishery. "Getting ready was done at the old tuna fishery inside a Sicilian-style room and on the beautiful sea terrace," Silvia recalls with emotion. "It was an emotional but also funny moment, it was a truly fairytale in a such beautiful context, the Sicilian heritage around me." These preparations weren't just about dressing – they were about creating memories in a space steeped in history and tradition.

Her bridal look was carefully curated to honor both her personal style and the wedding's Sicilian roots. The crowning glory was her spectacular six-meter veil, complemented by a delicate flower metallic wire woven through her hair and simple, elegant bright earrings. The bouquet, created with intention and meaning, featured bouvardia, mughetto, and zagara – three small flowers chosen to honor the Sicilian heritage and perfectly complement the delicate lace details of her dress.

The morning was made even more special by those who surrounded her. "All of my family was there – Mum, Dad, my brother with his wife, and the bride team!" Silvia beams. Her support system included her little niece Silvia, bridesmaids Erika and Monia, and her best friend and witness Claudio. Wedding planner Simona and her team were also present, ensuring every detail was perfect.

For her bridesmaids, Silvia took a personal approach to their attire. "I start from the color palette, I chose the sage green," she explains. The simple yet elegant dresses were brought to life by a local dressmaker, and the look was completed with bouquets of avalanche peach roses and white flowers, perfectly complementing the wedding's carefully chosen color scheme.

Ceremony

The religious ceremony took place in the majestic Noto Cathedral,where centuries of history and baroque architecture provided an awe-inspiring backdrop for their vows. The procession began with Andrea's entrance to the timeless melody of Pachelbel's Canon, setting a tone of classical elegance for what was to come.

But it was Silvia's entrance that created one of the day's most breathtaking moments. "This wonderful church at the end of a high baroque staircase was all waiting for her," Andrea recalls, his voice full of emotion. "The violinist was playing Wagner's wedding march and I was crying a lot, we desired and waited for that moment..." The sight of his bride ascending the historic staircase, framed by the cathedral's ornate architecture, moved not only the groom but all their guests to tears.

Their seven-year-old niece Silvia served as ring bearer, adding an extra touch of sweetness to the ceremony in her white dress that echoed the bride's gown. The couple chose to forego traditional flower girls, keeping the focus on the intimate nature of their ceremony.

In a particularly touching moment, Andrea read a special promise to Silvia about their new life together, his words echoing through the historic cathedral as they prepared to begin their journey as husband and wife. The ceremony perfectly balanced the grandeur of their surroundings with the intimate, personal touches that made it uniquely theirs.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

The newlyweds chose three magnificent locations for their post-ceremony photos, each capturing a unique aspect of their Sicilian celebration. They began in historic Noto,where the baroque architecture and well-wishes from locals created an authentically Italian atmosphere around the UNESCO Heritage site. As the day progressed, they moved to the seaside,where a golden sunset provided a romantic backdrop outside the old tuna fishery. Finally, they explored the intimate spaces within the venue itself, from its elegant terrace to its characterful Sicilian-style rooms, creating a perfect chronicle of their special day.

Wedding Venue & Decor

The Old Tuna Fishery in Marzamemi became the perfect canvas for their love story. They chose this location not just for its beauty, but for the sentimental connection it evoked. "We wanted a special place in our heart and the Old Tuna Fishery was the perfect combination of both these elements," they share. It was a venue that embraced their love while offering the space needed to host their many friends and family.

To transform the venue into something truly unforgettable, they worked with their wedding planner to create a masterpiece of romance and charm. A stunning arrangement of chandeliers illuminated the space, while soft, flowing textiles draped across the roof brought warmth and elegance to the rustic fishery. The color palette of sage green, peach rose, dark grey, and white tied every element together beautifully. From the dresses of the bride and bridesmaids to the personalized stationery and the dreamy table settings, the palette became a symbol of harmony and love.

Reception

The celebration reached its peak during their first dance to Perfect Symphony by Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli, a song that perfectly mirrored the elegance and romance of the day.

Their catering, SQUISEATING, led by Michelin-star chefs Domenico Colonnetta and Francesco Patti, created a dining experience that combined Sicilian and Calabrian heritage—a reflection of Andrea and Silvia’s roots. Guests were greeted with show-cooking dishes inspired by Sicilian tradition for the welcome. The seated dinner featured a fish-based menu of three exquisite dishes, and desserts were prepared live, adding an element of theater to the meal. The grand finale was a single-tier cake with fresh strawberries, surrounded by a lavish buffet of classic Italian cakes and desserts.

"First of all the valuable concept & design of our planner Simona, so original, so stylish so perfect!" the couple recalls, praising their planner, Simona Parisi, for her exceptional vision and flawless execution. "Each element appointed was accurately selected and she has defined exactly what we want. The colors, the idea of mixed light and textile, the selection of colour and flowers, the reception details (our catering has ironed each table one by one) were pure magic.” They add, “Incredible the combination of the perfect team of professionals selected, they give us the best fairytale we could desire. During the wed day everything was perfect also the organization of a plan b due to the high wind in the night."

Other unforgettable moments included their magical entrance to the Tuna Fishery, the romantic cake cutting illuminated by chandeliers and surrounded by white delphiniums, and the final song of the evening, I Migliori Anni Della Nostra Vita, shared with all their guests.

"Details will always make the difference," Andrea and Silvia say, reflecting on their day. From the stunning textile roof design created by Simone Di Benedetto to the charming table settings of sage silk bows and peach and white roses by Francesca of Intrecci di Fiore e d'arte, each detail came together to create a fairytale. The personalized stationery by Verygraphy Calligrafia was another highlight, with the invitations cherished as artwork in guests' homes.