Waves of Love: Eleonora and Lorenzo's Magical Wedding at Castello Tafuri

Love Story

Eleonora and Lorenzo's love story is a beautiful tale of serendipity and romance. Eleonora had recently moved to Siena for work when fate intervened through mutual friends, leading her to meet Lorenzo. Their connection was instant and profound. "The love that has bound us since day one had aroused in us the desire to build our future together."

Their journey to the altar took an unexpected but joyous turn when Lorenzo's original proposal plans were sweetly derailed. "Lorenzo had in fact organized a week in Santorini a few months ago to, as he later confessed to me, propose to me there," Eleonora revealed. "However, shortly before leaving, a magnificent surprise: I discovered that I was expecting our little girl."

Undeterred, Lorenzo crafted a new plan. "Lorenzo therefore surprisingly organized, in June 2022, a romantic getaway to a relais in Tuscany that I had always dreamed of, Borgo Santo Pietro," Eleonora recounted. "There, in a dream suite, strewn with candles and flowers, he knelt down and proposed to me, accompanied by beautiful words and a magnificent solitaire ring."

Eleonora and Lorenzo's wedding was a beautiful blend of tradition, elegance, and personal touches. Set in the stunning backdrop of Sicily, the couple chose to marry in the charming fishing village of Marzamemi, with the reception held at the breathtaking Castello Tafuri in Portopalo di Capo Passero on June 8, 2024.

"I wanted a wedding that was a combination of the religious rite, full of emotions and love, and a great party, fun and engaging for all our guests, but always expressed with elegance and refinement," Eleonora explained, her eyes shining with excitement.

The couple spent a year planning their dream day, carefully curating every detail to reflect their personalities and tastes. With 150 guests in attendance, the wedding was intimate yet lively, a perfect representation of the couple's vision.

Rather than adhering to a specific theme, Eleonora and Lorenzo let their own tastes guide the planning process. "I didn't follow a defined style," Eleonora shared. "I was simply inspired by Lorenzo's and my tastes, so that our wedding would reflect our personalities and ways of being."

Music played a crucial role in shaping their vision. "Music and the emotions that it can instill and bind moments of experience in the memory,” inspired them the most during preparation, Eleonora revealed. "Thanks to music I was able to imagine moments that I would have liked to experience that day."

The couple's attention to detail and personal touches ensured that every aspect of their wedding day was infused with meaning and romance. From the choice of venue to the music that filled the air, Eleonora and Lorenzo created a celebration that was uniquely theirs – a perfect reflection of their love story and the life they're building together.

Morning details

The morning of the wedding was filled with anticipation and careful attention to detail. Eleonora and Lorenzo had poured their hearts into every aspect of their wedding stationery, from invitations to place cards.
"The invitations were the subject of many evenings after dinner between Lorenzo and me," Eleonora shared, her eyes twinkling with the memory. "Right from the start we shared the desire to have an intimate wedding, with the people we are closest to."

This personal touch extended to all their wedding stationery. "The invitations, like the church booklets, the placeholders, and the menu, under the advice of a graphic suggested by our wedding planner, were chosen, in detail, by Lorenzo and me, creating a common thread with the style of the wedding," Eleonora explained.

The couple chose to honor tradition with their wedding rings, purchasing them from a historic jewelry store in Pachino, Eleonora's hometown in Sicily. "With Lorenzo we chose to engrave our respective names inside with the date of our wedding," she said, touching her ring fondly.

When it came to jewelry, Eleonora decided to keep things simple and meaningful. "I am very attached to my engagement ring, a beautiful diamond solitaire," she revealed. "It was the only piece of jewelry I wore that day."

Bride getting ready

Eleonora's bridal preparations took place at the magnificent Castello Tafuri, overlooking the Sicilian sea. Her wedding dress, a couture creation by Galia Lahav, was a true showstopper. "It took me a few weeks to choose it, because after trying it on all the other clothes I wore didn't arouse the emotions I felt from the first time I saw it on," Eleonora exclaimed. "It was love at first sight!"

To complete her bridal look, Eleonora chose a pair of elegant Aquazzura shoes and, in true Sicilian tradition, a very long veil. Her bouquet was a stunning arrangement of white peonies with touches of eucalyptus green.

Groom getting ready

Lorenzo prepared for the big day alongside his family and their 18-month-old daughter, Aurora, at Castello Tafuri. He cut a dashing figure in a tailored midnight blue suit by Emenegildo Zegna, paired with a matching Zegna tie.

First Look

The couple's first look was a moment charged with emotion, taking place in the church in Marzamemi. Lorenzo waited at the altar while Eleonora made her entrance.

"She was sparkling in her beauty and charm, while walking down the aisle," Lorenzo recalled, his voice thick with emotion. "I was moved and had to hold back a tear."

Eleonora's thoughts were equally touching. "I couldn't wait to reach him and hold him," she said, squeezing Lorenzo's hand.

Ceremony

The ceremony took place in the picturesque church in Marzamemi's main square, a historic fishing village nestled in the heart of baroque Sicily. The setting was a perfect blend of tradition and romance, reflecting the couple's deep connection to their Sicilian roots.

Before the big day, Eleonora and Lorenzo honored a beautiful Sicilian tradition. "In Sicily, a few evenings before the wedding, the future bed of the newlyweds is prepared by some single girls, with precious sheets, handmade and adorned with lace, which are passed down from generation to generation," Eleonora explained, her voice soft with reverence.

As Eleonora walked down the aisle, the haunting strains of Lana Del Rey's "Young and Beautiful" filled the air, played on harp, violin, and organ. The couple's 18-month-old daughter, Aurora, played a special role as the ring bearer.

When asked about the most special moments from the ceremony, both Eleonora and Lorenzo's responses were immediate and heartfelt. "The entrance into the church and the moment of the promises," Eleonora recalled.

The ceremony was a beautiful reflection of the couple's love story – deeply personal, steeped in tradition, and full of emotion. From the historic church to the meaningful music and the involvement of their daughter, every element came together to create a truly magical beginning to their married life.

Photoshoot after the ceremony

After saying "I do," the newlyweds took advantage of Sicily's stunning scenery for their post-ceremony photoshoot. "Marzamemi, which offers glimpses of the sea and typically Sicilian details," Eleonora explained. “And the cliff, overlooking the sea, of Portopalo di Capo Passero, the southernmost point of Sicily and, therefore, of Europe."

Wedding Venue & Decor

The reception venue, Castello Tafuri, was a dream come true for the couple. Eleonora's eyes lit up as she described their choice: "It is a castle overlooking the sea, next to a historic Sicilian tuna fishery, now in disuse,where I had always dreamed of getting married. When I showed it to Lorenzo, he also immediately fell in love with it, especially for the view of the sea, so close, of which you could see the wonderful colors and the sound of the waves."

The decor palette was a harmonious blend that perfectly complemented the stunning location. "The white, the eucalyptus green and the toffee color, combined with the turquoise, which recalled the colors of the Castle and the sea it overlooks," Eleonora explained.

Personal touches abounded throughout the decor, making the celebration uniquely theirs. They incorporated personalized elements in many objects: "Especially in the menus, the place cards and the name of each table, which recalled the names of the sea winds."

The couple worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of the venue and decor reflected their personalities and love story. From the carefully chosen color palette to the thoughtful personalized touches, each element contributed to creating an atmosphere that was both elegant and intimately personal.

Reception

The reception was a celebration of love, Sicilian culture, and exquisite cuisine. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the castle and sea, Eleonora and Lorenzo took to the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. They chose 'Yellow' by Coldplay. The lyrics and melody perfectly capture how they feel about each other.

The culinary experience was a highlight of the evening, showcasing the best of Sicilian cuisine. "The menu was typical Sicilian and focused on fish," Eleonora explained enthusiastically. "In particular, during the aperitifs served in the rotunda on the sea, raw seafood, caught in the sea in front of the Castle, red shrimp, sea urchins, oysters and tuna were served."

Lorenzo chimed in, "During dinner at the table, on the main terrace of the castle, under a starry sky, two freshly caught dentex, each weighing 18 kilos, were served as a second course, portioned out on the spot."

The couple made sure that every aspect of the menu celebrated their Sicilian heritage. "Even the wines, both still and sparkling, were Sicilian," Eleonora noted proudly.

The wedding cake, a work of art in itself, was created by Valentino Catering, an award-winning Sicilian company. It was as delicious as it was beautiful.

Reflecting on their experience with their wedding vendors, the couple couldn't have been happier. "A team of true professionals, close-knit and capable of understanding and translating the wishes of the spouses," Eleonora said warmly.

As the night drew to a close, Eleonora and Lorenzo took a moment to take it all in. "It was the wedding I always dreamed of, elegant, intimate and engaging at the same time," Eleonora mused, her voice filled with emotion. "I would like to have the chance to relive it again, to feel again all the beautiful emotions it made me feel."