Italy has many beautiful cities, but did you know that a Sicily wedding may be your dream come true?
Sicily is famous for having Italy’s largest island. Its stunning baroque architecture, pristine beaches, and many archeological sites make this a perfect location for your destination wedding.
Our comprehensive guide explores some of the reasons you should consider a Sicily destination wedding, tips on how to get there, and some of the best venues to consider for your special day.
About Destination Weddings in Sicily
Sicily is not just a designer’s hub; the charming island offers much more. Find out more on why you should consider a Sicily wedding.
Why Get Married in Sicily
Some of the reasons you should get married in Sicily are:
Beautiful Landscapes and Charming Beaches
Natural landscapes and beautiful beaches surround Sicily. You can opt to have a countryside wedding close to Mount Etna and enjoy stunning views of the Island’s east coast or exchange your vows on one of the charming beaches as you enjoy a cool breeze and experience the turquoise sea.
Additionally, Sicily has a warm climate year-round.
There are endless wedding location options in Sicily, making it one of the best places for a destination wedding.
Get to Experience the Fusion of Cultures
Sicily is full of history. Everywhere you get to step has a historical background dating back to the Spaniards, Arabs, the French, and Greek. You’ll notice the mix of cultures from Sicily’s unique architecture. Famous places like the baroque Palazzos of Modica, Piazza Armerina, and the Greek temple are must-visit.
Lots of Activities to Explore
Whether planning an elopement or inviting close family and friends, Sicily has lots of activities to keep you busy.
Sip some cocktails as you watch the sunset at the beach club, go on a historical walking tour in Taormina, or visit the Syracuse archeological park for some archeology and history.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Sicily
The average cost of a destination wedding in Sicily is $35,000. That includes the wedding venue and a wedding package for up to 100 people.
Expect to pay more or less, depending on wedding extras, accommodation, and when you book your flights.
The Best Sicily Wedding Venues & Sicily Wedding Packages
Some of the best Sicily wedding venues and packages are:
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo has the most scenic setting perfect for your destination wedding. Surrounded by rugged hills and overlooking the shoreline of the Island, the hotel should be top of your list if you dream of a romantic wedding.
With a capacity to accommodate up to 250 people for a reception, Belmond Grand Hotel is only 50 minutes away from Catania airport. Its 44 rooms and 26 suites have balconies and terraces, stunning views of Mount Etna, gorgeous decor, and marble bathrooms.
Get to Say I Do at the Ganimede Terrace overlooking Mount Etna and head to the other end for a cocktail hour. Depending on your preferences, have dinner in the Afrodite Hall indoors or outdoors. You can exchange your vows at the Efesto Hall for a more intimate ceremony. Dance to your favorite music at Zeus Hall.
Take a stroll in the six-acre park or relax and unwind by the panoramic pool. Alternatively, rejuvenate at the state-of-the-art spa offering various treatment or stretch at the fitness center. You can also go on excursions outside, including guided tours, helicopter rides, boat rentals, and more.
Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo offers customized wedding packages for couples to ensure their wedding day is unique and unforgettable.
Dimora Delle Balze
Dimora Delle Balze features a contemporary design with a serene Mediterranean atmosphere, making it a perfect Sicily destination wedding venue. It’s the best location to have a fairytale wedding.
You can celebrate protest and symbolic ceremonies in Dimora Delle Balze or have a catholic ceremony in churches in Noto.
Exchange your vows amidst overflowing gardens or in the elegant courtyard as you enjoy the scent of Sicilian flowers and the Mediterranean sea breeze. Head on for an aperitif by the pool and enjoy a delightful culinary experience in the main courtyard.
The upscale farm stay has 11 large rooms, a swimming pool, and a lemon orchard. The cities of Syracuse and Noto are 30 kilometers from the property, allowing you to explore exclusive restaurants, galleries, and museums.
Dimora Delle Balze requires a minimum stay of three nights to plan a wedding in this venue in the high season and at least two nights in the low season.
San Domenico Palace Taormina
Start your new life at the stunning San Domenico Palace Taormina.
Nestled in romantic Taormina, the elegant venue boasts timeless luxury and perfection. Overlooking the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, San Domenico Palace allows couples to experience Sicily’s scenic paradise.
Say I do in the beautiful Chiesa Ballroom that also features an altar, and head out for cocktails in the sea-view terraces or Italian gardens. Take photos with spectacular backdrops or enjoy a warm touch of the Mediterranean sun as you sip on wine.
After your wedding, enjoy some pampering at the Botanica Spa or relax and wind up the infinity pool as you enjoy the mighty Mount Etna views. Savor rich Sicilian cuisine at one of the hotel’s three restaurants.
San Domenico Palace in Taormina has different wedding packages guarantee first-class service and a bespoke experience.
Castello Camemi
Have you ever dreamed of getting married in a Castle? Well, your dream might come true at Castello Camemi. Built in the 15th Century, the now five stars hotel is in Eastern Sicily, a lovely countryside overlooking the hills of Val di Noto.
Get to exchange your vows in the garden surrounded by beautiful trees and lush green foliage. Celebrate your reception with an Aperitif closer to the castle walls or at the classic-style lounge as you mingle with guests and take beautiful shots with the hills as your backdrop.
After the ceremony, head to the pool garden for the cutting of the cake and a dancing party.
You and your guests can stay in some of the elegantly furnished rooms of Castello Camemi and enjoy facilities like the Jacuzzi and a fireplace.
Castello Camemi has different wedding packages depending on the couple’s needs.
Verdura Resort
Featuring a private coastline, an exclusive infinity pool, and coastal gold courses, Vedura Resort is another fantastic Sicily wedding venue.
Whether you’re planning a grand celebration, want to hire the entire resort, or need something intimate with your close family and friends, you’ll find a package that suits you.
Say I Do at the sea-view terrace of the Liola restaurant, on the fascinating amphitheater with olive trees, or the well-kept, lush green golf course. Head to the reception in the ballroom overlooking the Sicilian hills, sip some cocktails at Restaurant Buon Giorno or get appetizers at the Liola restaurant.
Enjoy an uninterrupted view from one of the 203 rooms, or relax in the hot tub as you catch up with friends online.
After the ceremony, play golf at one of the 18-hole golf courses. Taste the rich Sicilian cuisine at one of the four restaurants and sip some cocktails as you enjoy some live entertainment.
Verdura Resort has a romantic retreat package that includes:
- Two nights stay in a superior deluxe seafront room with a private terrace
- Champagne in-room breakfast served on the terrace
- A candle-lit dinner on the private beach
- Complimentary access to the Verdura spa
- A couple’s ritual in the spa’s double treatment suite
- An excursion at sunset on Verdura’s boat with an aperitif
Sicily Destination Wedding Legal Requirements
While anyone can have a Sicily destination wedding, there are legal requirements you need to meet.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting married in Sicily and the paperwork requirements.
Legal Weddings Vs. Symbolic Weddings
Sicily offers you the option to have a legal or symbolic ceremony, depending on your preferences.
However, you should note that you can only have a civil wedding in an authorized venue like a town hall and have the ceremony conducted by a local government official. Furthermore, you need to have the paperwork sorted before arriving in Italy.
Alternatively, you can have a symbolic ceremony in Sicily if you’d rather avoid the hassle of getting the paperwork or being limited in terms of your wedding venue.
A symbolic Sicily ceremony gives you more options for wedding styles and locations.
Required Legal Documents & Cost
As an American citizen, you’ll need:
- Valid passports or IDs
- Am Atto Notorio from your nearest Italian Embassy
- Get the Nulla Osta from the U.S. consulate in Italy
- Previous marriage certificates and Decree Absolute depending on the times you’ve been married
- The widow or widower needs to produce the marriage certificate and earth certificate of the previous spouse
- Witnesses over 18 years
The Nulla Osta needs to certify that there are no impediments to marriage according to the country’s laws. It should include your name, date, place of birth, citizenship, birth certificate of both parents, and free status.
If the Nulla Osta doesn’t have birth and maternity/paternity information, a birth certificate must be issued by the country of origin and translated.
Note that the Nulla Osta expires after six months.
Costs of Legal Paperwork
The cost of legal paperwork includes:
- $20 for the Atto Notorio
- $50 for the Nulla Osta
- €16,00 for the legalization of the Nulla Osta
Legal Marriage Timeline
Sicily has no requirements for the number of days you must be there before getting married.
Nonetheless, if you plan on having a Civil ceremony, you must start planning early to submit all your paperwork. Arriving a week before your wedding gives you ample time to submit the documents and collect the finalized Nulla Osta.
Sicily Destination Wedding Planning Tips
Sicily has everything you need to make your dream wedding a reality.
However, if this is your first time in Italy or Sicily, you may need help navigating this beautiful island and planning a wedding.
Here are some handy wedding planning tips to have in mind.
How to Get There
Sicily has four international airports. Aeroporto di Palermo to the northwest and Aeroporto di Catania on the east coast. The majority of international flights land and depart from these two airports.
Aeroporto di Comiso and Trapani-Birgi Airport are on the southeast and west coast, respectively. These are smaller airports, and most budget airlines land at either of the two.
Note that there are no direct flights to Sicily from the United States. You need to change planes at another airport in Europe or within Italy.
Swiss Air, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Alitalia have flights to Sicily.
On average, a flight from New York to Catania takes 14 hours, from Boston to Comiso 16 hours and 20 minutes, and from Newark to Catania 14 hours and 15 minutes.
You can also take a bus to Sicily. Eurolines has buses to Rome. It takes 33 hours to get to Rome. There are Italian buses to Sicily from Rome’s Piazza Tiburtina to Palermo.
Alternatively, you can take the train from the Italian mainland to Sicily. The trip can take 12-15 hours.
Sicily Weather
Sicily has a Mediterranean climate, which means summers are dry and hot, while winters are often wet and mild.
Mid-June to early September is the summer season in Sicily. Temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit and can go above 91 degrees Fahrenheit. July is the clearest month of the year. Summer is the peak tourist season, and you’ll find different venues and hotels packed. Prices for flights and hotels are also high. Sicily also hosts food fairs, cultural festivals, and concerts.
Fall in Sicily starts in September to November. The average temperature range from 81 degrees Fahrenheit to 67 degrees Fahrenheit. September and October are perfect months to visit Sicily if your wedding involves lots of exploration and excursions. There may be rain in November, but it’s also the best time to have a Sicily wedding as it’s the least crowded.
Winter in Sicily starts from December to February, with average temperatures ranging from 60 to 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The coldest months are January and February.
Budgeting Tips
Planning a Sicily wedding doesn’t have to be expensive.
Here are some tips on how to budget for a Sicily destination wedding.
Skip the Civil Ceremony
The costs of getting all the paperwork ready and translated can add up to your wedding budget. Apart from the documents, you’ll also need to pay a hefty rental price for the legal wedding venue.
However, with a symbolic ceremony, you can choose to get married in Sicily’s countryside, by the beach, or close to Mount Etna.
Have a Wedding During the Low Season
Scheduling your Sicily wedding on a weekday guarantees cheaper venue prices and discounted travel fares. Additionally, a weekday wedding during the low season allows you to explore Sicily without big crowds, which translates to a perfect arrangement.
Consider Working With a Wedding Planner
Working with a wedding planner gives you access to discounted rates. An experienced wedding planner knows the best venues for couples on a budget and the best suppliers in the city. That saves you money and reduces all the stress of getting every detail sorted.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Sicily
The best time to get married in Sicily is between September to November.
That’s the Autumn season in Sicily, where temperatures are mild and the streets less crowded. You can still dip in the sea and enjoy the cool breeze as you Say I Do. You can also have a countryside ceremony and enjoy great rates as it’s low season.
