My intimate, beautiful Sicily wedding
Today I want to share the story of my own wedding — an intimate autumn celebration in Siracusa, specifically in its historic heart, Ortigia.
My Italian husband and I always knew what mattered most to us: history, amazing food, that relaxed Italian vibe we adore… and of course, Sicily, a place we’ve fallen completely in love with. Siracusa ended up giving us all of it.
Why Siracusa? A City That Feels Alive With History
Siracusa is one of those places where the past feels close in the best possible way. Founded by the Greeks in the 8th century BC, it once shaped the entire Mediterranean. And you still feel that energy today.
Ortigia, the old town, is a little treasure — a tiny island full of layers of history. In just a few steps you move from ancient Greek columns to baroque piazzas, medieval alleys, elegant palazzi, and always, always the sea. For us, who love places with a story, it felt like walking through time.
Our Civil Ceremony at Palazzo Vermexio
We held our civil ceremony at Palazzo Vermexio, Siracusa’s historic town hall on Piazza Duomo — one of the most beautiful squares in Sicily. The palace from the 1600s combines Sicilian Baroque with a simple civic elegance. Inside, weddings take place in a bright room with classic details. It felt formal enough for the moment, but still warm and personal — very “Siracusa.”
We were just about forty people: close family and friends from Italy, Germany, Madrid, and Denmark. Small, international, and exactly right for us.
Walking Through Ortigia After the Ceremony
Right after the ceremony, we walked together through the narrow streets of Ortigia. This is one of the things we love most about Sicily — the simplicity, the spontaneity, the feeling that life just flows. Everything in Ortigia is close, perfect for wandering and for creating those unplanned, beautiful moments.
The warm stone buildings, the soft autumn light, the sea breeze… it all felt like the island was celebrating with us.
Aperitivo on the Terrace of the Grand Hotel Ortigia
If there’s one thing we truly love, it’s a good aperitivo — and the terrace at the Grand Hotel Ortigia could not have been more perfect. With a panoramic view over the Marina and the sea, it was relaxed, elegant, and unmistakably Sicilian.
We enjoyed local wines, little bites, and the kind of golden-hour atmosphere Sicily does best. It felt exactly like us.
Dinner at the Grand Hotel Ortigia
We stayed at the Grand Hotel Ortigia for dinner as well. The cuisine there is pure Sicily — fresh fish, local ingredients, simple dishes full of flavor. We had a four-course menu that was both refined and honest, just like Sicilian food should be.
The room felt intimate, the service caring, and everyone was close by since most stayed in Ortigia. It made the whole evening flow naturally.
A Celebration of History, Atmosphere, and the People We Love
Our wedding wasn’t big, but it was deeply personal — shaped by the places we love, the food we adore, and the people who mean the most to us. Siracusa gave us the perfect balance of history, beauty, and that laid-back Sicilian feeling that makes everything seem effortless.
A day filled with warmth, stories, and the kind of moments you carry with you forever — in one of the most magical corners of Sicily.
