At Elisabetta White | Intimately Inspired Weddings, we believe that a wedding should be more than just a day – it should be an immersive experience, a beautifully curated moment that reflects your love story and personal journey. Tiffany and Matthew’s wedding at Tonnara di Scopello in Sicily was a stunning example of this philosophy, bringing together old-world charm, breathtaking scenery, and a deeply personal touch. If you’re considering a destination wedding in Italy, this celebration will definitely inspire you.

A Historic Sicilian Gem – Tonnara di Scopello

Set along the rugged coastline of north-western Sicily, Tonnara di Scopello is a historic tuna fishing village that has been beautifully preserved to retain its rustic charm and authentic character. With its weathered stone walls, sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea, and an ambience steeped in history, this venue offers an unparalleled setting for couples seeking a romantic and meaningful wedding experience. The dramatic cliffs, crystalline waters, and centuries-old structures provide a striking contrast between natural beauty and architectural heritage – an aesthetic that perfectly matched Tiffany and Matthew’s vision of “old-school elegance” with a contemporary twist.

A Celebration Rooted in Love and Culture

With 90 of their dearest family and friends in attendance, Tiffany and Matthew embraced the essence of an intimate destination wedding, where every detail was thoughtfully designed to create a seamless blend of romance and cultural appreciation. The couple’s love for Italy was evident in every aspect of the event, from the selection of locally sourced décor to the carefully curated menu that celebrated Sicilian gastronomy. The ceremony took place against the backdrop of the tranquil sea, with the golden hues of the setting sun casting an ethereal glow over the moment they exchanged vows.

Designing a Wedding with Meaning and Style

The design of Tiffany and Matthew’s wedding was inspired by a desire to highlight the natural beauty of Tonnara di Scopello while adding personal touches that reflected their journey as a couple.

We knew Tiffany was toying with the idea of not having a bouquet at all, but at the same time she was also enthused by the idea of something elongated. We considered calla lily for a few weeks, but the more we considered it, the more our feeds were inundated by images of current weddings using the same flower. We knew Tiffany wanted something unique, so Katia of Frascati Fiori and I set out on a quest to come up with something that honoured the location and was never-seen-before. After a couple of attempts [physical attempts, because it’s important you know a good wedding florist never just puts a bunch of flowers together – they also do mockups!], Katia landed on the perfect, alinesque shape! An elongated bouquet of local eremus in hues of off-white and gray. Frascati Fiori also added eremus to the ceremony, with clusters of seagrass, hydrangea, viburnum, limonium, lotus pods, celosia, and amaranthus.

The tables were adorned with floral arrangements featuring seasonal blooms in darker greens as well as nerine, clematis, scabiosa and caladium leaves. The original brief of Tiffany and Matt was that they really wanted their wedding dinner to feel like an elevated family dinner party, so when in our design we intentionally steered away elaborate, imposing compositions, and instead asked Frascati to create a mix of individual flowers in small bud vases, with medium composition with asymmetrical shapes, interspersed with fruits and vegetables and candles to add a soft glow.

Every detail was intentional. Tiffany was very keen to introduce vintage silver pieces, so we worked with our catering team, Natale Giunta, and Frascati Fiori to introduce a curated selection of vintage-inspired tableware, so as not to make the wedding feel trend-led. The overall effect was a perfect balance of understated luxury and relaxed sophistication, mirroring the couple’s own style.

A Culinary Experience That Honoured Sicilian Tradition

One of the most memorable aspects of any Italian wedding is, of course, the food. Amplify this by 100 for a wedding in Sicily! For their reception, Natale Giunta curated an exceptional dining experience that showcased the best of Sicilian cuisine. Guests were treated to a spectacular spread featuring live cooking stations with local delicacies, including succulent meat skewers, raw oysters, fresh crudo and octopus, freshly baked breads, and a variety of canapés; while the main courses featured the rich flavours of squid ink risotto and delicate lobster parcel pasta.

No Sicilian wedding would be complete without an indulgent dessert selection, and Tiffany and Matthew’s celebration was no exception. A beautifully crafted Sicilian pistachio and ricotta wedding cake took centre stage, accompanied by an array of traditional pastries, including freshly filled cannoli and artisanal gelato – the perfect sweet ending to an exquisite dining experience.

Music, Atmosphere, and an Unforgettable After-Party

To create an immersive sensory experience, Tiffany and Matthew carefully curated a soundtrack that spanned from classical elegance to high-energy celebration. A harpist and violinist performed modern interpretations of classical pieces throughout the ceremony and cocktail hour, evoking a sense of cinematic romance. As the evening unfolded, DJ Remo Giugni set the tone for a lively reception supported by the outstanding mixology team of Peppe La Sala’s Mixology Catering Bar, leading guests into an unforgettable after-party in the venue’s historic boat storehouse, which was transformed into what became known as “the rave cave.” The night ended with guests jumping in the sea!

This seamless transition from refined elegance to all-out celebration epitomised what makes destination weddings so magical – the opportunity to create an experience that is both deeply personal and joyously shared with loved ones.

Why Choose Tonnara di Scopello for Your Destination Wedding?

If you dream of an intimate yet strikingly beautiful wedding, Tonnara di Scopello offers an unrivalled setting. Here’s why this venue could be the perfect location for your celebration:

• Unspoilt Beauty & Water Views: Nestled between dramatic cliffs and the azure sea, this venue provides a truly cinematic setting for your wedding.
• Historic Charm: Dating back centuries, the estate retains its rustic authenticity while offering the necessary comforts for a seamless event.
• Exclusivity and Intimacy: Unlike many wedding venues, Tonnara di Scopello feels like a private, hidden gem, ideal for couples who want a celebration away from the crowds.
• Sicilian Culinary Excellence: From fresh seafood to artisanal desserts, this venue provides a gourmet experience deeply rooted in Sicilian tradition.
• Immersive Atmosphere: Whether you envision a relaxed, al-fresco dinner under the stars or a lively after-party in a historic setting, this venue allows you to craft a wedding experience that is uniquely yours.

There are, however, some drawbacks:

• Tonnara di Scopello is exceptionally sought after, so much so their price is systematically increasing year on year and it now sits at around €25k for 2 nights in law season up to €85k for 3 nights in high season.
• The property retains the quirkiness of a fishing village so it’s by no mean a 5* luxury experience. If you’re thinking of recouping the cost of accommodation from your guests, do bear this in mind, as we don’t feel you could charge more than €150-200/n per room for something of that standard.
• Tonnara is located in the vicinity of Scopello, a tiny village that is only alive from Easter to September. The village also has very little aside from a handful of hotels, a “baglio” [a small square] with a few restaurants and some tourist shops. We would highly recommend that guests hire a car if they wish to explore.

Planning Your Dream Destination Wedding with Elisabetta White | Intimately Inspired Weddings

Tiffany and Matthew’s wedding at Tonnara di Scopello was as effortless as it was unforgettable. At Elisabetta White | Intimately Inspired Weddings, we specialise in crafting bespoke, deeply personal weddings that are seamless, cohesive and atmospheric, and that honour your love story while embracing the beauty of your chosen destination.

If you’re dreaming of a Sicilian wedding that is equal parts atmospheric, meaningful, and effortlessly luxurious, we’d love to help you bring that vision to life. Let’s create an experience that will add another cherished pin to your world travel map – a wedding that is not just an event, but a lifelong memory.

Get in touch with us today to start planning with us.

Wedding Venue: Tonnara di Scopello; Photographer: Daniel Kim; Videographer: Native Birds; Planner: Elisabetta White; Florist: Frascati Fiori; Hair & Makeup: Alena Bezrodna; Service and Lighting: New Service Paleremo; Catering, Cake and Desserts: Natale Giunta; DJ: Remo Giugni; Transportation: Taxi Castellammare del Golfo; Invitations: Daniel Triassi printed by Crea to Print; Wedding Dress: Vivienne Westwood, Loho Bride; After-Party Dress: Sandy Liang; Veil: Ofrenda Studio; Jewelry: Stephanie Gottlieb, Agmes; Shoes: Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo; Groom’s Suit: Tailors’ Keep; Bridesmaid Dresses: Shona Joy, Theory.