Inside a Perfectly Planned Destination Wedding in Sicily: What You Need To Know

On a late Sunday afternoon in August, I walked down a red carpet and onto the steps leading to my first destination wedding, in Sicily, Italy! My dear friend of over a decade and her fiancé had brought 80 people from all over the world to celebrate their love story. Couples are increasingly choosing destination weddings, according to data, and my friend pulled together the most beautiful (and well-planned) destination wedding in Sicily.

Now, she’s answering some of my questions to help you plan your dream destination wedding in Sicily, or really anywhere in the world. 

The Destination Selection 

I had to start here because deciding on a destination wedding is the trigger for all other things to come, including subsequently, the selection of the destination. I’m also especially curious as I’d previously heard about destination weddings on the Amalfi coast or in Tuscany! This Sicily wedding was a pleasant surprise!

How Did You Decide To Have a Destination Wedding in the First Place?

We had just returned from a trip to Nigeria, where my sister had gotten married, and Nick and I were starting to talk about what we wanted for our own wedding. I explained that it’s common in my culture to have two ceremonies—a traditional wedding and a white wedding—but I only wanted one. I wasn’t interested in doing both, so I asked Nick which he’d prefer. He said he’d honestly love to have a traditional Yoruba wedding.

I told him I couldn’t do Lagos as I did not want to deal with the stress.  Having seen how things played out during my sister’s wedding—and others before hers—I felt that, no matter how well you plan, Lagos often doesn’t deliver the experience you paid for. Still, I always thought a traditional Yoruba wedding had to happen in Lagos, since that’s where I’m from.

But that got us thinking: what if we found another location in Nigeria? So we started exploring options outside Lagos, even considering Abuja, looking for a destination where we could still have a meaningful traditional wedding, without the chaos.

Plus, we wanted to keep it small, and a destination wedding is a sure way to accomplish that.

Why Have A Destination Wedding In Sicily?

After exploring a few options in Nigeria, none of them quite felt right for what we envisioned. So we started thinking more broadly. Nick is Sicilian, and during one of our conversations, we thought—what if we had a traditional Yoruba wedding, but held it in Sicily? That way, we could honor both of our backgrounds. And that’s how the idea came together: he’s Sicilian, so we’re having it in Sicily. I’m Yoruba, and we’re having a traditional Yoruba wedding.

Dee’s Notes: In addition, Sicily has great weather all year, offers great food, and breathtaking scenery. It’s also a more affordable destination compared to other locations in Italy, like Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast.

What Was Most Important To You In Planning Your Destination Wedding?

For me, what makes a wedding truly special is the experience—not just for the couple, but for the guests as well. I wanted it to feel meaningful and memorable from every angle. That focus on creating a full, immersive experience is what really guided the entire planning process.

Planning A Destination Wedding In Sicily

After deciding to have a destination wedding in Sicily, Italy, the next step is actually getting into the details of planning, from thousands of miles away. I asked Tobi about the planning process next. 

Did You Have Any Family or Friends Locally Helping With Planning?

 Lol no. We knew NO one in Sicily.

What Resources Did You Use to Research Destination Weddings In Sicily?

Once we decided to blend our two cultures, I knew we needed a planner who could bring that vision to life. My sister had found one on Instagram, she forwarded the info to me. I reached out, but the planner was fully booked for the next couple of years. Luckily, she recommended two others: one based in Sicily and another in the UK who had experience planning traditional Yoruba weddings.

I interviewed both and ultimately chose the UK-based planner because of her understanding of Yoruba traditional weddings and all the intricate details involved. She also specializes in destination weddings, which made her a perfect fit—especially with the unique twist of planning a Yoruba traditional wedding abroad.

Since we knew the wedding had to take place in Palermo, where Nick’s family is from, part of her role was to scout out the best venues in the area that aligned with our vision.

Dee’s Notes: Getting a planner with experience with Nigerian Yoruba traditional weddings was important here. However, if that isn’t relevant to your situation, then a locally based planner is your best bet! If you don’t speak Italian, it’s especially important to find one that speaks both Italian and English. Wedding Wire maintains a list of wedding planners in Sicily for starters!

Did You Visit Before You Booked The Venue For your Destination Wedding?

Yes, we did. After meeting with our planner and sharing our vision for a destination, traditional Yoruba wedding, she put together a list of about seven potential venues for us to visit. She also began sourcing Nigerian food, music, and other cultural elements to bring the celebration to life. Once the list was finalized, we all agreed to fly out and meet in Palermo to explore the options and choose the one that best fit our vision.

What Were The Key Factors That Led You to pick Sicily as Your Final Venue For Your Destination Wedding (Over Others)?

Location, location, location. We wanted a venue that wasn’t too far from Palermo, but also not isolated. One of the places we visited was stunning—huge and beautiful—but it was just too far out. We were looking for something with a real wow factor. It is Italy, after all, and we wanted to incorporate that classic Italian charm into the setting.

The venue also had to be the right size—enough space for our guests without feeling too big or too small. We needed room for dancing, of course, and an atmosphere that felt special for both us and our guests. We thought about how everything would look in photos and how it would feel throughout the day, from the food to the cocktails to the overall vibe.

Ultimately, it had to be a place that brought the full experience to life—visually beautiful, functional, and unforgettable.

Dee’s Notes: I definitely said wow a few times as I stepped onto the property. Stunning!!! 

What Were The Key Decisions in Your Planning Process? 

1. First and foremost, we wanted to give our guests plenty of time to prepare, so we sent out our save-the-dates early. With a destination wedding, it felt especially important to allow people time to save money and really decide if they could attend.
2. Next, timing was also key. We chose summer because many of our family and friends have children, and school breaks make travel easier. Of course, summer in Europe can be expensive for the same reason, so we were mindful of that trade-off. Weather was another factor—we wanted beautiful weather not just for the wedding day, but for the entire experience.
3. We also knew we wanted to keep the wedding relatively small and intimate. Our initial guest count was 100, but we eventually narrowed it down to 80—which was tough. On one hand, 80 people is quite large for a destination wedding. On the other hand, given the size of my family and the number of people we know, it was hard to pare it down. Still, intimacy was really important to us. I didn’t want anyone at the wedding that I didn’t know personally—it just feels awkward. And Nick felt the same.
4. We also hoped guests would turn this trip into more than just a wedding visit—maybe a chance to explore Europe and take a proper vacation. So all of these considerations—giving people enough notice, planning around school holidays, choosing the right location, and keeping the experience personal—shaped how we approached the planning.

The Pre-Visit

Tobi mentioned earlier that they visited Sicily in advance, and another destination wedding bride stressed the importance of this to me. Let’s learn more about the pre-visit!

How Far In Advance of the Wedding Did You Visit Sicily?

We went to visit Sicily in November with the wedding scheduled for August, so about nine months in advance of the wedding.

How Many Days and Was That  Enough In Your Opinion?

We were there for about three to four days. At the time, I didn’t have much vacation, so I had to be careful about how long I could be away. Fortunately, we worked closely with our planner and had a clear schedule outlining what we wanted to accomplish during the trip. She did a great job organizing everything to make the most of our time. Given that structure, I do think the length of the trip was sufficient.

What Were The Key Objectives to Accomplish On That Trip and Did You?

The key objectives were to 

• Secure a venue for the wedding, 
• Secure Nigerian food if possible, and 
• Get a vibe of Palermo as a whole in preparation for the wedding.

Vendor Selection & Management For Destination Wedding In Sicily

How Far In Advance Did You Book The Venue?

We booked the venue in November during our visit and the wedding was in August, so 9 months in advance.

What Venue Did You Go With and Why Did You Choose Them? What Did Their Package Come With/Include?

We chose a venue that offered a complete experience. We were looking for a space that was spacious but still felt intimate. Not too large and not too small. What really appealed to us was the flexibility to use all the different areas of the property, from the indoor rooms to the outdoor spaces. It allowed us to utilize the entire venue, not just a single section. Plus, the venue came with food and furniture included, which was important to us. In that sense, it covered many of the essentials we needed.

Did You Engage The Services Of a Planner? How Did You Find One and Would You Recommend That Other Couples Do This?

Yes, I definitely hired a planner since it was a destination wedding. I 100% recommend that other couples get a planner . A planner is essential. They may not do everything for you, but they’re incredibly helpful as an extra set of eyes, hands, or whatever support you need throughout the planning process. 

How Did You Go About Finding Vendors and Were They Local or Flown In?

Vendors were an interesting part of the process because we needed people who had experience with Nigerian weddings. Our planner was instrumental in this. She helped us find an Alaga based in the UK, and we were also able to book a local drummer in Italy. We sourced Nigerian food from a woman based in Italy as well. 

As for makeup, photography, florals, and other services—they were all locally sourced in Sicily through our planner. She presented us with multiple options for each vendor, and we selected the ones who we felt best understood our vision and what we were trying to achieve.

Did You Have To Fly In Vendors? When Doing So, What Should Couples Expect?

Yes. And we did run into some challenges here. One of our key vendors -the Alaga (spokesperson for a Nigerian traditional wedding) needed a visa to get to Sicily, and securing it turned out to be more difficult than expected. It hadn’t occurred to me at first that, although she was based in the UK, she wasn’t a UK passport holder. As a Nigerian passport holder, she needed a Schengen visa to travel, and for whatever reason, she had a hard time getting it approved.

In fact, her personal drummer, who normally travels with her, couldn’t get a visa, so we had to find an alternative. Thankfully, we found a local drummer in Sicily who was able to step in.

So, if  you’re flying in vendors, make sure to check early on how easy it will be for them to enter your destination country. 

Dee’s Notes: In addition to travel formalities, also consider the cost of travel (hotel and flights) for vendors from out of town. Use local vendors where possible to save on these costs and save out-of-town vendors for absolute necessities just like in Tobi & Nick’s example. 

Do You Mind Sharing All Your Vendors? 

Did you have any challenges with contracts, communication, or coordination?

Not really, thankfully. We were able to communicate with our vendors, even though not everyone spoke English. We often used Google Translate when necessary, but overall, communication and coordination were not difficult. The contracts were fairly straightforward as well.

Legal & Logistical Considerations for a Destination Wedding

Did you legally get married in Sicily or just had your celebration there?

We just had the celebration there and legally got married in the US. We considered legally getting married in Sicily, but it just felt like it was too much work.

Dee’s Notes: In my research, I found that it is generally recommended that couples get legally married before their destination wedding. Why? The legalities of getting married vary from one country to the other. This simplifies the challenge of dealing with international marriage laws and legalities. 

I just remember thinking that the paperwork and logistics seemed like a lot, but I don’t think I really delved into it too deeply. I knew it would be difficult for us to legally get married, given the type of wedding we were having. I mean, it was a Nigerian wedding, so it just made more sense to focus on the celebration in Sicily. 

Dee’s Notes: In my research, I found that it is generally recommended that couples get legally married before their destination wedding. Why? The legalities of getting married vary from one country to the other. This simplifies the challenge of dealing with international marriage laws and legalities. 

Guests and Experience

How many guests attended your destination wedding? When did you close the RSVP window?

We had 80 people at our wedding, and we were surprised that so many actually came. I didn’t expect that many people would travel all the way to Sicily to celebrate with us, but it was really heartwarming to see them there. We closed the RSVP window in March, which might seem early, but we needed enough time to get the outfits sewn (we’ll get to that later). 

How Did You Select Hotel(s) and Book Blocks For Your Destination Wedding?

We wanted to offer two types of accommodations for our destination wedding guests: one simple, budget-friendly hotel and one that was a bit nicer. It was also important to us that the hotels were close to each other so our guests wouldn’t be too spread out, and it would be easier to manage transportation. 

I did some of the hotel research myself, and our planner helped as well. We created a list based on what we both found. Once we identified the hotels we liked, our planner handled reaching out and securing the room blocks. In fact, for one of the hotels, we ended up booking all the rooms.

How far in advance did you tell your guests the destination? What was your communication timeline and medium leading up to the events? 

We sent out electronic save-the-dates in November, shortly after returning from our exploratory trip to Sicily, and followed up with formal invitations in January. I actually liked this approach, doing digital save-the-dates and then mailing physical invitations. It felt like a nice balance without being overly expensive. 

I built our wedding website using Wix, and all communications about the wedding were handled through email. I preferred keeping everything digital, not only was it faster, but it was also much more convenient.

Dee’s Notes: A minor additional communication detail that I found particularly helpful! A WhatsApp group that was well managed! It was set up as a community, privacy was added so phone numbers were not shared, and it was used for announcements only!

How Did You Balance Keeping Guests Updated, but Not Getting Overwhelmed and Inundated With The Same Questions Over and Over?

I had an FAQ section on our wedding website and in one of my email communications directed guests to review the FAQ. This helped as I don’t recall receiving too many questions or the same questions repeatedly.

What other key pieces of information did you provide to your guests?

For us, we were really focused on the overall experience of our guests. We knew they weren’t just coming for our wedding, they were making a trip out of it, so we wanted to make it as easy and enjoyable as possible. 

We included a whole section on our wedding website about things to do in Sicily, along with helpful details like how to get around, transportation options, local currency, and what to pack. We really approached it as if we were helping them plan a vacation, not just saying, “You’re coming for our wedding, good luck figuring out the rest.”

You Organized Outfits for 70+ Guests From Nigeria?  How In the World Did You Manage That?

This was by far my favorite part of the planning process. When we decided on a traditional wedding, I suggested to Nick that we offer guests the option to wear traditional Nigerian attire. He asked how we’d manage that, and I told him not to worry, I’d figure it out.

Since authentic Nigerian outfits had to come from home, I started by reaching out to my network for reliable tailors. I remembered you mentioned a tailor who made one of your outfits, so I contacted them and others. I created a detailed measurement guide to help the tailors get accurate sizes. All the guest had to do was complete the measurement guide and send it back to me and I took it from there.

To make it easier, I offered about six to eight dress styles for women and simple short- and long-sleeve options for men. Because of this, we had to close RSVPs early to allow enough time for the clothes to be made and shipped. I wanted guests to receive their outfits well in advance so they could make any alterations and just bring the finished attire to Sicily for the wedding day.

I coordinated with three tailors, some specialized in women’s styles, some in men’s, and asked about timelines and shipping to the US. Once I received the outfits, I shipped them directly to each guest. It was a huge project, and I loved how organized I had to be. My spreadsheet was color-coded by the different colors family, aso ebi ladies and gentlemen and guests.

This experience was really special because it gave our guests something authentic from my home, Nigeria, which I think made them feel more connected to the celebration.

It was so much fun watching the videos of them, trying on their outfits and sending it to us and just seeing how things fit. 

Dee’s Notes: If you’ve been to a Nigerian wedding and/or gone through the process of working with seamstresses, then you’d really appreciate how impressive of a feat this is! The outfits were done MONTHS in advance. Tobi is a different level of organization. I am certain that I cannot attain her level of organization but I’m so glad and thankful to be able to share her tips with the rest of the world, and to tap into her genius personally! 

You Had To Make Several Payments In Euros. Did You Have To Wire Funds, Or Could You Use Credit Cards To Get Points? How Did That Work?

I mostly used Wise for wire payments, which was really helpful since it linked directly to my US checking account. Wise also provides a euro balance account, making transactions much easier.

You Held A Welcome Event For Guests The Evening Before The Big Day, Why Was That Important To You, Despite the Additional Cost?

For us, a welcome event was non-negotiable. It wasn’t just about the wedding day, it was about the whole experience for our guests. I didn’t want people to show up only on the day of the wedding; I wanted them to feel connected and part of something special. With about 80 guests, not huge but not small, I wanted everyone to know familiar faces by the time the wedding happened.

The welcome event was a chance for family members to meet each other, for friends to connect with people they’d only heard about, and for everyone to start feeling part of the celebration. It set the tone for the wedding as a unique experience. 

Dee’s Notes: As an attendee, I can say the welcome event was fabulous and really set the bar for me. The food and drinks were FLOWING, and the location was just stunning with spectacular sunset views. It felt very special and I got to meet people I’d heard about but never met in person. The event was held at Alle Terraze.

The D-Day – The Bride and Groom

How far in advance of the celebrations did you arrive in Sicily?

We got there one week before the wedding.

What went well?

Pretty much everything went well. There were a few hiccups here and there, but that’s pretty normal for any wedding. I would say overall we had more things go well than things that didn’t go well.

Dee’s Notes: I didn’t notice any hiccup and I was a bridesmaid!

How did you stay sane and united throughout the planning process

Google spreadsheet, reminders/alerts, to-do lists etc and just constantly checking in with each other. Also, we just kept reminding ourselves that as long as we plan everything and we pray, everything will work out.

What was the actual day like?

It was so much fun! I told myself I wanted to be fully present throughout the entire day, from beginning to end, without worrying about things I couldn’t control or whether everything would go exactly according to plan. I knew we had a solid plan in place, and it truly was a well-oiled machine.

We thought through every detail, from what the guests would be doing while seated, to seating arrangements and transportation. Everything was carefully considered and arranged, which gave me the space to truly enjoy the moment and be fully present.

We both had such a wonderful time. It was an amazing experience, so much fun, deeply fulfilling, and filled with love. A truly beautiful day

Dee’s Notes: My girl Tobi came through with her vows. After knowing Tobi for as long as I have, my heart swelled to see her having found a safe place for her heart to rest and call home with Nick. Her vows reflected just that, she made us tear up, and laugh at the same time!

Overall Experience & Budget For Destination Wedding in Sicily 

Looking back on the overall destination wedding experience, I wanted to get Tobi’s take two years in!

What went well and what would you do differently? 

I don’t think there’s anything I would do differently. I truly feel the day unfolded exactly the way we envisioned it. The minor hiccups were just that, minor and barely noticeable. I wasn’t chasing perfection, and while it wasn’t “perfect” in the technical sense, it was still absolutely spectacular.

If there’s one thing I wish I had done, it would be taking a big group photo with everyone in all their vibrant colors and outfits. We did manage to get a group picture toward the end of the night, but by then, a few people had already left. That’s probably the only thing I feel was missing.

Dee’s Notes: Okay, okay, I remember taking the group photo at the end!

Were there any unexpected challenges or budget surprises?

We did have to revisit the budget a few times, mostly because we added a few things we hadn’t originally planned for. For example, we decided at the last minute to include an open bar at the welcome dinner, which ended up working out really well.

Aside from that, everything else stayed within the budget we had set. We were very intentional about not getting carried away with extras. We focused on what was truly essential, what we absolutely needed for the wedding, versus the things that are nice to have, but not necessarily necessary. I think that mindset really helped us trim down and create a beautiful event that felt full and meaningful, without going overboard on spending.

What surprised you most about the process of planning a destination wedding? Anything you wish you had known?

Honestly, I can’t think of anything that really surprised me. There weren’t any big unexpected moments or things I wish I had known ahead of time. I think a big part of that is because my sisters had already been married, and I had been closely involved in helping them plan their weddings. I’d been through the process with them, so I kind of knew what to expect.

How Did The Overall Experience Compare To Your Vision For Your Wedding?

It was exactly as I had envisioned. As I mentioned, there were a few minor hiccups, but nothing that took away from the overall vision. It was a well thought out plan that, quite frankly, was fully brought to life.

What really affirmed that for me was hearing from our guests. So many people told us it was one of the best weddings they’ve ever been to, which felt like such a meaningful testament to what we set out to create. We put a strong emphasis on the guest experience. We wanted the people who love us and support us daily to feel something truly special, something unforgettable.

Even now, people are still talking about it, saying things like, “Oh my gosh, your wedding was incredible!” That kind of feedback really confirmed for me that the experience we created perfectly matched the vision we had from the start. PeluAmore was an experience!

Dee’s Notes: It really was! And now I want to attend more (well-planned) destination weddings. 

Looking Back Would You Recommend Planning A Destination Wedding? Why/Why Not?

Absolutely! But with some caveats. It really depends on your priorities, your guests, and what kind of experience you want to create.

For us, it was 100% the right choice. A destination wedding gave us the chance to create a fully immersive, multi-day experience that brought everyone together in a meaningful way. People weren’t just showing up for a few hours, they were part of a shared journey, and that made everything feel so much more connected and special. It also gave us the chance to be intentional about every aspect, from the setting to the flow of events.

That said, a destination wedding requires more planning, especially when it comes to logistics for guests, travel, accommodations, communication, etc. And while you can control a lot, there are some things that might feel a bit out of your hands because you’re working from a distance.

So yes, I would recommend it, but only if it aligns with your vision, and you’re comfortable with the extra coordination. 

All these questions are making me want to relive my wedding lol. Okay I’m going to PeluAmore.com to do just that hehe. Bye!

Conclusion On Planning a Destination Wedding in Sicily (or anywhere in the world)

I’m so glad to be able to share this experience of planning a destination wedding in Sicily on my platform, to help any aspiring destination wedding brides and grooms (and guests). 

I loved attending Tobi & Nick’s destination wedding in Sicily, Italy. Maybe I’ll write about making the most of a destination celebration. I hope this helps you as you plan your destination in Sicily, or beyond!