Held at Castello Xirumi, a historic castle nestled in a Sicilian orange grove, Ronan and Victoria’s wedding unfolded like a carefully kept secret. With 120 guests arriving unaware of the location, the day revealed itself in stages—starting with a woodland ceremony beneath wrought iron chandeliers and ending with dancing under the stars. Inspired by Old Sicilian charm, the celebration combined elegant details, desert tones, and personal nods to their Irish and American roots, turning each part of the venue into a new chapter of the night.
Location: Lentini, Province of Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Style: Classic, Elegant, Old-Sicilian-charm
Time of planning: 1 year
Number of guests: 120
Setting: Ceremony – garden, reception – castle
Season: Fall
Ronan and Victoria’s story began in the Middle East, where a chance encounter in a soukh hallway, just weeks after they had each arrived for work, sparked an unexpected connection. He was from Ireland, she from New York, and that night he returned from a dinner with colleagues while she was walking back from a beachside yoga class. What started as a simple conversation grew into a long-distance relationship across continents, eventually leading to a magical Christmas proposal in Switzerland.
Bridal Morning
Victoria began her morning at the Asmundo di Gisira, a boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Catania. The streets outside were buzzing with energy, while inside her suite, a calm ritual unfolded. She got ready with her closest friends, stepping into her custom Ersa Atelier dress—an elegant strapless design with a fitted lace bodice and a voluminous tulle skirt. The beaded details on it, along with a pair of pointed Louboutins with crystal embellishments, shimmered softly in the morning light, giving her look a refined, romantic finish.
Harold James created a classic Old-Hollywood wave that fell softly over her shoulder, finished with a retro-inspired birdcage veil that added a vintage touch to her modern elegance. Her makeup stayed timeless—defined eyes, a soft flush, and a matte pink lip.
She carried a round bouquet tied with silk ribbon, filled with ivory roses, wax flowers, white blooms, and silver-green eucalyptus, echoing the gentle palette of the day. Surrounded by her bridesmaids in light-toned dresses, Victoria stepped onto the cobblestone streets, laughing, glowing, and ready for the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony was held deep within the estate’s woodland, where a clearing framed by ancient trees became an enchanted aisle. White wrought iron chandeliers hung from the branches overhead, their soft candlelight casting a golden glow across the setting. A long white runner, lined with ivory petals, led to the altar beneath the expansive roots of a giant tree.
Every corner was filled with delicate arrangements of white roses and greenery by Noi Due, and vintage crochet linens dressed tables holding cones of petals for guests. The natural beauty of the forest combined with Old World elegance to create a setting that felt both untouched and thoughtfully styled.
Nur Studio documented the entire day with an elegant balance of cinematic warmth and editorial precision. Their lens captured every layered detail—from the soft candlelight in the castle walls to the emotional quiet just before the ceremony began. Using a mix of digital and film, they moved effortlessly between sweeping wide shots and intimate closeups, preserving both the grandeur of the setting and the deeply personal moments shared between the couple and their guests.
Guests took their seats in silence as the music began. Victoria walked down the aisle to “My Lagan Love,” a tribute to Ronan’s Irish roots and a perfectly ethereal match to the atmosphere. The ceremony, though intimate, carried weight and reverence. They exchanged vows beneath the trees while soft light filtered through the leaves and chandeliers swayed slightly in the breeze. There was a stillness in the air, as if the whole grove paused for that moment.
Their officiant led them through a personalized exchange, and as they slipped rings onto each other’s hands, smiles turned to tears. The first kiss was tender and full of meaning—just the two of them, framed by nature and light. With beaming faces, they walked back down the aisle hand in hand, while guests showered them with petals and applause. The ceremony ended not just in celebration, but with a collective sense of awe that lingered even as everyone moved on to the next part of the journey.
"Seeing each other at the end of the aisle, surrounded by so much love and warmth, made it feel incredibly special and unique."
Reception
The reception unfolded inside the castle’s grand hall, where long imperial tables stretched beneath vaulted wood ceilings and glowing stone walls. Style A Wedding transformed the space into a romantic scene lit by endless candlelight. Ivory roses and white buds filled the room in lush, low arrangements, paired with gold and crystal candle holders that shimmered in every corner. Guests found their places at tables marked with elegant, personalized tambourines—each one decorated with antique Sicilian trimmings and their name at the center. Even the napkins were custom, lined with golden fringe, adding texture and heritage to every setting.
Dinner, catered by Squiseating, was served as the room filled with toasts, laughter, and quiet emotion. The couple’s loved ones stood to share heartfelt words that echoed across the warm stone walls. A towering white cake adorned with gold leaf and delicate orange blossom flowers was brought out for the cutting—followed by a Sicilian dessert buffet featuring cannoli, marzapane, and other regional sweets. As a nod to their roots, a whiskey bar in honor of Ronan and a Swiss chocolate station for Victoria offered personal touches that guests lingered around throughout the evening.
Later, guests made their way to the courtyard for the party, where Beat from London UK lit up the night with live music and a full band. Fog machines, neon lighting, and a glowing stage brought an electric atmosphere as everyone danced under the stars. It felt like an entirely different world from the ceremony hours before—one moment intimate and still, the next pulsing and wild. The couple’s first dance gave way to a full celebration that carried on late into the night, a final surprise that kept the energy high and the memories unforgettable.
"It was the moment everything became real, and we both felt the weight and beauty of what we were about to begin together."
PHOTOGRAPHER Nur Studio | VIDEOGRAPHER Lunofilms | PLANNER & STYLIST Style A Wedding | VENUE Castello Xirumi | BRIDE HOTEL Asmundo di Gisira | DRESS Ersa Atelier | BRIDE ROBE Bibiluxe | GROOM & GROOMSMEN ATTIRE Gieves & Hawkes | MUAH Harold James | FLOWERS Noi Due | CATERING & CAKE Squiseating | STATIONERY Jay Monique | APERITIF MUSIC Mizzica Mizzica | DANCE MUSIC Beat from London UK
