Elope in Sicily!

The happy couple from Oslo, Norway, eloped in Sicily. Photo by Giovanni Noto

Trond and Iren, a Norwegian couple who were coming down to Sicily for a wellness retreat , asked Sally Veillette, Hands-On Sicily founder, if it would be possible to get married while they were on the island. They’d wanted to elope, they explained, then have a reception at home. We said “Assolutamente, si’!” In two short weeks, the entire wedding was arranged.

Hands-On Sicily helped the couple fill out the paperwork at the Ragusan City Hall

Straight from the airport, Sally whisked the bride and groom off to get custom wedding rings made in Ragusa Ibla, designed by Barbara Arezzi of Arte Iblea, then straight to the florist. The groom got a designer suit from one of Ragusa’s fashionable downtown boutiques. Local children (several of whom later became part of Hands-On Sicily’s Cuore Siciliano team) sang at the ceremony in the mayor’s office. The event was recorded by photographer Giovanni Noto and translated by Bozena Nowak. Maria Randazzo served as witness.

Hands-On Sicily even provided the wedding reception guests.

Shopping for the groom’s suit at a fashionable downtown boutique

The elopement seemed like a real-life version of the popular theatrical production “Tony and Tina’s Wedding.” Photo by Giovanni Noto

Mayor Nello Dipasquale performed the ceremony. Photo by Giovanni Noto

What better setting than Ragusa Ibla for romance! Photo by Giovanni Noto