This Jaw-Dropping Wedding In Italy Looked Like A Scene From A Blockbuster Movie | Real Weddings: Itir Gorguc & Karim Charaf

by Nina CattAugust 6, 2022August 5, 2022

Sicily’s iconic Teatro Antico di Taormina played host to a magical affair that transported guests on a fun-filled three-day festival of celebrations

Never before had Sicily’s Teatro Antico di Taormina (Ancient Greek Theatre of Taormina) allowed weddings to take place inside its fascinating historical walls, but for one lucky couple – thanks to the persistence of their wedding planner – the rules were about to change.

Having previously spent a week discovering the picture-perfect Italian island leaving no stone unturned, 29-year-old Turkish banker, Itir Gorguc and her commodities trader beau, Karim Charaf, 37, immediately set their hearts on getting married at the stunning location. Falling head-over-heels for the ancient rugged structure and mesmerising views of Mount Etna and the glistening Mediterranean Sea, Itir tells Bazaar Bride, “Karim and I told each other then and there that this was the perfect spot to become husband and wife.”

*Smiles all around as the newlyweds made their way back down the aisle*

With 12 months to plan their “Sicilian Affair”, the bride and groom reached out to Beirut-based wedding planner extraordinaire, Jessy Karam and her team at Strawberries & Champagne to turn their dream into a reality. The couple’s three-day fantasy was complete with a Fellini & Bellini-themed welcome party on night one, followed by the magnificent wedding ceremony and dinner under the stars. On day three, the newlyweds held a La Dolce Vita-themed feast at a local village in the hills – where guests were encouraged to wear florals and dance in the street until dawn.

*The bride’s bouquet matched the floral arrangements at the venue*

When it came to selecting a wedding gown, “It was a really easy decision,” remembers the bride. “I went to Vakko Wedding House in Istanbul. They carry beautiful brands and are renowned for their fantastic service. I picked a simple yet elegant St Patrick dress and paired it with an embellished veil and lace and crystal Dolce & Gabbana pumps. My mum and sister helped me pick the dress and accompanied me on fittings.”

*Itir’s stunning Dolce & Gabbana bridal shoes*

Akin to a grandiose scene from a romantic movie, just moments before sunset, Itir and Karim exchanged emotional handwritten vows alongside passages on love and marriage from their Lebanese priest. Set amid what is unquestionably one of Sicily’s most picturesque locations, there wasn’t a dry eye between the couple’s 230 guests, particularly when sopranos and tenores from Milan’s La Scala Opera serenaded the group with renditions of Aria Della Regina Della Notte and Con Te Partiro. “The singers gave goose-bumps to everyone – it was truly a magical moment,” Itir remembers.

*The guest’s outfits were just as colourful as their surroundings*

After making their way back up the aisle with an upbeat energy that matched that post ceremony feeling, the newlyweds and their nearest and dearest made their way to Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo for the reception.

Beginning the evening with their first dance to Andrea Bocelli’s Vivo Per Lei, the couple then sat down with their guests at al fresco banquet style tables, festooned with quintessential Italian ornaments and ceramic tiles. “We served a bespoke three-course menu which included live bruschetta and fritter stations, followed by risotto with creamy basil sauce, cherry tomatoes and courgette flowers, as well as sea bass baked in a salt crust with seasonal grilled vegetables and a ricotta mousse sphere, with citrus coulis.”

*Guests dined al fresco* *surrounded by lush gardens*

The hotel’s award-winning chef created a stunning four-tier white wedding cake with hand-painted Sicilian tile prints, featuring a citrus filling – the famed flavour of the island.

*A Sicilian tile print was hand-painted on the couple’s cake*

As for their honeymoon, the adventurous couple couldn’t resist a multi-destination extravaganza, hiking in Chile and Argentina as well as experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime cruise, sailing around Antarctica.

DAY ONE: Welcome Party Photographs

*The couple held a Fellini & Bellini-themed welcome party the day before their wedding*

*Local entertainers kept the crowd on their feet*

*The dress code was black, red and white and female guests were gifted shawls and lace fans*

DAY THREE: Farewell Party Photographs

*The newlyweds held a La Dolce Vita-themed feast at a local village the day after the wedding*

*Guests were encouraged to wear florals and dance in the street until dawn*

*The farewell party was the perfect excuse for the couple to spend extra time with th*eir loved ones

*Vases filled with fruit decorated the tables*

BRIDE’S BLACK BOOK

DRESS: St Patrick at Vakko Wedding House, Vakko.com
SHOES: Dolce & Gabbana, Dolcegabbana.com
ENGAGEMENT RING: W. Salamoon & Sons, Wsalamoon.com
WEDDING RINGS: Cartier, Cartier.ae
GROOM’S SUIT: Saint Laurent, Ysl.com
GROOM’S SHOES: Tod’s, Tods.com
WEDDING PLANNER & INVITATIONS: Strawberries & Champagne, Strawberries-and-champagne.com
DESTINATION MANAGEMENT: Sicily Lifestyle, Sicilylifestyle.com
PHOTOGRAPHER: Raquel Benito, Raquelbenito.net
VIDEOGRAPHER: Alberto & Yago, Ayvideo.es
DAY ONE WELCOME PARTY VENUE: Grand Hotel Atlantis Bay, Taormina, Grandhotelatlantisbay.icastelli.net
CEREMONY VENUE: Teatro Antico di Taormina, Teatrogrecotaormina.com
RECEPTION VENUE, CAKE AND CATERER: Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina, Belmond.com
DAY THREE FAREWELL VENUE: Piazza of Castel Mola, Visitsicily.info
FLORIST: Sebastian Flowers, Sebastian-flowers.com
MUSIC: Theatro Alla Scala, Teatroallascala.org (opera singers and musicians), Musica e Sposi, Musicaesposi.it (orchestra), DJ Ash, Instagram.com/ashmusic (DJ)

Images: Raquel Benito

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