Carcara Sicilian Luxury Villa Elopement Photo Story Award

The couple holds hands during an outdoor ceremony and exhange their promises in the courtyard of an exquisite villa. The charming ceremony takes place before historic stone arches, with close friends and family seated in chairs as witnesses.

An exquisite elopement wedding took place at a stunning villa in Sicily's Val di Noto, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The charming ceremony took place in the villa's courtyard, surrounded by beautiful stone buildings and witnessed by close friends and family. The couple exchanged vows under the warm sun, with a backdrop of blue skies and clear day.

Villa Càrcara, an elegant 19th-century villa with a swimming pool, served as the perfect venue for the intimate celebration. The villa, built by the Schininà family, showcases the beauty of ancient Sicilian architecture, with its baroque style, stone structures, and lush gardens filled with centuries-old olive trees. It evokes a sense of the slow passage of time, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the rich history of the region.

Guests of the wedding had the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque countryside surrounding the villa, taking leisurely walks and relaxing by the pool, nestled between the Ragusa countryside's dry stone walls. The villa's gardens boasted a thriving vegetable garden, fruit trees, and aromatic plants, offering an abundance of fresh ingredients for summer dinners under the stars and shaded breakfasts in the garden.

Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, Villa Càrcara offers a strategic location for exploring the Val di Noto and other attractions in southeastern Sicily. Guests of the wedding had the opportunity to visit the enchanting baroque villages of Ragusa Ibla, Scicli, Modica, Noto, Ortigia, and Siracusa. They also had the chance to explore the beautiful beaches of Punta Secca, Marina di Ragusa, Donnalucata, and Marzamemi, known for their golden sands. Other points of interest in the area included the castle of Donnafugata, the archaeological sites of Kamarina and Cava d'Ispica, the Roman villa of Casale in Piazza Armerina, the Valley of the Temples, the beaches of the natural reserve of Vendicari, Portopalo, and the Scala dei Turchi.

The bride arrives in the courtyard of the historic venue for an elopement wedding, where her groom and standing guests eagerly wait.

The groom and bride are seen exiting their elopement wedding ceremony. The couple are holding hands, and radiating happiness as they wear big smiles on their faces. The courtyard where the ceremony took place is visible in the background, along with the presence of their esteemed guests.

The groom and bride are seen strolling outside the stone buildings of the venue, with the bride gracefully holding onto the groom's arm. A tall stone wall serves as a scenic backdrop, enhancing the romantic ambiance of the moment.

The couple toasts during their elopement wedding. The photo captures guests seated at a table for approximately a dozen attendees, raising their glasses in celebration during the Sicilian lunch. The courtyard, adorned with a canopy of blue sky, serves as a stunning backdrop for the joyful occasion.