Sophia and Julian chose Sicily for their destination wedding. They came from New Orleans — they could have gotten married anywhere. On April 17, 2025, they celebrated their wedding outdoors at Borgo degli Aranci, Fiumefreddo di Sicilia: Etna behind them, the Ionian Sea on the horizon.
In the days before the ceremony, Sophia, Julian and I walked through the streets of Taormina. No posed shots. Just the two of them, the afternoon light and a few laughs in Piazza del Carmine. That is where I understood how I would tell their story: by following what was actually happening, without forcing anything. That is the heart of the True Story Method.
Soft cloud cover gave us diffused, flattering light — no harsh shadows. A few drops of rain added a moment of suspense, then stopped just in time. Some moments can’t be planned. You wait for them, and you photograph them.
The wedding was international and joyful, but in the early hours only the closest family was present. That choice created something rare: real glances, unscripted emotions, genuine tears. Exactly the kind of visual storytelling I look for in every wedding.
The celebration unfolded around a long imperial table, with chairs on the lawn and intimate spaces that kept the warmth high all evening. Every guest took the microphone to say something to Sophia and Julian. Then the music, the dancing, the energy rising. The catering was handled by Antonio Perrone Banqueting: a menu rooted in Sicilian tradition, fresh local ingredients, vegetarian and gluten-free options for every guest.
I worked discreetly throughout the day, stepping in only when the light or composition needed it. During the dancing and dinner I mixed long exposures and flash to capture the energy of those moments without freezing the scene. As a wedding photographer, my goal is never just to take beautiful pictures. It is to tell a true story.
“I can’t recommend Carmine highly enough. He was incredibly communicative, kind, and accommodating — and most importantly, so talented. His deep background in photography goes far beyond weddings, and his eye for capturing beauty is truly unmatched. I couldn’t imagine anyone else photographing our day.”
Sophia and Julian, New Orleans
Sophia and Julian didn’t choose Sicily by chance. They were looking for a place with history, light and soul. Borgo degli Aranci, nestled in the citrus groves of Fiumefreddo di Sicilia, sits on the Ionian coast of Catania, just a few kilometres from Taormina: Etna on one side, the Mediterranean on the other. One of the most breathtaking settings for a destination wedding in Sicily.
Do you want me to tell the truth of your story, the way I did for Sophia and Julian?
Discover all the wedding stories.
Carmine Prestipino is a wedding photographer specialised in wedding storytelling in Sicily: Taormina, Catania, Messina and surroundings, available for destination weddings across Italy and Europe and for international weddings on request.
Location: Borgo degli Aranci, Fiumefreddo
Catering: Antonio Perrone Banqueting
Fotografia: Carmine Prestipino — Metodo True Story
