A Minimalist Seaside Wedding on the Breathtaking of Panarea, Sicily

Intentional design, heartfelt touches, and sun-drenched romance in the Aeolian Islands

Claudia and Brad’s wedding unfolded like a story perfectly tailored to them – every detail, from the décor to the location, felt deliberate and personal. The celebration took place on the sun-drenched island of Panarea in Sicily’s Aeolian Islands, where the coast's natural beauty became part of the design. Soft, neutral tones, Le Labo candles, and sculptural vases created a serene, intimate, and effortlessly stylish atmosphere that allowed the island’s scenery to shine without distraction. Claudia’s bridal look, a custom J’Aton Couture gown that transformed throughout the day and was paired with Jimmy Choo heels, bespoke jewelry, and a treasured heirloom necklace, reflected both elegance and personality. Every element of the event felt intentional, from the precisely arranged ceremony stools to the long reception table lined with fresh figs and glowing candles to the handwritten love letters waiting at each place setting. From the quiet morning swim before the festivities began to the warm, joyful energy of the evening, the day had a rhythm of intimacy, light, and laughter.

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

Although Brad’s attempt at sending me a virtual rose on Valentine’s Day back in high school didn’t quite work out, life—and Fever nightclub—had a funny way of bringing people back together when the timing was right. About five years later, we found ourselves at a local bar, surrounded by mutual friends. It was the first time we were around each other in person, and to this day, I clearly remember thinking, I could marry this guy. From there, those virtual roses turned into real ones, and the rest, as they say, is history.

^{The Proposal}

Knowing that I had always loved a good treasure hunt growing up, Brad planned an incredibly thoughtful surprise proposal. He secretly arranged for me to have the day off work—coordinating with my boss—so when I arrived at the office, I was handed a letter from Brad explaining that today was no ordinary day. First stop: a hair appointment with Peter Thomsen—Dyson’s national and international brand ambassador, and the very hairstylist who would later travel to Italy for our wedding.

There, another note awaited, leading me to a nail appointment. Then, back home, I found a Christopher Esber outfit carefully laid out for me, along with one final letter: my mum would be picking me up to take me to Brad. After a heartfelt drive with my mum, I arrived at Herah’s Beach in Austinmer. I walked along the rocky coastline until I turned a corner and found Brad waiting—with a bottle of champagne, a platter, and a ring. With the ocean behind us, he dropped to one knee and asked me to marry him—marking the beginning of our next big adventure together.

^{The Engagement Ring}

Designing my ring together with Matthew Ely was an experience we’ll cherish forever. I first stumbled upon Matt’s Sydney boutique by chance with my mum, and it immediately felt like fate. The intimate space, personalised appointments (always accompanied by champagne), and the opportunity to design alongside Brad made the entire process so special. I’d always envisioned a ring that felt unique and deeply personal—a gold band crowned with a lifted pear-shaped diamond, encircled by a halo, with kite diamonds framing each side. Hidden beneath the centre stone are a few tiny diamonds placed just for me to see—a secret detail that makes it feel entirely my own.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

We wanted the atmosphere to feel intentionally minimal—letting the raw beauty of the island speak for itself. But true to who we are, we also wanted to weave in personal, sentimental touches throughout the day and the week. More than anything, we wanted every guest to feel the love—not just between us, but all around them. Woven throughout the wedding day—and the week that surrounded it—was a theme that felt deeply personal to us: “Più vita con te”—more life with you.

Brad has the words “more life” tattooed just above his waist, a phrase he lived by long before we met. It speaks to his infectious energy, his joy for life, and the way he brings light into every space he enters. Early in our relationship, I gifted him a ring engraved with the Italian version: “Più vita con te.” Over time, those words have become a shared philosophy—one that reflects not only our love but the way we choose to move through life together.

^{The Location}

We always wanted our wedding to feel intimate and meaningful—a destination, yes, but more than just beautiful. Panarea, one of the Aeolian Islands off Sicily, felt like the perfect place. It’s where my Nonna grew up and where my parents honeymooned in 1992—stories they shared with so much love, always encouraging us to visit.

Two years ago, before even planning our wedding, we finally made the trip. Sailing through the Isole Eolie was breathtaking, but the real magic happened at Hotel Cincotta—the very spot my parents had raved about for the best pasta of their lives. There, we met Lina, the hotel’s owner and my Nonna’s childhood best friend. Watching them reconnect over video call after so many years was unforgettable, and with Lina’s passing last year, the memory feels even more poignant. When we returned home, and after I convinced Brad to consider a wedding overseas, we knew Hotel Cincotta was more than a venue—it was a story waiting to continue.

^{The Ceremony}

In keeping with our theme of intentional minimalism, the reception space was designed without flowers—allowing the natural beauty of the island to take centre stage. One side opened to the sea, dotted with neighbouring islands, while the other faced the mountain of Panarea—the best of both worlds.

Our statement stools became the true protagonists of the day (and perhaps the most stressful part of the planning process). They arrived on the island just two days before the wedding—cutting it close—but were absolutely worth it. Each stool was intentionally spaced and delicately labelled with a guest’s name around the top edge. With only 35 guests, we wanted the space to feel intimate and considered. Our ceremony was led by our dear friend and priest, James Arblaster, whose presence made the moment feel personal and unforgettable.

^{The Cocktail Hour}

Guests moved to the poolside for cocktail hour, enjoying Italian canapés and bespoke cocktails adorned with ‘The Ferraros’ custom ice cubes, all against the breathtaking backdrop of the glistening water and the sun setting over the distant island.

^{The Reception}

While guests lingered poolside for cocktail hour, our planners and the Hotel Cincotta team transformed the ceremony space into an intimate reception setting. A single, beautifully styled long table took centre stage—no flowers, just details that felt authentically us. Le Labo candles, brought out and lit at sunset, filled the air with the scent we wear at home, while Marloe Marloe vases—also found throughout our house—lined the table, interwoven with a trail of fresh figs. The setting felt deeply personal, a reflection of who we are and what we love.

As guests took their seats, they found a handwritten love letter from us waiting at their place. It was a nod to the way Brad proposed—a moment we wanted to share with everyone who means the world to us. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Later, guests discovered the Smoke & Spirits bar—a curated corner offering cigars, cigarettes, and cocktails, complete with a YSL lighter for a touch of indulgence. Even the waiters wore custom aprons embroidered with Più vita con te(“more life with you”)—a subtle thread tying our story through every detail of the day.

^{The Special Touches}

The morning began quietly, with Brad and I slipping away for an early swim before the day unfolded—just the two of us, soon joined by our bridal party. It was the perfect, grounding start to what would become the most unforgettable day. Getting ready with just Mum was another moment I’ll never forget—the calm before the celebration. Afterward, revealing my dress to my bridesmaids and immediate family was filled with emotion—a shared moment that felt both intimate and electric. Our guests arrived dressed to our “shades of beige” dress code, creating the most effortlessly beautiful palette and perfect photos throughout the day. Before guests entered the reception, Brad and I took a private moment to see the space together. After months of planning, finally standing in the room we’d imagined for so long was pure magic. One of the most meaningful moments of the night came later—our wedding cake.

My dad owned Tonitto Cakes, a beloved Italian pasticceria in Wollongong that’s been part of our family for over 50 years, first started by my Nonno before being passed down to Dad. One of the most special and emotional moments of the night was surprising our friends and family with my dad as the chef who made our cake. What began with him spreading cream soon had my mum by his side and then each of us kids joining in one after another. By that point, the whole room was in tears—a beautiful reminder of how our family has always worked together at Tonitto Cakes, side by side. As the menu perfectly stated: A special wedding cake with an extra touch of nostalgia—a final Tonitto cake before a sweet new beginning. When it came time for our first dance, Brad and I both changed into new outfits and walked out to our friends and family as the music began—a moment of pure joy to end a night that felt timeless.

^{Our Favorite Moment}

It’s impossible to choose just one, but if we had to narrow it down, two moments stand out: surprising our family and friends with my dad making the cake—and our entrance. Our entrance was truly one to remember. Brad and I are both high-energy and love a good party, so we knew Levels by Avicii was the perfect choice to set the tone for the night. As the intro began, smoke flares filled the entrance, our entire bridal party followed us in, and limoncello shots were passed around. Richy Penny had everyone on their feet, hyping the crowd as we made our way to the dance floor. What followed was ten minutes of pure joy—dancing, laughter, and the kind of energy only our friends and family could bring before dinner had even begun.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

For our wedding day, I wore a custom J’Aton Couture gown, paired with Jimmy Choo heels, bespoke Matthew Ely jewellery, and Michael Hill earrings. My final look of the night featured a treasured heirloom—a gold necklace originally made in my Nonna’s hometown, passed down from my mum. Designing the gown with Jacob at J’Aton was such a special experience. I wanted something timeless yet fashion-forward—structured but effortless—and together we created a four-piece look that evolved throughout the day. The ceremony began with a pinched-bust dress, tie-back corset, and high-neck bolero embroidered with “Più vita con te”—“more life with you.” For the reception, I removed the bolero for a cleaner silhouette and later changed into my final party look: the corset paired with a low-rise mini skirt. As Jacob described it, the design was “bridal meets sculptural minimalism”—a quiet boldness that blended emotion, elegance, and edge.

^{The Groom's Looks}

Brad wore a custom ivory suit by Brent Wilson—his shirt, jacket, and trousers all crafted from the same luxurious fabric—styled with Christian Louboutin loafers and a Matthew Ely ring. Later in the evening, he changed into a Yves Saint Laurent singlet to match the energy of the dance floor.

^{Our Bridesmaids’ & Groomsmen’s Looks}

For the bridesmaids, I wanted something that hadn’t been done before. The girls wore custom-made beige A-line mini dresses with Jimmy Choo heels, their hair in sleek buns finished with gold ear cuffs. Similarly, the groomsmen wore custom Brent Wilson suit pants and shirts, both crafted from the same brown fabric—a sleek, modern take on classic tailoring, perfectly suited to the island setting.

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

Savour every little moment—the day itself flies by, and after all the time spent planning, it’s the journey that truly matters. Enjoy the lead-up just as much as the celebration: make a day of your dress or ring appointments, celebrate the milestones together, and find joy in every detail. I tried to make every small moment feel like a big one. Having a destination wedding with multiple events around the big day, it was also incredibly helpful to set up a WhatsApp group in advance. It made it easy to share updates, answer last-minute questions, and coordinate finer details as the wedding approached. On the day itself, our planners took over the chat to post any final notices or updates—which kept everything running seamlessly.

^{For On The Day}

Having small moments just the two of us on the day made it truly special. Whether it was slipping away for dress changes or makeup touch-ups, bringing Brad along gave us the chance to pause, reflect on the little moments, and really soak up the day. I think many people assume it will be easy to live fully in the moment on the wedding day, but in reality, things move so quickly that it can be challenging. If possible, I’d suggest practicing ways to be present in the lead-up—it makes a huge difference when the day finally arrives.

^{For Post-Wedding}

When we got home from overseas, we missed our friends and family so much that we hosted a “get-home” watch party at our place. We invited everyone over to share our photographer’s photo album and our wedding video before posting anything online. It turned out to be such a special experience—reuniting with everyone, sharing memories, and seeing their reactions to the professional photos. It’s a moment so many couples miss out on, and we would absolutely recommend doing it!