Cynthia + Jacky | Intimate destination wedding in Taormina

Wedding photographer in Taormina, the jewel of Sicily

Being a wedding photographer in Taormina, is the highest pleasure there is. Amazing weather, food, nature and landscapes that take your breath away.

When Jacky and Cynthia called me to be their destination wedding photographer, I had to ask:

How does a couple who never even saw Taormina before, end up choosing the jewel of Sicily for their wedding?

Imagine this. The groom was born in Hong Kong, grew up in the Uk, and now works in Australia. And the bride is a Chinese national living in Dubai… How do you choose a location for your wedding?

So many options and so many friends and family members to move from one side of the globe to the other. Jacky and Cynthia had the best idea: it had to be someplace new for both families. Not in China, not in the Uk.

Cynthia’s first option was Italy, because Italy offers everything you wish to have on your wedding day.

Cynthia is a flight attendant and she knows so many beautiful places around the globe. And she knew what she wanted for her wedding: great food, great landscape and a great atmosphere. After some online research and a visit to Sicily, she was sure Taormina was the perfect place for a summer wedding in Italy. They found me online and chose me as their wedding photographer in Sicily.

One of the best wedding venues in Taormina: Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea

The location she and Jacky chose was the refined Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea: a magnificent luxury hotel with a stellar restaurant and a private beach. The hotel offered different options for an outdoor ceremony and an unforgettable party afterwards.

When they called me asking for a complete wedding documentation, both a photography service and a wedding video, I was excited! I have been traveling to Sicily so many times, and it was a dream come true to be able to tell such a beautiful love story in a magical place like this.

A love story: from a vacation in Provence to a summer Taormina wedding, in Sicily

Jacky and Cynthia have the most incredible love story.

It started out as a very normal meeting set up by a friend. The friend is Jacky’s cousin and a colleague of Cynthia. She decided that such wonderful people could not be single anymore. Turns out, she was so right!

They organized a holiday together in Provence, so that they could meet with no pressure. As soon as they met, they were both fascinated with each other. Jacky noticed how smart and beautiful Cynthia is. Cynthia just knew, after only a couple of days, that Jacky was someone she could build a family with.

Tragedy and love, brought them together in the South of France.

They were in Nice, and it was Bastille Day of 2016. On the evening of 14 July 2016, a cargo truck was deliberately driven into crowds of people celebrating on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France. It was a terrifying event for everyone, and the group of friends was shook. Jacky showed empathy and consideration, deciding to book a flight home for everybody and take charge of the situation. This is when Cynthia started thinking “This man would make a wonderful father”.

A long distance romance for Jacky and Cynthia.

When they left France, they started a long distance relationship that brought them all around the world. They were still living a long distance romance when they decided to get married. The struggle to find a home has kept the fire alive and once the wedding was celebrated in Taormina, they were not sure yet where they would live.

Being a wedding photographer in Sicily is a dream: a sunset on the beach at Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea and an evening dancing under the stars

On their wedding day they were as in love as ever, smiling and dancing with an intimate group of friends and family. They gathered people from all over the world, in one of the most magical location there is. After a ceremony in Belmond Villa Sant’Andrea’s gardens, the party moved to the private beach. Stellar food quality, a magical sunset, a jazz band playing the best Italian and International vintage hits – every element made their celebration fun, relaxed and truly intimate.