Mesila + Dejan: Love, Lava and La Dolce Vita in Taormina

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Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo and the Greek theatre in Taormina

Mesila is the ultimate boss babe. A PR powerhouse who knows exactly how a moment should look and feel, so when she asked us to plan her celebration we were truly honoured. She chose Taormina, the clifftop Sicilian town with the sea on one side and Mount Etna on the other, and Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, which sits right beside the ancient Greek theatre. Not a bad place to say I do.

Mesila and Dejan are as cool as it gets. Just vibes. They fully trusted us with the vision and the team at Belmond Timeo brought it to life. On July 6, 2024, 130 of their favourite people joined them on the terraces of the Timeo.

The Day Before

Then Mount Etna decided to erupt. No planner has a volcano protocol in the binder (we checked). So we did the only sensible thing. Poured a glass of chardonnay, took in the view and trusted the plan. Every minute of the day had been mapped out and with the Timeo team beside us, we knew it would be amazing no matter what the mountain had to say. Spoiler, it was.

The Morning Of

Espresso on the balcony, rings and René Caovilla heels styled on a stack of Sicily coffee table books, and the girls getting glam. The best part? Mesila's hair and makeup were done by two of her best friends, Nikol Farah on hair and Jennie Diana on makeup, who flew all the way to Sicily to get her ready. Nothing calms a bride like her girls being the ones holding the curling iron. Little moments like this are exactly what we build room for in the timeline, because nobody wants to rush the best part of the morning.

Then the gown, the veil, a quick elevator ride down and one very happy bride. The bridesmaids each wore their own colour and lined the hallway with Mesila in the middle, which honestly looked like an editorial cover. Meanwhile Dejan was perched at the hotel bar in his tux, totally unbothered. Vibes, like we said.

The Ceremony in the Gardens

We set the ceremony amphitheatre style in the Timeo gardens, with clear chairs curved around the aisle so every guest had a front row feeling, and the hills of Taormina rising behind. Sebastian Flowers built towering arrangements of blush roses, dahlias, delphinium and greenery on either side of the couple and let them spill down the aisle. Daniela led the ceremony, Mesila practically floated down the aisle, and the kiss happened right there between the florals with the whole hotel watching from the terraces above.

Dinner on the Afrodite Terrace

Dinner was set on the Afrodite Terrace, overlooking the town with the cliffs as the backdrop. Three crystal chandeliers hung over the head table, which was lined with bud vases, candles and soft blush florals, while round tables in crisp white linen and white Masters chairs filled the terrace. Terracotta pots of hot pink geraniums did the rest. The Timeo chefs served tuna, then a tortello pasta and the main course, with speeches between each so the night kept its rhythm.

Afrodite Terrace set for dinner with crystal chandeliers

The Golden Hour Look

Mid dinner, right as the sun started to set, we stole the couple away for portraits. Mesila added the most incredible feather sleeves to her gown and Dejan swapped the tux for an all black look. Green shutters, terracotta railings and the coastline behind them. We planned this window for the light, and she did not disappoint.

And Then the Party

For the party Mesila changed into a beaded mini, put on her sunglasses and owned the night. The traditional Italian cake came out with sparklers, DJ Andi Dasi took over, and the whole crew moved into the Afrodite room until the very end.