Jessica & Chris · Grand Hotel Timeo

Jessica and Chris brought an intimate group of family and friends to the Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo in Taormina for a wedding that felt as personal as it was cinematic. The hotel’s gardens and terraces gave every part of the day, from morning preparations to the final dance, a sense of theatre without ever feeling staged.

Jessica wore Alexandra Grecco, paired with feather-trimmed heels and a tulle veil, while Chris chose a sage green three-piece suit that matched the surrounding gardens. Before the ceremony, the couple rode through the streets of Taormina on a custom Christian Dior Vespa, a detail that became one of the most memorable threads of the entire celebration.

The ceremony took place at sunset beneath a floral arch overlooking the coastline, followed by a candlelit dinner. We photograph a maximum of ten weddings each year, and Sicily remains one of our favorite places in Europe to spend one of them.

Read what Jessica said about her day with us

“The Lopes Photography surpassed all of our expectations for our destination wedding in Taormina, Sicily. From the very first meeting, you could immediately feel the high level of professionalism Savannah and Rui demonstrated in their work. Throughout the entire process, from meetings to questionnaires, they were very collaborative and informative, going far beyond the realm of photography. They assisted in shaping our vision for our wedding, provided valuable input on shoes and jewelry, and helped finalize the wedding timeline.

What truly stood out was their continuous communication and dedication. On the wedding day itself, their presence was not just professional but also super enjoyable. Amidst our nerves, they managed to create a comfortable atmosphere, allowing us to be ourselves in the moment. In addition, both Savannah and Rui have an amazing eye for photography, and they truly captured all aspects of our wedding in exceptional fashion.

And finally, the speed at which we received our memories was remarkable, and our super8 video remains a cherished keepsake that we continuously revisit. The Lopes Photography is undoubtedly a top-notch choice for those seeking more than just photographers; they are true partners in curating unforgettable wedding memories.”
— Jessica & Chris

Photographing a Wedding at Grand Hotel Timeo

The Setting

Grand Hotel Timeo sits next to Taormina’s Greek Theatre, with Mount Etna in sight and the Ionian coastline below its terraces. For photography, that position puts the volcano, the sea and the hotel’s own architecture in the same frame, and the light in the hour before sunset has a quality we find hard to match at inland venues.

The Ceremony

Jessica and Chris married outdoors on one of the hotel’s terraces, between twin floral columns, with guests on white chairs and the Taormina hillside behind them. From above, you can see how naturally the terrace sits within the gardens, with the valley and the sea framing it on every side.

Portraits and Dinner

Before the ceremony, the couple rode through the old town on the Christian Dior Vespa, both in Dior monogram helmets. At dusk we moved to the hotel’s main terrace for portraits, with the coastline in every frame and the palms overhead giving their own framing. The setting provides its own editorial context, so much of the work in a portrait hour here is knowing when to hold back. Dinner followed by candlelight under the hotel’s portico, with a grand piano at the end of the long table and a pianist playing through the evening. At night, the warm lighting turns the stone arches and columns into something close to theatrical.

The Super 8 Film · Grand Hotel Timeo, Taormina

At Grand Hotel Timeo, Super 8 felt like an old cinema. The hotel's terraces and gardens, the Dior Vespa winding through Taormina's streets, the candlelight at dinner: all of it carried the kind of grain and softness that makes a wedding feel like a memory rather than a recording, even on the day itself.

Vendor Credits

Photography ⎜ The Lopes Photography thelopesphotography.com

Venue + Catering ⎜ Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo belmond.com/hotels/europe/italy/taormina/belmond-grand-hotel-timeo

Floral Designer ⎜ Sebastian Flowers Italy sebastian-flowers.shop

Music ⎜ Musica Esposi instagram.com/musicaesposi

Celebrant ⎜ Wedding Sicily weddingsicily.com

Custom Embroidered Napkins ⎜ Baltic Bloom Embroidery instagram.com/balticbloomlinen

Cake ⎜ Monsucre Patisseria instagram.com/monsucre.pastisseria

MUA ⎜ Benny Makeup Artist instagram.com/benny_makeup_artist

Hair ⎜ Rosario Danna instagram.com/rosario_danna__

Bride’s Pre-Wedding Look
Bride's Pre-Wedding Dress ⎜ Amanda Uprichard amandauprichard.com
Bride's Pre-Wedding Shoes ⎜ Alohas alohas.com
Headband ⎜ Shashi NYC shopshashi.com

Groom’s Pre-Wedding Attire
Groom's Pre-Wedding Outfit ⎜ Club Monaco clubmonaco.com
Groom's Pre-Wedding Shoes ⎜ Gucci gucci.com
Vespa ⎜ Christian Dior (dior.com) + Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo

Bride’s Main Look
Wedding Dress ⎜ Alexandra Grecco (alexandragrecco.com) via White Satin Bridal whitesatin.ca
Veil ⎜ Amelie George Bridal ameliegeorgebridal.com
Shoes ⎜ Andrea Wazen andreawazen.com
Bracelet ⎜ Numbering numberingwebsite.com
Engagement Ring ⎜ Philippe & Co philippeandco.ca

Groom’s Attire
Suit ⎜ Harold (haroldclo.com) via Harry Rose Inc harryrosen.com
Shirt ⎜ Eton Shirts etonshirts.com
Pocket Square ⎜ Tom Ford tomford.com
Shoes ⎜ Magnanni magnanni.com

Planning a Wedding at Grand Hotel Timeo? Questions We're Often Asked

More answers about how we work, from timelines to gallery delivery, are on our FAQ page.

If you are planning a destination wedding at Grand Hotel Timeo or elsewhere in Sicily, we would love to hear from you.