I DO x 2
THE STORY OF STEFANIA AND DEAN -
A Tale of Family, Care, Support, Sicily, and a Love That Lasts a Lifetime.
A Tale of Family, Care, Support, Sicily, and a Love That Lasts a Lifetime.
Chosen for Its Soul:
Villa Bibbia and the Sicilian Roots of Stefania and Dean
Villa Bibbia and the Sicilian Roots of Stefania and Dean
A request came to the OhmySicily team from a couple in Australia who were planning to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary in Sicily. At the time, we had no idea what an extraordinary story this family carried with them — or how deeply it would move us.
Stefania, the bride, chose Villa Bibbia, an authentic estate near the town of Noto. She dreamed of having a vow renewal in a place where the history of Sicily could be felt in a truly special way.
Stefania, the bride, chose Villa Bibbia, an authentic estate near the town of Noto. She dreamed of having a vow renewal in a place where the history of Sicily could be felt in a truly special way.
Both Stefania and Din have Italian roots, but for Stefania, celebrating this anniversary in Sicily — the place where her family’s story runs deep — was especially meaningful. And for such a request, it’s hard to imagine a location more fitting than Villa Bibbia.
Every detail of the villa, every glass, decanter, or side table in the living room carries a history that feels as though it comes to life before your eyes. The owner of the villa has masterfully and tastefully blended antiques with modern elements. The cozy courtyard with its lawn and a view of the ivy-covered historic building feels as if it were created specifically for an intimate ceremony surrounded by the closest and dearest.
Every detail of the villa, every glass, decanter, or side table in the living room carries a history that feels as though it comes to life before your eyes. The owner of the villa has masterfully and tastefully blended antiques with modern elements. The cozy courtyard with its lawn and a view of the ivy-covered historic building feels as if it were created specifically for an intimate ceremony surrounded by the closest and dearest.
Photographer Daria Mangione
A Moment We’ll Never Forget:
A heartfelt glimpse into a family whose love turns moments into memories.
A heartfelt glimpse into a family whose love turns moments into memories.
The bride’s morning unfolded in a relaxed, intimate rhythm, surrounded by her closest loved ones. While the makeup artist brushed soft strokes across her face, children ran around Stefania, laughing, playing, filling the villa with life. In the kitchen, Stefania’s mother brewed Italian coffee — rich, aromatic, unmistakably Sicilian.
The entire morning felt less like a traditional bridal preparation and more like an ordinary day in a big Sicilian family: lively conversations, laughter spilling from room to room, a home warmed by love.
The entire morning felt less like a traditional bridal preparation and more like an ordinary day in a big Sicilian family: lively conversations, laughter spilling from room to room, a home warmed by love.
Stefania spoke to us with deep affection about her sons — Roman and Rio. Both boys kept slipping into the room from time to time just to give their mother a kiss.
The younger son, Rio, is a very special presence not only at the celebration but in Stefania and Din’s life. He has autism, and he is an extraordinary child: sweet, lively, energetic, and deeply touching.
Stefania:
"One of the most emotional moments was having Rio with us — seeing him light up, surrounded by family, joy, and celebration. Traveling and being part of something so big wasn’t always easy for him, but that day he thrived. It reminded us that love really does make everything possible. Our vow renewal wasn’t just a celebration of our marriage — it was a celebration of family, resilience, and how far we’ve all come together."
The younger son, Rio, is a very special presence not only at the celebration but in Stefania and Din’s life. He has autism, and he is an extraordinary child: sweet, lively, energetic, and deeply touching.
Stefania:
"One of the most emotional moments was having Rio with us — seeing him light up, surrounded by family, joy, and celebration. Traveling and being part of something so big wasn’t always easy for him, but that day he thrived. It reminded us that love really does make everything possible. Our vow renewal wasn’t just a celebration of our marriage — it was a celebration of family, resilience, and how far we’ve all come together."
Make-up Artist: Ilonamuah
The Veil and My Son
A touching story behind the bride’s choice of look.
A touching story behind the bride’s choice of look.
Stefania:
"My veil was chosen with a lot of heart. I wanted something timeless but meaningful, something that felt like me. What made it even more special was that our son helped choose my bridal look — a small moment that carried so much love. Seeing his excitement and pride was everything; it made me feel like the day belonged to all of us, not just to Dean and I.
"My veil was chosen with a lot of heart. I wanted something timeless but meaningful, something that felt like me. What made it even more special was that our son helped choose my bridal look — a small moment that carried so much love. Seeing his excitement and pride was everything; it made me feel like the day belonged to all of us, not just to Dean and I.
stefania and dean
A Sicilian Vow: Heritage, Heart, and Home
Every detail — from the villa’s charm to the family-style moments — honored generations past.
Symbolic thread connecting the past and the present.
For the final touches to the bride’s look, a special space was curated with sentimental details — delicate sewing tools and an open spread from a documentary book on Sicilian garment ateliers of the last century. This décor was no coincidence: it was a tribute to Stefania’s great-grandmother, a seamstress from Messina. In this way, a subtle, symbolic thread wove together the generations of her family on this day.
Stefania:
"The women in my family have always been my quiet inspiration — strong, creative, and deeply connected to tradition. My grandmother was a dressmaker and my grandfather was a tailor and having that small corner with the book of the sewing machine, identical to the one they had, felt symbolic — a thread that ties the past and present together.
It reminded me that everything we build as women — families, love, and art — is its own kind of craftsmanship."
"The women in my family have always been my quiet inspiration — strong, creative, and deeply connected to tradition. My grandmother was a dressmaker and my grandfather was a tailor and having that small corner with the book of the sewing machine, identical to the one they had, felt symbolic — a thread that ties the past and present together.
It reminded me that everything we build as women — families, love, and art — is its own kind of craftsmanship."
Dean
Meanwhile, Dean spent much of his time with the boys — keeping them laughing, playing with them, and doing everything he could to make this day unforgettable for them as well.
Stefania:
"Dean and I met in the most unexpected way — the kind of meeting that feels effortless, like the universe quietly nudging two souls together. What’s always made our bond unique is how natural it feels to just be together — through every phase of life, we’ve always found laughter, friendship, and strength in one another. After fifteen years, our love has deepened into something beautifully steady and true, built on shared dreams, family, and an unspoken understanding that we’re always on the same team."
Stefania:
"Dean and I met in the most unexpected way — the kind of meeting that feels effortless, like the universe quietly nudging two souls together. What’s always made our bond unique is how natural it feels to just be together — through every phase of life, we’ve always found laughter, friendship, and strength in one another. After fifteen years, our love has deepened into something beautifully steady and true, built on shared dreams, family, and an unspoken understanding that we’re always on the same team."
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