Destination wedding in Erice
A medieval village in the clouds, 750 metres above the sea.
Region
West Sicily
Best months
Late May to early October. Outside that window Erice can be cold and wrapped in cloud, which is beautiful but demanding.
Getting there
Fifteen minutes from Trapani Birgi airport plus the climb, or a cable car from Trapani that guests enjoy. Civil ceremonies are celebrated at the Municipio. Bring layers: it can be ten degrees cooler than the coast.
Getting married in Erice
Erice sits on top of Monte San Giuliano, and on many days the clouds arrive before the guests do. Cobbled streets, stone courtyards, two castles on the edge of a cliff and a view that reaches the Egadi Islands and the salt pans of Trapani.
The atmosphere is completely different from the baroque south: cooler, quieter, almost northern in its greys and greens, and extraordinary when the fog rolls between the buildings during a portrait session.
Venues and locations I use in Erice
- Castello di Venere — Norman castle on the cliff edge
- Chiesa Matrice (Real Duomo) with its separate bell tower
- Torretta Pepoli and the Balio gardens
- Historic courtyards and small hotels inside the walls
- Wineries and baglio estates in the plain below towards Marsala
Frequently asked questions
What happens if Erice is in the fog on our wedding day?
We use it. Fog in Erice produces some of the most atmospheric wedding photographs I have ever taken; we simply move the session inside the walls.
Can guests stay in Erice itself?
There are a limited number of rooms inside the walls, so most parties split between Erice and Trapani, fifteen minutes below.
Nearby wedding destinations
West Sicily
Trapani
Salt pans, windmills and the best sunsets on the island.
West Sicily
Marsala
Wine cellars, lagoon light and long tables under the vines.
Egadi Islands
Favignana
Tuff quarries, turquoise coves and an island that feels like a secret.
West Sicily
Palermo
Arab-Norman gold, street markets and a capital that overwhelms the senses.