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carter-weddings

A dreamy Sicilian Wedding: Behind the scenes of Rachel’s big day

Updated: Oct 20


I recently had the true honour of working on a wedding that felt like something straight off a film set!—in beautiful Sicily, where my lovely friend Rachel got married to her best friend Dan. I’ve known Rachel for years from her days as a model and singer-songwriter, so when she asked me to be her hair and makeup artist for her big day, I was over the moon!


"Thank you SO much Holly, you’re an angel!! I loved having you there so much, made the experience even more special! Love you xxxx"




The wedding took place at the breathtaking Tonnara di Scopello, a historic venue nestled on the Sicilian coast, surrounded by cliffs and sparkling blue waters. From the moment I arrived, and after discussing everything in detail with Rachel leading up to the day, this wedding was going to be nothing short of incredible. The atmosphere, the attention to detail, and the beauty of the location all came together perfectly. And to top it off, there were some celebrity guests—including the band Muse, which was a real plus for me as I'm a big fan! (I wimped out of asking for a selfie though!)


But let’s talk about the bride. Rachel looked like an absolute goddess on her wedding day. She wanted a radiant, bronzed, and sun-kissed look that would look natural with a slight hint of glam.


We tried two different looks before the wedding and blended the two on the day!



Creating Rachel’s Sicilian wedding look


Rachel’s look was all about keeping things natural with a touch of glamour, and we went for a glowing complexion, with emphasis on her incredible cheekbones and relaxed waves to give her that effortless, bohemian feel. It accentuated her natural beauty without overwhelming it.


  • Skin: I started by prepping her skin with Bobbi browns vitamin enriched face base to ensure her skin was nicely hydrated, followed by a Charlotte Tilburys Beautiful skin foundation to even out her complexion but keeping her natural skin texture and glow. I used a mixture of Charlottle tilbury contour wand and Tom ford shade and illuminate to warm up her face and define her incredible cheekbones as this is an iconic look for Rachel, and I added a soft, golden highlight from the Dior backstage glow face palette to bring out that lit-from-within glow that matched the Sicilian sun perfectly. I then added a gentle coral blush from the ByTerry brightening CC palette 1 sunny flash. I also swept this over the brow bone to make the look more cohesive.


  • Eyes: For her eyes, we chose earthy, bronzed and neutral tones from the makeup by Mario palette with a hint of shimmer from the Nars eyeshadow quad orgasm palette to give her eyes a soft, romantic look. Nothing too bold—just a subtle definition along the crease and outer corners, finished off with a delicate set of cluster lashes to keep it fresh and natural.


  • Lips: I used a deep rose pink lipstick MI.KISS by Charlottle Tilbury, followed by a Dior addict lip oil in shade 001 to give a subtle gloss which the perfect combination to complete the look, keeping everything balanced and highlighting Rachel’s features without overpowering her natural beauty.


  • Hair: Rachel’s hair was styled in soft, boho waves—textured but effortless, with added volume to the crown. We wanted her look to flow naturally, giving an undone look, which matched the coastal setting, so the waves were loose, giving her that relaxed yet polished bridal feel. I added lots of texture spray to give the look more oomph which could be easily manipulated to create a more glam feel throughout the day.


  • Finishing touches: I finished the look by adding a thin dusting of Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush flawless finish powder onto her t-zone to stop any extra shine, while keeping the glow elsewhere which was just perfect for the sun kissed glow of their Sicilian wedding.



    bride

"Oh my god I never see Dan cry and your reel made him blub his eyes out"

The stunning setting at Tonnara di Scopello


Now, let’s talk about the venue because wow, it was incredible. The Tonnara di Scopello is a historic tuna fishery that’s been transformed into one of the most picturesque wedding venues I’ve ever seen. Surrounded by rocky cliffs, ancient stone buildings, and the crystal-clear sea, it’s no wonder Rachel and her husband Dan chose this place to get married. The wedding was simply unforgettable, and it perfectly matched the bohemian elegance of Rachel’s bridal style.



The Dress


Rachel's dress was stunning! It was a Berta gown with a deep V neckline and beautiful floral lace all over the bodice. The lace had this 3D effect with lots of sparkle, making it feel really luxurious but still soft. Paired with her incredible veil it was a real showstopper! The perfect mix of modern and romantic!


bride putting on shoe


The Day that felt like a movie


Between the breathtaking scenery, the beautiful details of the day, and the star-studded guest list, the entire event felt like something out of a Hollywood film. It was a truly unforgettable experience, and I was so honoured to be a part of Rachel’s special day and the fact that I get to call this my job.


You can check out my reel of my time in Sicily here (I took a lot more videos than I did still shots!)


I'll be sharing lots more of my bridal looks so keep checking back for more! If you'd like to learn how to create a look on yourself like Rachels, check out my lessons!



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