Day One: Noto, Sicily We were taken into the heart of Noto, a masterpiece of Sicilian baroque architecture and one of Italy’s most captivating wedding destinations. Noto is a historic city in southeastern Sicily, Italy, located in the province of Syracuse. It provides honey-hued facades, ornate cathedrals, and sunlit streets, Noto feels like stepping into […]
Sicily is one of those rare places where history, culture, and hospitality come together so effortlessly that every visit feels like coming home — a place where destination weddings meet culture in the most meaningful way. This month, I had the immense pleasure of returning to this extraordinary island to participate in WE DO Catania, […]
Why Palermo is the Perfect Destination for Your Wedding When it comes to destination weddings in Italy, there’s something undeniably magical about Palermo, Sicily. This vibrant city blends history, romance, and Sicilian charm, offering breathtaking wedding venues, stunning coastal views, and a rich cultural experience. Whether you dream of exchanging vows in an ornate cathedral, a […]
Heather & Ernesto’s Wedding on People.Com Last week, we were thrilled to share the exciting news that People.com featured one of our breathtaking destination weddings—a stunning celebration of love in the heart of Italy, see that post here. As promised, today, we’re sharing even more details and photos from this unforgettable celebrity wedding. Join us […]
The Role of a Luxury Destination Wedding Planner A luxury destination wedding planner does far more than coordinate vendors or design a beautiful celebration. At its core, destination wedding planning is rooted in hospitality. anticipating guest needs, managing complex logistics, and creating an experience that feels effortless from the moment guests arrive. Can you picture […]
Reflections from The Privé Retreat in St. Moritz I did not expect to fall this hard for Switzerland. As someone who plans destination weddings in Italy regularly, I didn’t expect a Swiss destination wedding in St. Moritz to feel so immediately compelling, but it did. My heart is usually firmly rooted there. Florence, Tuscany, Sicily. […]
A Letter from Michelle There are years that feel busy — and then there are years that feel full. This past year at Michelle Durpetti Events was the latter. Full of movement, meaning, milestones, memories, and moments that reminded me exactly why I love this work so deeply. Not because of accolades or stamps on […]
There are places you visit as a wedding planner that stay with you long after you’ve checked out, and La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel in Deià, is a Mallorca wedding venue that stays with you long after you’ve checked out. Tucked between the Tramuntana mountains and the shimmering Balearic Sea, this property feels like a […]
A Roundtable Conversation with Michelle Durpetti Events There is a particular kind of magic that happens when you bring real couples back to the table after their destination weddings in Italy. The logistics have settled, the emotions have softened into memory, and what remains is perspective: what truly mattered, what surprised them, and what they […]
I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been invited to join an extraordinary group of just eight storytellers — and I’ll be the only one representing the United States — for WEDO 2025, taking place this October in Catania and Siracusa, Sicily. Hosted by Sicily For Weddings, this multi-day experience brings together some of the most creative […]
🍂 A Season for Style, Spirit & Story There’s something alchemical about fall — the crisp air, the shift in light, the invitation for imagination to roam more freely. Halloween has always been one of my favorite celebrations, and this year I’m especially excited to share some Halloween 2025 inspiration. It’s playful yet meaningful — […]
Italian Destination Wedding Myths: What Couples Need to Know Before Planning Planning a wedding in Italy is the dream for so many couples — and for good reason. From breathtaking villas in Tuscany to sparkling coastlines along Amalfi and Sicily, Italy offers some of the most romantic backdrops in the world. But with so much […]
We’re thrilled to share that Michelle Durpetti Events has been featured in Green Wedding Shoes in their Expert-Approved Guide to Planning a Destination Wedding Outside the U.S. 🎉 This feature is such an honor, not just because of the incredible publication, but because destination weddings are at the heart of what we do here at […]
We’re proud to share that Michelle was recently featured in Authority Magazine as part of their series on why women build exceptional companies. Interviewed by Vanessa Ogle, Michelle opened up about her career, her Italian roots, her passion for hospitality and luxury weddings, and the values that guide both her personal and professional life. As […]
As we reach the midpoint of 2025, it’s clear that weddings aren’t just evolving—they’re becoming more personal, layered, and experience-driven than ever before. At Michelle Durpetti Events, we’ve always believed that every detail tells a story—and today’s couples are embracing that philosophy wholeheartedly. From deeply rooted cultural moments to design choices with meaning and mindful […]
There’s something about Italy. The light, the language, the food, the way a table feels when it’s set under twinkle lights in the middle of a vineyard… it’s cinematic, soulful, and absolutely unforgettable. If you’re considering a destination wedding in Italy, you’re in for something truly special—but also uniquely complex. As an experienced Italian wedding […]
Planning a destination wedding can feel like the ultimate dream—stunning backdrops, unforgettable food, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences with your favorite people. But let’s be real: it can also feel a little daunting. Between time zones, language barriers, travel logistics, and local customs, the planning process can quickly go from magical to stressful. That’s where an experienced […]
At Michelle Durpetti Events, we specialize in curating one-of-a-kind destination weddings throughout Italy. From Tuscany to Sicily, Florence to Lake Como—we know that when it comes to choosing the right location, it’s about more than just a beautiful venue. It’s about finding a space that tells a story, evokes a feeling, and creates an unforgettable […]
As a wedding planner who has been traveling to Italy since childhood, and now plans destination weddings across this beautiful country, few places have left me as inspired as Borgo Egnazia in Puglia, Italy. Nestled along the Adriatic coast and designed to resemble a traditional Apulian village, Borgo Egnazia is more than just a luxury […]
Walking into March with an open heart and a full schedule, I’m reflecting on the incredible journey that has brought me here where my passions for event planning, hospitality, and my Italian heritage come together to create unforgettable experiences. You can currently find me in Davos, Switzerland taking in all it has to offer. So […]
As we welcome 2025, we’re embracing fresh wedding trends that reflect thoughtfulness, creativity, and a modern approach to celebrations. At Michelle Durpetti Events, we’re dedicated to working with our couples to craft authentic, innovative, and deeply personal wedding celebrations. While we specialize in Italy – a destination close to our hearts – we’ve also had […]
At Michelle Durpetti Events, we’ve always believed that a wedding is more than just a celebration—it’s a deeply personal expression of a couple’s love story. As a seasoned wedding planner specializing in Chicago, Palm Beach, and destination weddings worldwide (especially in Italy!), I was thrilled to share my expertise in BRIDES’ recent article, “The Wedding […]
We’re thrilled to share the enchanting wedding of Netflix’s Dating Around couple, Heather Rose and Ernesto Posadas, which was just featured exclusively on PEOPLE! Their romantic three-day celebration in Sicily was nothing short of a dream, brought to life by our very own Italian wedding expert, Michelle Durpetti! See below for the feature as seen […]
If you’re looking for an exquisite and intimate venue for your next special occasion, let us introduce you to one of our favorite hidden gems: Hotel Dimora Cottanera. Tucked away just 30 minutes from the stunning town of Taormina, this boutique hotel is the epitome of luxury, offering the perfect blend of elegance, exclusivity, and […]
The beautiful, challenging, sometimes exhausting, often addicting and completely uplifting thing about producing events in the wedding + events world is that we are, in fact -> in the business of creating extraordinary celebrations for extraordinary people. Because to do what we do, we need extraordinary. It’s that simple. From our clients to our collaborating […]
