Villa Valguarnera, September 2020 – by P & J Events
In the heart of Sicily, beneath the golden light of late summer, something quietly extraordinary took place: the wedding of Thom Yorke, the iconic frontman of Radiohead, and Dajana Roncione, talented Sicilian actress. But this wasn’t just a ceremony — it was a deeply intimate and aesthetic experience, designed with intention and emotional resonance. An atmosphere born from conversations, emotions, and a shared artistic sensibility.
Japanese Conceptual Foundation
As the creative team behind the event, P & J Events (Paolo & Jinane), we were entrusted with the full design, planning and coordination. Through several personal meetings with Thom and Dajana, we explored their inner worlds, leading to a unique conceptual foundation: a wedding inspired by Japanese philosophy, specifically the concept of Karesansui, the art of the dry Zen garden.
From this vision, we imagined a poetic space where sand and grass coexisted, sculpted into forms that dialogued with the natural surroundings and the historic context of Villa Valguarnera — one of Sicily’s most breathtaking baroque estates. The entire scene unfolded on a panoramic terrace with a dramatic sea view, covered by a custom-made canvas tent created especially for the occasion.
But there was more than Zen geometry in this creation. Our design was also deeply influenced by the principle of Wabi-Sabi — a cornerstone of Japanese aesthetics. Wabi-Sabi celebrates imperfection, impermanence, and the quiet elegance of natural materials. It honors asymmetry, raw textures, and the traces of time. This philosophy guided our choices: every fabric, object, and spatial void was intentionally curated to evoke simplicity, humility and timeless beauty.
Ceremony & Cocktail: Intimate Elegance
The ceremony, celebrated by an Anglican priest as a nod to Thom’s roots, brought together a carefully chosen group of guests — close family, friends from around the world, fellow actors, and members of Radiohead. Due to Covid restrictions, the event had to follow safety regulations, but rather than limit creativity, this constraint pushed us to find refined and innovative solutions. Even the concept of spatial distancing was integrated into the decor through the use of sculptural ceramic jars, placed to gently guide the guests through the spaces while preserving flow and elegance.
The cocktail reception was held in the villa’s lush garden, curated personally by Princess Vittoria Alliata di Valguarnera, who generously opened her historic residence for the couple. The garden, filled with rare Mediterranean plants, created an enchanting natural backdrop. The music was entrusted to a group of Sicilian musicians playing ancient and rare instruments — instruments Thom had discovered months earlier during a visit to the island. Their sounds, archaic and haunting, added a mystical quality to the aperitivo.
Dinner, Dance & Timeless Memories
For the dinner, we transformed the villa’s greenhouse into a sanctuary of calm minimalism, in continuity with the Wabi-Sabi and Karesansui concepts. Every element — from furniture to lighting — was selected to express a quiet elegance, never excessive, always meaningful. The space breathed with purpose and restraint, reflecting the inner clarity of the couple themselves.
There was no traditional dance floor — and that was intentional. After dinner, the newlyweds shared an improvised, joyful dance under the stars, surrounded by the warm applause of their guests. Later, Thom delighted everyone by spinning vinyl as a DJ, occasionally joined by his son, in a moment of pure spontaneity and connection.
This wedding was not just about celebration, but about presence, essence and emotion. An experience of love told through space, silence, natural beauty, and a deep sense of soul.
We, Paolo and Jinane of P & J Events, are honored to have shaped the concept, design, planning and coordination of this extraordinary event. It will remain, for us and all who lived it, a memory suspended in time — just like the music of Thom Yorke himself.
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