If it's a wedding, they're family!

Florida girl to wed Sicily native at San Diego's Sicilian Festival

On May 23, the Sicilian Festival in Little Italy will illustrate a favorite Italian expression: La Forza del Destino , “the power of fate.” Such is the power that will make this year's 17th annual Sicilian Festival a backdrop for a genuine Sicilian-style wedding between two newcomers to San Diego, Diana Kolman and Antonino Tripoli.

The two will be married on the Cedar Street Stage at 12:45 pm on May 23, invited by the Sicilian community of San Diego to be real live players in a fairy-tale wedding.

“If it's a wedding, then everyone is family – that's what we're going to celebrate,” says Giovanna DiBona, one of the Sicilian Festival organizers who was recently contacted by the couple.

The story begins with Diana Kolman, a Tampa native and graduate of the University of South Florida with a BA in nursing and psychology, whose interest in learning foreign languages led her to spend the summer of 2009 in Italy with the goal of studying Italian.

Enter La Forza del Destino, when Diana met the love of her life, Antonino Tripoli, under the Italian sun. He was born and raised in Bagheria, in the province of Palermo, Sicily, and graduated from the College of Economics in Pesaro, Italy.

Soon their love demanded frustrating back and forth trips between the US and Italy. As the summer of 2009 ended, Diana had to return to the States. Antonino followed Diana to Florida in October and remained until December. Then in January, Diana returned to Italy with hopes of having her nursing license recognized there. After three months, the process was still pending, and she, again, was forced to return to the US.

At that point, Diana and Antonino decided that it was time to dream and live an adventure together. They decided to leave everything in Italy and Florida and drive to San Diego. Without much money, they didn't know a soul, have jobs, or a place to live.

After arriving in San Diego, Antonino proposed to Diana. They planned to have a simple ceremony at the County Courthouse, but realized that they wouldn't have anyone to serve as their witnesses, as they knew not one person in San Diego.

La Forza del Destino soon got an online boost.

Diana's mother wisely suggested Diana contact the Italian community in San Diego to gather referrals and new acquaintances. After a few clicks of the mouse, Diana found the Sicilian Festival web site and Facebook page, and emailed. When Giovanna DiBona learned of their wedding plans, she invited them to exchange their vows at the Sicilian Festival.

Now the whole Sicilian community in San Diego is welcoming Diana and Antonino with open arms. They'll have an onstage marriage, followed by a reception, Sicilian-style, orchestrated by the Roman Holiday Band (ironically, also the creator of the nationally acclaimed Italian Wedding CD) .

Treat yourself to this Italian wedding reception, no RSVP or gift required. Come to Little Italy on the afternoon of May 23 and salute the marriage of Diana and Antonino, and this magical culmination of A more, Sicilian-style.

Thank you, MILLE GRAZIE, to the following businesses who donated their products/services to make Diana and Antonino's wedding "UN Bel SOGNO,"
a beautiful dream come true!

Palomar Cleaners, Lemon Grove

Thank you for Diana's Exquisite Wedding Dress