Carved into the rugged Sicilian coastline, Taylour and Anthony’s wedding at Tonnara di Scopello felt less like an event and more like a cinematic immersion – textural, intentional, and deeply personal. The historic tuna factory became a living canvas, where moss-covered stone, rusted anchors, and the Mediterranean’s ever-shifting blues shaped a design language rooted in place rather than palette. Greenery spilled organically through the ceremony, echoing the wildness of the surrounding landscape, while vintage details, sculptural tablescapes, and layered materials transformed each corner of the property into its own moment. From serpentine aperitivo tables heavy with local delicacies to a courtyard dinner beneath the open sky, every design choice leaned into atmosphere over excess, creating something immersive and timeless without feeling staged. Beautifully captured by our members from Lato Photography, the celebration reads as both artful and intimate – proof that when a wedding listens closely to its surroundings, the result is nothing short of magnetic.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
We had a classic meet-cute—of course, two artists meeting at a grimy NYC dive bar famous for its pickleback shots. The kind of place that just says “BAR” in red-and-blue neon and smells… mysterious. We spent the day taking one too many picklebacks and laughing one too many times. There were years of friendship, art shows, and adventures in between, but eight years later, on our wedding day, we had to end the ceremony the same way it all began: with a pickleback shot in front of all our loved ones and the Mediterranean Sea. A full-circle moment. Who knew chasing whiskey with pickle juice in a questionable bar could turn out to have such a wildly romantic outcome?
The Proposal
Anthony: I’m a sucker for a grand romantic gesture, and as a filmmaker, there was really only one way forward. I made a movie to propose to Taylour. I enlisted the best filmmakers I know, along with my 17-year-old Chiweenie, Annie, as my co-star. Together, we recreated four classic film genres—noir, adventure, rom-com, and horror—each centered on one mission: securing the ring and asking Taylour to marry me.
The Engagement Ring
You’ll rarely catch me wearing any other color than black, so when we started talking about engagement rings, we immediately gravitated toward a less traditional salt-and-pepper or black diamond. When we discovered L. Priori Jewelry in Philadelphia, with its collection of unique stones and custom designs, we jumped in the car and drove from NYC to Philly without hesitation. The final ring is the perfect blend of my individuality and Anthony’s creative spirit: a salt-and-pepper emerald cut with a gold multi-pronged main band and a secondary band to give the diamond a more stacked, full look. I get giddy every time I look at it. It’s perfect!
Our Wedding
The Vision
My career as a luxury wedding producer gave me a very clear sense of what I wanted from the beginning. More than anything, the experience was meant to feel like a love letter—to us, to art, and to Italy. When it came to color and atmosphere, I envisioned the romance of a summer by the sea without relying on a predictable “summer” palette. Instead, we let the venue and my dress guide the aesthetic. The textures and tones of Italy did the storytelling for us—wild weeds pushing through cobblestone, chipped paint on centuries-old buildings, rusting anchors from the village, and the rocks lining the shoreline all helped shape the mood of the day. The result was a celebration captured in a cinematic way that feels timeless, intimate, and unmistakably ours.
Our Team of Vendors
We knew that if we were going to have a multi-day Italian destination wedding, we would need a rockstar Italian wedding planner. That’s why choosing Manuela Speroni (Agnese Sogna Sempre) was an easy decision after our initial call. We booked our venue “site unseen,” so we leaned heavily on Manuela, knowing the first time we’d see the location and taste the food would be on the big day. She was the perfect collaborator and accomplice as we plotted out our audacious wedding dream. She bridged language barriers and cultural differences and knew exactly the right vendors who’d be game to make this day unique. Special shout-out to Federico for keeping us all up till sunrise in the “rave cave,” Tomasso for taking the most gorgeous documentary-style photos, and our AV crew, who helped project a special wedding video onto one of the Tonnara’s buildings.
The Location
What can we possibly say about Tonnara di Scopello? It is, without question, not just one of the best wedding venues in Italy or Europe, but anywhere in the world. We cried the moment we arrived, and choosing it remains one of the best decisions we have ever made. Photos offer only the faintest glimpse of its beauty, but standing there in person is a truly transcendent experience that moved every one of our 100 guests—including us. We could write an entire article about Tonnara di Scopello and still not do it justice, so instead we will simply say this: book your trip or your wedding there without hesitation.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was designed to feel intimate, immersive, and deeply intentional. Anthony was drawn to the idea of a full-circle ceremony, while I envisioned an overgrown oasis—something wild and organic, blending seamlessly with the moss-covered rocks meeting the sea. We leaned heavily into greenery rather than florals, allowing nature to be the true focal point. Staying true to the existing palette of Tonnara, we chose seafoam-green iron chairs accented with subtle deep red floral tones, echoing the rusting anchors and weathered details woven throughout the property. Every element felt grounded in its surroundings.
Those few minutes were pure bliss. Walking down the aisle in CINQ—a designer I had admired for years—set to an aisle song by my favorite artist, Frank Ocean, with my dad and stepdad guiding me toward the love of my life in one of the most breathtaking places in the world… it still gives me chills.
The Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour unfolded like an Italian aperitivo dream. Guests were welcomed by a long, serpentine table that became the heart of the space, draped in softly gathered ivory fabric that felt both sculptural and romantic. The table overflowed with locally caught fish, Italian meats and cheeses, and countless other delicacies that filled both the space and our guests’ plates. Nearby, chefs prepared dishes in full view, turning food and cooking into a performance rooted in local tradition and authentic Italian culinary history. Vintage décor and timeworn details defined the setting, from aged silver serving trays and delicate coupes to glowing candelabras and ancient head sculptures. Together, these elements created a table that felt collected, storied, and effortlessly elegant. It was less a cocktail hour and more a living experience, encouraging guests to wander, linger, and savor every moment.
The Reception
We wanted each stage of our wedding to unfold in a different corner of Tonnara, allowing guests to journey through the property. The reception took place in the courtyard, where guests sat at three long wooden tables beneath the open sky and enjoyed a proper Italian dinner with multiple courses and wines, all beautifully curated.
I also asked our creative team to lean into a range of textures and small details while carefully balancing maximalism with thoughtful layering through materials like rock, sand, food, and mixed metals. Every element of the tablescape was rooted in place and story. Escort cards were vintage Italian postcards with handwritten love notes spanning decades, sourced from local markets by Manuela. Our florist hand-selected décor and props from vintage markets across Italy. Menus were made from hand-dyed silk paper pressed in Romania, bringing softness and artistry to the table. Every dinner place setting had a literal cherry on top to signify the final detail.
The Special Touches
We surprised our guests at every turn throughout the weekend. At the welcome party, we told everyone at the last minute to bring sandals, then led them up to a breathtaking overlook where a traditional Sicilian band erupted into music and dancing as the sun dipped low. On the morning of the wedding, we sent guests out on kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and a boat so they could glide across the water before the day began. During the ceremony, I entered from a different direction than Anthony and our families, shifting the moment’s perspective. That night, Anthony projected a black-and-white film he created onto the stone walls of Tonnara, weaving together footage from our guests’ own weddings with legendary romance scenes from cinema history. On the dance floor, my dad (a rock drummer) drummed our first song, a cannoli master wandered with a fresh cannoli-making tray hanging around his neck, and a surprise bongo player and saxophonist escorted everyone into the cave for the after-party that lasted until the sun came up.
Our Favorite Moment
I had to conquer my stage fright and surprise Anthony with vows in front of all 100 guests after we’d made an agreement to do them alone so I wouldn’t be so nervous. The look of surprise—then emotion—on Anthony’s face was absolutely priceless. That, and watching the sunrise after turning this dream into a reality. Single best day of our lives.
Our Style
The Bridal Looks
CINQ was truly written in the stars for me. At the very beginning of my dress journey, I actually wrote a letter of admiration to the designer, Macye, long before I ever tried on a gown. Living in the center of bridal couture, I was lucky enough to try on countless extraordinary dresses—from Mark Ingram to Vera Wang to Danielle Frankel—but deep down, I always knew my heart belonged to CINQ.
When I stepped into their pop-up at the Chelsea Hotel (before they even had a storefront in NYC), I immediately burst into tears. The gowns felt like they had been pulled straight from my dreams, the team was incredibly warm and thoughtful, and the entire experience felt utterly magical—like a fairytale unfolding in real time. For my second look, I leaned into something more unexpected and personal: a fully custom dress by a designer I discovered on Etsy. I sent her my measurements and a handful of design notes, and together we brought to life something intimate, playful, and uniquely mine.
The Groom Looks
It was a mini odyssey arriving at my final looks. I briefly convinced myself to go rogue and wear a burnt orange suit. It looked better in the pictures… then I pivoted to green and set my sights on embroidering flowers all over the jacket. That wasn’t right either. An hour after Taylour’s bridal shower, her mom, her friends, and I drunkenly wandered into a nearby shop and started trying things on. I walked out with two suits: a loose black double-breasted and a fitted sandy gray. My small, rebellious move was pairing it with a matching cardigan, creating the illusion of a three-piece while keeping it casual enough for a Mediterranean wedding by the sea. I wore the black suit to the welcome party with a light green shirt underneath, and the gray suit with a cardigan and a brooch to the wedding. I felt absolutely amazing in my fits.
Our Advice
For the Planning Process
Rule number one: work as a team, even when you don’t feel like it. One thing we did to stay engaged was divide the important tasks between us. Taylour commanded the details, tablescapes, and all the small touches. Anthony handled food and entertainment. Try to be there for each other through all the highs and lows of the process. There were moments when one of us wasn’t in the mood or couldn’t be bothered to make even the smallest decision, but we both realized how important and special it was to have those discussions and reach compromises. Looking back, the planning process is naturally stressful, but having your partner to lean on, bicker with (test your nerves…), and check off the daunting to-do list together was pretty special.
For On The Day
You made it. Take a breath and remember every step that brought you here—and the person you did it all with. Let yourself dance without hesitation, be unabashedly romantic, and soak in every single moment. It is, without question, completely and utterly worth it. Make sure you and your partner visit with guests together. It’s so easy to get swept away and start socializing separately. Time goes by so fast, so share as many little moments together as possible.
For Post-Wedding
Taylour and I spent a moment together by the water after the late-night dip with the last guests standing. The sun was rising, and the Mediterranean was shimmering as we stood at the end of the dock, soaking it all in. We looked at each other and just said, “We did it!”The energy in that moment was unbelievable. Savor it. Realize what an incredible decision it was to make this decision together—because there’s always the chance that the wedding was so incredible that you find out you’re pregnant days after coming back from the honeymoon, and you’ll have to switch to baby mode sooner than you thought!
Vendors
Photographer: Lato Photography
Videographer: Saturn Films
Venue: Tonnara di Scopello
On the Day Coordinator: Sara Bernuzzi
Wedding Planner: Agnese Sogna Sempre
Florist: Frascati Fiori
Stationery: Papira, Cartalia Studio
Cake & Catering: Pito Catering, Peppe La Sala
Music: Federico Pedone
Hair: My Room Hair Salon
Makeup: Federico Patellaro
Style
Wedding Dress: Cinq
Wedding & Engagement Ring: L. Priori Jewelry
Groom Suit: Suitsupply
