This Galliano-Inspired Bride Brought Mermaidcore to Sicily

A sensual Sicilian soirée at Tonnara di Scopello dripping in custom Di Petsa gowns, a moody ambience and dramatic siren-inspired bridal beauty

This Galliano-Inspired Bride Brought Mermaidcore Magic to Her Wedding in Sicily

Against the backdrop of the rugged Sicilian coast at Tonnara di Scopello, Roxette and Joe’s wedding was a masterclass in siren-inspired sophistication. Roxette stunned in a bespoke Di Petsa gown that was both sculptural and sensual, exuding Galliano-esque drama. Her beauty look channelled an ethereal siren with icy tones and velvety matte skin. Mia Sylvia created an immersive world of drapery, moss and muted florals for the décor, which spilled organically across stone and sea. After a sunset dinner of fresh seafood under a tented canopy, the celebration moved to a cave rave dripping with atmosphere and energy. Drawing inspiration from Victoria and David Beckham’s iconic 1999 wedding, every detail fused timeless style with raw, elemental beauty – proof that fashion-forward weddings can be both expressive and deeply rooted in love.

This Galliano-Inspired Bride Brought Mermaidcore Magic to Her Wedding in Sicily

Our Love Story

^{The Day We Met}

It all happened on the eve of New Year’s Eve 2020. After matching on Raya, we agreed to meet for dinner at a cozy Italian spot not far from his Santa Monica surf pad. As I rushed up to the restaurant—fashionably late, of course—I thought I spotted him sitting outside on Montana Ave. I walked up and said hello, but Joe just stared… totally silent, like I’d caught him mid-dream.

For a second, I honestly wondered if I had the wrong guy. He blinked and finally mustered the words, “Sorry… I was taken aback.” He opened the door to Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar, and from there, it was magic. We fell into the kind of effortless conversation that makes time disappear—stories, pure magnetism, the type of spark you’d spend a lifetime looking for. It all clicked. We were inseparable from the get-go, and the rest is history.

^{The Proposal}

After a work trip with Tory Burch in Croatia, we went to the south of Italy on a road trip that ended up being more unforgettable than I could’ve ever imagined. We weaved through the vineyards of Feudi di San Gregorio in Campania, walked Matera’s ancient hills, checked out Alberobello’s trulli homes, and tasted the incredible food throughout Puglia. Eventually, we swept back around and drove our rental car onto a ferry to explore Joseph's Sicilian roots.

After nearly two weeks on the road, I was far from suspecting that this would be the place of our engagement. August 31, 2022... then it happened! Our engagement occurred off the pristine coastline of Sicily’s Riserva dello Zingaro, a breathtaking nature reserve. Joe rented and captained a motorboat for just the two of us. After our happy tears turned to smiles and elation, we continued motoring through the warm Mediterranean waters and anchored our hearts at Tonnara di Scopello. We have a photo of Joe floating in the water just outside the 650+ year-old tuna factory, and unbeknownst to us at the time, this is where we would say, “I do!”

^{The Engagement Ring}

During an après-ski moment in Jackson Hole, and for the only time in my life, I whispered the details of my dream engagement ring to Joe—literally just once. Surprisingly, he remembered it perfectly, as if it had been etched in his heart, and brought it to life with our friends at Nuggets and Carats in Orange County.

My mind still adrift in the Sicilian sea after our engagement, I sketched out the vision for my wedding bands. Nearly two years later, and after a long haul of failed attempts to bring the vision to life, we were serendipitously connected with Jacquie Aiche. Together, we created a ring adorned with a single cosmo, diamond, and rose—symbols of our ever-blooming love and the flowers woven through our story.

Our Wedding

^{The Vision}

We wanted our wedding to feel like love in its purest form—rooted in connection, community, and the kind of joy that brings out everyone’s inner child. For my makeup, I drew inspiration from a mix of Galliano bride and ethereal siren. I did it myself: soft, icy tones washed over the eyes, velvet matte skin, and contoured nude lips—natural, but elevated enough to feel fitting for the special day. I always envisioned my hair long, straight, and dark, with a subtle touch of vintage romance—something timeless, yet entirely me. A quiet thread of inspiration throughout our planning was Victoria and David Beckham’s July 1999 wedding. I’ve always admired how unapologetically themselves they’ve remained—and how effortlessly they balance elegance with authenticity.

^{The Location}

Tonnara, in Scopello, Sicily. After our engagement, once the happy tears gave way to laughter and pure elation, we set off across the warm Mediterranean waters. We eventually found ourselves at Tonnara di Scopello—a place that felt like it had been waiting for us all along. I still have a photo of Joe floating in the sea just beyond the 650-year-old tuna factory—completely unaware that, one day, this very spot would be where we’d say, “I do.”

^{The Ceremony}

The ceremony was one of the most magical moments I’ve ever experienced. From the beginning, it felt like time stood still. Whether it was the rush of writing my vows 15 minutes before, or the feeling of walking down the aisle with so much love surrounding us and my soulmate waiting on the other end—it was perfect. Our officiant and bestie, Matty Brown, said it best at the onset of the ceremony: “This just feels right.” Hearing my soon-to-be husband’s vows was honestly one of the most special experiences of my life—beyond my wildest dreams.

Our textile artist—and now dear friend—Mia Sylvia captured the spirit of our wedding more beautifully than I ever could. She wrote: “In this corner of the world, by the clearest waters of Sicily, love was not just a word but a living, breathing force—timeless as the tides, enduring as the stones beneath their feet. And in that moment, surrounded by care, love, and magic, the world seemed to pause—just for them.” And in my heart, it truly did.

This Galliano-Inspired Bride Brought Mermaidcore Magic to Her Wedding in Sicily

^{The Reception}

After a sunset aperitivo featuring live cooking stations, fresh seafood, and Planeta wines, our guests seamlessly transitioned to a dreamy seaside dinner. The air was filled with timeless melodies played on a 9-foot concert piano, accompanied by a soulful saxophonist—setting the perfect soundtrack for the evening. Mia Sylvia and her team brought to life an ethereal dinner setting that exceeded every expectation—an absolute vision of beauty and elegance.

Natale Giunta’s world-class cuisine delighted every palate, nourishing our guests before we danced under the stars on the terrace with waves crashing below. We kept the party going in an on-site space we dubbed the “rave cave.” The unforgettable afterparty, led by Yaya Visconti and DJ Beefsteak (Kurt Heimpel), continued until the sun rose above the horizon and pastel colors filled the sky. The energy was electric, pulsating through every corner as guests embraced their Sicilian Siren looks. One of the night’s most magical moments was an impromptu sneak peek of my debut song, FOREVER VII, which was just released in May 2025.

This Galliano-Inspired Bride Brought Mermaidcore Magic to Her Wedding in Sicily

^{The Special Touches}

The unwavering support of our planners, Rossini Weddings, alongside the incredible artists and vendors we partnered with, wrapped our celebration in intimate details that left both us and our guests utterly speechless.

Our Style

^{The Bridal Looks}

Shortly after our engagement, I knew I wanted a dress that was either vintage or made hand-in-hand with a designer I felt connected to. All of that and more became a reality through the opportunity to work with DiPetsa. Having been enthralled by the artistic and sculptural feminine form of Dimitra’s designs, it was the cosmic connection I had been dreaming of.

The wedding look was a combination of Dimitra’s bespoke WetLook technique, vintage lace, and clear quartz and pearls garnishing my neckline. The afterparty look was adorned with accents of quartz, pearls, and a beaded headpiece with a matching cape. On our last call prior to the wedding, we decided to do the entire look in black—talk about making a splash!

^{The Groom Looks}

Joe had one primary condition for his tux: uniquely timeless. By chance—or divine intervention—he locked eyes on a double-breasted tux, a modern iteration designed by Off-White. Fittingly, it was an Italian-based company with U.S. roots, much like Joe’s Italian heritage and Southern California upbringing.

^{Our Guests’ Looks}

In our eyes, if you were at our wedding, you’re family. That feeling was important for us to reflect, so we chose not to follow the traditional bridesmaids/groomsmen format. That said, it was a beach wedding, so the mood board featured a palette of metallic neutrals, luxurious purples, and elegant black to counterbalance the earthy terrain.

This Galliano-Inspired Bride Brought Mermaidcore Magic to Her Wedding in Sicily

Our Advice

^{For the Planning Process}

At the onset, during our first-ever planning session (on the beach in Santa Monica), we curated our Foundational Formula for Happiness: Always remember: this is our day. Prioritize happiness and comfort. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Ensure each other’s input is taken into consideration.

^{For On the Day}

Don’t wait until the last minute to write your vows! Both of us wrote ours just minutes before the ceremony began!

^{For Post-Wedding}

Take your time… be patient. There’s plenty of time to get photos and videos out to the world. Enjoy the first few days together as newlyweds, basking in each other’s energy and love.