Love, Family, and the Perfect Sicilian Celebration: Markie & Giuseppe’s Wedding at Tonnara di Scopello

Love Story

Their love story begins like something out of a romantic movie - a chance meeting over coffee in the bustling streets of New York City. "You never really believe the saying 'love at first sight' but for us, it truly was," Markie shared with us. What started as an iced cappuccino at La Colombe evolved into wine-filled evenings, and their connection was immediate. "We both knew we had found our person. From there, we were inseparable, meeting family and friends shortly thereafter and building our life together as one."

After five wonderful years together, Giuseppe planned a surprise proposal on their rooftop following a birthday dinner, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

When it came to planning their dream day, Markie and Giuseppe knew exactly what they wanted: "”The ultimate dinner party" followed by "the ultimate dance party,"” as they described it. “Giuseppe and I wanted every moment of our wedding from start to finish to feel incredibly intimate and cozy.” With 130 guests in attendance, they envisioned a celebration that felt like a gathering at one of their family homes - just relocated to a beautiful Sicilian island.

"We didn't want a super traditional wedding, given by our choice to get married in Sicily as opposed to at home in the states," Markie explained.
Their vision came to life through a year of planning, guided by a romantic Mediterranean escape concept that was simple and timeless, with personal touches that represented both families.

"My parents wedding inspired me a lot when planning our wedding, our wedding date is actually the day before theirs so it always felt very special and meant to be, now we share an anniversary just a day apart!" Markie shared. "The love we both have for our families was really such a huge inspiration when planning- we wanted them all to be so proud watching us get married and enjoy the day just as much as we did."

Morning details

The couple's attention to detail was evident from the very start of their wedding journey, beginning with their invitations designed by Little Black Dress Paperie in Morristown, New Jersey. "Patty from LBDP actually designed my sweet 16 invitations so using her and her amazing team for our wedding invites felt like such a full circle moment," Markie told us. The invitations were finished with a special touch - gold thread and a piece of Sicilian red coral, creating keepsakes that became "one of our most cherished pieces from the wedding planning journey."

For their wedding rings, the couple chose meaningful bands that represented both their legal ceremony in the States and their Sicilian celebration. "When it came to choosing my rings we knew we wanted to do bands that would represent our wedding here in the States and in Italy. Giuseppe has always wanted a timeless gold band so his was the easy choice," Markie said. "Mine, well that took a little bit of thought, but turned out so perfect. For our wedding here in New Jersey we went with a timeless gold band to match Giuseppe's, to represent our church wedding, then for our Italy wedding we did a east/west emerald eternity band to match my engagement ring. Layered together they are everything I could ever want. I love that I have that classic sparkle but also something timeless to match Giuseppe."

The only other jewelry Markie wore was her "something borrowed" - a pair of her mother's drop pearl earrings that perfectly complemented her look.

Bride getting ready

Finding the perfect dress was no small feat for Markie, who searched extensively before discovering London-based designer The OWN. "Every girl dreams of finding their perfect wedding dress, it really ends up being such a big part of your day and is such a representation of who you are as a woman," she reflected. "Finding my dress was not easy and god bless my mom, sister, MIL, and SIL who had to put up with me during the process!" After deciding to go the bespoke route, Markie found The OWN, whose team made working from afar "so seamless and easy."

Her wedding morning began in the most relaxed way possible: "I mean it couldn't have felt more perfect! I spent my morning laying by the sea with my mom and sister and best friends soaking in the sun with an aperol spritz in hand!" When it was time to get ready, Markie's mother had gifted everyone Eberjey pajama sets, adding to the luxurious experience. The bridal party prepared in the "Franca" suite at Tonnara di Scopello, with its two balconies overlooking the sea.

"It was so casual and easy getting ready, no pressure or stress," Markie shared. "A moment I will never forget sitting in our bridal suite overlooking the Tyrrhenian sea with the people who matter most to me, blasting ABBA with prosecco in hand."

Her final look included a cathedral-length lace trim veil also from The OWN and pearl-covered shoes gifted by her mother to match her earrings.

Flowers were especially meaningful for Markie, whose mother is a florist. Working with Manuela Motisi, she created a vision that included anemones as a centerpiece of her arrangements. "I knew I wanted my florals to be show-stopping and unique and I wanted our tables to incorporate lots and lots of candles so that when the sun set the vibe was moody and cozy," she explained.

Her bridesmaids wore muted silver metallic dresses from Reformation, with her sister in a special maid-of-honor design.

Groom getting ready

Giuseppe prepared for the day in the "Lucia" apartment at Tonnara di Scopello, surrounded by his groomsmen, family, and friends. His bespoke tuxedo was created by New York City-based master tailor Manolo Costa. "By the time the process came to an end, Manolo felt like family and the entire experience will be one we remember forever," Markie said. "The pride he takes in his craft and business is one that is hard to find nowadays."

The getting-ready moments captured on the apartment's spacious balcony became some of Markie's favorite photos from the day. "The photos from Giuseppe and his men getting ready have actually become one of my favorite moments of the day. Such happiness and love amongst friends and family," she told us with a smile.

Ceremony

The ceremony took place right on the water, with chairs arranged in a semi-circle and an aisle lined with baby's breath. "Our ceremony was so intimate; it truly was a dream," Markie shared. "Our wedding planner, Sofia, set the chairs up in a semi circle with the aisle of baby's bretah in the middle so when Giuseppe and I were standing in the middle we had our bridesmaids and groomsmen circled around us with our parents right in front of us. It just felt so intimate and cozy like everyone was genuinely giving us one big hug."

The couple's younger cousin Avery served as flower girl, wearing "a little white lace shift dress and flower crown" after practicing her petal-tossing technique for months.

Giuseppe's reaction to his bride walking down the aisle was pure emotion: "I mean, she looked absolutely beautiful—her white dress, her long veil, her red lipstick—she was glowing, and she had me glowing," he recalled. "The entire moment felt like a dream. We were in Sicily, standing before our family and friends, in the most breathtaking setting, and all I could see was my future bride walking toward me—it was surreal. A dream, yet a beautiful reality. And we began the rest of our lives, together."

For Markie, the moment was equally powerful: "You are so overcome with emotion walking down the aisle that seeing Giuseppe standing there, the world just faded away and he brought me so much peace, his smile is truly all I saw. It is a moment I will never ever forget and one I will cherish forever."

"Something I will never forget from the ceremony is seeing my parents and my in-laws faces the entire time we were saying our vows to each other and hearing my bridesmaids behind me crying out of happiness," Markie reminisced. "You could feel the love pouring out of that moment."

Photoshoot after the ceremony

Wedding Venue & Decor

Choosing Tonnara di Scopello was a full-circle moment for the couple. During one of their annual trips to Sicily to visit Giuseppe's parents, they had visited this charming beach town.

"As we stood there over looking the Tonnara I looked at Giuseppe and said we will get married here one day, not even engaged yet," Markie recalled. "He giggled, not really thinking a wedding abroad in such a breathtaking place would be a possibility but when it came time to plan our wedding he brought up that moment and we both looked at each other and knew it needed to and was going to happen!"

The wedding decor featured a soft color palette of ivories and natural greens that complemented rather than competed with the venue's natural beauty. "Everything very soft and natural and didnt fight the venue or surrounding water or views at all! Just enhanced!" Markie explained.

Reception

The reception continued the intimate feel of the ceremony, creating what felt like "one big cozy dinner party." Neither of us wanted to get "lost" in the craziness of the day, we knew we wanted to spend as much time together as we could," Markie shared. "We didn't want to leave each others sides once we said I do, we wanted to spend as much time with our families, our friends, the people who mean the most to us and thats exactly what we did."

For their first dance, the couple chose "Strawberries" by Caamp, a band introduced to them by Markie's sister Romie. "their music has always played through our entire relationship so when it came to picking our first dance song it just felt right," Markie explained. A delicious wedding cake by RosaNero Catering crowned the culinary experience.

"Sitting hand and hand with my now husband looking out over all of our family and friends is a moment I know both of us will remember forever," Markie concluded.

Throughout the planning process, the couple worked with exceptional vendors who made planning from afar seamless. "Every single vendor from start to finish was actual perfection. They each made planning our wedding from a far such a breeze, especially our planner Sofia - we felt such an instant connection with her from the start," Markie shared.
Markie and Giuseppe's Sicilian wedding was truly a celebration of love, family, and the beauty of starting a life together in one of the world's most romantic settings.