Emily Anne Somers gave Geordie Dylan Robinson her email after meeting one night out in Los Angeles, which he did his best to memorize. The Australian from Sydney accidentally first contacted a 73-year-old woman, who wrote back, “I do love Australians, but I’m happily married and live in Indiana. I hope you find Emily!” Luckily, he managed to get a hold of the original Emily, and after four years together, he proposed to her in Central Park.
Even though Emily had never been to Italy and Geordie only visited as a child, they chose to host their September, 2019 wedding in Tuscany as a meeting point for guests traveling from the U.S. and Australia. The two found their venue, Castello di Montalto, via a Google search and first saw it in-person at the start of the wedding weekend. “The castle is surrounded by woods, which part to reveal olive orchards leading up to the main entrance,” the bride explains. “It has been family-owned for years and is truly a special place.”
Emily found her perfect dress, for the al-fresco wedding, at Australian boutique Grace Loves Lace in Venice, California. And to complete her ensemble, she wore gold floral earrings gifted by Geordie’s grandmother, her own grandmother’s vintage diamond watch, a Grace Loves Lace cathedral veil, and fresh roses in her hair.
On the front lawn of the castle, the bride’s cousin officiated the ceremony, which incorporated Jewish traditions from Emily’s side. And ahead of the trend, they live-streamed their service for those unable to attend. Once announced as husband and wife, George Harrison’s “What is Life” led everyone into the aperitivo in the upper courtyard.
The main reception was in the main courtyard in the center of the castle. The newlyweds shared their first dance to Duran Duran’s “Ordinary World” and welcomed others to join them on the dance floor before sitting down at three long tables for dinner and toasts. Under strung lights and the evening’s stars, Emily’s parents wrote their own lyrics to “Mrs. Robinson”—their daughter’s new last name—and sang their speech to roaring applause.
Parmesan risotto with summer truffle, ravioli, Chianina beef sirloin with Brunello wine sauce, and potatoes and vegetables were served, and the wedding cake was a traditional Italian millefoglie.
Dancing started up again with the Hora, and since the venue didn’t have a curfew, the DJ played until around 2:00 a.m. After, friends of the new Mr. and Mrs. took the party back with them to an apartment in the castle, but the Robinsons crashed.
For their honeymoon, they explored Italy, starting in Florence and spent a lot of time in Cinque Terre, traveling between towns. Emily ended her first trip to Italy in the nation’s capital and said ciao to an amazing time in Italia.
