Matthew Robbins Design and Robbins Otoya Senior Event & Wedding Planner Melissa Deane and Scott Simone, the managing editor of Yahoo Life Shopping, first met as she was moving into their Brooklyn apartment. She had just packed up her life from Ireland, and they were sharing a flat with two other roommates.
Over the next six months, they became fast friends. Once Melissa moved out, their romantic relationship began. “Some may say it was the greatest love story in the history of Craigslist,” Scott laughs.
After seven years together, Scott proposed during their European holiday in Florence. The week prior, Melissa’s dad met them in Nice, and Scott asked his permission to marry Melissa. With his blessing, Scott arranged the proposal and put a plan in motion to get a Negroni at Café Gilli with their photographer friend. He and Melissa then walked to the Duomo—her favorite landmark in the world—where he got down on one knee.
Once engaged, the couple thought back to their summers at Conti di San Bonifacio—a seven-room villa in the hills—and knew it was the place they wanted to get married. Melissa’s team from work really jumped in to help curate the design and flow of the weekend. They even incorporated local elements like handmade custom plates from Italian ceramicist Ceramore and vintage newspapers from the local town.
“As a wedding planner I, of course, had to have a hand in planning my own wedding, but behind any and every wedding is a team, and I was lucky to have a great deal of help from my bosses, Matthew Robbins and Luis Otoya and also some close friends in the planning world!” the bride exclaims. The Vintage Inkwell set the tone with a beautiful invitation suite, and photographer Shawn Connell and Reeling Films were there throughout the weekend to capture every milestone moment.
Since Melissa decided to forgo an all-white look for her spring ceremony, she opted to wear a white Lanvin dress with Erdem earrings and Jimmy Choos to the welcome party. The bride’s friend and bridal stylist Maisie-Kate Style helped curate all her outfits.
On May 20, 2023, Melissa got ready with friends who she met through the wedding industry over the years. Ashlee Glazer and Olivia Halpin gave the bride a loose bun and natural makeup, making her feel like the best version of herself.
Then, Melissa put on Monique Lhuillier’s Bloom dress to complement the lush surroundings of the venue. She paired it with Manolo Blahnik linen heels with a sweet pearl buckle and Erin Rhyne earrings. Scott perfectly complemented his bride’s dress in a custom dark green J.Meuser suit.
Because of the rainy weather, the ceremony was moved from the vineyard to atop a hill surrounded by olive trees. Guests mingled and sipped Prosecco, as a string trio from OneOrchestra Group set the romantic tone. Then, Melissa walked down the aisle with her father to “O Sole Mio.”
Melissa’s cousin, Clare, officiated the intimate ceremony, which featured a script that the groom had written himself. The bride’s brother, Chris, read a love letter from Mark Twain to his future bride, followed by the groom’s sister, Nicole, with an excerpt from “A Farewell to Arms” by Ernest Hemingway—two of Scott’s favorite writers. “The ceremony was very emotional, especially for Scott who shed far too many tears,” Melissa laughs. “The culmination of seven years together, expressing our love to one another in our favorite place in the world in front of those closest to us was honestly overwhelming.”
Because of the weather, the reception too was moved. Guests dined in the villa at one long table, decorated with florals by Melissa’s team from Matthew Robbins Design and Robbins Otoya and Pina Cate. Pianist Michael Amadi created a special ambiance during the meal.
Since the couple love a classic Negroni, they brought in bartender Antonello Palermo to complement the delicious four-course Italian meal. Matthew and Luis also surprised Melissa with the master Negroni-maker and bar manager at Il Pellicano Hotel.
After dinner, the dancing commenced on the back terrace under shimmering disco balls. DJ Maxwell of ALR Music and a saxophonist kept everyone moving, while espresso martinis and midnight pizza further fueled the party.
Right after the wedding, the newlyweds headed to Il Pellicano (sans the bar manager) to take a few days to reminisce and relax.
