Jamie and Melony Bascom’s love story began with a spark and a few serendipitous missteps. They met in early 2017 through a mutual friend and instantly clicked, but they didn’t exchange numbers. Months later, Jamie spotted Melony again and asked for her number—but his phone died before the call went through. “We kept missing each other,” Jamie shared. “But once I finally reached out on social media and we had our first date, that was it. We’ve been together every day since.”
With shared Caribbean heritage—Jamie’s family from Guyana and Melony’s from the Dominican Republic—and a deep connection rooted in friendship, they knew early on they were meant to build a life together. After a cozy holiday proposal in Manhattan, they set out to plan the destination wedding of their dreams in just nine months. What transpired was an Italian villa wedding filled with intimacy, beauty, and meaningful moments.
Featured Vendor:
Luigi Reccia
What We Love About this Italian Villa Wedding:
- A full week spent together under one roof in a stunning Italian villa
- The couple prioritized guest comfort, covering accommodations and meals themselves
- A playful welcome party featuring a poolside gathering and pizzas fresh from a brick oven
- Guests arrived at the ceremony in coordinated pastels by family, creating a beautiful “kaleidoscope” of color
- Loved ones played meaningful roles in the ceremony, ensuring everyone felt included
Planning an Intimate Destination Wedding in Italy
“We always knew we wanted an intimate and romantic wedding—something that felt effortless but still really special,” Melony shared. “When we found Domus Laeta, it was over. The venue really did the talking. It had the most breathtaking views, charming rooms, and this natural old-world beauty that didn’t need much else.”
Although planning a wedding abroad can be daunting, Melony took the lead. “I actually really enjoyed being hands-on,” she said. “But I also had so much help from Angela, the villa’s wedding coordinator. She connected us with vendors who totally understood the kind of day we were envisioning: romantic, relaxed, and centered around family.”
With limited time and the added complexity of international logistics, the couple leaned into trusting local experts. “The photographers—Luigi Reccia and his team, Raffaele and Alessandro—were amazing. They didn’t just capture the weekend, they became part of it,” Jamie added. “They had this calming presence that made us both feel at ease.”
Prioritizing People and Experiences Over Perfection
The couple’s number one priority? Their guests. “We wanted our family and friends to just show up and enjoy,” Jamie said. “A lot of them were traveling internationally with kids, and we didn’t want anyone to feel stressed.” Melony and Jamie covered accommodations, meals and transportation for all of their guests, and even planned a sailing trip to Capri as part of the weeklong festivities.
“The villa had more rooms than we had guests, which made it feel like a huge, cozy home we all shared for the week,” Melony said. “We were really intentional about investing in comfort, hospitality, and shared experiences over details that would only last a day.”
Welcome Party with Wood-Fired Pizza
The celebrations began with a laidback welcome party the day before the wedding. “We had a local pizzeria owner come in and make pizza in the villa’s outdoor brick oven,” Melony shared. “It was the perfect way to kick things off—kids running around, everyone catching up, no pressure. Just good food and good company.”
That afternoon, the couple snuck away for portraits in the town of Giungano. “It was so peaceful,” Jamie said. “Just walking the streets, taking in the views, and getting to be together before all the excitement.”
Wedding Day Fashion with a Personal Twist
Jamie’s look was all about classic tailoring with a splash of personality. “I went full James Bond,” he joked. “Classic black tux, real bow tie—which took me weeks to master—and black patent Christian Louboutins with red soles. I even brought new barber gear to groom myself and my brothers.”
Melony found her dress early in the process. “It was actually the first dress I tried on,” she said. “It was everything I imagined—lace, fitted, romantic with a long train and veil. I wanted to feel like myself, but elevated. And I couldn’t do it without Jimmy Choo.”
As a fun and meaningful detail, guests were asked to dress in soft pastel colors, with each family choosing their own hue. “Jamie’s mom called it a kaleidoscope,” Melony smiled. “It created the most beautiful, organic color story throughout the day.”
A Heartfelt Ceremony
Rather than a traditional first look, the couple opted for a quiet moment together before the ceremony. “We met back-to-back in a corridor of the villa,” Jamie said. “Just holding hands, taking a deep breath. It gave us a second to be present together before everything started.”
Their ceremony, held beneath a vine-covered stone arch in the garden, was full of heartfelt moments and meaningful roles. “Every single family member played a part,” Melony said. “Jamie’s dad was our officiant. Our moms held our vow books. Our siblings and godchildren helped with the rings and the aisle. We wanted our families to feel as included as we did.”
Domus Laeta stole the show with its weathered stone, sprawling gardens, and historic charm. “The courtyard had this arch covered in vines that looked like something out of a movie,” Melony said. “That’s where we had our ceremony. It needed almost no decor—it was already perfect.”
Their Best Advice
Reflecting on the week, Jamie and Melony have no regrets. “We wouldn’t change a thing, honestly,” Jamie said. “Every decision led us to that exact experience.”
Their advice to other couples? “Prioritize what matters to you as a couple,” Melony said. “You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do what feels true. The more personal it is, the more magical it becomes.”
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Luigi Reccia
Planning – Angela Voria
Venue – Domus Laeta
Makeup + Hair Styling – Hetty Akotowah Mensah
Wedding Dress – Allure Bridals
The couple would like to send a very special thank you to the venue owners, Camilla and Antonello, and the additional staff, Vicky and Kumar
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