With friends and family in Italy’s capital, Emanuele and Sarah knew their destination wedding couldn’t be celebrated anywhere but Rome. The historic city offered an amazing culture along with unbeatable food and weather that proved to be perfect for the couple’s dream wedding.

“We wanted something that would make everybody happy,” says Sarah. “Rome was the best option.”

With a stunning venue that housed the guests and a secret garden where the celebration took place, the couple was enamored with the idea of visiting and tying the knot in Rome. The ceremony was an intimate gathering with a brightly-colored flower arch and an aisle of bright pink and soft white petals – elegant enough for the lovely couple.

Coordinating with vendors from afar, the couple describes planning a destination wedding as stressful, but worth the experience. Online reviews, email and Skype proved to be the couple’s best friend, allowing them to make their decisions on a venue, photographer and band.

Happy with the overall decision to have a destination wedding, the couple also felt like they spent less money by doing so. “Our wedding would have been very different had we not held it away from home,” the couple says. “It wouldn’t have had the same atmosphere or been as successful.”

With small, handmade details by the bride sprinkled all around the celebration, the couple made the wedding truly theirs. Sarah made the table cards and bombonieres, a typical Italian favor for their guests.

We asked the bride to share some advice on planning a destination wedding for any couple who might be planning their own. “Try not to stress about the little things,” the bride says. “It also really helped getting to know our vendors before choosing them.”

Vendors: Photographer: Jay Studio Photography, Ceremony/Reception Site: Borgo di Tragliata, Florist: I fiori di Donatella, Cake: Borgo di Tragliata, Hair & Makeup: Janita Helova, Gown Designer: Raimon Bundó, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Adriana Sposi, Bridesmaids/Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: Les Trois Soeurs, Music: The Italian Wedding Band