For destination wedding planner Xanath Bañuelos, planning over 100 weddings taught her a lot—but nothing could have prepared her for the emotional experience of planning her own. When her now-husband Luigi proposed during a sunset stroll through Rome’s Giardino degli Aranci, she had no idea just how unforgettable their wedding in the Vatican City would be.

A Vatican Love Story

The couple’s story actually began in the heart of Vatican City. “We met in Italy. I was walking around St Peter Square, wondering which was the right door to knock on to get my passes to see Pope Francis’ audience the day after,” Xanath says. “Luigi—dressed in his hot Italian police man uniform—offered to help Xanath get the best seats… if I said ‘yes’ to a glass of wine together.”

Though the seats weren’t the best, the connection was. One lunch turned into a long-distance love story, culminating in a proposal and, eventually, a wedding that brought together guests from six continents.

“We explored several destinations within Italy but landed on Rome thanks to its connectivity… and getting a magical YES from St. Peter Basilica made the decision very easy,” the bride says. Rome’s accessibility, paired with the spiritual and personal significance of the basilica, made it the perfect destination.

A Celebration That Spanned a Week

The wedding festivities began with an intimate “Welcome to Italia” dinner at Vecchia Roma, followed by gelato at Luigi’s favorite spot. The next day, 97 guests boarded buses to Naples for what the couple calls a “REAL pizza tour,” a nod to Luigi’s Neapolitan roots. “It was pure Napolitan craziness—in the best way,” Xanath says. That night, the first afterparty kicked off in Rome at a cozy cocktail bar, setting the tone for the celebrations to come.

A trilingual walking tour of Rome gave guests a glimpse of the Eternal City, while an aperitivo night that evening served Aperol Spritz, tequila, and mezcal under a Mexican dress code. “Watching my cousins become travel buddies and seeing guests from six different countries find a shared language was pure magic,” the bride says.

The night ended at an Irish pub—an homage to Xanath’s years spent in Galway—where Guinness and traditional Irish singing blended with Latin dancing and laughter.

The Ceremony: Sacred & Cinematic

The couple tied the knot inside the world’s most iconic Catholic church, surrounded by family, friends, and a nine-person gospel choir. “We chose St. Peter Basilica as this is the place we met, both bride and groom’s family are active Catholics—marrying their children at the head of the Catholic Church was a dream come true they never imagined.”

Xanath’s grandfather walked her down the aisle, while gospel voices echoed against the grand architecture. The ceremony was printed and read in three languages to honor the multicultural crowd.

The Reception: Glamour Meets Contingency Planning

The reception followed a romantic color palette of green, white, and black. The production team, flown in from Mexico, transformed the space with custom florals, draping, candlelight, and personalized seating. The bride wore an elegant gown designed by Punto Bride in Mexico, while Luigi looked dapper in a custom-made Italian suit by Lubiam and Xacus.

The reception took place at Tenuta Pantano Borghese, a 45-minute drive from the Vatican. Though the weather had been perfect leading up to the big day, an unexpected drop in temperature and rain forced the team to shift the entire layout last-minute. Thankfully, the venue offered a weather backup.

“Pantano Borgese was chosen thanks to the outstanding service and great assistance from the venue’s team AND of course, their venue offered a weather backup, a must for us,” the bride asserts.

Despite the inclement weather, spirits remained high. Two live bands and a DJ ensured the dance floor never emptied.

Looking back, the couple wouldn’t change a thing. Their advice? “Be patient and book early! In Italy, brides secure venues 18–24 months in advance to guarantee a weekend date,” Xanath says. They also recommend clear communication with caterers, since Italian weddings traditionally separate dinner and dancing.

From a sunset proposal to a week-long celebration that brought global guests together in the name of love, Xanath and Luigi’s wedding was more than just a destination event—it was the culmination of their journey, made even more magical by faith, family, and one unforgettable glass of wine.

Vendors: Photographer: Cossu Photography; Videographer: @gallardo.films; Wedding Planner: Xanath Banuelos; Florists: @tequierofelizxb & @luisalbertosalastrejo; Stationery: @verymerryweddings; Cake: @sciamannini.ricevimenti; Hair & Makeup: @gamalvarez_hairandmakeup & @luxe_beauty_experts; Gown Designer: @puntobridemx; Groom’s Suit: @l.b.m.1911_official & @xacus; Entertainment: @mikelyfamilyband; Wedding PR: @myplannerjournal