The beauty of art, the charm of an immortal history, the friendliness of people, the genuine flavours of food and wine… Getting married in Rome is an unique experience; no other city can offer such magical scenery for a wedding as the Italian capital. Two people, an intimate love, an ancient city whose atmosphere is indescribable, these were the elements that made the wedding in Rome of Jo and Shawn an enchanting and unforgettable day.
Edited by Karen Birney
The couple:
Jo and Shawn McDonald
Length of engagement: 3 months
Wedding date: March 30, 2012
Wedding location: Tivoli, Rome, Italy
Wedding co-ordinator: Infinity Weddings & Events
We met… Through mutual friends of ours. Shawn’s best friend and college roommate married a girl I grew up with. She introduced us two years ago.
First impressions… I thought Shawn was fun, and he thought that I was smart and funny!
Our proposal… We didn’t have an ‘official proposal’, we just talked about it one day and decided to get married. Shawn surprised me on our wedding day, and got down on one knee in front of the photographer and ‘officially’ proposed. I had no idea that he was going to do it! It was very special and meant a lot for him to have done that there. It was such a bonus that the moment was captured by our photographers!
Our wedding theme/colours… Our theme was very laid back, we wanted to just live in the moment.
We chose our venue because…. The history and the beauty of the venue was what captured us. We wanted to be close to Rome so it was perfect.
My dress… My dress was white and short. It was perfect for the cityscape and for our photos.
Our ceremony… Our ceremony was private and very intimate. Together we decided that we wanted to be alone, and then come home to our family and friends and celebrate. It was very special and the best moment of my life.
My favourite part of the wedding day… There are so many moments that were special to me, from the start of the day going to the embassy, to shopping for his tie, to getting ready, to getting lost on the way to the venue. My ultimate favourite part was walking through the piazza in Rome (main image) with the photographers and being welcomed by hundreds of people smiling and chanting, the many congratulations, and the overwhelming feeling of love for one another.
My advice for other brides… I could not have done it without Barbara and her team at Infinity Weddings & Events. It was the best experience and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. We couldn’t have asked for more. It was an amazing day.
