In a celebration that fused British athletic backgrounds with the timeless grandeur of the Eternal City, sports therapist Megan and professional boxer Zachary wed this past June in Rome, Italy. The event, characterized by its adherence to classic aesthetic principles and traditional Catholic liturgy, took place across two of the city’s most historically significant venues: The Church of San Pietro in Montorio and the prestigious Villa Aurelia. Orchestrated by luxury wedding planner Denise More, the occasion served as a pinnacle moment for the couple, whose relationship began seven years prior in the competitive martial arts circuit. The wedding not only highlighted the couple’s personal journey but also underscored the enduring appeal of Italy as a premier destination for high-end international nuptials.
A Relationship Forged in Competition and Commitment
The union of Megan and Zachary is rooted in a shared passion for martial arts, a field where both spent significant portions of their formative years. They first encountered one another at various competitions, eventually beginning a formal relationship in 2017. Their early years were defined by the logistical challenges of a long-distance relationship, which persisted for approximately two years. The commitment deepened when Zachary relocated to York to reside with Megan and her parents, marking a period of familial integration that Megan describes as foundational to their "close unit" dynamic.
In 2021, the couple transitioned back to Zachary’s home region, purchasing their first property together. The progression from homeowners to a betrothed couple occurred two and a half years later during a hike on the Malvern Hills. Despite heavy rainfall, Zachary proposed at the summit, an event the couple recalls as cinematic in its intensity. Following an 18-month engagement period—a timeframe consistent with the logistical requirements of planning a destination wedding of this scale—the couple finalized their plans for a Roman celebration.
The choice of Rome was not incidental. Having visited the city just eight months into their relationship, the couple had established a long-standing pact to marry there. For Zachary, who was raised in a Catholic household, the religious significance of Rome provided the ideal backdrop for a traditional ceremony, while Megan’s appreciation for the city’s culture and architecture informed the event’s aesthetic direction.
The Ceremonial Proceedings at San Pietro in Montorio
The religious ceremony was held at The Church of San Pietro in Montorio, a site of immense historical and architectural importance located on the Janiculum hill. The church, which is famously associated with the site of St. Peter’s crucifixion, provided a scale that necessitated specific sartorial choices. Megan arrived at the church accompanied by her parents in a traditional wedding vehicle. As an only child, she emphasized the significance of this journey, noting the strength of the bond between her and her parents.
The processional was choreographed with intentionality: Megan’s mother preceded her down the aisle to greet Zachary at the altar, followed by Megan and her father. The musical accompaniment was Pachelbel’s "Canon in D," performed by an organist and a string quartet. This choice fulfilled a lifelong aspiration for Megan, who sought a purely classical, non-vocal atmosphere for the ceremony.
The service was presided over by Monsignor John Kennedy, whose involvement was noted for bringing a sense of "light and joy" to the formal proceedings. As a legal and religious union, the ceremony followed strict Catholic protocols. In lieu of personalized vows, the couple adhered to traditional rites but exchanged private letters on the morning of the wedding to maintain an element of personal intimacy. The involvement of Zachary’s extended family was a focal point, with several aunts and uncles providing readings from the Book of Sirach, the Psalms, and the First Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. The couple’s wedding rings, sourced from Tiffany & Co., were engraved with their wedding date in Roman numerals, serving as a permanent tie to the city of their union.
Architectural Grandeur and Aesthetic Direction
The design brief for the wedding was centered on "timelessness." Megan and Zachary, working alongside Denise More, aimed for an aesthetic that would remain immune to fluctuating trends. This was achieved through a palette of soft neutrals and pastel tones, designed to complement rather than compete with the existing splendor of the Roman venues.
Megan’s attire featured a gown by Milla Nova, a designer known for blending contemporary silhouettes with classic bridal elegance. Discovered at the Wedding Belles of Four Oaks boutique in Sutton Coldfield, the dress featured a long, dramatic train specifically chosen to match the architectural scale of San Pietro in Montorio. Zachary and his party maintained a black-tie dress code, opting for classic tuxedos to reinforce the refined nature of the event.
The floral arrangements, executed by Sartoria Floreale, were a critical component of the day’s visual impact. The installations at the church and the reception tables utilized light colors to maintain an airy, spring-like atmosphere. In a gesture of personal remembrance, Megan attached small photographs to her bouquet depicting her late grandfathers and her deceased pet dog, ensuring their symbolic presence during the walk down the aisle.
The Reception at Villa Aurelia
Following the ceremony, the celebration moved to Villa Aurelia, a 17th-century villa owned by the American Academy in Rome. Known for its panoramic views of the city and its meticulously manicured gardens, the villa provided a regal setting for the evening’s festivities. The transition from the solemnity of the church to the celebratory atmosphere of the villa was bridged by a string quartet, which played throughout the cocktail hour (aperitif) and dinner.
The reception featured several personalized elements that highlighted the couple’s involvement in the planning process. Megan designed the wedding stationery herself, featuring artwork drawn by a close friend. The wedding favors—small bottles of limoncello—were a family effort. Two days prior to the ceremony, the couple and Zachary’s mother and stepfather hand-filled each bottle in their hotel room, providing a traditional Italian memento for the guests. For non-drinkers and children, the alcohol was substituted with traditional sugar sweets.
As the evening progressed, the musical tone shifted from classical to contemporary. To cater to their "love to party," the couple hired a DJ and a saxophonist to lead the evening entertainment. The first dance was performed to Frankie Valli’s "Can’t Take My Eyes Off You," a selection chosen for its upbeat yet classic appeal.
Professional Documentation and Industry Context
The task of capturing the two-day celebration fell to S&M Weddings, an Italian photography and videography team. Their approach focused on a blend of professional documentation and emotional storytelling, capturing both the grand scale of the venues and the intimate details of the decorations. The couple noted that the photographers’ ability to integrate into the event as "friends" allowed for more authentic captures of the joy and love present throughout the weekend.
The wedding of Megan and Zachary reflects a broader trend in the global wedding industry, where Italy remains a top-tier destination for luxury "micro-destination" events. According to market data from the Centro Studi Turistici, the destination wedding segment in Italy has seen a significant post-pandemic resurgence, with the average spend per event increasing as couples prioritize high-quality catering, historic venues, and multi-day experiences. Rome, in particular, benefits from its dual status as a religious center and a cultural capital, attracting couples who seek to combine traditional values with a luxury holiday experience for their guests.
Reflections on a Landmark Celebration
In reflecting on the day, Megan and Zachary emphasized the importance of "taking a breath" to appreciate the fleeting nature of the event. While they acknowledged that their initial "loose" budget was ultimately exceeded, the couple expressed no regret, citing the fulfillment of long-held dreams and the creation of lasting memories with their "strong, close unit" of family and friends.
The success of the event is attributed to the synergy between the couple’s clear vision and the expertise of local Italian suppliers. By choosing a style that Megan described as "clean, classy, elegant, and refined," the couple ensured that their wedding would age as gracefully as the city in which it was held. The marriage of a sports therapist and a professional boxer in the heart of Rome stands as a testament to the power of a shared vision and the enduring allure of the Italian wedding tradition.
Broader Implications for the Wedding Industry
The logistical success of this international wedding highlights the critical role of specialized destination planners like Denise More. Coordinating a legal Catholic ceremony for foreign nationals involves significant bureaucratic and ecclesiastical navigation. The ability to execute such an event seamlessly reinforces Italy’s reputation as a sophisticated hub for the "wedding tourism" economy, which contributes billions of Euros to the national GDP annually.
Furthermore, the DIY elements of the wedding—such as the hand-filled limoncello and custom stationery—point to a growing trend in the luxury market: "curated personalization." Modern couples are increasingly moving away from "out-of-the-box" luxury packages in favor of bespoke details that tell a personal story, even when operating within a high-budget framework. Megan and Zachary’s wedding serves as a prime example of how traditional elegance and personal narrative can coexist to create a landmark life event.
