Destination Rome: The Vatican

Rome, also known as the Eternal City, is one of the ultimate destination wedding locations for couples looking for a unique and enriching experience. For some who travel there, it is the ambiance that surrounds the ancient city as the birthplace of St. Valentine, for others it is the embodiment of the romance that surrounds Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant in the movie Roman Holiday. But for another type of bridal couple, it is not the Eternal City itself that draws them, but the small independent country that lies within it's midst: The Vatican.

At just over 100 acres of land, Vatican City is the world's smallest country, complete with its own currency, postal stamps and police force. The administrative and spiritual capital of the Catholic Church, nestled within it's heavily guarded walls are two of the most famous churches in the world: The Cistine Chapel, used for the private masses of the Pope and his Bishops, famous for it's magnificent ceiling artistry created by Michealangelo, and the larger equally famous St. Peter's Basilica, where couples from around the world can be married and have their wedding blessed by the Pope himself.

Surrounding the Basilica is St. Peter's square where the faithful of the Catholic Church gather by the thousands to celebrate and where the Pope on Wednesday's during his general audience, dispenses his blessing to those Sposi Novelli (newly married), who come before him.

For those looking to be married at St. Peter's Basilica and those looking to additionally receive a Papal blessing, there is a very daunting and time consuming process ahead, but those few who have been chosen for the privilege say the deeply spiritual meaning it brought to their marriage, made it more that worth all the time and effort that was required.

While some of the paperwork or requirements can take months or even years to fulfil, one simple requirement that the Vatican insists upon, is the attendance of your close family and friends to make the journey with you, with the belief that a wedding is not something that is entered into alone.

Another simple requirement looks to the cultural customs of the Vatican in regards to apparel. For the wedding dress, there can be no presentation of bare shoulders, arms or back, and it must be at least knee length. The same can be said for all bridal attendants and wedding guests in attendance as well. Failure to meet these requirements can have the wedding cancelled even if it is a mere moment away.

To aid you in all of your wedding details, there are services available offered by Paulist Fathers of the Church of Santa Susanna, which can aid you in all of your wedding ceremony preparations and documentation, as well as a number of Vatican approved wedding vendors, who can look after the remainder of your wedding accessories from flowers to favors.

Not your ordinary run of the mill destination wedding location, the Eternal City of Rome, and the Vatican, for those in the Catholic faith is one location, where the journey is as important as the destination.

©2008 Weddingstar Inc.