Peter McLaughlin and Eddie Guerrero Herrera met in the summer of 2020, connecting online and navigating the early stages of their relationship between lockdowns. They spoke daily throughout the pandemic, checking in on one another while balancing studies and work, before meeting in person on August 11, 2020. By September 2021, they had moved in together—an organic progression shaped by circumstance, consistency, and shared commitment.
One evening at the Harvard Club in New York, what began as a casual happy hour evolved into a conversation about the future. “It wasn’t really planned; it was just a conversation that evolved into a proposal,” Peter shares. “As the conversation continued, we thought: what was the point of waiting?!” Peter proposed then and there, sealing the moment “with a glass of Champagne, since no rings were on hand—literally.”
When it came time to plan their wedding, the setting was closely tied to their families and shared history. With family in Belfast and Lima—and same-sex marriage not legal in Peru—a destination celebration felt inevitable. Italy emerged as the natural choice, a country both had long loved, with Peter having lived in Milan and Eddie returning often while based in the Netherlands. They envisioned an old villa where guests could gather, stay, and fully immerse themselves in the experience. With the guidance of planner Elena Chiaramonti of Italian Wedding Designer, they ultimately chose Borgo Stomennano, where, on August 16, 2024, they gathered family and friends from around the world for a celebration rooted in symbolism, design, and shared history.
The wedding’s aesthetic was led by Peter, who drew on his background in fashion and sustainability. The concept centered on extending the villa’s interiors into the landscape itself—“oriental rugs creating the aisle, chandeliers hanging from trees, and candelabra-decked dining tables covered in ivy as the garden reclaims its power.” Florals by I Fiori di Nadia reinforced that vision, blurring the line between architecture and nature. The result felt layered and intentional, grounded in the setting rather than imposed upon it.
Working together, the couple curated looks that echoed the symbolism woven throughout the celebration. “Eddie wanted fashion, so with Peter’s guidance, they finally settled on two Valentino suits—one incorporating a flower and the other a butterfly,” reflecting the motifs first introduced in their animated digital invitation and ceremony program. Shirts were custom made by a close friend, featuring pearl, linen appliqué, and jet beading, while tailored Bermuda shorts and embroidered silk socks added a contemporary edge.
That symbolism continued through jewelry, as their rose gold engagement and wedding rings were designed by friend Tamsin Rasor and told a deeply personal story. “The engagement ring has the Celtic trinity knots, representing Peter and Eddie as individuals, placed on either side of the Chakana, the Andean cross,” Eddie explains. The wedding bands completed the narrative, connecting the two knots into a single circle.
The ceremony itself was intentionally intimate. Guests were invited to “warm the rings” before proceedings began, laying hands on them to impart blessings and well wishes. A close friend officiated, while other loved ones offered personal readings. Peter and Eddie quite literally tied the knot, using ribbons sourced from Lima in Peruvian and Irish colors, woven into an infinity knot. “Sharing our vows, the beauty of our relation, the strength and depth of our love, in front of our family and friends, was a unique experience that we will treasure for life,” Peter reflects. The ceremony and weekend were documented by D2 Photography, with videography by Saturn Films, capturing both the scale and intimacy of the celebration.
Following the ceremony, guests gathered for aperitivo before sitting down to a multi-course dinner prepared by L’Oste Gentiluomo, featuring regional Italian dishes and wines from the Borgo Stomennano estate. Food was never an afterthought. “Italian food is one of the best cuisines, and we wanted the food to be part of the experience,” Eddie notes. Speeches punctuated the evening before the couple shared their first dance to “Handsome Man” by Matt Alber.
As night fell, the celebration shifted into something more electric. A drag performance by Reggy B brought unexpected glamour, followed by dancing under the stars by the pool and, later, in the cellar until 4 a.m. “It is hard to pick a favorite part,” they admit. “The whole reception was fantastic: the food, the guests, the speeches, the show, the party, and most importantly, the love we felt all the time.”
Afterward, Peter and Eddie traveled to Venice for their honeymoon, staying at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel and immersing themselves in the city’s art, architecture, and history.
