In a September 2019 interview, Francisca Lachapel spoke about her engagement to Francesco Zampogna, their connection to her Dominican roots and family, and a wedding they were then planning for 2020. The couple later married in two ceremonies: a civil wedding in Florida in December 2019 and a religious ceremony in the Dominican Republic in May 2022.
What Francisca Lachapel shared about her love story
People en Español published its interview with Lachapel on September 6, 2019, when she was a co-host of Despierta América and engaged to Zampogna. She described their relationship through the way he connected with her family and embraced Dominican culture. People en Español’s interview recounts their first trip together to the Dominican Republic: Lachapel said she was nervous about making a good impression, while Zampogna already knew places to visit and ordered beer and tostones.
The interview’s playful headline phrase, “He’s more Dominican than I am,” captured her affection for how naturally he engaged with her culture. She also described him as getting along warmly with her family; her mother and brother were included in the interview’s account. Zampogna, speaking to Lachapel, told her, “You make me a better person.”
The engagement and wedding plans she described
According to the 2019 interview, Zampogna proposed during a trip to Dubai in December 2018. At the time, the couple was looking ahead to a wedding in 2020. Lachapel said of her happiness, “I’m happy, you can’t hide that.” These were plans and feelings reported in 2019—not an announcement that they were still engaged or planning a future wedding.
#1 Best Overall
- The Complete Wedding Planner - Our 132 page wedding planning book and organizer is designed for American weddings, with lots of helpful pointers, tips and budget savvy advice.
- Countdown Calendar - The 18-month countdown calendar helps you organize your days, and the 12-month bullet point checklist ensures nothing gets missed. Keep track of appointments, trials, fittings, vendors, food tastings and more.
- Keep Notes & Plans Organized - This easy-to-use wedding organizer includes notes sections at every interval, plus handy wallets for keeping magazine cutouts, fabric swatches, photos and inspiration.
- A Great Engagement Gift - Our wedding diary makes a great gift for brides to be. Every aspect of the wedding is covered, giving you one less thing to worry about.
- Wedding of Your Dreams - Plan the wedding you envision, whether that’s with traditional customs, or your own unique preferences. Our planner has the flexibility to do either.
What happened after the interview
The civil wedding in Florida
Later reporting by People en Español says Lachapel and Zampogna married civilly in Naples, Florida, on December 31, 2019. That ceremony took place before the 2020 wedding they had discussed in the interview. People en Español’s report on the civil wedding gives the date.
The religious ceremony in the Dominican Republic
On May 6, 2022, the couple held a religious wedding ceremony in La Romana, Dominican Republic. Univision’s account says their young son Gennaro was present. Univision’s coverage of the ceremony describes the celebration.
Rank #2
- Beautiful Boho Design: Featuring a gorgeous Pampas Grass and Boho Flowers design with an elegant cover, rose gold spiral wire, and corner protectors. This planner is not only functional but also a keepsake you’ll cherish for years.
- Comprehensive Planning Sections: Includes 132 pages organized into thematic tabs for wedding vision, budgeting, guest list, vendors, and wedding day. Convenient pockets hold magazine cut-outs, business cards, and notes.
- Easy Wedding Planning: Designed to cover every aspect of your wedding, ensuring you don't miss a detail. Ideal for both brides and grooms, helping you plan your dream wedding effortlessly.
- Portable & Convenient: Perfect size to bring to all your vendor appointments or graduation party. Keep track of fittings, floral arrangements, cake tastings, and more with ease. Always have your plans and notes handy.
- Perfect Engagement Gift: A thoughtful and practical gift for any bride-to-be. Help them stay organized and stress-free with this beautiful wedding planner book.
Family milestones reported later
A People en Español retrospective updated December 8, 2024, reports that Gennaro was born on July 7, 2021, and that the couple’s second son, Franco, was born in February 2024. Those are the family milestones included in that retrospective; they do not establish any later developments. Read the retrospective on Francisca and Francesco’s relationship.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Beautiful Modern Striped Design - Plan Your Wedding In Style: The wedding book planner comes in a modern striped design w/ a lovely, elegant cover! Sure to become a cherished keepsake that you’ll love to browse through in later years
- Excellent Structure w/ Tabbed Sections & Pockets: 122 pages, organized in thematic tabs (wedding vision, budgeting, guest list, vendors, wedding day) w/ clever pockets for magazine cut-outs, business cards & more, offering plenty of space for notes, checklists & inspiration
- Plan The Wedding Of Your Dreams - With Ease: The adorable wedding planner book and organizer for the bride and groom is the perfect companion for planning the ultimate wedding! Covering all the topics you have thought of & perhaps not have thought of yet, it leads you into your wedding day seamlessly
- Always At Hand - Great For Appointments w/ Vendors: What a great way to have everything safely in one place & for staying on track with appointments, fittings & more! Thanks to the handy format you can easily take the wedding planner to meetings for floral arrangements, wedding cakes & more
- Heartfelt Engagement Gift For Couples: The cute wedding planning book and organizer by ZICOTO makes a fantastic & useful gift for any groom- & bride-to-be!
Rank #4
- Beautiful Modern Striped Design - Plan Your Wedding In Style: The wedding book planner comes in a modern striped design w/ a lovely, elegant cover! Sure to become a cherished keepsake that you’ll love to browse through in later years
- Excellent Structure w/ Tabbed Sections & Pockets: 122 pages, organized in thematic tabs (wedding vision, budgeting, guest list, vendors, wedding day) w/ clever pockets for magazine cut-outs, business cards & more, offering plenty of space for notes, checklists & inspiration. The perfect engagement gift for couples
- Plan The Wedding Of Your Dreams - With Ease: The adorable wedding planner book and organizer for the bride and groom is the perfect companion for planning the ultimate wedding! Covering all the topics you have thought of & perhaps not have thought of yet, it leads you into your wedding day seamlessly
- Always At Hand - Great For Appointments w/ Vendors: What a great way to have everything safely in one place & for staying on track with appointments, fittings & more! Thanks to the handy format you can easily take the wedding planner to meetings for floral arrangements, wedding cakes & more
- Heartfelt Engagement Gift For Couples: The cute wedding planning book and organizer by ZICOTO makes a fantastic & useful gift for any groom- & bride-to-be!
Rank #3
- Unique Cover Design Wedding Planner Book and Organizer: Our wedding planner stands out with its bold cover featuring the phrase "JUST GOT REAL" adding humor and personality to your wedding planning journey
- Your Professional Assistant for a Dream Wedding: The wedding planner provides expert guidance to help you prioritize your needs. A guest list section is included before the budgeting pages. Each subject is marked with 10 different colored tabs for easy navigation. With 196 pages of worksheets, lists, and tips, it covers 10 subjects: Budgeting, Venues & Music, Stationery, Attire & Beauty, Catering & Bakery, Photography & Videography, Florals & Decor, Wedding Day Timeline, Honeymoon, and Wedding Tips. The 18-month countdown calendar helps you organize your time. Pockets inside the front and back covers keep notes, photos, and planning materials organized
- Thoughtful Engagement Gift: Perfect for newly engaged couples, our wedding planning book and organizer doubles as a thoughtful engagement gift. It helps them begin their wedding planning journey with ease and excitement
- Imagining Your Dream Wedding: Envision your dream wedding effortlessly with our planner. From selecting venues and attire to planning the perfect ceremony, it guides you through every detail to create unforgettable moments
- Best Wishes from Us: Thank you for choosing our wedding planner and organizer. We bless your love and commitment. May your hearts be filled with patience, kindness, and understanding. We hope this planner helps you face challenges together and cherish beautiful moments
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Recommended Free Tools
