June
30th
Starting July 1st, foreigners visiting the renaissance capital of the world – Florence, Italy – will find an extra charge on their hotel bill when they leave: a hefty 3 euros per day for staying in a hotel downtown. The new ‘bed’ tax is being appealed by hotelliers, but there’s no guarantee they’ll win.
In the meantime, if you’re planning a wedding in Florence and you want to avoid being charged for sleeping over, just move your party to the outskirts – which just happens to be the nicest area to stay in anyway!
The Chianti countryside is made up of neighboring cities where the bed tax is not applied, so you save up to 30 euros when you check out. Plus, pricing is more competitive and the welcome is Italian family style. A short drive takes you there and your civil ceremony can be held in the quaint, tuscan town halls of your choice.
Contact Bonnie Marie for more information: info at myweddingsandmore dot com
Tags: civil wedding in Italy, getting married in italy, wedding in Florence, Wedding in Tuscany, wedding planner in tuscany
Posted in Italian News, Italian Wedding Ideas, Stuff about Florence, Tips for Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Florence, Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Tuscany | No Comments »
June
30th
The Florence City Council ruled in favor of applying a 3 euro/night tax on all non-residents staying in hotels. The maximum charge is limited to 30 euros (10 days). Hotels in the city have joined together and are appealing the ruling, which is effective from July 1st.
Tags: getting married in italy, wedding in Florence, wedding planner in italy, wedding planner in tuscany
Posted in Italian News, Stuff about Florence, Tips for Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Florence, Weddings in Tuscany | No Comments »
June
30th
Hurray!! Delta and Alitalia announced they are reinstating a non-stop flight between the Leaning Tower and the Big Apple. Six flights a week during summer up to October 28th. Get your tickets now (starting from $995/E840)!
Tags: Fun Weddings in Italy, getting married in italy, travel in Italy, Wedding in Tuscany, wedding planner in tuscany
Posted in Italian Ideas, Italian Wedding Ideas, Tips for Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Italy | No Comments »
May
16th
One of the most beautiful brides I’ve ever seen in my decade of planning weddings in Italy inspired style rule #6 for Italian brides. Jewelry should be minimal and should not overshine the radiance of the wearer. Parures are ok if tasteful and in tune with the wedding gown. The no-no is a wristwatch: however designer, whoever the giver, whenever the ceremony. The only one keeping time on your wedding day should be your planner.
Tags: getting married in italy, Italian Wedding Accessories, Italian Wedding Style, wedding planner in italy, weddings in italy
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April
10th
My all time favorite for Italian wedding gowns is Atellier Aimee’ (pronounced a-tell-yeah em-ay). They have three collections: Precious Princess Glamour, Young Romantic Dreamer, and Sophisticated Chic Elegant. Their idea for young brides is a bold statement: springtime patterns, vivacious colors, sensual fabric. The 10 year anniversary album shows off slendering corsets and fluffy up-dos, plus classic lace and tender pinks. Yummy!
Tags: getting married in italy, Italian Wedding, Italian wedding gowns, romantic weddings in italy, wedding planner in italy, weddings in italy
Posted in Diary of a Wedding, Italian Gowns, Tips for Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Italy | No Comments »
April
2nd
You have the gown you’ve been dreaming of since you were a little girl, so don’t stop now:
GET THE SHOES!
If you want to feel better about spending sooooo much on a pair you may only wear once, well then go and clean out your closet and give your gently worn wear-no-more shoes to Sole4Souls and they will make sure someone who needs them, gets them.
If you’d like to spread more of the love, ask your maid of honor to host a shoe drive at your bridal shower and have your girlfriends donate too.
Just think: there are over 300 million children without shoes. So there’s an idea for your baby shower too 
http://www.sole4souls.org
http://www.facebook.com/GiveShoes
Tags: Italian Wedding Accessories, Italian wedding event, Italian Wedding Shoes, wedding planner in italy
Posted in Diary of a Wedding, Italian Ideas, Tips for Weddings in Italy | No Comments »
March
3rd
As a sequel to 5 Style No-no’s, here’s what you ought to be wearing to an Italian Wedding with real Italians:
For the boys it’s easy – always black tie (tuxedo, no tails), three piece suit, or formal two piece suit; no flowery ties or socks, no pin stripes. Suits should be dark blue or gray, no patterns, socks match the color of the suit, black shoes. Elegance for Italian men means initials on his shirt, cuff links and an expensive watch (most married Italian men get a Rolex from the in-laws). Go easy on the rest of the jewelry, if he wears an earring, just a stud. Mandatory black tie should be mentioned in the invitation (in Italian it’s called a ‘tight’) but it may be common knowledge based on the venue. Gala venues are usually in a ‘palazzo’, sometimes a ‘villa’.
(accessories courtesy of Brides of North Texas)
For the girls, weddings are a great excuse to go shopping and buy a new dress – NEVER wear the same dress to two weddings unless they’re held in different countries and no one you know will EVER see the pictures of BOTH!!
If it is a gala dinner, full length evening gowns are a must. If it’s not a gala, women have a much greater selection of outfits to choose from. If the wedding is catholic, shoulders and neckline should be covered in church. Headware is not mandatory nowadays, though some traditionalists will wear a hat or light veil.
Funny as it may seem, pantyhose are not mandatory. Legs should however, be waxed and tanned. Italian women usually wear heels, even when there’s a lot of walking to do and EVEN if it’s on cobblestones (they will go to great lengths for style).
Colors: no black, white or purple. Clutch, no shoulder bags. Lots of tasteful (expensive) jewelry. 
Tags: Fun Weddings in Italy, Italian Wedding, romantic weddings in italy, wedding planner in italy, wedding planner in tuscany
Posted in Diary of a Wedding, Events in Italy, Italian Guys, Italian Ideas, Tips for Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Tuscany | No Comments »
February
22nd
Somebody twittered me @weddingitaly and asked, “why’d you call your blog spaghetti and meatballs? I thought you did weddings in Italy… ”
And I answered the same thing I always do and said, “I bet you think spaghetti and meatballs is Italian, right? Well, it’s not.”
Sometimes it’s hard to explain what it’s like living abroad, but this morning I came across a really cute blog post via Italytutto by a fellow-Californian who lives in Venice. Italy to Los Angeles and Back is an easy read and consolation for expats. Thanks Marie :0)
To get back on topic, spaghetti and meatballs is an attempt to tear down the cliches about Italy and Italians and bring out the truth about what goes on in Italy, how Italians act and think, and anything else readers are interested in finding out about before they visit or get married here. The information on this blog comes from Italy itself, from people who live here (like me), and from real eye-talians.
Now here’s what Italians say about spaghetti and meatballs plus two other tourist menu favorites: caprese and spaghetti with tomato sauce: Continue reading…
Tags: Fun Weddings in Italy, getting married in italy, Italian foodies, Italian Wedding, wedding planner in tuscany
Posted in Diary of a Wedding, Italian Ideas, Real Italian Food, Tips for Weddings in Italy | 2 Comments »
December
2nd
Now THIS is a green bouquet!
Green Calas for a Bride in Florence
Tags: getting married in italy, Green Italian Wedding, wedding in italy italian bouquet Florence Tuscany, Wedding in Tuscany, wedding planner in italy
Posted in Diary of a Wedding, Italian Ideas, Stuff about Florence, Tips for Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Tuscany | No Comments »
September
13th
If you aren’t a Twilight fan now, you will be after you spend a little time in the Italian town of Montepulciano which was the set for New Moon, the second saga in the series. The sunlit square Edward Cullen walks out into is Piazza Grande and the clock tower in the background is the one on top of the town hall where weddings are held and where bride and groom can climb up to for a Hollywood-style photoshoot.
Without the Hollywood crowds, surprisingly enough. Although a well-known destination for wine-lovers, downtown Montepulciano is never really packed. You and your wedding party can leisurely stroll the streets without having to elbow your way through hoards of tourists, mouths gaping in awe at the beauty of the place.
Piazza Grande panorama by Uwe Buecher c/o 360cities.net
There’s plenty of room for your photoshoot as Piazza Grande is just that: GRANDE! Your photographer will have no trouble dodging strangers who don’t belong in your album. Less editing people out with Photoshop too.
No crowds, great photoshoots, so what’s number 3?
While it’s not the price of the civil ceremony (a whopping 1,000 euros), it is the price of accommodations nearby. Plenty of wonderful stone farmhouses where you can enjoy fine Tuscan food and the local noble wine.
Tags: civil wedding in Italy, Fun Weddings in Italy, getting married in italy, Italian Wedding, Wedding in Tuscany, wedding planner in italy
Posted in Diary of a Wedding, Italian Ideas, Tips for Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Italy, Weddings in Tuscany | No Comments »
