Just too unique. Sorry my photographer friends, I took these myself and wanted to post them right away because the emotion behind being in Venice is overwhelming …
Ok, so there are way too many tourists
Way too many boats
never enough gondoliers
but then there are amazing storefronts
authentic restaurants
wondrous ways to dispose of rubbish
a universal language
oh yes, and one of the most breathtaking backdrops for your wedding
and then some
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!
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. 
Traditional, personalized, glamorous, old-fashioned – design your wedding to reflect yourself and your feelings when you’re together. Just like Jen, your Zen will influence your choice of venue but unlike the star, yours is geared to accommodate the two of you.
Just ask Heather and Greg, who eloped to Florence and soaked up every minute of bliss in the old renaissance town. Even on their military budget (active duty get 50% off with us) their legal wedding was regal and romantic.
Heather and Greg
If you’re connected right now, go to Italian TV and watch young chef Mario Bacherini show you how to make the ultimate pizza. Easy, tasty, and fun.
Young cooks are popping up like bean sprouts and hitting the TV screen by the numbers. We just talked about two of them (see our post on November 7th) and here are two more for you.
Aside from Mario Bacherini, a traditional tall, dark and handsome Italian who takes you through the basics of Italian cuisine like how to make batter, pizza, and crackers (wow!), Mattia Poggi entertains the masses with innovative dishes showing how you can cook like a pro on a tight schedule.
Any way you look at it, cooking in Italy is definitely still IN!
Wedding in Tuscany
July is the epicenter of sunflower season in Tuscany and this is when colors erupt and the maize-colored haze flows across the fields like lava. Warm summer breezes fragranced with wheat spikelets glide smoothly over the hillsides, soaking the air with that je ne sais quoi …. young lovers unite and celebrate!
In 2009 Tuscany made a come back as the top place to be even during the warmest months. And as civil weddings in Italy become easier and cheaper, more dreams come true for those brides counting on a magical destination wedding. Whether it be in a castle, a villa, a farmhouse, or in the middle of a sunflower field, an unforgettable Italian celebration is in store for you!
Viva gli sposi!
Watch our slide show to the tune of Andrea Bocelli!
