Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Back from my Positano Wedding! (Long)

I'm back and married! Here is the Positano part of our trip.

June 12/13, 2004: We left for the airport with my wedding dress in tow. I was a little worried about taking it on the plane because it is a very large ball gown but Delta was very nice about it and helped me find a place to hang it on both of my flights (DFW top Atlanta and Atlanta to Rome). There was no way I was going to check it and told my mom in Atlanta that if they told me that I couldn?t carry it on I was going to wear it on :) Anyway, we didn?t have any problems at all. We arrived in Rome and the drivers (from Flavio Gioia) were waiting to take us to Positano.

We arrived at PALAZZO MURAT and checked into room number 1. It was beautiful. It was split level. The bathroom was up a small flight of stairs (like 15 or so stairs) which made it seem like a little house. It was nicely decorated and we had a beautiful view of Positano. Our terrace was small but just big enough for a small table and two chairs. After we got settled in we went to meet the Priest, Father John. We gave him the rest of our paperwork and went to meet my parents on the beach at BUCO DI BACO. We had pizza and wine (the pizza was not all that good by the way).

June 14: We got up early and the drivers took us into Naples so that we could go to the US consulate for our required US paperwork and seals. It took us about 1.5 hours to get to Naples because they were doing highway work and there was a lot of traffic. It only took us about 30 minutes and $100 to get the documents that we needed at the Consulate to give us permission to marry. When we got back, we met with the florist and the wedding planners (LA CALLA) to make sure that everything was going to be set for the wedding. If anyone has questions about the wedding planners feel free to ask. I?m not going to post all of the details now?

June 15: We set up an excursion to RAVELLO for all of our wedding guests. We had a bus (again from our friends at Flavio Gioia) pick us up in Positano and take us all to Ravello. We had about 4 hours to walk around Ravello and of course I had to go see Villa Cimbrone which was breathtaking. Some people shopped and bought pottery etc. We had to be back in at 3:00 PM for our wedding rehearsal (which Father John forgot). Yes, that?s right, we were there but no Father John. The parish priest called him and he said that he forgot so we could meet him back at the church at 4:30 PM. We did have a rehearsal at 4:30 but still didn?t really understand what was going to take place

The rehearsal dinner was at COVO DEI SARACENI and the food was good but not as good as the Murat. Well the first course (pasta with shrimp) was wonderful but the second course (veal with some kind of sweet and sour sauce) was just okay. The best part about the whole evening is that it happened to be the celebration of the saint of Positano so just about the time we were finishing dinner there was singing and fireworks. The timing couldn?t have been more perfect!

June16: This was such a crazy day? In the morning we checked into LE SIRENUSE (room number 47). Our room had an absolutely beautiful view of Positano and the room itself was wonderful. The only down is that it was on the second floor which is quite busy in the mornings with hotel staff. We took a nap before we started getting ready for the wedding. I went to get ready in my parents room (room 84 on the 7th floor). The photographers arrived from Florence a little early and I wasn?t quite ready so they waited for me until about 4:30 to start taking pictures at the Sirenuse.

At about 5:15 we (my mom and I) took a cab down to the church so that I wouldn?t get my dress all dirty before the wedding). When we got there they were all waiting on us and my bridesmaid had already walked down the isle before my mom had been seated. I asked my dad to escort my mom to her seat and then come back to get me. Walking down the isle is a blur, I don?t? really remember much except that I was trying not to cry. The church (SANTA MARIA ASSUNTA) was beautiful and the choir was amazing! We ended up having more tourists (and locals) at our wedding then guests we had invited. All of the people were so nice, they were clapping and greeting us as we left the church. At the end of the ceremony everyone walked out before us and threw rose petals, rice, and candy-coated almonds (the almonds are an Italian tradition).

After the wedding we took tons of pictures. At the church, in the streets, on the beach, you name it. My dress is black on the bottom from walking the streets of Positano.:) Our photographer, Stefano, was great (of course I haven?t seen the pictures yet) but his web site is http://www.florencephotographer.com/homenx.htm in case you?re looking for one. He stayed until we cut the cake.

After we finished taking pictures we went to PALAZZO MURAT to meet our guests for the reception. They were having drinks and appetizers while they waited for us. We all moved into the private area of the garden and we had guitar and mandolin playing. The food at Palazzo Murat was fabulous! Our menu was: Caciotta and mozzarella di bufala with vegetables; ricotta cheese and spinach ravioli; and filet of beef and John Dory ; followed by wedding cake and toasts. It started sprinkling a little bit during dinner and they made sure that we were all under big umbrellas but it was just a little rain and not enough to chase us inside.

I am so thankful that my wonderful parents made this possible! IT WAS A PERFECT WEDDING AND IF I HAD IT TO DO ALL OVER AGAIN, I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING.

I?ll make another post for the Sardinia and Rome honeymoon because this one is already so long.