My boyfriend and I are planning to have a civil ceremony (only the 2 of us) in Italy next May. We are struggling between somewhere in Tuscany and Positano. For those of you who have been to both, where captures more of your heart? Where do you feel more romance?

I know this is personal but would like to hear some ideas. Thanks.

Maxi, well, Positano is a steep, almost vertical city with cute little shops and lots of steps and steep walkways, and a nice little beach down below. We stopped in Positano on a day-tour of the Amalfi coast. I would say that Positano would be a romantic place to spend a few nights, but I don't know if I would pick this as first choice for my wedding ceremony...It's maybe a little too public for a wedding, is my thought...

I would choose Tuscany as my wedding place...but Tuscany is green hillsides and many little towns...which spot to choose? I loved our 1 night at the Palazzo Ravizza hotel in Siena. I threw open the shutters of our room and was entranced with the lovely, romantic view...down into the tidy little garden of the Palazzo Ravizza, over the walls of Siena, and out into the rolling green hillsides of Tuscany...

If it's only the 2 of you, you might as well go for intimacy...Tuscany has a tranquil beauty and romance...Florence is busy and crowded, though, go for a smaller town or villa...

Melissajoy, thanks so much for your reply.

We know that the two places are very different and somehow we are leaning to Tuscany. But having read so much about Positano lately gave us another thought.

Maxi,
I'm getting married in Positano this October. I have never been there and have been to Florence once (2 yrs ago) for a week. I must beg to differ w/ Melissajoy in that I can't imagine anything more romantic than Positano. One important thing to remember is that if you're having a civil ceremony in Italy, you must get married at the Town Hall. The Town Hall in Positano is unbelievable. Check out the Hotel Poseidon's pictures (I think that they have a link to wedding services on their site). Also, rent "Under the Tuscan Sun" and you can get a feel for both places. In the movie, Diane Lane lives in Tuscany but visits Positano twice. You should check that out before you decide. Since we are only a few months away, I feel like I've laerned a lot about the whole getting married in a foreign country thing. Let me know if you have questions - [email protected]

Maxi,

We are getting married in Positano in September...if you hold tight I can get you some real feedback! We have been to Tuscany and other places in Italy, but not the Amalfi area yet. We can't wait for our wedding. It looks amazing.

As far as choosing a place in Italy, I think all places would be beautiful. Tuscany was awesome, romantic and charming. If you don't care about being married overlooking the water, go for a beautiful hilltop or chapel in Tuscany. If you like water, choose Positano.

Italy is so magical, anywhere there is truely romantic!

We are also doing a civil ceremony - only the two of us. Can't wait!!!

raleighite, mgfit,

Thanks for the suggestions! My fiance and I are thinking that Tuscany might be more intimate but I will have a look at the Hotel Poseidon and eventually get the movie!

Tell me something: how did you arrive at the conclusion that you want to get married in Positano? What are your considerations? Also, which wedding planners are you using? Are they ok?

Please do tell me more. And congratulations to both of you!

Maxi,

We have not been to Positano, but we have seen pictures and heard how romantic it is. We liked the idea of getting married with the beautiful water as the backdrop. When we saw it online, we knew it was the place.

As far as wedding planners, we are not really using one. We have made all of our arrangements on our own. We looked at many planners and got several quotes. They were charging so much money for not really doing all that much. We decided that we could take this on ourselves.

We called the town hall in Positano and scheduled our appointment to turn the paperwork in (a few days before the wedding) and scheduled our actual wedding ceremony. That was easy. I searched and searched and through others online, I was put in touch with a photographer in Amalfi. His prices are so reasonable...way less than anything I was quoted from a wedding planner or other online photographers with fancy websites. I emailed my hotel regarding a florist. They gave me a name and phone number of one they recommend by the hotel. We will take care of that when we get there. I am bringing a picture of what I want. My hotel and photographer gave me restaurant recommendations (for lunch following the ceremony), so we will pick one and make reservations when we get there (most of them have websites so we can see what they look like). My photographer helped me find an interpreter for the ceremony and some witnesses. We are on a roll. If it is just the two of you, you may want to plan yourselves. Completely up to you. We have had no trouble. I guess I can give you the full review after our wedding (September 10th). If you have specific questions or need any contacts I have found for Positano, email me at [email protected]

Good luck!


We have already completed the paperwork here (atto notorio). We went to the consulate here last week and completed all of that.