Wedding in '07: Spain or Italy?
Mar 8th, 2006, 01:22 PM
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Wedding in '07: Spain or Italy?
Hello Fodorites,
I'm new to your site but it came highly recommended as a resource by one of my big travel friends. I'm hoping you'll give me some advice...
I want to plan a wedding in Europe for September '07. The two places in the running right now are Barcelona or Florence. We are not set on the date or the place but if you have ANYTHING to contribute please post- even if it means telling me I'm crazy. Thanks! Karris
I'm new to your site but it came highly recommended as a resource by one of my big travel friends. I'm hoping you'll give me some advice...
I want to plan a wedding in Europe for September '07. The two places in the running right now are Barcelona or Florence. We are not set on the date or the place but if you have ANYTHING to contribute please post- even if it means telling me I'm crazy. Thanks! Karris
Mar 8th, 2006, 01:35 PM
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Do a google search for wedding planners in both cities and ask several in each city for ballpark figures for planning a wedding, providing them with a few details (i.e., we want something simple with just our families, or we want the whole white wedding, half dozen attendants, all the relatives -- whichever it is you have in mind).
Also ask how long in advance you need to be planning.
Their answers might tip the balance for you one way or the other.
Also ask how long in advance you need to be planning.
Their answers might tip the balance for you one way or the other.
Mar 8th, 2006, 01:44 PM
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Thanks Nessundorma. I have done some research and I'm in touch with a wedding planner in Tuscany. I have books coming out my ears and have viewed about every page on Google for both cities. As for Barcelona, I have a wedding planner in mind but it appears a little more complicated. I'm really just hoping for some real world experiences to lead me along. Cheers, Karris
Mar 8th, 2006, 01:59 PM
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Karris, you are certainly not crazy---it's a wonderful idea. Hopefully some others will come on with specific recommendations. You could also check the Rick Steves website---they have an area devoted specifically to "getting married in Europe" where people give their recommedations and experiences.
I have good friends who are planning a wedding in Italy this July (unfortunately we can't go!)
The one bit of advice I can give is that you be sure the wedding is a legal wedding in Italy (or Spain), unless you only want a symbolic exchange of vows and plan to have a civil ceremony here when you return. In other words, make sure you meet all the conditions and do all the required paperwork. A wedding planner will assist greatly in this.
Best wishes to you both.
I have good friends who are planning a wedding in Italy this July (unfortunately we can't go!)
The one bit of advice I can give is that you be sure the wedding is a legal wedding in Italy (or Spain), unless you only want a symbolic exchange of vows and plan to have a civil ceremony here when you return. In other words, make sure you meet all the conditions and do all the required paperwork. A wedding planner will assist greatly in this.
Best wishes to you both.
Mar 8th, 2006, 02:26 PM
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Karris, I'm counting on you putting this together. You sound like the kind of person who gets things done, once you've made up your mind that it's what you want! Fiesole outside of Florence is a beautiful hill town, keep searching and best wishes.
Mar 8th, 2006, 02:33 PM
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Thanks Enzian- I love Rick Steeve's stuff so I'm glad to hear he has some advice for people like me and your friends! I appreciate your input about the legal requirements of a binding ceremony. I've found out the same stuff so far so maybe we'll skip the formalities and just do an exchange of vows over there.
Mar 8th, 2006, 03:49 PM
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Getting married in Spain, and not being a resident, can pose a few problems for either a civil or religious ceremony. It would be well worth your time to contact the nearest Spanish Counsel to see exactly what the requirements are.
We had friends, who were married in Galicia last summer, but her family is from Galicia and she was born there. One of the requirements is that at least one person must reside in the country for a required period of time before they can be married and since her family still lives there, they got by the residency issue.
We had friends, who were married in Galicia last summer, but her family is from Galicia and she was born there. One of the requirements is that at least one person must reside in the country for a required period of time before they can be married and since her family still lives there, they got by the residency issue.
Mar 8th, 2006, 05:00 PM
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Karris---from what I've read, it is very possible to have your "real" (legal, binding, etc.) wedding in Italy, if that is what you want. I just wanted to be sure that you are aware of the difference, and make sure you get the proper help from your wedding planner. It sounds like Spain is more difficult, due to the residency requirement, and as for France. . well you're not considering that anyway.
But Italy IS possible; people do manage this, and if that is what you want to do you should go ahead with it. On the other hand, if the symbolic vow ceremony is just as satisfying, with your legal ceremony later at home, that way is a lot simpler.
Good luck! Either way it will be wonderful. Florence in September sounds very nice.
But Italy IS possible; people do manage this, and if that is what you want to do you should go ahead with it. On the other hand, if the symbolic vow ceremony is just as satisfying, with your legal ceremony later at home, that way is a lot simpler.
Good luck! Either way it will be wonderful. Florence in September sounds very nice.
Mar 8th, 2006, 06:57 PM
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I don't know about legalities, but I have attended a few wedding in Barcelona (one non-resident) and they were fantastically fun and beautiful. One took place at the Ciutadella park, and as the weather was gorgeous, all went well.
congrats on the engagement, and even more congrats for taste of location. However, as my non-res friend said "I just had to go into the situation knowing that there would be less people than if I had had the wedding at home." Then my dad pointed out that he really doesn't remember who did and did not come to his wedding, so it really doesn't matter.
congrats on the engagement, and even more congrats for taste of location. However, as my non-res friend said "I just had to go into the situation knowing that there would be less people than if I had had the wedding at home." Then my dad pointed out that he really doesn't remember who did and did not come to his wedding, so it really doesn't matter.
Mar 8th, 2006, 07:36 PM
#10
There was a poster a year or two ago that planned her wedding in Florence on Fodor's. Here's a link to her wedding photos.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34549513
Click on her sn (Thonglori) to find her other posts about planning her wedding.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...2&tid=34549513
Click on her sn (Thonglori) to find her other posts about planning her wedding.
Mar 9th, 2006, 01:29 AM
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The legal side of getting married involves signing a marriage contract, just be sure you want all of your married life to be ruled by the laws of the particular country where you are signing this contract.
Mar 9th, 2006, 09:23 AM
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Car----what you suggest is simply not so. Getting married in Italy does not mean that one's marriage is forever ruled by the laws of Italy. The rights, benefits and obligations that accompany the status of being married are conferred by the state in which the couple lives, no matter where they have their ceremony.
Mar 9th, 2006, 10:10 AM
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I really appreciate all of your input and thanks especially to kybourbon for finding the post with the wedding photos- WOW! I'm more convinced than ever that this is what I want to do!
Mar 9th, 2006, 10:12 AM
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what an amazing wedding to plan!
I haven't been to Spain yet, but from what I've heard, I'd say Italy.
I adored Florence, and a coworker of mine had his wedding in Tuscany last summer and then honeymooned in Croatia. He said from start to finish, it was so wonderful!
I haven't been to Spain yet, but from what I've heard, I'd say Italy.
I adored Florence, and a coworker of mine had his wedding in Tuscany last summer and then honeymooned in Croatia. He said from start to finish, it was so wonderful!
Mar 9th, 2006, 01:41 PM
#16
Karris - I hope you read the posts on the thread link I sent you because Thonglori told who she hired in Italy as her wedding planner and also her photographer. There are color wedding photos of the ceremony on her website.
Mar 9th, 2006, 02:05 PM
#17
This weblog - http://www.seattlesteve.com/ (not mine!) - has info on US citizens marrying in Italy - start at Feb 2004.
Mar 9th, 2006, 03:12 PM
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I'm getting married in Italy this summer. I LOVE my wedding planner. She does each wedding individually so it's exactly what you want. After listening to what we wanted, she suggested that we get married at Villa Cimbrone www.villacimbrone.com in Ravello, Italy. I wasn't sure because I thought we might want to do Lake District. Anywho, I went over and met her and saw the place and IT'S PERFECT!!!! Turns out she's done several people's weddings that live here in DC. They handle weddings all over Italy and they guide you through all of the legal work. Her name is Laura Frappa and her website is: www.exclusiveitalyweddings.com
She's delightful. Best wishes! Ciao!
She's delightful. Best wishes! Ciao!
Jun 5th, 2006, 05:31 AM
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Hi Harris
I get married last year in Spain I am a USA residnet but borned in Spain and my husband is from England, I had a really wonderful wedding with 89 people and we spent 1 week in Spain. My wedding planner name were Antonia and Lourdes from www.spainsbestmoments.com and they were perfect for us. I wrote one of them and give your e-mail so they could get in contact with you. Hope it is ok for you.
Congratulation in your wedding
Misa
I get married last year in Spain I am a USA residnet but borned in Spain and my husband is from England, I had a really wonderful wedding with 89 people and we spent 1 week in Spain. My wedding planner name were Antonia and Lourdes from www.spainsbestmoments.com and they were perfect for us. I wrote one of them and give your e-mail so they could get in contact with you. Hope it is ok for you.
Congratulation in your wedding
Misa
Jun 5th, 2006, 05:52 AM
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Hi Karris,
I am from the USA and my daughter was married in Venice in 2003....the best advice I can give you is to work with a reputable planner...they will make everything and anything possible for you..including making sure that all the legalities are in place.
PS. You are not at all crazy...the wedding was magical...
