Thanks to all of you who provided good restaurant recommendations. Really appreciate it. Now, have new crusade...several college friends (late 40s) are mtg in Lucca in early July and are staying for a week in a villa. One of our friends was recently engaged to be married and the couple is interested in having the wedding in Lucca since most of their closest friends will be together. They'd really appreciate ANY thoughts, information, etc on HOW they might go abt doing this. The bride-to-be has made some international calls to a "wedding planner" but hasn't had much success finding out exactly what they need to do legally/locally. consolate in DC has given them some info but has recommended that they talk directly to the powers that be (who???) in Lucca. None of us speaks italian well enough to get more than sketchy answers to our not-very-clear questions. At this point, I'm wondering if the couple would do better to have the legal wedding ceremony in the states and then possibly arrange for somebody in Lucca to perform a wedding ceremony (non-legal, not illegal!)so that the couple can repeat their vows with their friends in attendance. Any suggestions, world travelers? Many thanks in advance!

Hi! I am getting married in Siena this may. If they want to have a legal ceremony the process is quite simple if they have a wedding planner. We are using tuscaniaevents. They have taken care of all the paperwork. There is 1 appt in Florence a few days before the wedding (at the US embassy and at an Italian office) but besides that everything has been done over email.
Good luck,
Susan

Dear Susan,
Thanks very much. Any chance you'd have time to pass on any info (contact name,phone number, email,etc) of this wedding/event planner co? I'd really appreciate it! Best wishes for your own wedding!
Meredith

Hi Check out www.tuscaniaevents.com and contact Mia or Silvia.

Good luck,
Susan

Thanks again, Susan. Passed wedding planner info on to my friend. Best wishes for your own special day!
Meredith