Jessalyn

Wow!! GReat pics!! Courtney, you're beautiful!! The b/w one in the door way is my fav.! I can hardly wait to see the BD pics!!!!!

Quote: Originally Posted by REBECCA I went to Italy 10 years ago, so I'm sure it has changed! But Venice is a must. I remember going ther with my girlfriend and thinking, I need to come back here with a man! SOO romantic. Also went to Florence. I think that is where the statue David resides, plus it is just a beautiful city. I had some of the best italian food of my life there! Pisa really surprised me. I sorta just stopped there bcz mygrandma really wanted to go there. We made it a day stop and when I came around that corner and saw the leaning tower...it was soo friggin cool! I think it was built in like 1025 bc or something. It is really cool to see. I have always wanted to travel to Tuscany. That seems like a romantic city? I didn't go to Rome or Milan, but I wouls love to someday! Rebecca ~ I was also in Italy a while ago...9 years ago. we did a quick tour on a bus (something like 13 country in 3 weeks...hardly enough time to enjoy any one spot). I'm pretty much viewing Pisa as stop to see the leaning tower too. My Italy books say that trains go through there every couple of hours, so we won't have to stay a long time. And, Venice is definitely a must...it was so romantic. Florence breezed by me while I was there...I only remember going into a leather shop and a gold store...lol. I'll let you know all about Tuscany when we get home. Quote: Originally Posted by calyx6 I looove Italy! And I'm feeling overwhelmed by your list! That seems to be a lot of places to hit in 2&1/2 weeks. I've never been to Cinque Terre but definitely want to go some day. I have, however, been to Venice twice and enjoyed it both times. The first time, we stayed two nights, and the second time I was only there for the day. There are a lot of tourists but I find the city to still be charming and romantic. The best thing to do there is to go ahead and let yourself get lost. I did not enjoy Florence as much but David is a must see. Rome is full of sights to see so I would recommend staying at least 3 days there. It took us that long to actually get in to see the vatican (we were too late one day, my bf's attire did not meet the dress code the 2nd time, everything was right the 3rd time.) My advice is actually to not try to do too much at a time and watch out for pickpockets. Take the time to enjoy yourself and really take in the sights/sounds/culture - which is not as easy to do when you're running around trying to see places A to Z in one day. -Vi- Vi, Yes I'm overwhelmed by my list as well. Tony wanted to go to Lake Como too....but, we decided that would just be too much for this trip. So, we'll save it for our next trip. I'm certainly going to read up on the dress code for the vatacan. I think it's no bare shoulders, shorts or mini skirts. I'm hoping we'll get to explore Florence a lot more than I did when I was there years ago. my friend actually was an exchange student there in college and she has promised to give me the name of her favorite restaurant. thank you so much for sharing your experience! Quote: Originally Posted by ThompsonFrump Jessalyn & Tony, We just got back from Italy a few weeks ago. You will love it and have an amazing time! We actually went for a wedding in Venice. We traveled by train once we got there... We weren't great with the trains, but we can share what we learned. We had a pass through Trenitalia, but I'm not sure it made things any easier or much cheaper. I think the pass is cheaper if you only use "regional" trains (older, slower, lots of stops, sometimes smelly:-) but definitely cheaper). You can buy tickets before you leave on RailEurope.com or you can buy your train tickets point to point once you get there... the best trains we were on were the ES or IC trains... We visited some of the cities you mentioned... Venice(4 days), Florence(3 days--could have stayed another day), Cinque Terre(2-wish it had been longer), Pisa (stopped passing from Cinque Terre to Rome--it's all you need in Pisa:-) ), Rome (5 days--could've cut out a day), and a quick day trip down to Pompeii. Don't miss Cinque Terre... it is incredible!!! I can send you links to where we stayed in each city and how we liked it if it would help. You are going to absolutely love Italy!!! Please let us know if we can help with train, hotel, tips people told us... anything at all... we'd love to share... Carrie & Mike Quote: Originally Posted by ThompsonFrump Check out the La Mala in Vernazza (Cinque Terre)... absolutely breathtaking!!! La Mala only has 4 rooms and it is wonderful!!! Monterosso is a great beach area, but only a short train ride... Vernazza was our favorite. Carrie and Mike ~ Thanks for all your insight. I am so worried about traveling by train. I'm going to check out the train website you mentioned. I found one today (a different one) but it was all in Italian...so frustrating! If you can share your train experience or any helpful tips that would be great. Do you think we'd be okay buying tickets along the way? Did you encounter full trains? Were you able to get where you wanted to go pretty easily? what is the ES and IC trains? Cinque Terre is the area that I'm most excited to see. I want to stay there at least 2 nights. If you wouldn't mind passing along the hotel info for the places you were pleased with and any info about them, I'd really, really appreciate it. You can either post it here or pm me with the info. THANK YOU! You are all making me really excited to start our (delayed) honeymoon....I'm so ready for a vacation! Thank you!

They look great! I think the glue application wouldn't have looked as good as the result you got. ...and, I think the ribbon looks nice. It doesn't look too wide in your picture. I also agree in carrying through the ribbon you used in your invites....believe it or not, people will recognize that you carried the invite theme/materials through the wedding ceremony and reception...Great job!

hmmm...Tony and I have to go back there next time we're in cabo....so yummy!! We didn't have time last trip...the wedding got in the way ...LOL

Wow your wedding is coming up quick!! Let us know if we can help you with any last minute details. and...be sure to post some pics for us when you return!! We LOVE pictures!!

aww...great review and I love the pictures!! so cute!!! I think we ate at the same italian restaurant. Was there a large painting on one of the walls? I can't remember the name of the restaurant we went to, but the pesto was to die for! yummy!!

Thanks girls for all your insight and tidbits....I'm feeling better about the trip....i also found a great book today at AAA by Rick Steves...he gives good ideas about how long to allot for each city. Amy, i'm going to research the hotel you suggested. It has great reviews and I'll definitely check out the boutique in Portifino. And Kash, I was thinking the same thing about Venice. I'm most looking forward to the Liguira coast/tuscany.

Sarah, Wow!! Your family looked so amazing! You were beautiful!! Your bonus kids are adorable, and I love the table!!! I have to admit I was hesitant at first about the idea of black table linens, but they looked amazing!!! I can't wait to see all of your pro pics! Congrats again!!

Amber and Tammy ....thanks for the info and suggestions...it is so helpful!!!

Those are the cutest outfits! I love them. Great finds Julie!

Thanks for the tips Tammy. How many nights did you spend in Florence and on the island outside of Venice? Was your stay long enough? Thanks!

We leave for Italy on the redeye on Sept 18th and come home on Oct. 5th. We are flying into Rome and that is all that we know. We've made a list of the cities/sites we'd like to see, but have no idea how long we should plan to visit each place, nor do we have any idea about where we should stay or if we should book hotels before we leave or play it by ear when we get there. So, if anyone has any insight, please share. ...planning this trip is feeling more stressful than planning our wedding. We want to visit the following places and probably in this order (we'll be traveling by train...if you have any tips regarding traveling by rail, please share). Rome Florence Bologna Venice Modena (Tony wants to see the Ferrari exhibit) Parma Milan (maybe) Geoa Portifino Cinque Terre Pisa If you have any other location suggestions that are on or near our route, please share those too. Thanks for your help. We're feeling overwhelmed.

Quote: Originally Posted by NurseSarah One of my friends' weddings was similar. She really didn't plan much, and didn't care about organization, so everything was a huge disaster. But, she just kinda laughed it off (she's seriously the most laid back person ever!) and although some of us were kinda wondering how she could be so "whatever" about the whole thing, it's absolutely hilarious now. One example: I sang in her wedding and had practiced my song during the rehearsal the night before- well, the sound person didn't put the tape in the player correctly and when the music started up and I opened my mouth to sing- it was on the DEMO side! Another voice came over the speakers...I didn't know what to do- didn't want to stop the song, it was during the unity candle lighting...so I just sang along with the person on the tape. It was sooooo embarrassing, but now it's hilarious. I even went and double checked the tape before the ceremony, but apparently they had flipped it over. omg, I wanted to die. That was totally an accident, but it absolutely was the way the entire day went. Sorry to hijack, this story just reminded me of that wedding! That would be embarrassing, but Sarah you're so together and confident, I'm sure you played it off very well.

aww...that is so sad. I would've been so upset if I was the bride. I guess you can never be too prepared or organized or double or triple check things too many times.

Finally Tammy!! YAy!!! I checked in late friday night and on Saturday morning and no pics...couldn't get on yesterday, but today....yay!!! They are done!! And, they are amazing!!!! So worth the wait! You were a stunning bride. I love your romantic dress and your wispy hair and the emotion in your face during the ceremony was so touching. You two are so obviously in love!! I'm so happy that the long wait is over for you!! BEAUTIFUL!!

yeah, I was wondering about that pic. You two are wild.....we've seen a steamy pic on the dance floor and now this....wow!!

wow Jenetta! You really got a ton of great pics! I love the emotion in your face during the ceremony....and, the orange tablecloths looked great...I really like the splash of color...i wish I would have considered orange.

BEAUTIFUL!! You two look so incredibly happy! congratulations!!

Wow! Beautiful Jen! The slideshow was well worth the wait! You two are an adorable couple....and soon to be an adorable family of three! Congrats again!!

Great pics Andrea! Can't wait to see the pro pics!! Congratulations! I'm so glad you got to have a cabo wedding, just like you wanted!!

I'm a little late, but CONGRATULATIONS!!!! YAY!!! Gorgeous ring!! ...and, I swear match.com does work!! ...that's where I met my hubbie too

Wow Kash!!! Beautiful pics....you were gorgeous....I want your flawless skin!!

Congratulations Karla! The website looks great.... love your work! I wish you great success!

Yay Lisa!! I hope everything is perfect!! Can't wait to see the pics and hear all the details!!

Gorgeous Anny! I love the BMs sashes!! Congratulations!