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Florence And Amalfi Coast

Posted by (Canada) on

Thanks for taking the time to read. We are a couple who are planning on doing our marriage vows in Italy and are trying to form our plan. Never have being to Italy, we are struggling with setting up our itinerary. Here is what we have been thinking and finding out:

There are too many hoops for us to jump through to legally get married in Italy, so we are going to do a ceremony with an officiant (I am Canadian and my fiance is British). We are eloping, so it will just be 3 of us and a photographer. As we are finding out, it can be difficult to even just have a civil service in Italy, so we have been advised to "get married" at a private location. To avoid logistical issues with private venues, we were thinking a nice hotel with a balcony and a great view. We are planning on doing the ceremony in Florence early September (2017), stay for 2-3 nights, then move down to the Amalfi Coast for 4-5 nights. Not being familiar with Florence, and concerns over not knowing exactly what room we would actually get off website booking, is making us weary. Does anyone know of a great hotel with an amazing balcony and view in Florence for our small ceremony and pictures? We are OK with the hotel costing around $750 CDN a night.

After the ceremony, we want to walk about Florence and take it all in while in full wedding garb. Have coffee at a small, outdoor cafe; have lunch in a wistfully romantic setting; have dinner at a gothically romantic location (or area) with option to have a dance together afterward somewhere. This part of the plan is very open, so we are looking for ideas from real people who have been there. There isn't any real budget limitation for this part of the day, but do have limits (~$3,000).

After our 2 or 3 days in Florence, we are planning on heading down to the Amalfi Coast and laze about / hike about towns. Any recommendations for hotels with great views and water access? Any recommendations for things to do in the area that a young newlywed couple should do? Any alternative places to what I have discussed that we really should be taking into consideration? Our budget for this leg of the journey is around ($5,000 - $7,0000).

We appreciate any help you can give to two people that just want to have a long lasting, strong memory of our "marriage" in Italy.

Thanks again for taking the time to read.

David

Posted by
1103 posts

I would recommend Ravello for the AC portion of your trip. Villa San Michelle is pretty decadent hotel, although Villa San Cosma is a quieter villa divided into apartments. There are several really beautiful hotels with breathtaking views in Ravello.

Posted by
1829 posts

Lunch time Florence is going to be crazy crowded, going out anywhere downtown to the sites in your wedding garb and photographer sounds like a terrible idea though well intended.
Having walked the city at sunrise hours, people do exactly what you are wanting around that hour and that would be perfect.
Sunrise and the hour or so after almost no one is around so you can get nice pictures and not be bothered in your wedding attire.

In addition to the sites in downtown, the church of San Miniato Al Monte with it's amazing staircase on side and commanding view of the city and dome on the other side would be a perfect place for wedding photos as well as to take in the city from above. Same thing though, you need to be there by before 8 AM to not have it be packed with tourists.

For Amalfi Coast, the Le Sirenuse in Positano would be quite the place to stay (not inexpensive) but luxury, adults only, easy water access and great views.

Posted by
16016 posts

In addition to the sites in downtown, the church of San Miniato Al
Monte with it's amazing staircase on side and commanding view of the
city and dome on the other side would be a perfect place for wedding
photos as well as to take in the city from above. Same thing though,
you need to be there by before 8 AM to not have it be packed with
tourists.

I was thinking the same thing as there were couples having wedding photos taken at Piazzale Michelangelo the afternoon we were there. San Miniato - above the piazzale - might be even better. People were very good about giving them some room for the snaps.

Posted by
2 posts

And this is why I looked for a forum... Awesome spots listed so far. I really like the south side of the river idea around Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato.

I have been told before that we would need to get up early for the really good shots sans tourists. Let's say we get up early to do the sunrise gallivant, my fiance needs to find a make up and hairstylist that will get up very early too! Suggestions? For the brief window of opportunity (3 hours maybe in the morning), what would be THE location to be in where there is lots of great things nearby? Just stick with Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato? They do look fantastic, but we also wanted that city vibe.

After those prime 3 hours in the morning, where should we go for the rest of the day to get that city vibe but not getting run over?

Sorry that this is becoming quite a hodge podge of ideas, just a lot going on...

We'd love to hear more about some hidden gem locations that would be great for photos too. I guess we need to set up sort of a pedestrianized map of our route for the day so that we can maximize locations and fun eateries and cafe's, ending at a dinner location and (hopefully) dancing. It all starts with the hotel I guess. Do you know of a hotel and type of room (or even room number) with a great balcony for the ceremony?

Posted by
1829 posts

I would first hit the Piazza della Signoria at the sunrise type hour. Take pictures with you and your bride near the famous statues there.
From their walk to the Duomo to do more of the same.

Then take a taxi to Piazzale Michaelangeo and San Minalto Church since those sites still won't be as crowded a couple of hours post sunrise

Yes, everyone would need to be up and prepped super early.

Florence is really small there is no where I know of that is not filled with people during the normal daylight hours.
Maybe the Boboli Gardens also on the other side of the Arno would be a good place to get some solitude mid day and be in a beautiful setting. I imagine that place is so spread out you can get away from the crowds.

Since that is a paid admission type of place, you may have to contact them before hand and possibly apply and pay for a permit to take the type of photos you plan there though.

Edit: I have no ideas the rules inside Churches ; but given there are many beautiful churches you may want to look into any faux paus about being inside and photographing inside a Catholic Church in wedding attire where you are not having a ceremony, if I did that and it was considered acceptable I would definitely put a few euro at least in a collection box at said church. Take any customs seriously as they are very religious and I have no clue if this is potentially offensive or not, I am sure outside of the churches is fine.

Posted by
1166 posts

Look at Villa la Vedetta. It is above Piazzale Michelangelo and is a hotel, so the crowds would not be there. We attended a wedding here and the brides photos were exquisite in the afternoon and evening overlooking the Arno and the Duomo ! It might be a magical place to stay with the views....

There are rooftop bars around the city also which can be striking photos too - drinking wine and lounging in your wedding attire ! And fewer tourist hordes.

And, remember, I know you are looking for places with fewer tourists, but those photos will be just as magical - walking with the crowds over the Ponte Vecchio and eating a gelato cone in a wedding dress !

Posted by
3112 posts

With a budget of up to 750 CDN per night, the St. Regis and Westin Excelsior might be options. Both overlook the Arno on opposite sides of Piazza Ognissanti, about a 10 minute walk from the Ponte Vecchio. I know the Excelsior has a large roof terrance overlooking the river, but am not sure about the St. Regis. Both hotels are part of the Starwood chain, so you should be able to inquire about both in one phone call. Being 5 star hotels, they should also be able to help arrange the post-ceremony events.

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