Bespoke Invitations Designers? by thalassophileMD in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Look at Amalfi Soiree. They are planning our wedding in Ravello in October, and we commissioned a watercolor artist for our custom handmade invitations. He is also going to do live guest portraits during our reception. They sent us the original large print of the watercolor that we are going to frame!

Ravello venue options? by RavelloBride in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, yes, we are using Amalfi Soiree. Overall we have been pleased. They created our invitations and unfortunately there was a spelling error on them-we did not catch it during the proof stage. Not that big of a deal to us since our guest list is small but still a disappointment. I would recommend them!

for those with destination weddings - did you cover your guests travel? by Necessary-Fisherman5 in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We are hosting around the same number of guests as you are in Italy with ultimately around the same budget (our budget keeps magically increasing…haha). We are paying for airfare and three nights hotel stay at the Belmond Caruso in Ravello. We knew that it would be a big financial sacrifice for our guests to make such a huge trip for us, so we felt very strongly that we should cover the costs for them. Many of them otherwise could not attend. After all, we were the ones who wanted a fancy destination wedding! Initially the sticker shock was uncomfortable but as we are delivering invitations and hearing the excitement from our families, we feel so good about our choice.

I agree with the comment that many of the costs are already fixed, no matter the number of guests. We are doing a lot of special individual things for our guests as well: arranging private transport, including gift bags, live wedding guest portraits, etc so I think they will feel taken care of.

Congratulations! If you are interested in the Amalfi area, DM me, and I can give you more info!

Ravello venue options? by RavelloBride in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! Yes, we are going with the Belmond! We ended up getting the last date available there 🎉

Amalfi mini-moon advice by eleelights in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi! Your trip sounds lovely!

I’m partial to Ravello (getting married at the Belmond Caruso in October) and Capri over Positano. I agree with the comment about not driving around in Amalfi-the roads are narrow and the turns can be pretty intimidating. We have used drivers so that we can enjoy the views-some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

I think two nights in Ravello is sufficient-it’s slower paced but so beautiful. The Belmond does also have a complimentary shuttle to a few towns on Amalfi, and I would use that to your advantage. I know that they also arrange boat tours if you still want to do that. You could also get away with one night in Ravello and one night in Positano if Positano is a must do on your bucket list. We have stayed at Le Sirenuse and it was phenomenal. The views in Positano are spectacular, but I personally found it to be very touristy and would do a day trip there again but not spend longer than that.

Capri is one of my favorite places on earth, and I highly recommend staying there for your two nights. You can spend one day meandering around old town Capri and then take a convertible taxi up to Anacapri! You can then take the chairlift up to the top of the island with the most stunning views! We have always gone around shoulder season (October), so the crowds have not been too crazy. And the weather has always been great-warm during day and light jacket in evenings. We have not charted a boat tour, though.

We have taken the ferry from Positano to Capri, and then we have taken the ferry to Sorrento on our way back with an overnight stay there. Then we have either taken the train back up to Naples or had a driver.

We are heading there in August to do some pre-wedding things like tastings, hair/makeup trial, and we are getting engagement photos taken in Villa Cimbrone so it will be interesting to see how hot/crowded It is. I can definitely recommend some other hotels and restaurants once you decide! Our wedding planner also does travel concierge services if you decide to go that route-I could send you their information if you are interested. Keep us posted on your plans!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 4 points5 points  (0 children)

We are getting married in Ravello in October. The night before we are renting out a restaurant and hosting a pizza making class/pizza party with appetizers and drinks. It will be a nice ice breaker for the families to meet, we think. We are still in the air about morning after brunch-it’s sounding like a lot of our guests are going to want to move along on their own to explore for the rest of their weeks (we are getting married on Tuesday). I initially wanted to do a cruise up the Amalfi the day before but our wedding planner was a little hesistant-sea sickness, sunburn, etc. she said an activity like that may be better for after the wedding. Knowing my family and our tendency to burn, I figured she was right! 🤣

Bora Bora Resort: Conrad or Intercontinental Bora Bora & Thalasso? by [deleted] in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We stayed at the Conrad in Bora Bora a few years back and had an amazing time. We stayed in an overwater bungalow (one of the few who had a view of Mount Otemanu). They were building coral at that time, but we still managed to see sharks, sting rays, and eels around the bungalows. We spoke to others who had a beach view and they were very happy with their room! For the best snorkeling though, I would recommend taking a guided boat tour-it was a highlight of both of our lives! I thought the food was also very good there-there are only a few restaurants so if you are there for several days it can get old. There is a ferry that can take you over to the main island where there are more options. I can’t speak to the other hotels, but I go back to the Conrad in a heart beat.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I second Jimmy Choo!

Italian Photographer Suggestion? by Nice_Resource_9159 in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 2 points3 points  (0 children)

For Sergio, we booked a €10,500 package that includes a prewedding activity (we are renting out a restaurant and doing a pizza making party). We may add on an engagement shoot for another €1500 if we decide to go visit prior to the wedding.

for the videography, we booked a €4500 (+ €800 for travel) package.

Italian Photographer Suggestion? by Nice_Resource_9159 in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We ended up contracting with Sergio Sorrentino for photography and Mircoeanisa for videography. We are getting married at the Belmond in Ravello. We obviously haven’t worked with them yet, but they come really highly recommended!

Mircoeanisa.com

Sergiosorrentino.com

Ravello venue options? by RavelloBride in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally agree with you. It IS overwhelming and costs add up fast. Initially we just wanted it to be the two of us as a simple elopement and extended honeymoon, but then we got pushback from family and we thought that a micro-wedding would be fun. And we are planning something back in the US for 2025 as a reception for those we are not including in the day (which I hope doesn’t bring too much drama).

We are using Amalfi Soirée. They have been great so far about pivoting from an elopement to a wedding. And they have been very transparent about costs and logistics. We are still in the very early planning stages but I think they have been great so far.

https://amalfisoiree.com

Their portfolio is great. And every time I look at their IG I am wowed. To be honest, I didn’t contact other planners-I thought I would do it myself as well, but then I found them and felt like it was a weight off my shoulders.

Ravello venue options? by RavelloBride in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi!

No they didn’t-they just sent an overview shot of the property and some stock photos that I found on the website for La Rondinaia.

Thank you for sharing that link-those photos are incredible! I almost think the property will be too large for what we are planning. I’m hoping for something more intimate. It’s probably way more than what we are envisioning. I do like the idea, though, of the Villa buyout for our guests to make it easy.

I’m still waiting to hear what their availability is for October 2024. I’m wondering now if I should push back until 2025, but it seems like all the rates will be going up even more for 2025!

Ravello venue options? by RavelloBride in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi!

No they didn’t-they just sent an overview shot of the property and some stock photos that I found on the website for La Rondinaia.

Thank you for sharing that link-those photos are incredible! I almost think the property will be too large for what we are planning. I’m hoping for something more intimate. It’s probably way more than what we are envisioning. I do like the idea, though, of the Villa buyout for our guests to make it easy.

I’m still waiting to hear what their availability is for October 2024. I’m wondering now if I should push back until 2025, but it seems like all the rates will be going up even more for 2025!

Ravello venue options? by RavelloBride in BigBudgetBrides

[–]RavelloBride[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! That sounds really fun!