"A thousand times, yes!!"
Venice, Italy. Carnivale, February 2016.
Dear family and friends,
We are incredibly excited and grateful to have you joining us from all over the world, to celebrate our special day! Our passion in life is to travel, and we are thrilled to bring you along on an adventure in one of the most beautiful corners of the world - Italy's Amalfi Coast. We want to ensure all of our guests have a romantic, adventurous, and fun experience with us! Below is some information that will hopefully help you plan your trip with ease... We cannot wait to celebrate our love, surrounded by the wonderful people in our lives!
Love, Sahar and Max
HOW WE MET
A few years ago, Max moved from Germany to London to take a job as a Software Engineer at Bloomberg. Six months later, I relocated to London from Bloomberg in NY. On my first day in the new office, I was going to meet some coworkers after work. Walking across the street, I saw Max... and we immediately set eyes on each other. Turns out he was with the group I was going to meet! We both gravitated towards each other, and ended up talking the rest of that evening.
For a few months we were friends who seemed to get along better with each other than we did with anyone else. Slowly, we realized that we had the same sense of humor, shared the same love for adventures and traveling, and most importantly, a little bit of magic seemed to follow us everywhere we went. We were both completely enamored with each other.
One night, during the Bloomberg summer party, something sparked. Everything else clicked, and very quickly we both knew we had found the person we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with. A few months later, Max told me he loved me on top of a mountain waterfall in Austria (after lots of anxious pacing back and forth!) Shortly after that, we moved in together, a year later we were engaged, and now here we are!
Our Engagement
We went on a trip to Venice for Carnivale in February. I had told her we had a special event early in the morning, and she had to be dressed and ready by 8am. I love surprising her with random adventures, so she wasn't sure what to expect.
We were running through the early morning streets of Venice - seemingly late for our appointment - and we stopped on a bridge to look around. The city was empty, and it was so beautiful. I got down on one knee (terrified of dropping the ring into the canal!) and asked her if she would spend the rest of her life with me.
She was so overjoyed with happiness, that she got down on her knees too, and hugged me and in tears said 'A thousand times, yes!!!' I had hired a photographer to capture the proposal from the adjacent bridge, and to take us on an engagement shoot throughout Venice. We spent the rest of the morning enjoying brunch at the beautiful Cafe Florian, in San Marco square, touring the city, fascinated by carnival, and just enjoying being engaged. It was the most romantic and exciting day we could have asked for.
July 8th, 2017
Ravello, Italy
Welcome Drinks & Canapés
Friday, July 7th 6:00 PM
Hotel Garden
Via Giovanni Boccaccio, 4
84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Ceremony & Reception
Saturday, July 8th 4:30 PM
Villa Cimbrone
Via Santa Chiara, 26
84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Afterparty
Enotavola
Via della Marra, 7
84010 Ravello SA, Italy
Brunch
Sunday, July 9th 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Giardini Caffé Calce
Viale R. Wagner, 3
84010 Ravello SA, Italy
GETTING THERE
Getting to Ravello
Naples has the closest airport to the Amalfi Coast, and is approximately a one hour drive to Ravello. However, flights from certain countries may be indirect, and can be slightly more expensive. The most practical way to reach the Amalfi Coast is by flying into Rome. From the airport, you will board a train to Roma Termini, and then the high speed Le Frecce train to Napoli Centrale; travel time to Naples is one hour. Tickets can be booked at Trenitalia. Our wedding coordinator Jacquie Coppolla and her team also support with finding accommodation in Ravello and coordinating airport transfers. Feel free to contact them at info@theamalfiexperience.com for any assistance and have a look at their transfer form and prices.
Ground Transportation
If you are driving from Rome, the journey is approximately 3 hours, and you can typically rent a car from $40-$60 per day. From Naples to Ravello you can either rent a car, take a SITA bus, or arrange a private transfer. We recommend Ravello Taxi Service at +39.320.2725631 or our wedding planners can book you a transfer (prices/booking form here). If you want to rent a car, rentalcars.com is a great option.
The Day of the Wedding
We recommend you stay in Ravello, but if you are staying elsewhere, you can arrange transport via Ravello Taxi Service. Public parking can be limited, so we encourage you to make arrangements in advance if you choose to drive. There is no car access to the Villa - which is approximately 15 minutes walking from the city's center.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotels
As Ravello is a very tiny village, we recommend booking your hotels as soon as possible. Our preferred booking websites are Booking.com, Hotels.com, and Expedia.com. Many hotels may not publish their availability until next year, so we suggest you contact them directly if you would like to book in advance. Below are a few of our own personal recommendations, but there are lots of other lovely boutique hotels and villas available, as well.
THINGS TO DO
Activities on the Amalfi Coast
Ravello is a quiet and beautiful town, definitely one of our favorite spots on earth. You can walk around, explore the shops and find the next amazing view. If, however, you feel like undertaking adventures, the following are our suggestions!
RSVP
We'd love to hear from you!
Please RSVP via the link below.
Registry
Q&A
Questions and Answers
When should I book my hotel?
Italy's high season is in July, so we suggest booking as soon as possible! See our recommendations in the Travel & Accommodations section. We're happy to help if you need anything! Just email us at saharandmax@gmail.com
What if I need help finding accommodation/transportation?
Our wedding coordinator Jacquie Coppolla and her team also support with finding accommodation in Ravello and coordinating airport transfers. Feel free to contact them at info@theamalfiexperience.com for any assistance and have a look at their transfer form and prices.
What will the weather be like?
Ravello is nestled up at the top of the mountain, so the days can be quite warm (around 75-85°F , and the evenings can be cooler, around 55-65°F ). We will be outside in the evening, so please bring a shawl or jacket to keep you warm! here.
What is the best route to drive to Ravello?
We recommend taking one way through the mountain-road, and the other along the coastal route, so you can see both beautiful sides of the town. If you are coming from the airport directly, we recommend a taxi instead. Feel free to contact our wedding coordinator Jacquie Coppolla at info@theamalfiexperience.com for assistance booking an airport transfer.
Is there parking in the town?
Ravello is a walking town, so parking will generally be just outside of the main square. Many hotels offer parking options, as well as valet, if needed. Generally, you can expect to pay around 30 euros per day for parking.
What is the recommended attire?
We recommend formal attire for the wedding. The days can be quite warm, and the nights cool, so you may want to bring a shawl or jacket (the evening event will be in the garden). Ladies, you might consider wedges or thicker heels, as the event is in and around a grassy garden area!
For the welcome drinks we recommend dressy-casual, as it will be a relaxed evening.
When should I RSVP?
Please RSVP as soon as possible, but we would appreciate a response by March 1st.
I have dietary restrictions. How can I let you know?
Please note your dietary restrictions in the notes of your RSVP, or just contact us directly at saharandmax@gmail.com! We will make every effort to ensure you are comfortable and worry-free from any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Are the ceremony and reception locations wheelchair accessible?
The pathway to the venue is not wheelchair accessible. However, please let us know in advance if you need special accommodation, and we will ensure you are comfortably escorted to the event.
I'm on a budget. What are the best options?
If you are planning to make an extended trip, we suggest flying in and out of Italy on weekdays (i.e. Wednesday-Wednesday) to get the best prices. You can set up price-alerts on any travel site to get notifications of when prices have dropped. Additionally, there are many affordable hotels outside of Ravello's city center, and within Amalfi, that are just a short taxi ride away. If you need any recommendations, we are more than happy to help!
How can I contact you?
Email us with any questions at all! saharandmax@gmail.com