ELI AND SAMANTHA

RSVPs due November 1 2024, just let us know if you need an extension.

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Are you and your guest planning to attend the welcome reception?

WELCOME RECEPTION

Thursday, May 29th, 2025
Ristorante Bagni Sant'Anna

(Optional event) Welcome reception at sunset

Come join us for wine, a specialty "Hina" cocktail, fresh Italian coastal pasta and appetizers the evening before the wedding. The Ristorante Bagni Sant’Anna is located right on the water, providing a beautiful view at sunset. The Welcome Reception is optional and will be a Happy Hour style event (feel free to swing by at your convenience) but we ask that you confirm your attendance via the RSVP portal on the website so we can plan accordingly.

Date:
May 29th, 2025

Time:
TBD (Around 7:00PM)

Address:
Ristorante Bagni Sant’Anna
Via del Mare, 150, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy

Getting there:
Your hotel can help you arrange a taxi from your location to the venue.

WEDDING

Friday, May 30th, 2025
Villa Astor

Perched on the cliffs of the Sorrentine Peninsula, Villa Astor is an extraordinary private residence boasting one of the most beautiful gardens in Europe. Due to its location, guests will enjoy an uninterrupted 270-degree view of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Address:
Via Marina Grande, 5,
80067 Sorrento NA, Italy

Details:
The Cocktail Reception, Wedding Ceremony, and Reception will take place at the same venue. Arrival time around 6PM. Specific schedule will be released later this year, stay tuned!

Getting there:
Your hotel can help you arrange a taxi from your location to the venue. The venue is very close to the Historic City Center!

Getting back to your hotel:
No need to plan your travel back! We will have a private driver from 9PM-2AM to take you back to your hotel when you're ready to go!

PM

In a marriage of two foodies, you can expect nothing but the best.

Please provide your selection of beef, fish, or vegetarian in your RSVP. If you would like to change your option, please don't hesitate to reach out to Sam. We would be happy to accommodate you!

Beef

Piedmontese scottona fillet with potato mille-feuille, red wine sauce

Fish

Mediterranean Sea Bass with cherry tomatoes and taggiasca olives

Hor D'oeuvres

(No selection required. These will be provided during the cocktail hour after the wedding ceremony. If you have any allergies you would like us to consider, please reach out to the bride.)

Yuzu-glazed foie gras and daikon radish on biscuit

Paprika chicken tacos with pickled red cabbage

Imperial prawns with zucchini flower

Wild herb and beetroot sablé

Carbonara cream with bacon and pecorino cheese

Puglia red shrimp and passionfruit

Ponzu tuna tartare with tapioca chips

Bourbon-marinated wild salmon with caviar

Gnocco fritto with Culatello ham

Vegetable tempura (Sage leaf, eggplant and zucchini)

Parmesan crisp lollipops

The Dinner Menu

(Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies ahead of time so we may accommodate your needs.)

Amuse bouche / Small Bite
Seared scallops, scapece zucchini, stracciatella of burrata

First Course: Fresh Pasta
Tagliolini pasta with black truffle and toma piemontese cheese

Second Course: Entree
A choice of beef or fish. Please specific your preference on the RSVP page of the website. If you want to switch your selection, please reach out to the bride.

Third Course: Dessert
A pastry corner, gelato cart, and espresso bar will be setup for you to enjoy. The pastry corner will include panna cotta, tiramisu, and other classic Italian desserts. The gelato cart will include 6 different flavors for you to choose from: Stracciatella, Vanilla, Hazelnut, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Lemon.

TRAVEL

General Details

What’s the best airport to fly into?
Naples Capodichino is the closest airport to Sorrento (50 min drive).

What’s the best way to get from the Naples airport to Sorrento?
1. The most convenient option, but also the most expensive one, is to book a private transfer, which runs around €115. You can go to www.sorrentoreview.com or www.naplesairporttransfers-italy.com to book.

2. Your next best option in terms of convenience, will be the taxi line at the airport. Taxis are available 24/7 at Naples Capodichino airport and will get you to your accommodation in Sorrento. Naples airport taxis don't have a flat-rate fee for this journey, but the total will be around 90€, based on a taximeter.

3. The most budget-friendly option (and the longest journey) is the train, which will cost less than $20 USD. You can take the airport bus from Naples airport to Central Station in the city of Naples then get the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (line 2). You can buy tickets at the station from ticket machines or ticket counters. Alternatively, you can purchase them online in advance from the Circumvesuviana website or other ticketing platforms. The scenic journey is around 1.5 hours.

What transportation will be provided for the wedding?
All transportation should be arranged by the guests, with the exception of departing from the night of the wedding (5/30/25), which the bride and groom will cover via a private driver/shuttle.

Will there be a hotel room block?
There weren’t any financial benefits in pursuing a hotel block unfortunately. However, we have researched hotels in the area for you and have shared it below, along with budget ranking and maps! We encourage guests to choose whichever hotel fits their budget and traveling style (some hotels offer a more peaceful wellness experience but is further from city center, and some hotels are located right in the middle of all the action!)

General Details

We have provided various hotel options of different budget ranges. We encourage our guests to use this as a starting point, feel free to search Expedia and seek other options that may suit your style and budget better. All lodging options provided are less than a 5 min. drive to the venue.

The Bride & Groom will be staying at the Hotel Bellevue Syrene, for reference. It is about 0.2mi, an 8-min. walk / 1 min. drive to the venue.


Things to consider: accessibility

Consider walkability. You can visit Sorrento on Google Maps and click the “Restaurants” or “Things to do” Button to get a sense for how accessible your hotel is. Unlike many places on the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento offers a lift/elevator down to the ground floor to enjoy the beaches! If you or a family member needs a more accessible neighborhood, consider seeking hotels close to that lift/elevator. It will help you get to the Welcome Reception location much easier!

Things to consider: A/C

Keep in mind that air conditioning in Europe is not as widely available as it is in the U.S. Considering searching with a filter; click the “Air Conditioning" button on Google Maps, Expedia, or another travel website of your choice to filter for that as a criteria. In general, Europe's lodging options are more quaint and king beds and larger rooms may be harder to come by. King beds are also often referred to as "double beds" in your search results, but you may want to clarify that further with the hotel prior to booking.

As you can see in the screenshot to your left, we've pre-filtered for A/C and Free WiFi and there are plenty of options. Below, you will see some of your suggestions, but we recommend doing your own research to find the best choice for you!

Luxury Hotel Options

Hotel Bellevue Syrene ($$$$)
5-star hotel, A/C, Gym, Pool, WiFi, Room Service, Spa, Private Beach with sunbeds, Babysitting Service
At time of research, $970/night

Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria ($$$$)
5-star hotel, A/C, Gym, WiFi, Room Service, Spa, Pool, Babysitting Service
At time of research, $1229/night

Grand Hotel Royal ($$$)
5-star hotel, A/C, Gym, WiFi, Room Service, Pool, Spa, Private Beach with sunbeds, Babysitting Service
At time of research, $670/night

Ara Maris ($$$)
5-star hotel, A/C, Gym, WiFi, Room Service, Spa, Pool
At time of research, $575/night


Premium Hotel Options

Grand Hotel La Favorita ($$$)
5-star hotel, A/C, WiFi, Pool, Gym, Babysitting Service
At time of research, $475/night

Hotel Regina ($$$)
4-star hotel, A/C, WiFi, Pool
At time of research, $315/night

Palazzo Marziale ($$)
4-star hotel, A/C, WiFi, Room Service
At time of research, $309/night

Palazzo Montefusco Relais ($$)
4-star hotel, A/C, WiFi, Babysitting Service
At time of research, $220/night

Budget Options

Casa Astarita Bed & Breakfast ($150/night)
Maison Blu Intimate Guesthouse ($170/night)

Please feel free to extend your search - there are hundreds of hotel and B&B options in Sorrento!

Tips and FYI

- The optional event begins May 29th (Welcome Cocktail Reception) and the Wedding Day is May 30th.
- Traveling with family? You may want to consider renting an apartment; Expedia will have plenty of options.
- We recommend searching Expedia to see the variety of options from Apartments, Townhouses, Bed & Breakfasts, and Hostels.
- After selecting your choice, we would recommend going directly to the hotel’s website and seeing if they have better rates or have any offers (e.g. reserve 3 nights, get the 4th free).
- You will see a “VAT” amount added daily to your stays. This is the “Value Added Tax” and usually it’s a very small amount. Unlike with goods you purchase, hotel stays and meals are not eligible for refunds. Look up “VAT refund process” to learn more about this program.

BLACK TIE

Your 007 moment

The attire for the wedding will be Black Tie, so bring your favorite black suit or tux! For those that need further clarification:

- Black Tuxedo or Suit
- Black trousers
- Dress shirts are white or black
- Bow-Tie and Ties are optional
- Black shoes
- Pocket squares can be of any color; while white is the most traditional and classic, you could consider matching your pocket square to your spouse’s gown color, too.
- Vest, Waistcoat, and Cummerbund are all optional and up to your stylistic choice.

Since the ceremony and cocktail hour will be during sunset, you may want to consider pairing your stylish sunglasses with your suit or tux.
Wear your favorite watch or cuff-links.

Temperature in Sorrento: during the ceremony (sunset), it will be low-70s with a breeze and temperature will drop to 64-66 degrees.

BLACK TIE

Glamour and Grace: Black Tie Inspiration

The attire for the wedding will be Black Tie, so bring your favorite floor-length dress. For those that would find it helpful to see examples and inspiration for dresses or colors to consider, this page is for you!

Classic colors like black, navy, or deep jewel tones are always a safe bet and suits everybody. You can also opt to consider the venue: The Amalfi Coast! Colors like yellow, orange, corals, or even floral prints would be stunning. Sleek lines or high slits can add a contemporary edge to your look. High-low cuts and ankle-cut dresses are also appropriate!

For accessories, the options are endless:
- Clutch
- Earrings/Necklaces
- Watch/bracelets
- Hair clips

During the ceremony at sunset, historic temperatures in Sorrento has been 72-74 degrees Fahrenheit (with a breeze). As the sun sets, temperatures may drop down to 66 degrees at night. If you wish, you can consider an outerwear piece (shawl or stylish wrap).

FAQ

What colors are not appropriate?
White and red. White for the obvious (western culture's color for the bride) and red (eastern culture's color for the bride).

I dislike wearing dresses, would a jumpsuit be acceptable?
Yes! A chic alternative to a gown, a well-tailored jumpsuit can be just as elegant. Look for designs with structured silhouettes, high-quality fabrics, and sophisticated details like a cinched waist or embellished accents.

Can I wear a nice cocktail dress?
No. Long-lengths only. You could opt for a high-low cut, if you prefer a shorter look and feel.

For those in a shopping rut:

High-End Options: Designers (>$100):
Revolve
Reformation
Club L London
Alamour The Label
Cult Gaia
Norma Komali

Mid-Tier Options: Boutiques (<$100):
Lulus
Meshki
Hello Molly
Oh Polly
Rent The Runway

Budget Options (<$50):
SHEIN (Highly recommend, their variety and quality will surprise you. The bride's bachelorette "wedding dress" was $30 from SHEIN)
Amazon
Rent The Runway
Poshmark/Depop

FAQ

Where is the link to your registry?

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for. We are so grateful that you are willing to travel to Italy to celebrate with us, so we've decided against a registry and insist on no gifts. Your company and well wishes are more than enough!

Are children invited to the wedding events?

We love your little ones, we truly do, but we want it to be your Italian summer vacation, too! The wedding will be an aged 16+ event. The hotels that we recommend provide babysitting/daycare services. If you are unable to attend due to childcare conflicts, we completely understand and encourage you to do what's best for you.

What is the suggested attire for the Welcome Reception on Thursday, May 29th?

The Welcome Reception will be Smart-Casual / Cocktail attire. Chino shorts are acceptable.

What is the suggested attire for the Wedding for Friday, May 30th?

The Wedding will be Black Tie. Gentlemen in Black Suits or Tuxedos; Ladies in floor-length or maxi dresses, no red or white dresses. Please see Outfit Inspiration page.

What is the weather going to be like?

Daytime temperatures will be in the low-mid 70s, dropping to mid 60's in the evening. Expect coastal breezes.

Will Hina be attending?

As much as we would have loved to have her be our ring bearer, we intend to go straight to our honeymoon and flying with her internationally proved to be too logistically challenging. Instead, she will be joining us in spirit through the Hina-inspired cocktail menu!

Will there be a hotel block?

No, we looked into this and there was no financial advantage for our guests. Morever, Sorrento offers so many charming B&Bs, hotels, and villas that we want to ensure you have options that suit your budget and traveling preferences! Check out the Hotels/Accommodations page for more info.

Are +1's invited?

Yes!

When are RSVPs due?

By February 1st 2025.

I want to RSVP, but my +1 is unsure of their schedule. Can I update my RSVP with their details later?

Yes, please respond with just your details for now. The link will remain live so your +1 can RSVP when they are ready, separately.

Will transportation be provided?

A private driver/shuttle will be available on the wedding day only (May 30) from 9PM-2AM.

Are phones allowed at the wedding?

95% yes. However, phones ARE NOT allowed during the ceremony. We kindly ask that you turn off your phones and *do not take photos during the ceremony*. Outside of that, phones are allowed.