[agatha]

Leah,
That sounds like a wonderful party. You are so right about the red and white table coverings :) have never seen them in Italy either.

I think it would be fun to hire an Italian band and after a few glasses of wne the wedding party could dance. Pehaps even some people know the old folk dances. They can be very wild ,at times.

Maybe a travel agency would give some beautiful posters of Italy. Make it look like you are lookng out the window at Venice, or Rome or Florence.

[matteoo]

leah, your dinner sounds beautifully organized.

unfortunately, i must say that she is asking for a wedding, and honestly i don't think white and red checked tablecloth with mismatched plate is appropriate for a wedding.

i mean it's totally fine for a dinner between friends, but not for a wedding.

could you imagine 150 people wearing nice dresses, tuxedos eating in blue, red, green, yellow plates on red and white tablecloths?

as i don't think that a carnival theme would be appropriate for a wedding, since a wedding it's not a funny goliardic event, but a very serious one.

could yoiu imagine the bride, who probably has dreamed of her perfect wedding since she was 5, having to deal with jokers, clowns and other funny figures?

I suggest, pastel colors, from ivory, to total white, to light green, or light pink, drapes on chairs and buffet's tables. flowers every where.

take a look here (just for the pictures):
http://www.garinidellasforzesca.com/wedding.htm
http://www.leomarket.it/catering/index.htm[url]
[/url]http://www.leomarket.it/catering/index.htm[url][/url]

[Leah]

matteo,

Here in the USA the rehearsal dinner is not the day of the wedding. Also, no one wears tuxedos to the rehearsal dinner. The rehearsal dinner can be formal or informal but usually not as formal as the reception after the wedding.

I posted my message only to say how I have my informal Italian dinner get-togethers at home.

Ciao ciao,
Leah

[matteoo]

thanks leah for your explanation.

i really liked your organization for your dinner, i could smell your food, hear the music and get drunk with your wine. you really give me/us the idea of your wonderfull dinner.

probably i'm thinking with my italian mind, and some events for us can be only formal, every events connected with a wedding are formal, a dinner for 150 can not be informal. jeans and t-shirt would not be welcome in a rehearsal dinner, even if it's full august.
i think that she should keep the same standard used for the wedding, the same tone.

an appropriate garment is first of all a sign of respect toward the host, no matter how close you are with the host.

[peter]

Dear great denominator into the bill for this glorious prfe nuptual gala...Arches of italian flag colors with lights wrapped around the arches along connected tables in one great line of people, food and booze with coffee and mini pastries nearby.=Peter=
_________________
There are excellent websites to post inquiries concerning your family genalogy staffed by individual volunteers who do not charge anything but offer their knowledge to preserve family ties.

[Calabro]

Katy...

May I suggest you look at the Godfather Parts 1 and 2. You will see examples of two weddings. Connie Corleone's Italian American wedding in part 1 and Michael Corleone's Sicilian wedding in part 2.

Aside from the gangster stuff, you might be able to get some ideas of the atmosophere that surrounds such an outdoor gathering.

Hope this helps.

Jim

[Christina V. Stanford]

The following is a brief description of our Italian singing and dance troupe. We have performed at many weddings and festivals all over the US AND ITALY. We are the only Italian Dance troupe to recieve the Medal of Peace from the Italian Government for our performances in Italy. Please feel free to contact me for further information and a video package!

I Campagnoli /Dance Troup
E mail: [email protected]


A Brief History of I Campagnoli

I Campagnoli was launched in 1964 by then President of the Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), Judge Ruggerio J. Aldisert. He had the dream of initiating a troupe of ISDA members performing as amateurs, but with professional profile. This dream became a reality throughout the United States.
ISDA’s I Campagnoli remains active and enjoys traveling when hired to perform outside of the Pittsburgh area. The content of a show is determined by the length and also by regional audience. I Campagnoli has much to offer including a children’s group (I Piccoli Campagnoli) who can perform with the adult group or on their own. I Piccoli Campagnoli also does a wide range of shows according to the regional audience.
I Campagnoli’s repertoire is vast and can encompass all of Italy. Accordion, guitar and bass are the prevailing instruments, however, when stipends provided will permit, a mandolinist is hired to complete the ensemble.




Several of I Campagnoli’s performances have been professionally videotaped, and the group also has studio- recorded an audiocassette Italian folk songs and dance music. In addition, in 1997, Jane Ferro published a book of noted music with lyrics called I Miei Ricordi which contains many songs which had never been noted before. These items are sold to raise funds for the troupe. I Campagnoli also possess a vast library of sheet music of Italian folk songs which can be duplicated; reproduction fees are based on availability and amount of music requested.

[agatha]

Dear katy,

I think your idea sounds like fun. The dinner hosted by the grooms parents the night before the wedding should be fun and a time for the two families to bond . well, if not bond get to know each other a little.

My one suggestion is to run this idea by your future daughter in law. If she is having a very formal wedding she might not "cotton to" an Italian FunFilled dinner!

Southern Girls go by the book ,for the most part, and still use the family silver, love the monogramed linens and can you believe it write thank you notes!

You sound like a great mother in law!

agatha
travel moderator

[Doreen]

I attended at dinner that was completely Tuscan in all the foods served. You may want to theme the dinner around the foods of Italy where your family hails from.

[agatha]

This thread was started in 2005. Probably the dinner has been given. Alas, 99% of the time we never hear the results of the questions posted on VI. If the dinner was wonderful, if the reataurant was outstanding, if the hotel we suggested was terrible, if the bus station was where we sent you....we never know???????

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