Italy is by far the most popular destination for overseas weddings. We joined a group of wedding planners and influencers from Italy, USA and the UK, exploring stunning venues in Venice, Florence and Portofino and getting a taste of Italy along the way. Over the next four days, follow our FAM trip online and discover why so many couples fall in love with the idea of an Italian wedding.
What is a FAM trip?
FAM trips, or familiarisation trips, enable wedding planners, tour operators and the media to fully experience and appreciate a particularly area in order to recommend it to the relevant clients. They involve an intensive program of site visits, tastings and meetings, but plenty of opportunities just to experience the best that the area, hotel or venue has to offer. We travelled with Ed Libby and Bob Conti - top Event Designers from New York whose clients include many celebrities as well as MGM and Bellagio, Josh Friedman of the top international entertainment agency Elan Artists, Sarah Glick and Chelsea LaFollette of New York based Brilliant Event Planning, Eleonora Rioda - Venice based luxury wedding planner, James Lord and Melina Beckett from UK luxury wedding brand Bridelux, as well as videographer Claudio and our hosts Nicola Price and Giulio Stix from Belmond.
Can brides go on FAM trips?
FAM trips are expensive and complicated to host with no guarantee that the venues or experiences would be right for a specific couple so are more suitable for planners, press and tour operators who can then advise the couple based on their experience. However if you are planning a destination wedding in a particular region, a good wedding planner with a reasonable budget will arrange a specialist discovery itinerary for you to go on, spending a night at each of the possible locations, incorporating menu tastings as you go. They will usually accompany you for the trip, introducing you to local suppliers and getting to understand your tastes and normal hotel tariffs for you and the planner will apply.
Join us online over the next four days to get an insider's taste of Italy.