Janie - For us, our Italian Wedding was like a fairy tale. Thank you for all that you, Bill, and Lucia did to help things go smoothly. Whenever there were glitches beyond anyone's
control, like initially with the villa and the delayed plane arrivals, you always had a Plan B, or in our case, a Plan C.

We were impressed with your organization, attention to details, your professionalism, promptness, friendly personalities, and the special touches like the cup for our floral arrangement that you had a local potter create.  We were also appreciative for all of your guidance.   When we arrived in Sapri, you and Lucia were there to meet us, escort us to the rental agency, communicate  to eliminate any language barriers, and had a folder complete with itineraries,  schedules, and directions.   The day of our wedding blessing, you and Lucia were there to guide and direct everything from the florist's arrival, through the video and photo sessions, the ceremony, and the toast.

The  staff at the Inn at Fiumicello was excellent. Again, they made us feel welcome and prepared fantastic meals for Steve and I.  They simply spoiled us. We were grateful to be in such beautiful surroundings where we felt so welcomed. Please tell the inn how thankful and pleased we were.

As for the photographer, we were extremely pleased with our photos.   We loved the shots that were captured, the angles  chosen, the scenery, the expressions  captured. We've received many compliments! Thank you! Thank you! We absolutely love our photographs. Our families thought the photographs looked just like we'd stepped out of a magazine.

Please also tell the videographer that we loved the video.  The music was perfect. The footage was beautiful, the editing was terrific! We liked how he did the old movie effects, faded into black and white, and did the layering effect during the footage in the Maratea Center.  Thanks for including the footage of the local  people. That's what personalized it so much for us.  The video helped our families feel like they were in  Italy with us.  It's exactly what Steve and I wanted them to feel---like they were there with us.

We were especially impressed that the photographer and the videographer did such an amazing job, considering that they both had less than 72 hours to have everything ready! Amazing! (Steve's sister got married in October and she still doesn't have her wedding video or her photos...And she paid much more money.)  The video and photographs were all worth every Euro and more...Thank you so much!

Again, Janie, Bill, and Lucia, thank you for everything. We will recommend Slow Dreams to others.  Thank you also for using quality services especially with the photographer, lodging, florists, and videographer.   We would repeat this entire experience again!!
We loved it that much!

Many thanks,
Michele and Steve Ulness

Sandra & Dominic

Firstly I would like to thank Bill for his quick responses for all my questions regarding queries on the wedding itself. No other company or agency were able to give me such a detailed and accurate answer to any query I may have. This made dealing with Slow Dreams, a joyous and stress free way to plan my wedding. So a big thanks to Bill.

Secondly, I cannot thank Janie, Lucia and Rosa enough. You also made my wedding event relaxed and stress free. Who can say that on their wedding day two hours before the wedding ceremony the groom was swimming in the pool, taking it all in his stride. The formal ceremony in the evening was more than I ever expected. It all went beautifully. with blue seas to my right and glorious mountains to my left and clear blue skies above, I could not have pictured a more romantic and idyllic setting for my wedding day. The service at the dinner was next to none. To the waiters and caters thank you for topping off an already perfect day.

The hotel Meraviglie was absolutely beautiful. The staff were brilliant and went out of their way to help with every circumstance. From the Owner of the hotel to the taxi service, I cannot write down in words how welcome and how well we were looked after. So a big thank you there.

Again, I would like to Thank Janie, Lucia, Rosa and Bill for making my wedding event something that I will look back with great memories. I will have to get Dominic to bring me back each year on our wedding anniversary.

THANK YOU ALL.

Sandra.

(Now, a note from Bill the web site man - Sandra goes on to say in this subsequent email below what she really wanted to say about Janie,  Lucia and Rosa,  but could not say until she was safely out the country and had received her wedding album that the evil trio was controlling). 

Hi Bill,

I know you are the best Bill, I just had to mention them (a note to readers  - "them" refers to Janie, Lucia & Rosa, the evil trio ). I didn't want them to feel left out.

Regards

Sandra Kelly

Our trip was more than we ever thought possible. The whole wedding package was awesome. The Inn at Fiumicello was wonderful!! The wedding was something we will never forget. The whole process from the Mayor to the town showing up to help us celebrate was awesome. It was all we were hoping for plus!! Having a cell phone came in handy. Great idea!!! It was nice to meet Lucia and she was very helpful coordinating our stay in the Maratea area. We could spend hours telling you about all the fun and exciting things we did while in Italy. Thank you for doing a great job!!!!!!!!!

Janie, Bill and Lucia:

Just wanted to let you know that we have all made it home safely.  What an incredible adventure we all had in Italy.  Thank you so much for all of your hard work, we definitely couldn't have gotten it all together without your help.  The wedding was absolutely perfect!  We couldn't have asked for anything more beautiful.  Besides that, the food was to die for! 

Also, I just want you to know that our group can't say enough good things about the staff at the Grand Hotel Pianeta.  They were incredible.  The hotel, staff and food were all excellent. 

If you have anyone that would like to contact someone who had used Slow Dreams, we would definitely be willing to give you a huge thumbs up. 

Thanks again,

Laura and Bryan Nelson

Chris & Karen

Hi Janie,  I would like to thank you for absolutely everything!!!  Our wedding day was the most wonderful day of my life.  I couldn't have asked for anything more, or painted a prettier picture.   I think that I can speak for both of us when I say that we would be more than happy to give a testimonial when and where you would like.  There is nothing negative that we could possibly say about Slow-Dreams or the hotel.  Both were most helpful and accommodating.  It was definitely an experience of a lifetime and we will cherish those memories forever.  Your job has to be most rewarding.

The rest of our trip was wonderful.  We are both looking forward to returning and possibly visiting your area one day.

 

Thanks again for everything and please convey my gratitude to Angela and the staff at the hotel!!

Jeremy & Autumn

The Slow Dreams team took care of our every need. They were there to help us with every step of the way, from planning and decision making, to helping us find the right train to get to Rome. They hotels they recommended were all first rate, and we would not have had as much time to relax and enjoy the honeymoon without their hard work. My wife and I were already planning the next trip on the plane home, and Slow Dreams will definitely be helping us plan that as well.
In all honestly, I can’t think of a single bad thing to report, Bill.  You guys  answered every question we had, and the arrangements were perfect. 

 Thanks again,

 Jeremy

Amanda & Nicholas

Michelle & Tim

Stephanie & Guy

Dear Janie and Bill, many thanks for all the hard work you put into making our wedding day so special. The venue, catering and accommodation was all top notch, and the setting at the Inn at Fiumicello was spectacular. The paperwork, ceremony, and the whole day was superbly organised. We would have no hesitation in recommending Slow Dreams to anyone looking for a romantic Italian wedding in a stunning location. Steph and Guy.

Sandy & Jerry

Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication to making our wedding day perfect!! Let us start thanking you for the Villa Ceeta. You recommended the perfect setting for our stay and our wedding. The villa was wonderful, the service excellent , the food... well perfect, and the setting charming. I think our girls enjoyed Maratea as much as any of the marvellous sights of Italy. They got this wonderful opportunity to explore the town, shop in the shops and imagine life in a coastal Italian village. I have to tell you... we will be back!

The wedding day went off without a hitch, or the slightest of nerves! Everything was perfectly planned and the minister was lovely. As any bride and groom, getting married across the sea, we worried a bit about how will our clothes be pressed, or what will the flowers would be like... honestly, we met you both, and the wonderful people at Villa Cheta, and we knew we were in good hands! We are still wondering how you managed to pull off the beautiful sunny day!

There are so many places today that cater to the "destination" wedding. So many choices. We are absolutely thrilled with ours! No crowd, no fuss, no stress. We felt so blessed to have found each other, we wanted a quite, private and intimate setting to make our commitment and receive our wedding blessing. You surpassed our expectations.

Shawn & Phil

Janie & Bill:

When we decided to get married in Italy, neither of us knew the memories that we would walk away with.  After so much time looking online for a wedding service we finally found Slow-Dreams, and what a find it was. 

Along the Campania coastline lies the sleepy village of Castellabate di Santa Maria and the hotel Villa Sirio, a true hidden treasure.  From its ocean views to its elegant rooms, the Villa Sirio lives up to its royal heritage.  Alessandra, Gino and the whole Villa Sirio staff worked tirelessly with Janie and the Slow Dreams organization to make our dream come true. 

Despite the maze of governmental paperwork, Slow Dreams was by our side each step of the way.  A special thank you to John & Martina during our Naples experience, we absolutely could not have done it with out them.

The exceptional pictures and video seemed to capture our every emotion.   Each time we view them we are transported back to the terrace and the shining sun where we began our journey as man and wife.  

Our Slow Dreams experience was truly magnificent. There are not enough words to express our gratitude for making our wedding into a true fairytale.

Lilliot (Phil) & Shawn Phillips

Kiyomi & Lee

                                 Thank you, 너를감사하십시요, Arigato, Danke, Orbigado, Merci and Grazie!!  There are not enough ways to say thank you.  Kiyomi and I are truly grateful for the efforts of Slow Dreams.  When we hit Send on the initial E-mail contact with Slow Dreams, we were doubtful that anyone would entertain the idea of planning a wedding with only 8 weeks notice.  Oh yeah, and did we mention that my bride-to-be and I we were living in 2 separate countries, 8,291 miles apart, to be exact?  Not only did we receive a reply from Bill the following day, but we were given the assurance that the wedding would be spectacular.  From that moment on, the adventure began.

When we initiated the paperwork in the United States and Bahrain to obtain the infamous Atto Nottorio, we found obstacles at every turn and wondered if the paperwork, and therefore the wedding, would come to fruition.  We figured that if we couldn’t handle getting things done in the areas in which we lived, how were we going to get things done in a country to which neither of us had ever been nor did either of us speak the language?  Thankfully we managed the paperwork on the American end, but surviving Napoli was another story.  John was our savior in Napoli.  We highly recommend his services to help maneuver through the chaos known to us as Napoli.

We chose Castello Praja as the place we would pledge our eternal love.  With John’s help in Napoli, we were in the car headed for Castello Praja by midday.  What a choice we made!!  In the dictionary under the word picturesque, it says, see Castello Praja.  The castle was not only exquisite, but the castle’s family literally treated us like royalty.  From the moment we arrived at Castello Praja, we were waited on hand and foot, fed extraordinary cuisine, and treated to guided tours of the spectacular region in Praia a Mare and the surrounding villages.  We simply cannot say enough wonderful things about the family of Castello Praja and the property itself.  We were in heaven during our week stay at the castle and Kiyomi’s parents can now brag about their stint as the Lord and Lady of Castello Praja.

Our wedding, on the turrets of Castello Praja overlooking the Mediterranean Sea on a perfect spring afternoon, is something that not only Kiyomi and I will talk about for the rest of our lives, but our guests will as well.  Our goal was an intimate wedding adventure, and we succeeded with a quaint wedding ceremony in Italian and English translation, fabulous sights, adventurous photographers and guests, and incredible food to keep our stomachs’ happy.  Silvia and Luigi, the photographers, took us around the town and port of Maratea and produced a fabulous album and DVD.  We are incredibly thankful to Silvia and Luigi for their hard work and creativity.  The entire experience at Castello Praja was fabulous.  Everyone left the castle with memories that will be forever etched in their minds and hearts.  And Kiyomi and I have a sneaky suspicion that we will be back someday to renew our memories.  Castello Praja is just that beautiful and special.  Thank you Slow Dreams for helping Kiyomi and I create a wedding adventure that suited our every whim.  We will cherish our experiences forever.

Our best to you all,

The Griffeys

Note :   Kiyomi and Lee's experience getting their Atto Notorio is quite unsual  -  them being in two different countries and with only 8 weeks to get the approval radically complicated the process.    Also, there is new process  in place (quite expensive) for the ancient and beautiful town of Castellabate,  which allows US Citizens to get married there very easily and very quickly - see ceremony packages. eliminating the effort that Kiyomi and Lee went through. 

Becky & James

Thank you for everything you did to make our day special. Everyone had a fantastic time and a number of them said it was the best wedding they'd ever been to!

We loved the location (Inn at Fiumicello), which lived up to the pictures on your site, and from seeing our photos we've had 3 couples ask us where we were as they are interested in getting married there. We're quite happy to recommend you as you ensured that everything ran smoothly, it can't have been easy with us finding decision-making so difficult but you coped with that admirably.

Everything you organised we were very happy with, from the flowers to the meal. We were able to relax as we were confident everything was being looked after, and we're very grateful for that. We really don't think the day could have gone any better, it got our marriage off to a perfect start and we're so pleased we decided to come out to Maratea to do it.

Thanks again

James & Becky

Haley & Martyn - Weddings in Italy

Both of us wanted to say how very much we enjoyed our wedding day.  It really was the most fantastic day and better than we could have ever imagined.  Thank you all so much for making our day so special, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house by the time our ceremony was over!  You all made the whole process so easy, even providing answers to questions that we hadn’t got round to asking!  You were all so great in dealing with our unreasonable/unusual requests (the cricket themed table plan, Welsh and English flags, etc) and for accommodating all of our guests.  The setting for our ceremony at the Hotel Meraviglie was so romantic and perfect, and all the staff so friendly and helpful.  The area of Maratea itself is beautiful and unspoilt, and all the people we met were friendly.  We have both already recommended Maratea and your company to other people.  I am also holding Martyn to his promise of taking me back to Italy’s last hideaway for our wedding anniversaries.

Thank you once again so much, it is a day we will both remember for ever.

Hayley and Martyn Cushing!

John & Andrea

John and I had the most wonderful wedding ever! It was nothing like what we'd hoped for. It was everything we'd hoped for and it was so much more than we'd ever hoped for!!! Thank you for that. 

The Santa Maria Castellabate scenery, the spiral staircase and balconies of Villa Sirio were the perfect backdrop to many wonderful wedding pictures we will treasure for a lifetime. We wanted to share a few pictures of the wedding with you. Thank you again for making this so easy and stress free.

John & Andrea Mazzotta

   Photo coming

Anastasia & Evgueny

Hi Bill, Janie, Lucia!

I would like to thank you for your kind assistance in our wedding arrangements. La Locanda is a perfect place to have a warm, cozy and romantic wedding!!! We were very impressed by the beautiful ceremony and the views. Our guests enjoyed the stay in Locanda. Evgueny and I definitely hope to return for one of our anniversaries! You were very responsive, open to any ideas, and made the whole arrangement process very smooth and comfortable. Lucia, thank you for taking care of us at the wedding day! With your help we were confident that the wedding goes the way we want.

Thank you SlowDreams for your efforts and care!

Yours Evgueny&Anastasia.

Andy Sharon

Jayne & Greg

Rachel & Duncan

Wow, where do we start?
Firstly, thanks to Bill and Janie for all your emails of endless information and reassurance over the past year. It's difficult to arrange a wedding & accommodation for 30 people so far away but you guys were great and also very patient. Thanks also for the great welcome packs in everyone's rooms, all our guests were very grateful for those.

When we first arrived in Maratea in absolute pouring rain, you 3 lovely ladies were there to reassure us that it'll all be fine on the day and if it was still raining, plan B was still a beautiful option. Luckily, my dad was looking down on us and the sun shone all day long which meant we could go ahead as planned and get married overlooking the sea at the stunning Il Carrubo at the Santavenere. All our guests were utterly gobsmacked at the amazing natural beauty of the surroundings at the Il Carrubo, we would recommend a wedding here to anyone and everyone! The staff at the Santavenere were more than helpful and the waiters were very charming. We had the tastiest,  most fantastic 6 course meal ever (and the most filling as well!).

The photographers, Sylvia and Luigie were great too, both so laid back they made us feel very relaxed. They even came back after the meal to take more pictures! Thank you both of you for your great work.

Lucia and Rosa did a fantastic job with decorating the tables with all the little jars and butterflies we'd brought over from England.......thank you.

To sum up the day, we had the most amazing, perfect day of our lives and feel very lucky that 28 of our closest family and friends came all the way to Maratea to share that day with us. Many of our guests have said it's the best wedding they've ever been to and also how they would love to return to that part of Italy again. The whole day ran extremely smoothly and we are both very thankful to all of you at slow dreams for making it possible. we are already planning to return for our first anniversary!

with love from

Rachel and Duncan x x

   photo coming soon

Celeste & Paul

Hi Janie and Lucia!
 
Everything was awesome!  When we got home, my mom wept in my arms because she was so sad the trip was over - she never thought she would ever have such a nice trip like that in her life!  It was everything we could ever imagine and more.  Paul and I are so proud and all our guests kept telling us it was the best wedding they had ever been to.  One guest said the ceremony was so beautiful that we probably had a few converts in the croud if they already weren't catholic!
 
I think the Grand Hotel San Michele is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to.  The dinner was superb -  I'm still dreaming of finishing the veal that I left on my plate because I was so full!  I can go on and on.
 
If you would like a more complete testimonial, please let us know and Paul and I can prepare something together.
 
There is just one little thing...the music for the video.  Paul and I have decided to completely "scrap" our song choices.  I hope it's not too late to do so.  We're thinking the choices don't go with the mood or the theme of the wedding.  Again, we are not fussy.  We would like Italian music.  We leave it up to the videographer to chose what he would find appropriate and nice.
 
Thanks again!
Celeste and Paul