WE'RE GETTING MARRIED!
ITALIAN RIVIERA
May 27-29, 2027
Italian Riviera
05.29.2027
Villa Riviera
A few years ago we took a trip to Santa Margherita and completely fell in love with the area: the coastline, rolling hills and vineyards, cobblestone streets, Italian accents, local bars, the beach clubs, and, of course, the food.
One day while sitting at our hotel pool overlooking the Portofino Bay, filled with sailboats and yachts, we looked at each other and said…what if we could bring all our favorite people here? We laughed at the idea like it was too good to be true.
Then wedding planning kicked off last fall, and we found ourselves coming back to the same question. We know a destination wedding asks a little more of everyone, but the chance to return to one of our favorite places with all of our favorite people felt too special to pass up.
THE WEDDING WEEK
Wednesday May 26th, 2027
arrive in santa margherita!
Since our first event kicks off at noon on Thursday, we recommend arriving in Santa Margherita by Wednesday night.
For anyone who is in town, we plan to have a casual, optional meet up at a bar in town. More details to come!
Thursday May 27th, 2027
beach club welcome party
LANGOSTERIA & BAGNI FIORE BEACH CLUB, PARAGGI
12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Join us at Langosteria and Bagni Fiore beach club for a day by the sea! Lunch, wine, and beer will be provided. We’ll be swimming, lounging, dancing, and enjoying the beach until sunset.
TRANSPORTATION
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To get to the beach club, guests can take a taxi from their hotel or use one of our recommended local contacts. The drive from Santa Margherita is approximately 5–10 minutes.
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For the return journey, we’ll share transportation details closer to the wedding, including the easiest options for getting back to Santa Margherita from the beach club.
DRESS CODE
Elevated beach club attire. Plan to wear or bring a swimsuit - there will be towels and changing rooms at the beach club. Additional details and moodboard coming soon!
after the beach
SABOT, SANTA MARGHERITA
7:30 PM - 11:00 PM
After the beach club, join us at Sabot, one of our favorite wine bars in Santa Margherita, to keep the evening going. Pizza and light bites will be provided. Feel free to come straight from the beach or head back to your hotel to freshen up before joining us. This part of the evening is completely optional.
TRANSPORTATION
We’ll share the best options for getting from the beach club back to Santa Margherita closer to the date, whether you’re heading straight to Sabot or stopping by your hotel first.
DRESS CODE
Casual and comfortable. Feel free to come as you are from the beach club or change into something fresh for the evening on the town.
Friday May 28th, 2027
choose your own adventure
After Thursday’s beach club festivities, Friday is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Take the day to relax, settle in, and explore the Italian Riviera.
IF YOU'D LIKE TO JOIN US
We are looking to organize an optional “meet up” activity with the bride and groom. More details will be shared closer to the date!
OR EXPLORE ON YOUR OWN
Looking for some inspiration? Here are a few ideas for the day:
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Wine tasting
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Shopping and walking around town
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Explore Portofino Bay
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Lounging at the pool or nearby beaches
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Spa day at Grand Hotel Bristol
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Ferry or hike to San Fruttuoso beach
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Boat excursion to cinque terre
RESTAURANT RECOMMENDATIONS
We’ll also be sharing a curated list of some of our favorite restaurants in the area closer to the date.
Saturday May 29th, 2027
the wedding day!
VILLA RIVIERA, SANTA GIULIA
3:30 PM - 3:00 AM
Our wedding day will take place at Villa Riviera, a beautiful hilltop retreat overlooking the Italian Riviera. The afternoon will begin with our ceremony, followed by aperitivo in the olive tree garden, dinner and dancing, and a late-night after party in the villa’s speakeasy.
We couldn’t be more excited and grateful to celebrate with our closest family and friends in such a special setting.
DRESS CODE
More details coming soon
TRANSPORTATION
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Detailed transportation information to get to and from Villa Riviera will be shared closer to the wedding. As road access and parking at the venue are limited, we’ll make sure you have all the information you need to plan your arrival and departure easily.
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Since the after party is optional, we will have departure options available after the reception and throughout the evening, so you can return when you’re ready!
TRAVEL & STAY
WHERE TO STAY
We recommend staying in Santa Margherita Ligure. It’s centrally located for the weekend’s events and an easy walk to restaurants, beaches, and nearby towns like Portofino and Rapallo.
IMPERIALE PALACE HOTEL
we are staying here :)
To book, email
events@imperialepalacehotel.it
and mention “Allison & Ben’s Wedding” to access the special wedding rates.
HOTEL CONTINENTAL
best location
Limited rooms available at a special
wedding rate until November 30, 2026
For further info, please contact our wedding planner
5 rooms available at a special wedding rate - May 26–30
MEDITERRANO
best value, highly recommend
5% wedding discount
Book your preferred room using our wedding discount code ALLIBEN0529 in the Promo Code field when booking online.
VILLA ALBERTI
best value
5% wedding discount
Book your preferred room using our wedding discount code ALLIBEN0529 in the Promo Code field when booking online.
HOTEL REGINA ELENA
great beach + rooftop pool
To book, email info@reginaelena.it and mention
“Allison & Ben’s Wedding".
Please book by November 30, 2026.
20 rooms available · May 27–30
B&B HOTEL SANTA MARGHERITA LIGURE
budget friendly
10% wedding discount
Book directly through the hotel website using our wedding discount code: ALLIBEN0529
GETTING HERE
Don’t forget your passport! In order to get into Italy, your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your return date, with a few blank pages available for travel.
GENOA AIRPORT (GOA)
Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport (GOA) is the closest airport to Santa Margherita Ligure and our recommended option if flight schedules work for you. The drive to Santa Margherita takes approximately 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
From GOA, you can reach Santa Margherita by:
Taxi or Private Transfer
The easiest and most direct option, especially if you’re traveling with luggage. We’ll share our recommended transfer contacts closer to the wedding.
Train
Take the Genova Airlink shuttle from the airport to Genova Sestri Ponente Aeroporto station, then continue by train to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino. Depending on the timetable, you may be able to travel directly or change trains in central Genoa. Alternatively, you can travel into central Genoa and take a train from Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Brignole. We recommend checking the best connection for your travel date.
Rental Car
Rental cars are available at the airport. A car won’t be necessary for the wedding weekend itself, but it may be useful if you’re planning to explore the region before or after the celebrations.
MILAN MALPENSA AIRPORT (MXP)
For a wider range of international flight options, Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is another good choice. The drive to Santa Margherita Ligure takes approximately 2.5–3 hours, depending on traffic.
From MXP, you can reach Santa Margherita by:
Private Transfer
The most convenient option for groups or anyone traveling with a lot of luggage. We’ll share our recommended transfer contacts closer to the wedding.
Train
Take the Malpensa Express from the airport to Milano Centrale, then continue by train to Santa Margherita Ligure-Portofino. Some departures offer a direct connection, while others may require a change in Genoa, usually at Genova Piazza Principe or Genova Brignole. We recommend checking the best connection for your travel date.
Rental Car
Rental cars are available at the airport. As with Genoa, a car isn’t necessary for the wedding weekend itself, but it can be a good option if you’re planning to travel around Italy before or after your stay.
TAXI & PRIVATE TRANSFER
We’ll share a list of recommended taxi and private transfer contacts closer to the wedding, both for airport transportation and getting around once you arrive.
SHOULD I RENT A CAR?
For the wedding weekend itself, a car is not necessary. Santa Margherita is very walkable, and nearby towns such as Portofino and Rapallo can easily be reached by taxi, ferry, bike, or moped. For wedding-related events, we’ll share the best transportation options and any helpful logistics closer to the date. If you’re planning to explore farther along the coast or continue traveling through Italy before or after the wedding, a rental car may be useful.
THINGS TO DO
We’ll be sharing more of our favorite places to eat, drink, explore, and unwind closer to the wedding.
Coming soon
CONTACT
If you have any questions or need help planning your trip, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
We know international travel takes a little extra planning, and we’re incredibly grateful you’re making the journey to celebrate with us. We want to make your trip as easy and enjoyable as possible!
ALLISON - (650) 521-4541
BEN - (925) 470-7254
WEDDING PLANNER
info@mg-eventi.com
Looking for help to plan your trip?
Our dear friend Katherine Miller is a travel advisor and can help with everything from wedding weekend hotel reservations to pre- and post-wedding travel plans. Whether you need help finding and booking the right hotels or want support planning a full itinerary, she’s happy to help make your trip as seamless as possible.
Learn more:
Contact:
see you there!
