Amore in Corniglia

We’re here at the hilltop wedding of Deborah and Lorenzo who are as beautiful as they are exuberant, throwing fistfuls of candy from the church steps to guests and onlookers. The festivities last all day and well into the evening with fish prepared 30 ways, robust homemade wines, and a very special Limoncello made by the groom.

Light cliffside refreshments and Champagne overlooking the sparkling sea, ah. Then on to Monterosso for lobster risotto, ceviche, frutti di mare, shrimp, crawfish and fresh anchovies, salmon crudo and velvety fish paté and mousse. Plus Spanish jamon crudo, a steak course and 10,000 desserts, including mini-wedding cakes and gelato wrapped in hazelnut wafer with dark chocolate. Grappa and coffee.

About halfway through the bacchanale, a bottle of Fernet appears – “it settles the stomach” – very thoughtful, grazie!

After two receptions, toasts, congratulations, and hours of eating, the couple buzzes down the stone restaurant hallway on a Vespa. Everyone in this hardworking family manages to turn up for work the next morning, amazing.

To our hard-partying credit we stay until the last flaming paper lantern is launched over the blue Ligurian sea – we outlast the bride’s parents. When we go to bed, pink and blue rice falls from our clothes onto the floor. •

NOTE: Since we left, Monterosso Al Mare flooded – completely washed out.  This video gives a dramatic visual of the mud and water that cascaded into Monterosso the day we left.  My heart goes out to Andrea Poggi and his wonderful family.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GgnXMpMZw8

Tre Amici, Andrea Poggi in the middle

Restaurant La Pineta

Wedding cakes

Priest, il Padre

Cliffside mini-reception

Hail to the Chef!

Andrea Poggi and guest

Wedding poster

La Principessa

The lovely Maria

Ela and Angelo

Bride's family – very elegant and glamorous Mama