Please RSVP by June 1, 2026 - the sooner the better so we can plan for everyone!
Together with their families
invite you to their wedding celebration
September 2, 2026
Palazzo Mannocchi Β· Petritoli, Italy
If time permits, we'd love for you to make it a getaway and join us for a few days of la dolce vita August 31 β September 4
Join Us
Type your name exactly as it appears on your invitation
Let us know who's coming and share their contact details
Select wedding events first, then additional activity time options.
Transportation for tours is additional unless noted on the Explore page.
Help us coordinate travel and stay details
Any last details that would help us plan
If anything changes after you submit, please update your RSVP: go back to the RSVP page, enter your invitation name, and submit your updated answers.
We completely understand. Thank you for letting us know — you'll be in our hearts on the day.
We're so excited to celebrate with you. We'll be in touch with more details as the big day approaches.
If anything changes, please update your RSVP so we always have your latest info. Go to RSVP, enter your invitation name, and submit your updated answers.
Thank you for your kind words. We'll miss you!
The Celebration
Five days together in the Italian countryside.
Palazzo Mannocchi will be ours from August 31st through September 4th, with events taking place September 1st β 3rd and the wedding on September 2nd. We encourage you to make the most of the week and attend everything - but only the wedding day is required. For dress code details, refer to the lookbook in the Packing section.
Getting There
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is the recommended airport for most guests - it has the most international flights and direct connections from the U.S. and Canada. From there, it's about 3β3.5 hours to Petritoli by car.
If you're already traveling in Europe, you can also fly into one of these regional airports closer to Petritoli:
Italy's train network is excellent and scenic. If you're already in Italy - coming from Rome, Florence, Bologna, or elsewhere - the train is a great option. These are the nearest stations to Petritoli:
Once you've arrived in Italy, you have two options to reach Petritoli:
Destination address: Largo Giacomo Leopardi, 13, 63848 Petritoli FM, Italy
If there's one piece of advice we'd give, it's this: rent a car. It gives you total freedom to explore one of Italy's most beautiful regions at your own pace - stop at a vineyard, detour to a hilltop village, drive to the coast for lunch. Petritoli is a small village with no taxis, so a car means you're never stuck waiting for anyone else's schedule.
From Rome, take the A24 motorway east across the Apennine Mountains, then connect to the A14 along the Adriatic coast - it's a gorgeous, scenic drive through rolling hills and mountain passes. Many guests have told us this drive was one of the highlights of their trip. You'll need an International Driving Permit (see checklist below), and we recommend booking your rental early as prices go up in peak season. There is parking right outside the old town, which is a 10-minute walk (or less) to the Palazzo.
We'll help arrange car or bus transfers to Petritoli. We will definitely run one main shuttle departing around 2:00 PM from Rome Tiburtina Station on August 31st. If you're already in Rome, we strongly recommend meeting at Tiburtina for pickup.
Rome has many restricted traffic zones (ZTL), especially in the city center, which makes access slow and difficult for commercial/large vehicles. Using Tiburtina helps us keep transportation more reliable and efficient for everyone.
For other pickup points (including airports), we'll organize transportation based on everyone's arrival times submitted in your RSVP. If you're arriving at a less common time or requesting a less common pickup location, there may be an additional cost, we'll communicate that clearly with you in advance. We'll confirm final shuttle logistics with everyone about 1β2 weeks before the wedding.
Available pickup locations:
We'll also arrange a main return shuttle departing at approximately 11:00 AM on September 4th heading back to Rome after checkout. If you need a different departure time or destination, note it in your RSVP and we'll coordinate options. Additional costs may apply for non-standard routes/times, and we'll confirm details with you directly. If you miss the main shuttle, contact Chang and John and we'll connect you with the transport company to arrange another option.
You won't need a car during the celebration itself. All events are either in town or at the Palazzo, and we'll organize transportation for anything off-site (like the Farewell Beach Day). Everything in the village is walkable - sit back, relax, and let us handle the logistics.
Also, there are no taxis in Petritoli - so if you think you'll want to explore the surrounding area independently during the week, a rental car is the way to go. If you don't have a car but need to get around while you're here, you can work with our wedding planner once you arrive to arrange separate car service.
A few important things to sort out before you book your flights:
Need an invitation letter for your visa application? Just let us know - we can absolutely provide one.
Where You'll Stay
We've booked the entire Palazzo Mannocchi from August 31st through September 4th, and we'd love for everyone to stay with us. The whole property is ours, with no other guests and no strangers, just our people. You will have your own space and bedroom to retreat, but the best part is being together under one very old, very beautiful roof.
Petritoli is a small medieval hilltop village in the Le Marche region, one of Italy's best-kept secrets. It's not a tourist town. It's a real, lived-in place where locals greet you in the piazza and the baker still opens at dawn.
At its heart sits Palazzo Mannocchi, an 18th-century noble residence built atop foundations that date back to the Roman period. The property takes up nearly a quarter of the village center. Over the centuries it served as a seat of local nobility, a gathering place for the community, and now, for one unforgettable week, it's ours.
Inside you'll find frescoed ceilings, vaulted halls, period furniture, and panoramic views stretching from the Adriatic Sea to the Sibillini Mountains. It has 40 bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, 9 kitchens, grand salons, terraces, balconies, a rose garden, two swimming pools, and a large jacuzzi. There's WiFi throughout, including the bedrooms.
For non-family guests, staying at the Palazzo is β¬280 per person (ages 12+) for the entire week. This covers accommodation from August 31st through September 4th. Children under 12 do not need to pay this accommodation fee. Family members do not need to pay this accommodation cost.
If you are a non-family guest staying at the Palazzo, please bring your β¬280 in cash and place it in the envelope that will be in your room when you arrive.
We want to be completely upfront: the Palazzo is not a hotel. It is a centuries-old historic property with all the charm, and all the quirks, that come with that.
Think of it as a cozy, slightly wild slumber party in a medieval Italian castle. The furniture is antique (read: character, not luxury). Bathrooms are shared. Some hallways creak. The plumbing has its own personality. There is no front desk, no room service, no concierge. There is also no central air but every room has windows and most rooms have fans. We'll be looking after ourselves and each other - and that's part of what makes it special.
If you're coming with the right expectations, it's magic. If you're expecting a five-star resort, this isn't it, and we want you to know that upfront so you can plan accordingly.
You have three choices for where to stay:
Beyond the Wedding
We'd really love for you to make this trip more than just a wedding - it's a chance to experience one of Italy's most beautiful and unspoiled regions. Click on each section below to learn more.
Your home base - a medieval hilltop village
▼Petritoli is a small, walkable village in the Le Marche countryside with about 2,500 residents. It's not a tourist town - it's a real place where locals know each other by name, shops close for siesta, and the piazza comes alive in the evenings. Everything you need is within a few minutes on foot from the Palazzo.
This one gets its own section. Tre Archi is the gathering spot in Petritoli - right inside the famous three arches. This is where all the locals go for breakfast every morning, so if you want to experience real Italian daily life, start your day here with an espresso and a cornetto. It opens at 6:30 AM and stays open until the last person leaves. Their artisan gelato (made with rice milk) is legendary - multiple reviewers call it the best gelato in Italy. They also serve local wines, craft beer, aperitivi, pastries, and light meals. Gluten-free options including cones are available. You'll end up here every day - trust us. And who knowsβ¦ you might even get a taste of their gelato at the wedding itself. π€«
Le Marche has a rich food culture that rivals any region in Italy. Keep an eye out for: olive all'ascolana (stuffed fried olives - the local specialty), vincisgrassi (a rich lasagna with pork, mushrooms, and sometimes truffles), ciauscolo (a soft, spreadable salami unique to this region), local pecorino cheese (try it fresh or aged), brodetto (Adriatic fish stew with saffron), and porchetta (suckling pig with fennel and garlic). The region is also known for its truffles, honey, and vino cotto ("cooked wine" - a traditional dessert wine).
Petritoli has a pharmacy, bank, 2 ATMs, and a post office - all within walking distance. There's also a 24-hour emergency medical service just 5 minutes away. Italy is still quite cash-oriented, especially in small villages - bring euros and don't rely entirely on credit cards. Our wedding planner and her team will be on the ground to help with additional recommendations and questions - we'll share her number the week of the wedding.
Italy's best-kept secret - rolling hills, coastline, and mountains
▼Le Marche is one of Italy's most underrated regions. Think Tuscany's beauty without the crowds. Our wedding planner works with local guides to organize group tours and we highly recommend you take advantage and explore the area.
On Tuesday Sept 1st, we will be organizing a Grape Stomping Welcome Festival at a local vineyard and farm that is 20 minutes by foot from Petritoli. This is truly a unique experience that is only possible during harvest season in September and October. We will be able to participate in grape stomping, enjoy traditional food and get a taste of local folk music and dances. βΆ Watch a video of the grape stomping experience
On Thursday Sept 4th, we will head to Porto San Giorgio and enjoy the beach on the Adriatic Sea. After relaxing on sunbeds and swimming in the sea, we will have a farewell seafood dinner with the freshest catch of the day while enjoying the waves.
If you'd like, there is also time for additional activities. Our planner will put together the following options for everyone to choose from. You can do this on Tuesday during the day (before 4PM) or Friday after checkout (after 10AM).
Visit a local family-owned winery and be guided by the owner! You'll learn about the history and evolution of wine production in this geographical area, and understand each step of the process - from harvesting the grapes to bottling the wine. The tour includes wine tasting with typical local food.
Are you a cheese lover? This experiential tour is for you! A wide variety of delicious cheeses are produced in the Le Marche region - caciotta and pecorino, just to name a few. Join a guided tour at a local farm and do a cheese tasting with typical local food. You'll get to try traditional cheeses and ones with a twist - truffles, olives, or herbs.
To all the adventure seekers and foodies - this is a truly unique experience! You'll learn truffle hunting techniques and secrets from expert tartuficultori (truffle-growers) and feel the thrilling scent and taste of truffle and other local gastronomic excellences. The tour includes truffle hunting with dogs, a cooking show, aperitif with local wine and typical food, and a full lunch with truffle.
Two wheels, speed, adrenaline, and the majestic mountains of the Monti Sibillini National Park - these are the ingredients of this bike tour. Hop on a professional e-bike, fasten your helmet, and follow an expert guide on one of the many trails that will lead you to discover the breathtaking beauty of the Marche mountains. Tour includes professional e-bike, helmet, certified guide, and an aperitif with a glass of wine.
If you have a rental car (or arrange a car service), there's so much to discover independently in Le Marche and the surrounding area.
If you're extending your trip in Italy
▼Since you're already flying to Italy, we'd encourage you to explore more of the country before or after the wedding week. Here are some of our favorite places, all reachable from Le Marche.
The Eternal City. The Colosseum, Vatican, Trastevere, and some of the best food in the world. If you're flying into Fiumicino, spend a day or two here on either end of the trip.
The heart of the Renaissance. The Uffizi, the Duomo, and incredible food. A perfect base for exploring Tuscany.
Rolling vineyards, cypress-lined roads, and medieval hilltop towns. Siena, San Gimignano, Val d'Orcia, and Montepulciano are all unforgettable. Rent a car, get lost, and stop for wine wherever you see a sign.
Positano, Ravello, Amalfi - dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and lemon groves. Best paired with a night or two in Naples (don't skip the pizza).
Five colorful fishing villages clinging to the Ligurian coast. Hike between them, eat pesto, and swim in hidden coves. A classic Italian experience.
Elegant villas, crystal-clear water surrounded by mountains, and charming lakeside towns like Bellagio and Varenna. Best enjoyed slowly - take a ferry, have a long lunch, and watch the light change over the water.
Italy's food capital. Famous for ragΓΉ, tortellini, and mortadella. A vibrant university city with beautiful porticoes and a relaxed energy.
Unlike anywhere else on earth. Get lost in the canals, visit Murano for glassblowing, and have a spritz in Piazza San Marco. Best experienced in the early morning or evening.
Before You Go
Petritoli is a charming hilltop village - not a resort. The palazzo is a historic residence, not a hotel. That means no concierge stocking your room with fluffy robes and fancy shampoo. Here's what to pack so you're fully prepared for the week.
You'll need a few different looks for the week. Check the Schedule page for dress codes by event.
Outfit visual guide:
The palazzo provides towels and bed linens, but no toiletries. There are no fancy hotel shampoos waiting for you - pack everything you need!
Pro tip: Leave room in your luggage. Between local wine, olive oil, cured meats, handmade ceramics, and everything else you'll fall in love with - you're going to want to bring things home. Consider packing a foldable duffel bag just in case.
Gifts
Your presence is the best gift, truly.
Many of you are traveling a long way to celebrate with us, and that already means the world. If you'd still like to give, we'd be grateful for a contribution to our future baby fund. Please do not bring physical gifts, since we'll be travelling internationally and won't have room in our luggage. Your love (and maybe a sweet note) is more than enough!
If you want to contribute, here are easy options:
Venmo: @chang-liu-180 or @johnalmeida
E-Transfer: ChangL1112@gmail.com
Check: Make payable to Chang Liu and John Almeida
Questions
We've tried to cover everything here, but if you still have questions, feel free to reach out to us directly. Our wedding planner will also be available the week of the wedding to help with anything on the ground.
At a glance
Each event has its own vibe. The wedding ceremony and reception are black-tie optional/formal (please avoid white). The grape stomping welcome festival is fun festive smart casual. The Farewell Beach Day is casual / resort wear, think Amalfi Coast Beach Club vibes. Check the Schedule page for dress codes by event and the Packing page for a lookbook. Quick note: Petritoli has cobblestone streets, so choose your shoes wisely!
No, our ceremony will be a non-religious, symbolic ceremony held in the Panoramic Garden at Palazzo Mannocchi. It will be personal, heartfelt, and officiated by someone very special to us.
If your invitation includes a plus one, it will be noted. Due to venue capacity and logistics, we're keeping the guest list intimate. If you're unsure whether your invitation includes a guest, please reach out to us directly.
Children are welcome for all events except the ceremony if they are very young and unable to sit through it. We will have free babysitting available during the ceremony for little ones. Outside of the ceremony, children are warmly welcome throughout the celebration. If your child has specific dietary needs, please note them on your RSVP. Children under 12 stay at the palazzo free of charge.
Your presence is already the biggest gift to us. If you'd still like to give something, check out our Registry page for options. Please don't bring physical gifts, we'll be travelling internationally!
Please RSVP by June 1st, 2026. The sooner you submit, the better, early responses help us coordinate accommodation, catering, tours, and transportation for everyone. If anything changes later, please update your RSVP so we always have your latest info: go back to the RSVP page, look up your invitation name, and submit your updated responses.
Yes! The ceremony will be in the Panoramic Garden and the aperitivo in the Bell Tower Square, both outdoors. September in Le Marche is typically warm and sunny (around 25β28Β°C / 77β82Β°F). We do have indoor backup plans in case of rain, so don't worry.
Rome Fiumicino (FCO) is our top recommendation, it has the most international flight options and is about 3.5 hours from Petritoli by car. Ancona (AOI) is closer (~1 hr) but has limited flights. Check the Travel page for all airport options and details.
U.S. and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa for stays under 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates. If you hold a different passport, check Schengen visa requirements for your nationality. We're happy to provide an invitation letter if needed, just ask. Tip for Schengen applications: you can usually apply through any Schengen-country consulate that serves your U.S. jurisdiction, not only Italy. So if Italy appointments are hard to get, try another Schengen country. Also, first-time applicants are often granted visas close to stated travel dates, so leave some buffer days in your itinerary window.
A rental car is great for getting from the airport to Petritoli and gives you flexibility to explore before or after the wedding week. However, you won't need a car during the week itself, everything is walkable in the village, and we'll arrange transportation for off-site events like the beach day and activities. If you do rent, note that you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP). There is parking right outside the old town, about a 10-minute walk (or less) to the Palazzo.
Yes. We will definitely run a main shuttle from Rome Tiburtina (around 2:00 PM on Aug 31), and weβll organize other transfers based on everyoneβs arrival times in RSVP. Rome has restricted traffic zones (ZTL), so if youβre already in Rome we strongly recommend pickup at Tiburtina. If you need a less common pickup time or location, there may be an additional cost, and weβll confirm that with you directly. We will confirm everyone's final shuttle logistics 1β2 weeks before the wedding. If you miss the main shuttle, contact Chang and John and we'll connect you with the transport company to arrange another option.
Absolutely, we encourage it! Rome, Florence, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Lake Como, and Venice are all reachable. A popular strategy is to fly into one city and out of another. Check the Explore page for destination ideas and drive times.
For non-family guests, staying at Palazzo Mannocchi is β¬280 per person (ages 12+) for the entire week, August 31st through September 4th. Children under 12 stay free. Family members do not need to pay this accommodation cost. The only guest-paid items are: palazzo accommodation for non-family guests, additional activities selected in RSVP, shuttles for less common pickup times/locations, and any meals not listed on the Schedule page (for example, breakfast or lunch on wedding day).
It's an 18th-century noble residence, charming and historic, but not a hotel. Think cozy slumber party in an Italian castle. Bathrooms are shared, the hallways creak, the plumbing has personality, and the furniture is antique. It has 40 bedrooms, 2 pools, a jacuzzi, WiFi, and the village is right outside the door. It's communal living at its best, and honestly, it's where the magic happens. Check the Accommodation page for more details.
Towels and bed linens are provided. However, there are no hotel-style toiletries, bring your own shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and any products you need. There are also no hair dryers provided, so pack your own if you need one. Check the Packing page for a full checklist.
Totally fine! There are small hotels and Airbnbs in Petritoli and nearby towns where you can have complete privacy and your own bathroom. You can also find your own accommodation further afield. Just let us know on your RSVP so we can plan accordingly. You're still invited to all events either way!
Yes, there's WiFi throughout the palazzo, including the bedrooms. Also, it's a centuries-old building in a small Italian village, so manage expectations accordingly. It works fine for messaging and social media, but maybe don't plan to stream movies all week. (You probably won't want to anyway.)
Please prioritize the wedding ceremony and reception on Wednesday, September 2nd. We really hope you can make it to all the formal programming (for example, the Grape Stomping Welcome Festival and Farewell Beach Day), but we understand if you can't. Join what you can and skip what you need to.
We'd really love for everyone to arrive by Monday, August 31st, that's when check-in begins and gives you time to settle in before the week kicks off. If you can only make it for the wedding day, that works too! Just let us know your arrival date on the RSVP so we can plan accordingly.
All meals listed on the Schedule page, the Grape Stomping Welcome Festival feast, wedding dinner, post-wedding brunch, and Farewell Beach Day seafood dinner are fully arranged and covered. For other meals (breakfasts, lunches, snacks), you're on your own, but there are wonderful restaurants and cafΓ©s right in the village. Check the Explore page for our restaurant recommendations.
Yes! Please note any dietary restrictions or allergies on your RSVP, we'll make sure our caterers are informed. Italian cuisine is naturally accommodating for vegetarian and gluten-free diets, but we want to make sure everyone feels taken care of.
Please use the RSVP form to indicate what additional activities you want to do. The two times that are great for it are Tuesday daytime (before 4PM) and Friday daytime after checkout (after 10AM). If you want to stay in the area longer and do activities, please reach out to Chang and John and they can put you in touch with their planner.
Tuesday daytime before 4PM and Friday daytime after checkout (after 10AM). If you extend your stay to either before or after the wedding week and would like help organizing activities, reach out to Chang and John and they will put you in touch with their planner.
The listed activity prices generally don't include transportation. For additional activities that require a car or bus, add approximately β¬10β20 per person for the shuttle, which our planner will arrange. Some additional activities (like walking experiences in Petritoli) don't need any transport at all.
Early September in Le Marche is beautiful, warm and sunny with temperatures around 25β28Β°C (77β82Β°F) during the day, cooling to about 18β20Β°C (64β68Β°F) in the evening. Rain is unlikely but possible. Pack a light layer for evenings, it can feel cooler than expected after sunset, especially in the hilltop breeze.
Yes, please bring cash. Non-family guests staying at the Palazzo will need it for their Palazzo payment (β¬280 per person, ages 12+), and many smaller restaurants and shops in Petritoli are cash-only or prefer cash. We recommend arriving with some euros and withdrawing more from an ATM in town if needed.
Italy uses the Euro (β¬). There are two ATMs in town, so you can withdraw more cash as needed. Most bank cards work, but please notify your bank before travel to avoid any card blocks abroad.
Yes! Italy uses Type L and Type C plugs (220V, round prongs). If you're coming from the US, UK, or other countries with different plug types, you'll need a travel adapter. We strongly recommend bringing a universal adapter or an Italy-specific one. Check the Packing page for details.
Petritoli is a real Italian village, not a tourist town. Most locals speak little to no English, which is part of the charm! Our wedding planner and her team speak English and will be available to help. A few basic Italian phrases (like buongiorno, grazie, per favore) go a long way and the locals absolutely love the effort.
It depends on your phone plan. Many US carriers offer international day passes (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) that work well for a week. If your plan doesn't include European roaming, picking up a prepaid Italian SIM card at the airport is easy and affordable. The palazzo has WiFi, but having mobile data is helpful when exploring outside.
Yes, Petritoli has a pharmacy within walking distance. There's also a 24-hour emergency medical service just 5 minutes away by car. For anything more serious, the nearest hospital is in Fermo, about 20 minutes away. We recommend bringing any prescription medications you need, as the local pharmacy may not stock everything.
Our wedding planner and her team will be on the ground all week to help with anything, from restaurant recommendations to emergency assistance. We'll share her contact number the week of the wedding. For questions before the trip, reach out directly to Chang or John!
Still have questions? Reach out to us anytime, we're happy to help.