Exploring Venice: My Best Friend's Wedding

LIVING LA DOLCE VITA

Now for those of you in my age group, we are all familiar with the Julia Roberts 1997 classic, ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’. But rather than falling in love with my best friend and trying to destroy his wedding, I am hoping he stays married forever so that I never have to experience it again. Don’t get me wrong, I love love, I love weddings. In University all we ever talked about were finding husbands and where we would settle down in the world. But… well, you know that saying, “anything that can go wrong, will go wrong”? It all went wrong, and not for him- but for me. I will of course add in all my travel tips and the amazing places we went to in Venice, but I will also be telling you how this trip almost killed me. So pack your comfortable shoes, dry shampoo and an electronic fan. We are headed to Venezia, Italy! 

My best friend and I embracing after the ceremony.

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Things To Do: When I first visited Venice in 2016 after tourism, there wasn’t much to do on the islands, so you’d have to go to the mainland for any type of late night outing. But it would seem Venice now has a few bars open late that attracted locals and tourists alike. There are also night tours available for those interested in the nocturnal side of this beautifully historic city. Venice after dark is just as spectacular and I find more beautiful.

Tables of guests in black tie attire raising a glass.

Mr. & Mr. card with the happy couples rings.

The happy couple entering the reception area after the wedding ceremony.

Places To Go: One of my favourite islands of the Venetian islands would have to be Lido. It’s beautiful, has a gorgeous white sand beach that none other than Josephine Baker herself visited. I find Lido to be the most residential of the islands. You see the children coming and going from school or the local McDonald’s for espresso and pastries and families removed from the thousands of tourists descended on San Marco. If visiting in the summer time I would recommend breaking out your bathing suit and hitting the beach. But keep in mind these are families and people living their day to day lives, so do not let your tourism get in the way of their daily living.

Food & Drinks: Venice is famous for its seafood. Most of their dishes seem to incorporate some form of sea life whether it’s clams or squid ink pasta. One dish I tried and loved was actually served at my best friend's wedding. A lemon zest clam risotto. 

Park Villa Hotel Day Exterior

Park Villa Hotel Night Exterior

Photo of Park Villa Hotel 1905

Accommodations: As I am a frequent traveller I sometimes mix between cost affordability and luxury. It really depends on my mood and budget. Being that I had recently spent a lot for my Birthday hotel in Barcelona I wanted to save a bit on this wedding trip, but of course still have some luxuries. An hours bus ride from Venice was Park Hotel Villa Giustinian in Mirano. I couldn't be happier with my stay here. From the beautiful landscapes surrounding the villa to the old Italian charm you meet walking into the lobby. Staying in Venice is amazing, but keep in mind filled with tourist and overpriced. For a more authentic or luxury experience stay at a hotel or villa on the mainland. Trust me the dating apps are more active on the mainland. Had I not been swamped with wedding activities I would have easily had multiple dates and was even able to line up drinks with a cute Italian guy on my commute to the Island.

Interior Brunch Cafe

Bacon, eggs, french toast with berried and hot sauce.

salmon and eggs.

The day before the wedding I actually had an amazing brunch at Brunch Cafe with the grooms ex wife. We absolutely loved the food and drinks. The cafe is what I would call a hidden gem. At the corner of a narrow cobblestone street. I ordered French toast, bacon and scrambled eggs and of course a cocktail. To be transparent when my friend found me I was at Al Prosecco (one of the best places in Venice to get Prosecco) having a lovely glass of bubbly. On this trip I actually discovered Venice is famous for its Prosecco and a local suggested I go to Al Prosecco. It did not disappoint.  

The grooms twin sister kissing his head as his husband smiles.

The day of arrival, the grooms, parents, family and close friends sat together at a long table settled next to the canals on a warm evening to laugh and break bread. I sat between my best friend and his twin sister. After 14 years of friendship his family was like my own. We gossiped and drank lots of Pinot Grigio and played games to get to know each other. I ordered my favourite, spaghetti al pomodoro as my best friend, Larry (groom/best-friend) and his fiancé Levon had what appeared to be a seafood platter. Everyone tried different pastas and seafood dishes accompanied with lots of bread and olive oil. The first night was beautiful. 

Transportation: Getting from Marco Polo airport is quite easy with a number of buses to get you to Mestre or the island of Venice. Buses now have tap-to-pay options or you can purchase a ticket at machines outside of the bus station area. For non-Italian speakers the machines can be tricky. When you click the card option on the following screen you must click the blue button with the blurred out currency to actually use card otherwise it’ll only accept cash. Employees are also more than happy to sell you bus passes via euros. Please ensure you research any planned strikes before visiting as on the day of the wedding there was a strike and I ended up hitchhiking with two couples from Venezuela. I appreciate the ride, imagine my cosmetology kit in one hand ready to do hair and my tuxedo in the other at the bus station over an hour being attacked by bees. It goes to show though that learning a bit of a country’s language is extremely helpful. Locals told us there was a strike and I translated thanks to my translation app what they said. My next language to learn will be Spanish. 

Cellular Data: As I was just in Barcelona an American friend living there recommended an app called Airalo (not sponsored). Airalo made traveling with an ESim so much easier. I was able to get as much data as I wanted and easily top up when notified I was running low. I even got an Italian number which helped when needing to make local calls. 

The Locals: The eve before the wedding we boarded a Yacht and cruised around the canal. The sunset falling  on the rippled water. We drank Prosecco and spritz’s and danced to DJ @Babba79. He accepted requests and I just had to play a few of the wedding classics. As we sailed back to shore all of San Marco must have known the Black Americans were in town when they heard Jagged Edge's classic, 'Let's Get Married' blasting from the speakers.

Venice for tourism is amazing and beautiful. Venice for a wedding is insane and yet still so beautiful. I can’t recommend visiting enough. From the friendly and attractive locals to the unique cuisine, history and beautiful architecture one can not get enough. Please travel lightly if you can, I’d recommend a duffel bag back pack as the wheels from our modern suitcases are ruining the historic cobblestones streets. 

Now we're at the end and you're still wondering how this trip almost killed me? Read along...

The day before the wedding I awoke in my hotel room and had a ton of messages on a dating app. You know how it is, fresh meat and what not. Although I didn't have time to meet up I did inquire about authentic places to visit. That's when I got the historical run down of prosecco and Venice. The cutie told me to go to Al Prosecco on the island. He said it was famous even amongst the locals. I knew I had to be on the island that afternoon anyways so I got dressed and headed for the bus. Once I got to the prosecco bar (do not judge me for having prosecco before breakfast. When in Venice.) I realised it was across from Larry and Levon's hotel. I leisurely enjoyed my liquid breakfast on the apps when I noticed Larry's ex was a few hundred feet away. An ex-wife and an ex boyfriend at a gay wedding. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but as a storyteller I knew it was made for tv. As I'm sipping away the happy couple strolls by and invites me to brunch. They had plans but said everyone else would be going to brunch. It turns out it was just me and the ex-wife.

I realise I'm saying this as though she's the villain of the story, but to be fair when I first met her at the dinner the first night we arrived she didn't seem to want to engage. So I was a but apprehensive to the least. The two of us probably wondering how we got stuck with each other. I mean I could only imagine what was going on in her mind-- hanging with the gay best friend. As we traipsed through the narrow alleyways and cobble stoned streets of Venice we started talking. Call it the cosmetologist in me. For the most part we can talk to anyone. By the time we sat down for brunch you would have thought we had known each other for years. She became a friend, she became family. I went from questioning why an ex would attend their exs wedding, to saying she has a right to because they have a child and are a forever family. It's crazy how conversation with someone can change your whole perspective on them.

After brunch we headed back to the hotel to meet the wedding part for champagne before a party on the Yacht. I don't particularly believe in CPT (colour people time), but a good amount of Larry's friends were late and missed the champagne. After toasting I everyone seemed to be loss trying to get to San Marco square. The virgo me took over and like Julius Caesar rallied the troops and got us to the dock. What I didn't expect was Larry's ex being later than everyone popping up. I mean I assumed it was a coincidence that he was in Venice the same weekend as Larry's wedding. I had no idea he was an invited guest. He and his plus one boarded and we set sail. Back in my day I was known to get the party started, Larry's sister must have heard. Whilst everyone was taking selfies or in their phones she cornered me and told me to turn it up. I put down the drinks I was helping the staff serve and started dancing. Then I requested the DJ play my jam and it got lit as the kids would say. The night was incredible. We parted and I went to an after party on the mainland and got back to my hotel around 03:00.

The wedding day: who could have predicted a mass transit strike. For an hour I was waiting for a bus. the weather was perfect, a perfect day for a wedding. As the bus stop became more and more crowded a concierge from the hotel came out to say that there was a strike. Two Spanish couples from Venezuela asked what was going on and I told them. We all went back to the Villa looking for taxis and the Spanish couple had a rental. They offered me a ride to the island. We parked and I gave them euros for the parking fee and ran off after pleasantries to make it to the wedding. As I was ready to jet over the bride and the 12 minute walk to my friends hotel these men in vests said to take the boats across. I naturally assumed maybe the bride was closed or didn't have a walk path. I purchased a ticket and boarded a boat. Big mistake! The boat looked as though it had transported refugees when not getting tourists to and from San Marco. After 30-40 mins we finally landed at San Marco square. Keep in mind I'm now about 1.5 hours late and I am doing hair! I ran off the wobbly boat and like a mad person ran 36 mins through Venice to get to the venue. As I am on this journey knocking tourist down with either my suitcase (cosmetology kit) or bagged tuxedo Larry calls and ask if I could find a guest book. The guest book he said he would get the day before when I had offered and he said no he would get it and for me to go to brunch with his fiancé's ex wife.

If there's one thing I'm good at, it's shopping. Even under pressure. I got the guestbook and a cute pen and continued my audition for the sprinting portion of the Olympics to the hotel venue. As I waited for someone to come down to let me in a room to set up I ran over to Al Prosecco for a drink. Another liquid breakfast. I downed the drink right in front of the bartender and ran back to the hotel. Larry's twin came down and we ended up doing hair in his and Levon's suite. The room was spectacular and huge. Like literally bigger than Larry and I first apartment in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As I prepared the ladies the nervous couple were getting ready for the photographer. In that moment I realised a few things, one that my relationship with my best friend would forever be changed. I thought even if he were to forget about me I'd still be so happy for him. I know that's an exaggeration. But we all know how it is when your friends start marrying off and having children. You find yourself stigmatised with all these things, like why is he single? What's wrong with him? Will he show up to our parties with other couples and flirt with the husbands? Does he spend his time parting whilst we consider mortgages and Roth IRA's? Being the only single person at the party has never been good.

Somewhere in me doing hair the wedding had started. I wasn't even dressed. So I scrambled to throw on my tuxedo and rushed down the lift to the ground floor to see the happy couple looking confused. Levon's daughter had not yet arrived. I missed their arrival on the Gondola, but I hadn't missed the wedding. Thank goodness. As they reset Larry asked me to stall. Words I hoped to never hear at a wedding. I told the musicians to play Canon in D major and got my best friend a drink. I gave some advice to the couple who both looked scared but also excited and in that moment his lovely daughter arrived. She looked every bit of stunning like both her parents and I realised Larry was the luckiest man on earth. He found his someone. Now I don't know who did the seating because I ended up watching the ceremony from the sidelines, but it was amazing. We later sat down for dinner and said our speeches and somehow broke into karaoke which was amazing when a group of us started reenacting the seen from Dream Girls. There was not flowers to catch, but I did catch the Guccie tie. Who knows, the next wedding I write about may be my own.

Venice Tourism Tips:

https://www.vivovenetia.com/

The Actual Wedding Planner: Jayne Seddon of Casa Collina