Why we're doing this
Some celebrations are overdue. This one is twenty-six years in the making — so it felt right to tell you where it comes from.
A wedding at home, surrounded by many of the people we hope to see again next year. As lovely as it was, a good number of our friends and family couldn't be there — something we've never quite forgotten.
The following summer we threw a party in Italy to celebrate the marriage — and to christen Leonardo. It remains one of our happiest memories: family from two countries, in the place that means so much to us.
Our silver wedding anniversary came and went rather quietly. A quarter of a century — it deserved more of a fuss than we gave it, and the thought of putting that right started to take shape.
Graham turned 50 in May and, true to form, didn't want any fuss — until the moment had passed. Consider this a (very) belated nod to that one too.
Monica turns 60 in April. Weeks later, at the end of May, we'll bring everyone together in Friuli. Call it an anniversary, a pair of birthdays, a reunion, or simply an excuse — what matters is that you're there.
The real reason
Above all of it, there's this: we are genuinely proud of Udine and the Friuli region, and we've always wanted to share it with the people we love. It doesn't get the attention of Tuscany or the Amalfi coast, and that's exactly its charm — Venetian squares without the crowds, mountains and sea within an hour of each other, and some of the finest white wine in Italy.
Bring your appetite, bring comfortable shoes, and if you can, bring a few extra days. We'd love nothing more than to share our corner of Italy with you.