Fully embrace the Italian style by dressing in semi-formal to formal attire (formal preferred, but it may be hot so totally fine not to not wear a suit jacket or an extensively long dress). Bright/fun colors and patterns are encouraged! The ceremony and reception will be outdoors (on grass and stone), so we recommend comfortable shoes—block heels, wedges, or dressy flats over stilettos!
As soon as we share the Capolago Hotel code (see details in the travel section), we recommend booking ASAP so it does not fill up. It has a limited number of spaces. For flights, booking early typically offers the best prices; aiming for 6-8 months in advance is ideal, though not required. Other things like rental cars can be booked closer (ideally, a few months prior) to the date.
Short answer: yes, we highly recommend renting a car. There are no Ubers in Italy, and public transportation in Varese is limited. See the travel section for rental information. You can consider carpooling with people you know! A few things: 1) You are going to need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you travel to Italy. You can get an IDP from AAA (American Automobile Association) or AATA (American Automobile Touring Alliance) for a small fee. You also need to bring your U.S. license. 2) You might want to make sure the car you are renting is automatic, as most Europeans drive with a stickshift. 3) Quickly review some Italian road rules before you come. Most rules are similar (yes, we drive on the same side as you), but some road signs look different and you can't turn right on red. Driving in Varese is very safe once you get used to the roundabouts! There is very limited traffic and lots of country roads. Way safer/easier than driving in busy U.S. cities.
Americans do not currently need a visa to travel to Italy, but they are considering changing this over the next year. Please check the most updated travel information as we get closer to the wedding date.
Of course, this is entirely up to you, but we recommend spending a few days (1-4) in the areas around Varese (listed in Things to Do) prior to the wedding, which are hidden gems and not incredibly touristy! You could also travel by train or plane to other Italian or European cities. A travel agency may be helpful to plan travel outside of Varese.