Acknowledgements

Teresa Bricchi

Head of the Bonomi's, as well as Ale's grandma: Teresa has been a wonderful character to have in our lives as we grow up. She is sweet, resilient and full of faith. Having travelled the world, and lived in Nigeria, Venezuela, and Thailand, and having learned English, French, and Spanish, what else can scare her anyway? She is happy and ready for celebrating in San Benedetto!

Marta Teresa Behring

Representing Ale's many siblings is Marta, number four in the family! Marta is a young doctor, sensitive and always caring towards those around her. Together with Miche, she has built a beautiful ring bearer for the wedding. Thank you to all the siblings for always being there, for the road we have already travelled together and for the one to come!

Simone Taverna

Simo has been a solid presence by Riccardo's side for now 20 years. He is currently the only person who has visited him wherever he has lived, including a very recent stay in Palermo. After 39 nights slept in tents in the Balkans you either love each other or hate each other. We definitively tend towards the former. He is a gymnast, juggler, musician, painter, dancer, mountain man, and a sweet bagai! 

Javier Fernández Castañón

Javi was Riccardo's dormmate in Salamanca. Despite the distance, and despite "las ciencias sociales," the groom's shameful ignorance of basic notions of physics, heated theological discussions in the Fray's cafeteria, poor-quality accordion + clarinet concerts, and very long train rides in Iran, their friendship remains solid. Most recently, Javi, at his wedding with Juncal, gave Richi the chance to be a priest for a day - an enormous privilege that called for reciprocation. And thus, here we are: el padrino asturiano!

Paredi's and Masciadri's

The Paredi did not back down even after seeing what it would mean to get married in San Benedetto. In fact, they were immediately active in finding boats, caterers, contacts and solutions of all kinds. The organization of this wedding would have been much more difficult without Papà Fulvio's knowledge of local history and parentage laghé, and without Mamma Ottilia's thoughtful questions. Moreover, if the wedding favors and the walking path to get there are ready before the wedding, it will also be thanks to Riccardo's sisters and Danilo's chainsaw! Thanks!

Behring's and Tribe

The Behring Tribe is used to major challenges, and lately it got used to weddings as well: three in a row! What's a mountain wedding after intercontinental, Icelandic and Azorean travel? Mamma Elisabetta's enthusiasm and Papà Randy's practical sense, combined of course with the energy of Ale's siblings and their respective fiancés and husbands, can work wonders. We already knew that, but this wedding confirms it! And if you like the graphics, Sara's hand is in it too! Thank you!

Amici di San Benedetto

Since 2020, the Diocese of Como together with the "Amici di San Benedetto" have been revitalizing a place whose charm is still deeply alive in the eyes and hearts of passing walkers and pilgrims. It is indeed thanks to them too that this dream is taking place! You can find their story here.  

Mato Grosso

Who could accept catering at 800 meters above sea level, 4 kilometers away from the town? Only Mato Grosso, of course! We thank them from the bottom of our hearts, and in particular we thank Marcella, our contact person in this logistical and culinary challenge! Thank you!

Marco

If we get married in San Benedetto, it will also be thanks to the enthusiasm of Marco, who, as we wrote above, showed us the church on that Holy Saturday 2023. He is a volunteer of the Amici di San Benedetto and the nephew of Fra Ginepro. He followed us, step by step, in the preparation of the wedding, together with Luigi (and Lola, his cat). Thank you Marco!

Loredana

Lore's enthusiasm and enormous generosity is so contagious! Lore is an Amica di San Benedetto. On the very first day we met, she guaranteed that she would be back from Peru to help us with the catering. She opened her home to us (which will also be an important support point on the wedding day) and took us to eat the famous Tremezzina cake. Una fuerza de la naturaleza! Thank you!

Giuseppe

Giuseppe, with his Tyrolean hat and his laghé origins, has turned out to be a key player. After accompanying us one very rainy December 31 to San Benedetto, he is now ready to give San Benedetto a clean up, and it is thanks to him that we have a foothold in Lenno. Thank you!

Arno

Arno, with his fluvial name, will indeed be our good Charon: he will ferry food from Lenno to San Benedetto with his tractor. A truly valuable help! Thank you! 

Team "Forced Bachelor Party"

Widening and securing the path, shifting rocks, making benches out of diseased trees, cleaning the forest, cleansing natural springs...and eating polenta. 30 brave young people are ready to make San Benedetto even more welcoming, for you! Soon more!

Team "Bachelorette Party Crafts"

Getting hands-on will literally be the goal of this very special bachelorette party, sweetened by good food, music, and chatter. A squadron of skilled and delicate fingers is ready to get into it. Soon more!

Roncareggi's

The legendary "Ronca's" really played a crucial role! Aunt Robi has secured a super AirBnB (La Corte del Pane, check it out!) for those arriving from afar; Uncle Gio has literally measured the width of the entire road and will skilfully coordinate the work of the "forced bachelor party"; the "cousins" will dig in and get it on as they always do, pushing Joelette, and stepping in if doctors and medications are needed. Thank you, "rocks!" 

Giac e Fra

Giac and Fra are at home in San Benedetto. As soon as their wedding was over, they were already available to help us with ours. It is thanks to them that we found a tractor (Arno, see above!). Knowing their walking pace and training, they will play a key role in making sure nothing is missing, besides singing and playing at a very high level, ça va sans dire. Thank you dearests! 

Nic

"Maestro" Morina is accustomed to conducting wedding orchestras. In fact, Richi first (and humbly) collaborated with the Maestro during Andre and Cate's wedding (see below!). Nothing can stop him from coordinating our wedding orchestra, not even a MA's in Science Communication in Trieste. He will thus direct the musical team "QuipperGod" - note the fine bigotry of the name. Thank you Maestro! 

Chiara

The "Estrella de Barcelona" will direct the magical, international choir. Chiara is a nurse who's ready to leave for very faraway countries; she is a "villana", sharing three years of common life with Ale in Villa Restelli; and she is also a much-appreciated duettist. Under her conduction, we know we are in very good hands. Thank you!  

The Magic Choir

It is still early to introduce it...and yet, it will be international, polyglot, and large! Soon updates!

Quippercaso

Quippercaso have been randomly  playing music for 15 years now. They started as a project of four inexperienced boys, and now comprise of thirty wonderful musicians who have taken turns on some fifty stages, including Italy, Lebanon, and lately Spain as well. This time they will be like the Blues Brothers, "on a mission from God": to take liturgical songs to another level. Will they succeed? There can be no doubt about it whatsoever.

Mush Ferqa

Mush Ferqa (the "non-band") is the Syrian Lebanese band with which Richi has the luck and honor to play with. After touring the best stages in Beirut, they are now ready to embark on an Italian tour. Their multilingual repertoire will surely help: from Lucio Dalla to Fayrouz? Easy! Mush Ferqa, Ahlan wa-sahlan!!!

Sere

Chiara

Although pregnant and with her due date a few days before the wedding, Chiara has still found time  to give us a big hand with the graphics, the maps, and the wedding favors! Ski mountaineer, trekker, architect, painter, and graphic designer, if you don't get lost in the woods, it will also be thanks to her! Thank you Chiara!

Chiara

Ever since she took him around Beirut and explained the graffiti of the Lebanese "revolution," Richi fell in love with Chiara's work: graffiti artist, designer, painter, animator, with that unique touch of someone who is as much at home in the hills of Urbino as in front of the sea and sunsets of Aamchit. Thanks to her, Arabic will be integrated into the graphics and the booklet, and the delicate logo of our wedding is also her artwork! Thank you Chiara!

Doctors

We are especially grateful to the 21 doctors who will be present that day, including infectious disease and internal medicine specialists, orthopaedists, cardiologists, mountain and family doctors. As well as the 7 nurses operating in departments of surgery, neonatology, etc. They make us feel safer and, even if we all sincerely hope it is not required, they are ready to honor the Hippocratic oath. This photo shows Ale and her infectious disease colleagues, representing the whole medical team!

Photographers

Andre, Fra, Gio - together with Bernie, Davide and their drones - were shamelessly trapped to take some photos (They do not know that yet). Jes, Heidi's partner, will also help them out. That said, we trust in your personal contribution through the Wedshoots App. We will explain more to you at the meeting point! In the meantime, thank you to this wonderful crew for saying yes to this burden.

Fefa

Fefa may only partially be aware of this truth, but if Richi goes around more or less decently dressed, it is basically thanks to her. Thus, there was no other choice: the only way to force him to dress well at the wedding was to be guided step by step by a real fashion stylist for the upper class of Milan. In fact, she has already worked miracles. Thank you, Fefa!

Pinuccia the Tailor

Ale will wear an international and intergenerational dress: her grandmother Teresa got the fabric in a Nigerian market, more than 30 years ago. With that fabric, she sewed Mamma Elisabetta's wedding dress. Today, thanks to some skillful tweaking and cutting by tailor Pinuccia, this same fabric will reach San Benedetto for a new celebration!

Filo

Getting many people to safely walk in the mountains is no small feat. Even more so if there is no phone coverage. Luckily, Filippo will join us from Lebanon to coordinate the logistics team. Ale met him during the "Falling Richi" rescue mission on the Gran Sasso and immediately appreciated his efficiency and pragmatic nature. These two key elements will be combined with a fair number of particularly powerful walkie talkies.

Dani

Daniele, an Italian-Swedish citizen who has been many things in life - exchange student in Hong Kong, hutkeeper, tourist and environmental guide - will play a key role: on the one hand, he will coordinate the walk assistants, i.e., those people who will watch over the more challenging sections of the trail, offering you a hand; on the other hand, he will coordinate the sherpas, i.e., all the guests who would like to help bring something up on the day. An essential task! Thank you Dani!

The University of the Third Age

The "lovely remains" of the Faculty of Linguistic and Cultural Mediation at the University of Milan will be those welcoming you at the meeting point. Given their academic background, you will find 3 or 4 four outstanding women speaking a dozen languages, from Arabic to Hindi (including the extremely banal Romance languages). Some of those outstanding receptionists coordinate international NGOs: managing a meeting point will be a walk in the park for them. Thank you dears!

Cate,  Fra, Stefi, Chica

If at the "bachelorette craft" there are so many hands helping with the creation of the wedding favors, this is because there was considerable advice, planning and consultation, plus a "magic kiln" which actually worked (against all expectations) and a broken electric oven. Thus, the wedding favors will mostly exist thanks to the expertise of Cate, Fra, Stefi, and Chica! Thank you!

Ross

Ross will make the walk enjoyable for those who will have to drag children along the path. Yoga teacher, educator, designer, but above all, great organizer, with amazing naturalness she has come up with an endless selection of possible activities and games for the kids. Thank you Ross! 

Madda

Are you looking for the best guide on Lake Como? Well, her name is Madda, she speaks too many languages, and she knows the local history and geography of Lake Como inside out. It is to her, in fact, that we have entrusted the Lake Como tour for those who, among the guests coming from afar, would like to discover the beauty of this wonderful area. Thank you Madda!

Rache

Rache is known for her gluten-free delicacies, with Senegalese, Tunisian, and Milanese hinterland influences. We have entrusted her with quite a task: delighting celiacs! This is a task she has already accomplished in the past with excellent results and for that...thank you!

Eli e Dani

The enthusiasm with which Eli and Dani have offered to animate "Refreshment Station 1" is heartwarming! They will have to run a bit more than the others, and prepare the drinks before the big thirsty stream of people arrives. But do not worry: Eli is a sweet and thoughtful nurse; and Dani is a crazy person who works with crazy people: managing a refreshment point will literally be a piece of cake for them! Thank you! 

Ire e Miche

Ire and Miche are among those who immediately offered up to host a few friends arriving from abroad. Ire is a producer and Miche is a hip-hop reggae singer but, above all, they are friends with the same passion for travels and south Mediterranean areas, as the photo in Baalbek testifies! Highly recommended hosts! Thank you!

Philip

Comunità Sichem, Pachamama, Efraim

The communities Sichem, Pachamama and Efraim (Villa Restelli) do a lot of cool (and good) things. Most importantly, they are used to welcoming people: they welcomed in their milieu Ale and Richi nearly two years ago. They will help us in welcoming some guests coming from abroad! Thank you!

P.s.: Check them here, here and here!

Andre e Cate

Andre and Cate introduced us to "Maestro" Morina; but much more than that: they have been following us in Lebanon, giving us some liturgical and musical tips, and they have been proofreading the Italian website and booklet. There are even rumors that they will come from Rome especially for the "forced Bachelor Party". Thank you dears! 

Patrick

Patrick, known as Paddy, is a partner in crime of different natural adventures in Lebanon, and he kindly accepted to revise the English version of the website. It couldn't have been anyone but him: Patrick has been writing a book about his experience walking the Lebanon Mountain Trail (as the photo suggests). We have read an excerpt, and it truly is a linguistic masterpiece written in very elegant British English. Thank you, dear Paddy!

From the South: The Destro-Cagnoni's

We would like to thank those guests who will be travelling from afar to be with us. For instance, who comes from the southernmost point? The answer is: "People we hold particularly dear!": Maurizio and Francesca are the doctors who established P.A.C.E., the association that, for years now, has welcomed Ale (and now also Richi) in Kyatiri, a small village in the center of Uganda (here you can find all the good deeds they do!). They will join us with their daughters Jenny and Eve. Thank you!

From  the North: The Jørgensen's

And from the northernmost point? Again, very dear people, the Græsdahl Jørgensen family. Tine, Brian, Peter and Heidi - with their partners and children - are Riccardo's Danish family. They welcomed him into the deepest Jutland for a school year in the now distant 2008/2009, an experience that opened him to the world and to otherness! How sød og hyggelig that they are able to join us for this important date! Thank you!

From the East: Dr. Bilal Orfali

The guest coming from the easternmost point will be Bilal Orfali, who followed Riccardo's academic and personal growth with affection and dedication, as his thesis director. He will come from New York University Abu Dhabi, where he currently resides and where he teaches intriguing courses such as "Arabic Poetry", "Islamic Mysticism", "The Quran as a Literary Text" and "Nostalgia for al-Andalus". Thank you, we are honored by your presence with us!

From the West: The Bonomi's

Uncle Giamba and Aunt Teresa will be coming from the westernmost point, i.e. from "sweet home" Chicago! As Teresa, who was Ale's godmother, said, "I can't miss this!", despite the fact that in the last three years The Bonomi's have constantly visited Italy for the weddings of the Behring sisters Julia and Sara. But good things come in three (at least!) So, thank you for coming!