Alexis Bledel went through a "summer camp" training to learn how to ride a Vespa and a mule, scuba dive, and took drawing lessons, in preparation for the movie.
Director Ken Kwapis never used the traditional phrase "Action!" to begin the actors' performance on set. Instead he said, "Quiet, please, and um, uh, g'head." This method was much more relaxed and allowed the actors to begin at their own pace. However, he did get teased about it - someone even printed up bright orange T-shirts quoting him and handed them out to the crew.
Blake Lively, Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, and Alexis Bledel all became such great friends that Blake Lively named them her daughter James' "unofficial godmothers".
Film debut of Blake Lively.