Joining my EU husband as a non-eu, with no visa?

Hi everyone! I am a US citizen, currently in the US, and my husband is Bulgarian/Macedonian living in Italy. He has EEA rights and currently resides in Milan as a student. He is coming here in a month for a visit, and to get married, and then he will go back in September. I wish to join him in Milan this October after all of that.

I want to know if I need to apply for a visa in the states in order to go join him in Italy, or if I can fly to Italy as a 'tourist' and then apply for residence after I arrive, because I heard that non-eu family members of eea/eu nationals can apply within 3 months of arrival (hopefully). I've heard conflicting information, but ultimately, have found that according to the EU Directive, they must do everything they can at border control in order to let the family member of an EU national enter the country. However, I would like to know your personal experience. I'm pretty torn about what to do.

Thanks for your help, advice, or experience!!

Forgot to mention that the first entry into Europe won't actually be Italy, but actually the Netherlands and then picking up a connecting flight to Milan...

Enter whichever country you want just as a tourist.

When you decide to settle in a country, apply for a residence card there.

Straightforward procedure.