AMALFI COAST WEDDING PLANNING: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR WEDDINGS
A comprehensive guide for weddings and elopements in Amalfi coast, Positano and surrounding areas written by a destination Italy wedding photographer and filmmaker.
Beautiful backdrops, boat rides on glistening lakes, aperitifs and aperol spritz, an Amalfi Coast Italy wedding or elopement is a DREAM! Weddings in Italy are becoming more and more popular as they reflect glamour with a fairytale charm - the perfect combo for those looking looking for a luxury wedding. But how do you even begin planning an extravagant luxury wedding in Italy?
WHY SHOULD YOU GET MARRIED AT THE AMALFI COAST?
Amalfi, situated at the foot of Monte Cerreto, is surrounded by dramatic cliffs and stunning coastal scenery. You’ll find a cascade of colourful homes, churches, turrets and narrow streets making their way to the Mediterranean sea. This town is one of the top locations in the world for destination weddings at any time of the year and known for their luxury and elegant vibes.
Choosing the Amalfi Coast as your destination wedding location means you will have scenic atmosphere, lush Italian gardens and balconies as your wedding backdrop which will add that “wow” factor in your wedding photos and film.
AMALFI COAST WEDDING AND ELOPEMENT SEASON
The main wedding season through Italy runs from April to October each year, but the good news is, you can get married at Amalfi Coast anytime of the year! Let’s go through each season and break them down so you can get a better idea of the different Amalfi Coast seasons.
Spring
In Italy, particularly at Amalfi, spring is perfection. These are the months of March, April and May where days start to get long and the temperature is sublime (aside from March which can often get a little chilly in the morning hours and at night). This is the season where flowers start to bloom and the crowds (although starting to pick up), haven’t exactly reached their summer peak. You’ll find the beaches uncrowded but still too cold for a swim. Temperature-wise, in March, it will be in the region of 60 degrees F which goes up to 72 degrees F in May.
What to pack for Spring?
We’d recommend lightweight pants/trousers and long sleeve shirts (these are your safe bet). But you may also want to pack some T-shirts, shorts, swimsuit and sun-hat for warmer days. For the nights that are on the cooler side, a lightweight jacket and medium-weight scarf will do justice. P.S. remember to pack a pocket umbrella in case of any spring showers.
Summer
Summer is without a doubt the season that everyone wants to visit the Amalfi Coast so prepare yourself for crowds pretty much everywhere you go. You’ll find temperatures in the region of 70-80 degrees F with long sunny days and pleasant evenings with cool breezes of the sea. On the beach, some visitors will be sun-bathing and swimming whilst others may be snorkeling and boating in the clear waters so it’s a whole vibe.
What to pack for Summer?
We’d suggest tailored shorts, lightweight slacks and long + short sleeve shirts. You’re also in for a treat here in Italy in the Summer months so remember your swimsuit and sun hat. For him - pack some collared shirts for fancy dinners out. For her - pack some lightweight skirts, sundresses and blouses.
Fall/Autumn
Travelling to the Amalfi Coast in the Fall can give you a unique experience, which all depends on the month that you choose to travel. For instance, early September involves summer vibes but the temperature declines to the regions of 70 degrees F by the end of the month. From October, you will experience some cool with ocassional warm and sunny days whilst in November, day-light gets reduced to 10hrs (though still quite high compared to other countries in the Northern Hemisphere).
What to pack for Fall?
For Fall, we’d suggest lightweight slacks with long-sleeve and short-sleeve shirts as well as some shorts, a swimsuit and sun-hat for warmer days. For him - pack some collared shirts for fancy dinners out. P.S. if you’re travelling in the early fall, then a lightweight jacket will do justice but in October and November, we’d recommend a mid-weight jacket, umbrella and waterproofs since it can rain a little.
Winter
Winter months (from December to February), can still host stunning weddings at the Amalfi Coast even though it’s not the official wedding season. In fact, as Winter months don’t fall within the peak wedding season, then you would be able to find good deals and save money. Winter months are great for those wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city and spend quality time with their loved ones in a secluded, yet stunning location.
What to pack for Winter?
Although you may be lucky and catch a break with some mild winter weather, it’s always best to be on the safe side and prepared for everything. So if you’re travelling to Amalfi in Winter months, then you want to pack some medium-weight coat, a hat and scarf. You also want a pair of jeans, slacks, long-sleeve shirts and sweaters. Average rainfall at Amalfi in the Winter months is around 4-5 inches so remember to pack an umbrella and waterproof jacket in preparation for wet weather.
HOW TO PLAN AN AMALFI COST WEDDING OR ELOPEMENT?
Select Your DREAM Venue
Venue research and selection is without a doubt, the most important aspect of wedding planning and your number one priority. You’d be pleased to know that the Amalfi Coast has SO many wonderful wedding venues with scenic backdrops. However, Italy weddings are incredibly popular, therefore wedding venues in the Amalfi Coast can be booked up to 2-3 years in advance so it’s crucial to set your dates early and select your dream venue. You will find some of the best Amalfi Coast wedding venues below.
Select Your Photographer and Filmmaker
Once you’ve secured your dream venue, the next important task in your wedding planning journey is usually selecting your Amalfi Coast wedding photographer and filmmaker. You can either select two separate companies for your photos and film or the same company that offers an all inclusive photo and video option. Opting in for a duo photo and video supplier will not only save you from the hassle of having to go through two different suppliers, contracts and invoices, it also means your photos and film will be consistent, documented in the same style and most importantly, your photo + video team would have worked with one another previously, therefore they know exactly where to be at what time to capture the right moment!
Hire a Wedding Planner
The question of “should we hire a wedding planner?” is something most couples think about when planning a destination wedding anywhere in the world. Usually, the answer is, it depends. But hiring a professional wedding planner without a doubt can help you curate the day of your dreams from the design-work to organising suppliers, coming up with a supplier call-sheet, organising all the logistics and of course, the smooth planning of the big day! Weddings are known to be stressful and by hiring a professional wedding planner, you are essentially taking “stress” out of the equation.
Select Your Vendors
Your wedding vendors are the experts you need to bring all of your vision and ideas to life! Think venue, outfits, setup, hair and make up, photographer and filmmaker, transport, etc. We’d recommend you start organising calls with your most sought-after suppliers first, for instance venue, photographer and filmmaker. These are the suppliers that are usually booked 2-3 years in advance, therefore it’s crucial that you reach out to them early.
Create a Timeline
Whether you’re having a larger wedding or an elopement, having a proper timeline for the day is crucial in the smooth running of the day. Be sure to discuss the plan with your wedding planner (if you have one) and photographer so you can put a timeline together and share it with all of your suppliers involved on the day. A timeline will help your photographer plan the photos for the best time of the day and document timeless and authentic memories of you two!
BEST AMALFI COAST WEDDING VENUES
Castello Di Vincigliata
The Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi
Hotel Marincanto
Villa Eva
Relais Blu Belvedere
Hotel Poseidon
Villa Oliviero
Villa Treville
Covo dei Saraceni
Casa Privata
Villa Cimbrone Hotel
Palazzo Avino
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
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The best time for a destination wedding at Amalfi Coast is anytime between May and September. June, July and August are highly desirable and therefore busy! Therefore, if you’re thinking of getting married in the peak months, then it’s really important to start planning up to 2 years in advance to secure the best suppliers.
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The paperwork required depends on your nationality/citizenship. To find out specific questions on this topic, please see here.
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Although there is no residency requirement to get married in Italy, some nationalities may have to be in Italy for at least 10 days before getting married. But usually 2-3 days is enough. You can find out more info on here.
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Destination weddings in Italy can cost anywhere between EUR 45,000 to EUR 80,000 for 100 guests but there are so many factors to consider. From the size of your wedding to the style, number o guests, catering options, entertainment requirements and choice of venue - all of these come at different prices therefore it is a good idea to start your research with an allocated budget in mind to successfully plan your DREAM Italy destination wedding.
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Hiring a professional wedding planner can help you curate the day of your dreams and take out “stress” out of the equation of wedding planning. We’ve written an in-depth article on this topic which you can see here - Hiring a wedding planner: How to find the right one