A Wedding on the Amalfi Coast

Tel: UK 01424728901

What can be said about the Amalfi Coast that you do not already know? Amazing! If you are after dramatic landscapes, sheer cliff faces, panoramic views, the sea, rocky shores, villages and towns clinging as if by magic to the rocky cliffs, architecture which unfolds from one place to the other, great and friendly people, the sounds of the church bells echoing in the distance, the lights at night from the sea twinkling like the stories of a beautiful fairytale, the true essence of beauty, then this corner has it all. This is the perfect choice for an Italian wedding as it has all this and more.

Where is the Amalfi Coast ?

It starts from Positano and ends in Vietri Sul Mare. Think of places like Positano, Praiano, Furore, Conca Dei Marini, Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello, Minori, Maiori, Cetara and then last but not least we get to Vietri. In between there are smaller villages and towns however these are the main ones.

How do I get there?

The best way to get to the Amalfi coast is to fly into Naples Capodichino airport and then from here we would suggest private transfers. There is really no point in hiring a car. You can get there by a series of changes, bus then train then bus however if you are afraid of heights we strongly suggest that you allow us to arrange a private transfer as otherwise you will be very afraid and especially if you are going up to Ravello, to be honest I do not know how the drivers do it but it is they who deserve an award!

The best time to get married here?

Late Spring which covers April to May and perhaps the first week in June and Autumn from September to October and even November is fine however during the winter, ferries stop running. In August it is really hot and very crowded and you do not get to experience the Amalfi Coast at its best or friendliest and you will also find that things are more expensive. Also moving around the Amalfi Coast during high season – July and August can end up being a little bit of a nightmare as there is only this one coastline road which is filled with cars and coaches with the coaches usually getting stuck. If these months cannot be avoided then we would suggest that you get married in an off the beaten track location. We now start our journey through the Amalfi coast and this is your chance to see the many options available to you.

Getting Married in Positano

“Positano bites deep……it is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone” John Steinbeck and he is so right. Here is a place with something to offer everyone and it is truly a wonderful place to get married. For your wedding in Positano we have selected the following possible options…

It is possible to get married at the local town hall which is right at the top of the town so if you are staying or having your reception in the historical centre, transport will be required. It is possible to have your catholic wedding ceremony at one of the following churches, the main cathedral which is in a pedestrianised area of the town and close to the sea or there is the option to have your ceremony at this smaller church. Our favourite location for your wedding reception is this lovely location with an outside area for canapés and drinks and the option to have the reception either in the main restaurant or for a little extra to head into the garden area. If you prefer not to opt for canapés and drinks and head straight to the reception, then this sea side location is perfect. The restaurant has 3 terraces which you can choose from and there is a rental fee to pay if you require it for your exclusive use only. The beauty of this option is that after the reception you get free entry to the night club which is close by. If your budget is limited then we would suggest this rustic family run trattoria. There are other options available and here are some further considerations….Understated luxury with sea view; another great sea view location; In the historical area of Positano…….

It is possible to have a civil wedding or a protestant wedding outside the confines of the town hall or church in Positano and below we have a range of options for you to view where a wedding ceremony is possible.

It is possible to use the restaurant as stated above for your Italian wedding as we can use the highest terrace which can accommodate up to about 45 guests. A nice and greener option is this one which is just lovely and for sheer luxury we have the following 2 villas where it is possible to stay, both of them are located close to each other. Villa which can accommodate up to 8 persons with space for just under 30 persons for ceremony and reception. This next villa can accommodate up to 10 persons with space for lots more people due to the different levels available here.

Getting Married in Praiano

Known as Positano’s poor neighbour however the good news is that this town has some of the best views of Positano and it is still completely authentic. Costs here are far less than those of its richer neighbour however this is all subject to your final selection. For your Italian wedding, why not get married on this beach accessible only by boat and only after 1800 hours…

And then from here you have a selection of 2 great places where it is possible to eat, one is right on the beach and only steps away, while the other one is far more luxurious. Here are some great places for your reception, Great location and views….what about this one for views and good food.

Getting Married in Furore

This is my favourite Amalfi Coast location. It is just amazing with its dramatic 'Fiordo' or fiord, where a cluster of old fishermen's houses cling to the side of the rocky gorge, you really need to hold on as you take a look. The main town is quite a distance from the sea and is known as 'il Paese Dipinto'; the painted village. Every September, artists from around the world are invited to a festival to add to the murals now decorating the local buildings. For your Italian wedding we have this truly amazing Family run B&B which is truly amazing. This venue also has access to a catholic church and subject to permission by the local priest, it is possible to get married here in the church or just outside the church. A civil or a protestant ceremony are also possible here. For something a little special with a touch of sheer luxury try this fantastic property. Super exclusive.

Getting Married in Conca Dei Marini

Literally translated as the basin of the seas, great poetry! This may be due to the way the coastline contours along the Mediterranean Sea creating small fiords and gulfs. For your Italian catholic weddings here we can recommend this beautiful church which has an amazing view of the Amalfi Coast from its courtyard. It is also possible to have a civil ceremony in the open air, a new destination for 2012 and also this amazing location right on the sea.

Getting Married in Amalfi

We would consider Amalfi to be the busiest of all the towns and there is a lot going on here with some lovely shops and a great buzz. You feel in Italy when you are here and there is a great mix of traditional and modern, typical and foreign if you know what I mean. The crowning glory of Amalfi is the cathedral. This is truly a unique place to get married. Do you know that it was built in the early 1200s and there are 62 steps to reach the top. The relics of St Andrew the apostle are kept here and the cathedral is a fine demonstration of Romanesque and Baroque not to mention the small cloister which you also find here. Another church where a catholic wedding is possible and is within walking distance from the centre of Amalfi however it is all uphill and when you get there is completely unexpected, is this lovely gem. A little further away, one finds this lovely church where it is possible to have both a catholic and a protestant wedding. This church is located in a coastal village which has preserved its original medieval structure of narrow streets, arches, courtyards, small squares and the typical stairways.

If you want to get married at the local town hall you will find it located in the centre of the historical centre, if you prefer a more intimate wedding where you can decide when, a wedding which is exclusive to you, then you have a range of possibilities. With these options you can do everything in one location if you prefer. Amalfi has many options to offer and here are just a few to sample…

For those of you who fancy a restaurant for the evening our best options located in the centre of Amalfi are: Right on the sea; for great tasting food; an excellent location, rustic and family run which you can only access by boat; if you fancy something a little more snacky… then try this location.

DID YOU KNOW?.........

The cuisine of this specific area is generally the same as that of Naples and the food here is largely based on fish and seafood and old recipes are handed down from mother to daughter and so it continues. Besides fish, other foods include fresh cheeses which come from the hills above, cheeses like mozzarella, fior di latte, provola, cherry tomatoes which add so much flavour to the dishes, handmade pastas like Scialiatelle and Laganelle, don’t forget all those lemon desserts and all those wonderful liqueurs, limoncello, nocino or nocillo made from walnuts, fragolino made from strawberries – have the bottle put into the freezer and drink it cold….Heaven! Lots more as far as the alcohol is concerned….Finocchietto (fennel) and Lauro (Bay leaf)… and many more to choose from.

Getting Married in Ravello

Sitting high on the mountainside and above Amalfi….”Closer to the sky than it is to the seashore” wrote Andre Gide. This is a small and intimate town made up of rustic streets and stairways, palaces and villas. Ravello provides the ultimate in panoramic views, sit back and enjoy.

Our top 5 locations for a Civil or Protestant ceremony would be one of the following options: Truly unique and wonderful and one of the places where Italian celebrities tie the knot; for something a little more central with a touch of modernity…..and you can choose from the various terraces which are available to you. If a private villa is more your thing try this, great people who go out of their way to assist you; and if your numbers are smaller and you want something intimate, try this fantastic terrace overlooking the coast and part of a suite. If you prefer a church wedding, there is the main cathedral where the priest will allow you to tie the knot as long as it is a catholic ceremony or we have this other church which is a touch off the beaten track. It is possible to have a protestant wedding in a local church in Ravello but we are unable to provide you with a link as 2011 will be the first time we will be organizing a protestant wedding here as we used to use the main cathedral for Protestant weddings until it was decided this year that it would no longer be possible. We have a range of wonderful restaurants to offer in Ravello so if you are having a town hall wedding or a church wedding apart from the considerations as stated above, you have the possibility of having your reception at one of the following locations…. A symphony of luxury; understated elegance; a terrace over the sea.

Getting Married in Minori or Maiori

Minori is quite close to Amalfi and Only a brief stretch of coastline divides Amalfi and Minori (the ancient 'Regina Minor'). Minori is quite laid back when it comes to the Amalfi Coast however for your Italian wedding we would recommend that you tie the knot in Maiori as it is possible to have an outside open air wedding in the gardens of an ancient palazzo dating back to the 1600s. The outside area is compact and it does hark back to the past and those 1950’s movies where Marcello Mastroianni would shout out for Sophia Loren to come out. It is also possible for your wedding to take place here on the beach however there is only space for a small number so we would suggest perhaps a town hall wedding and then this 360 degree view tower for your reception. A truly amazing place where the food is just amazing. Choose from their home-made pasta, their rabbit cooked with walnuts and lemon….. great food. Last but not least we have this wonderful villa which can accommodate you, allow you to have your wedding ceremony and reception on site. This villa provides some of the best views on the Amalfi Coast and has been home to Italian politicians and celebrities, so make it your wedding destination.

A range of other options are available