Amalfi Coast Elopement Planning Guide
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Dreaming of a romantic getaway without the fuss of a traditional wedding? Look no further than the sun-drenched shores of Italy’s Amalfi Coast. This stunning stretch of coastline, with its pastel-hued villages cascading down cliffs to the sparkling Mediterranean, offers the perfect backdrop for an intimate destination wedding or elopement.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your destination “I do’s” in one of the world’s most picturesque areas. From legal requirements to the most breathtaking venues, we’ve got you covered.
Why choose the Amalfi Coast for your elopement?
The Amalfi Coast offers an unparalleled setting for couples seeking a romantic and unforgettable elopement experience. Here’s why this stunning Italian destination should top your list:
Scenic Beauty
The Amalfi Coast is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that seem almost too beautiful to be real. Imagine exchanging vows against a backdrop of pastel-colored villages clinging to dramatic cliffs, with the sparkling Mediterranean Sea stretching out below. From sun-drenched beaches to lush lemon groves and terraced vineyards, every turn along the coast offers a new, picture-perfect scene for your special day.
Romantic Atmosphere
Romance is woven into the very fabric of the Amalfi Coast. Cobblestone streets wind through charming towns, inviting couples to stroll hand in hand. Candlelit restaurants serve exquisite Italian cuisine and local wines, perfect for intimate dinners. As the sun sets, the coastline is bathed in a warm, golden light, creating an ambience that’s nothing short of magical. It’s a place where love stories feel destined to unfold.
Intimate Experience
Eloping on the Amalfi Coast allows you to focus solely on each other, free from the stress and distractions of a large wedding. Whether you choose a secluded beach, a historic chapel, or a luxurious villa terrace for your ceremony, the setting encourages intimacy and connection. With just the two of you (and perhaps a handful of loved ones), you can fully immerse yourselves in the moment and the stunning surroundings, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
By choosing to elope on the Amalfi Coast, you’re not just planning a wedding – you’re embarking on a romantic adventure in one of the world’s most captivating destinations.
Where is the Amalfi Coast?
The Amalfi Coast is a stunning stretch of coastline located in southern Italy’s Campania region, in the Province of Salerno. It runs along the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea. Spanning about 50 kilometers from Positano to Vietri sul Mare, this picturesque area is known for its dramatic cliffs, colorful coastal towns, and breathtaking views. Situated south of Naples and Pompeii, and southeast of Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast is a popular destination easily accessible from Naples, the nearest major city with an international airport.
Planning Your Amalfi Coast Elopement
When is the best time of year to elope on the Amalfi Coast?
There are two prime seasons to visit the Amalfi Coast:
- Spring – April until early June
- Late summer, early fall – September and October
During these months temperatures are cooler, locations are less crowded and accommodation can also be cheaper.
July and August are high season. This means places are crowded, accommodation is expensive and hard to find, and temperatures can be blisteringly hot. We recommend avoiding high season for these reasons.
Top Amalfi Coast Elopement Locations
Positano
Positano is a cliffside village known for its colorful houses cascading down to the sea. It’s famous for its pebble beachfront, narrow streets lined with boutiques, and the church of Santa Maria Assunta with its majolica-tiled dome. Positano is possibly the most popular town on the Amalfi coast – which can also make it the busiest and most expensive.
In Positano I definitely recommend a walk in the center until you reach and visit the Church of Santa Maria Assunta (the “Cupolone of Positano”) and then go up all the alleys until you take Via Cristoforo Colombo , where you can admire Positano in all its beauty and take your picture postcard!
Carla Alcamisi – Local Wedding Planner
Capri
Capri is an island in the Bay of Naples, famed for its rugged landscape, upscale hotels, and shopping. It’s home to the Blue Grotto, a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, and the Gardens of Augustus, offering panoramic views and vibrant flora.
Sorrento
Perched atop cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is renowned for its lemon groves and limoncello production. This charming town offers a perfect blend of history, with its Romanesque churches and quaint piazzas, and modern amenities in its lively marina.
Ravello
Situated high in the hills above Amalfi, Ravello is famous for its ravishing gardens and breathtaking views. It’s home to Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, both offering spectacular panoramas, and hosts a renowned summer music festival.
Unlike the other towns on the Amalfi Coast, Ravello is not located directly on the sea, but a little higher, in the Lattari Mountains. This makes Ravello the most beautiful terrace in the world, which has fascinated and attracted many poets and artists, including Wagner. In Ravello I recommend you to definitely visit Villa Cimbrone, with its Terrazza dell’Infinito or Villa Rufolo (also both). For lovers of trekking is right up close to Villa Cimbrone that starts a path that reaches Amalfi or Atrani, developing in large part through steep staircases, with extraordinary views, historic buildings and the Mediterranean maquis and the sea to frame.
Carla Alcamisi – Local Wedding Planner
Amalfi
Once a powerful maritime republic, Amalfi is now a picturesque town known for its stunning Duomo di Sant’Andrea and its role in the history of pasta production. It’s a bustling hub of the coast, with a pleasant beach and a maze of whitewashed alleys.
In Amalfi I definitely recommend a walk along the course, until you reach and visit the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea (the “Duomo di Amalfi”). For lovers of trekking, but not only, I recommend visiting the nature reserve of the Ferriere Valley, a path that starting from the Duomo and proceeding to the Paper Museum leads to the ancient paper mills where the “Amalfi map” was made.
Carla Alcamisi – Local Wedding Planner
Atrani
Atrani is the smallest town in southern Italy, nestled between two cliffs right next to Amalfi. It retains much of its historic charm with its quaint beach, central piazza, and the beautiful Church of San Salvatore de’ Birecto.
Vietri sul mare is one of the less known destinations of the Amalfi Coast, but it really deserves to be visited. Famous for its ancient tradition in the art of pottery, it is a colorful village, a real open-air museum of ceramics. Vietri has a “high” part where it hosts the village and a part on the sea, where there are large beaches perfect for a day at the sea.Carla Alcamisi – Local Wedding Planner
Legal Requirements for Eloping in Italy
It is possible to get married in Italy if you want to. But the process isn’t completely straight-forward. We’ve summarized the process below, but for more detailed information, check out this post.
Residency Requirements
Italy doesn’t have a residency requirement in order to get married here. That means that couples from around the world have the option to have their legal marriage ceremony in Italy.
Necessary Documents
The exact documents needed to get legally married in Italy vary depending on your country of citizenship and residence. For most couples the following is required:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Certificate of no impediment (Nulla Osta) from your country’s embassy in Italy
- Certificate of divorce or death of previous spose
Certificates must be translated into Italian, and in many cases must be legalized with an Apostille. You will also need an Italian interpreter for your ceremony if you don’t speak Italian.
Because of the complicated nature of submitting all of the paperwork, including translations and legalization, hiring a local planner is recommended to help you with this process.
Religious Vs. Civil vs. Symbolic Ceremonies
In Italy, only Catholic or civil ceremonies are legally binding. Catholic ceremonies take place in the Catholic Church, where you’ll need to submit paperwork proving that you are Catholic.
A civil ceremony takes place at the local town hall/municipality or an approved external location and is conducted by an official from the city.
Many couples from overseas opt to have a symbolic ceremony in Italy instead of a legal one. This gives them many more options in terms of locations and flexibility in the type of ceremony.
Same-Sex Weddings
Italy doesn’t currently allow same-sex couples to get married, they only offer a registered civil partnership. For LGBTQ+ couples, we recommend getting legally married at home and having a symbolic ceremony in Italy instead.
Location Permits on the Amalfi Coast
If you are planning to have your ceremony or photos in a public location, be sure to check with the local municipality about any required permits.
Transportation Tips for the Amalfi Coast
Getting Here
The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples. However, for international connections from across the Atlantic the closest airport is likely to be Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). However Italy boasts a great high-speed rail network, so you can fly into one of it’s other major international airports such as Milan and take a train to Naples.
From Naples, there are bus, train and ferry options to get you to the Amalfi Coast.
Getting Around
Driving a car around the Amalfi Coast can be a great way to explore the region, but it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. Roads are often narrow, sometimes only wide enough for 1.5 cars (!), often on steep hillsides or through busy towns, and parking can be challenging.
If you do decide to rent a car, we recommend getting something small and compact, as navigating the busy narrow streets with a larger SUV is going to be stressful – trust us!
Tips for renting a car in Europe
How much does it cost to elope on the Amalfi coast?
Depending on your vision for your elopement, the costs to get married here can vary greatly. So much comes down to how much you want to spend, and what level of luxury you are looking for, as there’s something for every budget.
This intimate wedding in Positano came in at just under $15,000 USD excluding travel and accommodation.
➡️ See the full wedding here on the blog
Amalfi Coast Elopement Packages
You can find local Italian vendors that offer all-inclusive elopement packages from around €5000. This usually includes planning assistance and photography, and may include extras like hair & makeup and flowers.
For intimate weddings, you can expect to be spending between €20,000 and €50,000 excluding travel and accommodation.
Meet A Local Amalfi Coast Planner
Carla Alcamisi
Website: https://www.carlaweddingevents.it/english/
Instagram: @carlalcamisievents
Crazy, visionary, sought after, ingenious, empathetic. This is the answer of the people closest to me, perhaps dictated by their affection.
I simply call myself a grateful and happy woman!
A wedding planner of dreams and magic.
My company was founded along the Amalfi coast, in Positano.
My goal, for those who decide to rely on me, will be to realize the dream of their life, or make the most beautiful day an unforgettable event.
