Getting married on the Amalfi Coast is the kind of dream that’s hard to shake, and I totally get why. There’s nothing quite like the view of pastel buildings stacked on cliffs above the sea, the smell of lemons in the air, or hearing waves crash while you're sipping your morning espresso. An Amalfi Coast wedding is romantic and full of charm, basically everything you want a destination wedding to feel like!

But here’s what most people don’t talk about: planning a wedding in Italy comes with its own set of challenges (hello, paperwork), and there are a few things I wish every couple knew before diving in.

As a wedding photographer who's had the chance to document some really special moments on the Amalfi Coast, I wanted to share some honest, helpful tips for making the most of your experience.

Let’s talk about what it actually looks like to plan a wedding here, and how to make it one of the best decisions you’ve ever made.

Stylish wedding couple lounging cliffside in Amalfi, shaded by a parasol and sipping wine with coastal views in the background.

The couple shares a kiss in a vintage white convertible overlooking dramatic coastal cliffs, capturing a tender Amalfi Coast wedding moment.

Groom reading vows to his bride as she lies across his lap, with a breathtaking Amalfi Coast wedding view behind them.

Start with the Feel, Not Just the Photo: Planning Your Amalfi Coast Wedding

Before you lock in a venue, take a step back and ask: What kind of experience do we want? Do you imagine a big Amalfi Coast wedding weekend with all your friends and family? Something low-key and intimate? A mix of both?

That answer will help guide where you land because while every town along the Amalfi Coast is beautiful, they each have their own vibe.

Positano is the most recognizable (think: colorful buildings stacked into the cliffs, that classic Amalfi look).
Ravello is quieter and more romantic, perched high above the sea with lush gardens and a slower pace.
Sorrento is a little easier to get to and has more hotel options.
Capri is a whole experience, elegant, exclusive, and just a short boat ride away.

Figure out what kind of energy you want your day (or weekend) to have, and choose a location that supports that.

I haven’t personally been to these spots yet (adding them to my bucket list as we speak!), but from everything I’ve seen and read, these venues are highly recommended: Villa Silvana, Villa Oliviero, Villa San Giacomo, Villa Tre Ville, Villa Cimbrone, Villa Astor, Castello di Vincigliata, Hotel Marincanto, and Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel. Definitely worth looking into if you’re venue-hunting for your Amalfi Coast wedding!

A barefoot couple walking hand-in-hand along the shoreline, with pastel buildings of Positano behind them during their Amalfi Coast wedding.

Through the window, the couple is seen writing letters at a small balcony table with the sea in the background, a quiet pre-ceremony ritual.

Book things early, Amalfi Coast wedding venues fill up fast

No surprise here, but an Amalfi Coast wedding is in high demand. Between the limited number of venues and how quickly villas get scooped up, the earlier you start planning, the better.

If you're able to, consider visiting Italy at least a year in advance to:

Tour venues and villas in person
Meet with local vendors and planners
Get a feel for what your timeline could look like
Enjoy a vacation while you’re at it

That trip can make the planning process so much easier, and more fun.

A couple embraces along a stone lookout with the cliffs and pastel homes of Positano in the distance, soaking in the view under golden light.

Vibrant red bridal heels resting on a piano bench, draped in a delicate lace-trimmed veil.

Romantic nighttime stroll through the streets of Amalfi, with the couple laughing under glowing lamplight.

A romantic moment of the bride lying on a blue tile table while the groom leans in for a kiss, with views of the Amalfi Coast in the distance.

Work with a local planner

This is one of the most important pieces of advice I can offer. Even if you love spreadsheets and timelines, having someone local on the ground in Italy makes everything smoother, especially when you’re planning an Amalfi Coast destination wedding.

They’ll help you:

Navigate the legal requirements (there are a lot of them)
Translate contracts and communicate with vendors
Plan around town ordinances and noise restrictions
Recommend where your guests should stay and eat

Basically, they’ll keep things from getting unnecessarily complicated. Which means fewer headaches for you, and more time to enjoy your engagement (and eventually, your wedding weekend).

A delicate white wedding bouquet rests on a stone railing, with the colorful cliffside buildings of Positano rising behind it.

A barefoot couple enjoys a slow morning on their balcony, sipping coffee and soaking in the calm Mediterranean sea views.

A celebratory martini is raised in the air—simple, elegant, and perfectly suited for a chic Amalfi Coast wedding celebration.

Italy Destination Wedding Legalities: What You Actually Need to Know

Getting legally married in Italy as an American is totally doable, it just takes some planning and a few important documents. If you're dreaming of an Amalfi Coast wedding, one of the first things to decide is whether you want a civil ceremony (which is legally recognized in Italy) or a religious ceremony (like a Catholic wedding, which requires additional documentation from your church).

For a civil ceremony, you’ll need:

Valid U.S. passports
Original birth certificates (with an apostille)
A Nulla Osta (an affidavit stating you’re free to marry, signed at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Italy)

If you're getting married outside the embassy or consulate, that Nulla Osta must be legalized at the local Prefettura in the region where your wedding will take place. This step is crucial and often overlooked, which is why having a local planner is so helpful, they’ll guide you through the process, handle communication with the town hall, and make sure nothing gets lost in translation.

Requirements can vary depending on your nationality, but for U.S. citizens, this is the general path. If all of that sounds like a lot, many couples choose to legally marry back home and have a symbolic Amalfi Coast wedding instead, less paperwork, same incredible experience and photos!

A bride in a wide sunhat holds a parasol and gazes lovingly at her groom on a cliffside terrace, with colorful buildings and beachgoers below during their Amalfi Coast wedding.

Detail of the bride’s satin gown and flowing veil as she walks barefoot on a terrace with the sea in the background.

Elegant flatlay of wedding invitations and gold wedding bands styled on hand-painted Amalfi tile.

Be prepared for stairs, winding roads, and extra transit time

This is something couples often don’t fully expect until they arrive. The Amalfi Coast is built into cliffs, which means getting from one place to another can take longer than you’d think.

Some things that help:

Budget extra time in your timeline (especially between getting ready and the ceremony)
Bring a second pair of comfortable shoes for walking to photo spots
Arrange shuttles or car services for guests, especially if your venue isn’t super accessible

None of this is meant to scare you off, it’s just good to know ahead of time so you can plan around it and not feel stressed on the day!

A pair of heels hang on the side of a white convertible as a couple leans in close, suggesting an effortlessly stylish European romance.

Fashion-forward couple posing on the historic cathedral steps in Amalfi, blending modern style with old-world charm.

Artistic black and white photo of bride laughing on the stairs in her gown and veil, looking up at her groom.

Making It a Full Experience for You and Your Guests

An Amalfi Coast wedding isn’t just about the day itself, it’s about the entire experience, for you and your guests. One of the best parts of a destination wedding is getting to turn it into a little vacation, and the Amalfi Coast makes that easy. Think: pasta-making classes, wine tastings in the hills, private boat rentals, and day trips to places like Ravello, Pompeii, or Capri. For guests who love a bit of adventure, hiking the Path of the Gods offers some of the most incredible views of the coast. And when it comes to food (because let’s be honest, it’s Italy), there’s no shortage of incredible spots for a welcome dinner or a post-wedding brunch. Some favorites to look into: Da Vincenzo in Positano, Ristorante Il Capitano for that cliffside view, or Villa Maria in Ravello for something extra special. Giving your guests options to explore and enjoy the area makes your wedding feel less like an event, and more like an unforgettable weekend away.

The bride beams in her silk gown and bold red heels, stepping through a wooden archway as her groom waits nearby, pure Amalfi Coast wedding magic.

A bride and groom take a moment alone on a seaside terrace, holding hands with the ocean glittering below them.

On the morning of their Amalfi Coast wedding, a couple sits barefoot on their balcony, writing personal vows with coffee in hand and the ocean glimmering in the background.

Renting a villa is worth it

If you’re deciding between a hotel or renting a villa for your Amalfi Coast wedding, go with the villa if it fits your budget. Not just because the photos will be beautiful (which they will), but because it makes the whole weekend feel more personal and connected.

With a villa, you can:

Host your welcome dinner, ceremony, and next-day brunch all in one place
Stay with close friends and family
Have space to relax without bouncing between locations

One couple I worked with hosted about 20 guests at their villa and hired a private chef for dinner the night before and after the wedding. Everyone got to hang out together, eat amazing food, and actually spend time with each other, which is kind of the whole point.

A candid black and white photo of a couple laughing and holding hands while sitting in a window alcove surrounded by lush greenery.

A woman gazes lovingly at her partner from the passenger seat of a vintage convertible with Amalfi cliffs in the distance.

Close-up of a bride walking barefoot on the beach, dress trailing in the sand and heels in hand.

Bride and groom embrace on a sunlit terrace overlooking the colorful cliffside homes of Positano after their Amalfi Coast wedding.

Timing matters

Timing is everything when it comes to planning an Amalfi Coast wedding. The best seasons? Late April–June and September–early October. Spring brings mild temps, fresh blooms, and fewer tourists, plus soft, dreamy light that’s perfect for photos. Early fall still feels warm but has a more relaxed pace and beautiful golden tones. Summer (July and August) has the most energy and color, but it also comes with crowds, heat, and higher prices. Winter is peaceful and quiet, but many venues close, so options can be limited. Each season has its pros and cons, it just depends on the kind of experience you’re after.

With the veil flowing dramatically behind them, the couple walks across a tiled table overlooking the Amalfi Coast wedding view of cliffs and sea.

A joyful bride is lifted by her groom along the beach in Positano, with the iconic cliffside buildings of the Amalfi Coast wedding scene rising in the background.

A couple poses beside a classic convertible on the Amalfi Coast, blending vintage charm with modern love during their wedding weekend.

Lean into the local flavor

This is your chance to make your Amalfi Coast wedding feel like Italy, not just look like it. The more local touches you include, the more memorable (and fun) the whole experience becomes. Think: a limoncello toast instead of champagne, pasta-making with your guests, a tiramisu tower or gelato cart, or renting a vintage Fiat or Vespa for portraits.

And when it comes to food, there are so many incredible local spots that can elevate your wedding weekend. For something romantic and elegant, La Sponda in Positano is an iconic cliffside favorite with candlelit tables and live music. If you want a refined farm-to-table experience, Don Alfonso 1890 near Sorrento is a Michelin-starred gem. For something more relaxed and full of local charm, La Tagliata offers family-style meals with unforgettable views, and Da Adolfo, only accessible by boat, is a beachside favorite known for fresh seafood and casual vibes. You could even host a welcome dinner or brunch at Torre Normanna, a historic restaurant set inside a medieval tower in Maiori. It doesn’t have to be over-the-top, just find a few intentional ways to bring Italy into your day and let the setting do the rest.

A bride holding a melting gelato cone in Amalfi, capturing the sweet, spontaneous moments of a wedding weekend.

A couple shares a romantic moment leaning against a vintage white convertible on a winding road above the sea, surrounded by coastal cliffs.

A couple shops at a rustic fruit stand draped in dried citrus, garlic, and gourds, perched along the Amalfi Coast with a view of the sea.

Cultural Traditions, Travel Tips, and What to Know Before You Go

Planning an Amalfi Coast wedding comes with a few cultural differences that are fun to embrace, and helpful to know. Italian weddings often feature multi-course meals, a “first bite” shared by the couple, and live local music. You can also incorporate meaningful traditions, like planting an olive tree during your ceremony for good luck. Tipping works a bit differently too, it's often included in vendor pricing, so check ahead or ask your planner what’s customary. For guests flying in, Naples is the closest airport (about 1.5 hours away), but Rome is another option with a scenic train ride south. From there, private drivers, ferries, or shuttles make it easy to reach towns like Positano or Ravello. And when it comes to accommodations, guests have a mix of boutique hotels, villas, and Airbnbs to choose from, just be sure to share some recommendations to keep things simple on their end.

A quiet, emotional embrace between the bride and groom just before their ceremony, captured in timeless black and white.

Bride and groom share a quiet kiss on a sunlit terrace overlooking the Amalfi Coast, the cliffs and blue sea stretching behind them.

The newlyweds head upstairs hand in hand, her lace-trimmed veil trailing behind her on the steps of their villa.

Little Moments, Big Memories

You don’t have to carve out two full hours just for portraits. Some of the best photos happen when you're just living your day, grabbing an espresso, walking through town, riding a boat with your friends.

Of course, we can sneak away for golden hour or plan a separate session if you want more dedicated time. But I always encourage couples to build photos into the experience, not make them the whole point of it.

One of my favorite memories? A couple jumped on the bed during their in-villa session and it totally collapsed. No one was hurt, and we laughed until we cried. It wasn’t planned, but it was real, and those moments make the best photos.

A candid shot of the bride laughing and playfully tugging at the groom’s sleeve moments before their Amalfi Coast wedding.

Bride and groom sharing a joyful, intimate moment inside a stone-walled villa, just before the ceremony.

The bride, overcome with emotion, stands in her wedding dress with hand covering her mouth—captured right before her Amalfi Coast wedding.

If you’re planning an Amalfi Coast wedding...

You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. But if you’re looking for a photographer who can help guide you through the process, be there for the big moments and the in-between ones, and make sure your experience is documented in a way that feels honest, emotional, and easy, reach out here.

I’m based in Colorado but travel often for destination weddings (especially when pasta and sea views are involved), and I’m always here to help you create something that feels like you.

A bride stands on a terrace with terracotta tiles, gazing out at boats on the Mediterranean—a peaceful pause during her Amalfi Coast wedding celebration.

A romantic couple embraces against a scenic hillside backdrop in Positano, capturing the timeless charm of an Amalfi Coast wedding.

A joyful black-and-white moment of a groom twirling his bride under a covered terrace with ocean views in the background.

A barefoot couple shares a playful moment on the shoreline, the woman in a silk dress holding her shoes as the man in a tuxedo smiles at her against a soft, ocean backdrop.

A stylish bride wearing her groom’s jacket walks barefoot with him along the Positano beach at sunset, capturing a candid moment from their Amalfi Coast wedding.

The Ultimate Amalfi Coast Wedding Guide: For your Destination Wedding in Italy

Start with the Feel, Not Just the Photo: Planning Your Amalfi Coast Wedding