6 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE PLANNING YOUR AMALFI COAST WEDDING

 

The stunning terrace at Villa Cimbrone in Ravello

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful and infamous places in Italy. From the ancient towns of Positano and Amalfi to the picturesque cliffs, it's easy to see why so many couples choose this destination for their wedding day and honeymoon. If you're considering planning an Amalfi Coast wedding, here are our top five must-knows to help you plan your dream day.

  1. The Amalfi Coast is stunning, but it's not easy to get to.

The Amalfi Coast is a stunning place to get married, but it's not easy to get there. The first thing you should know about getting married at an Italian wedding location like this one is that the logistics are a bit trickier than other locations like Tuscany.

How to get to the Amalfi coast?

The Amalfi Coast is located along the southern coast of Italy, south of Naples. The best way to get to the Amalfi Coast is by car. You can take the A3 Autostrada (highway) from Naples, which will take you directly to the Amalfi Coast. Alternatively, you can take a train from Naples to the town of Salerno, which is the closest station to the Amalfi Coast, and then take a bus or taxi from there.

What’s the fastest way to get to Capri or Positano?

Capri and Positano are two popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast. To get to either of these towns, you can take a ferry from Naples. Ferries run directly from Naples to Capri and Positano. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus from Naples to Sorrento and then take a ferry from there to Capri or Positano, which takes around 2.5 hours.

Check out this detailed guide on how to get to the Amalfi Coast from various cities.

2. The roads are narrow and winding and difficult to navigate.

You might be wondering why there are so many things to consider when you're planning your wedding in Italy. After all, it's just about finding a beautiful villa and then inviting all your nearest and dearest, right? If you're planning on getting married in Amalfi Coast, there are several things that you need to know about getting around.

While the drive may be incredibly picturesque, it can also be a stressful experience if you’re not sure what to expect. For example, many of the roads are narrow and winding, making it difficult and dangerous for unskilled drivers to navigate. In some areas, there’s only enough room for one car can pass at time, which may be something tourists aren't used to. Additionally, roads are not well marked, not well maintained and often unlit at night. In general, the Amalfi Coast is a very hilly and densely populated area, and there’s a lack of public transportation options, making it difficult to get around without a car.

On top of this, Italy issued new rules for driving along the coast to better manage the intense summertime traffic surge. Residents of the 13 coastal towns including taxis and cars with hired drivers will have to use an alternate license plate system, with cars only able to drive on odd or even-numbered days. Unfortunately, this new rule also applies to rental cars.

Logistics and venue considerations for your Amalfi Coast Wedding

The Amalfi Coast is a popular wedding destination, so you might think it's easy to find a venue. And with so many options, it can be really tricky to know where to start. To help you out, we break down the more nuanced considerations when searching for your perfect amalfi coast wedding venue.

3. Have a clear picture of your destination wedding budget

Before setting a budget, it’s important to determine what aspects of the wedding are most important to you. What are your must-haves or non-negotiables, and where are you willing to be flexible? Researching costs is key to setting a realistic budget. Look into the costs of venues, catering, transportation, entertainment, and other wedding essentials. Prices may vary depending on the season and location on the Amalfi Coast. Something that many people don’t know is that most hotels have minimum 3-night stay and buyout requirements for weddings. In our experience, venues may be willing to negotiate with wedding planners they have good relationships with because it builds their network and there’s less management required on behalf of the venue.


4. Explore venue size, spaces, and learn what this means for your event

If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, consider a venue with an indoor space that can accommodate your guest count. Make sure that the indoor space is large enough to accommodate all of your guests comfortably.

The size of the venue is an important consideration when planning a wedding. You want to make sure that the venue is large enough to accommodate all of your guests comfortably. A venue that is too small can make guests feel cramped and uncomfortable, while a venue that is too large can feel impersonal and increase the cost of decor needed to fill the empty space.

It’s important to choose a venue that is the right size for your guest list, but also has an adequate Plan B. For example, some venues may have interior built in Plan Bs, such as additional rooms inside the villa or hotel, but your guests may be separated among 2 different rooms. A qualified wedding planner will know the ins and outs of each venue and hotel’s Plan B and can help guide you to make the best decision for your events.

If you’re planning to rent a tent, consider the rental costs and what this might mean for your budget. Make sure that the tent is large enough to accommodate your guest count, entertainment, and any additional decor or furniture. Remember, the indoor space or tent must be large enough to accommodate the catering staff and equipment. Consider any additional costs associated with catering in a Plan B space such as a mobile kitchen set up that may require external generators.

5. Wedding Guest Accommodation on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is a popular tourist destination, and accommodation can be limited during peak season. It’s important to research and book accommodations for guests well in advance to ensure that everyone has ample choices for lodging. Be sure to provide a list of recommended accommodations to guide guests on the best options near your events so they won’t be too out of the way.

6. Guest transportation considerations and logistics

Similarly, When choosing your Amalfi coast wedding venue, think about how guests will get there from their hotels to your event—especially if they're staying in different areas than yours. If your wedding is in an area like Amalfi or Lake Como that raises questions for how non-locals get around, it's ideal to provide organized transportation so that everyone can easily arrive at the same time without having to worry. It’s key to plan ahead for each of your events so that guests have a clear understanding of how to get from point A to point B. Remember, in these densely populated areas along the coast, you don’t want to have to rely on calling a taxi last minute to get you (or your guests) where they need to go as there may not be one available.

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular places for destination weddings

…and it's easy to see why. The weather is warm year-round and there are plenty of beautiful spots for an outdoor ceremony or reception. Plus, you can enjoy breathtaking views from wherever you choose--beaches are dotted with umbrella-topped tables overlooking the Mediterranean Sea; restaurants overlook gorgeous beaches; villas overlook just about anything! But with so many things to consider options available, where do you start?

If you want to have an Amalfi Coast wedding, just make sure you do your research first--or enlist a trusted planning partner like Savvy Event Studio. We have extensive experience planning destination weddings in Italy and can worry about guiding you through all of the details, so that you can rest easy.

Why Choose Savvy to Plan Your Amalfi Coast Wedding

Our couples benefit from our established relationships with vendors in the industry. We help you find the right vendors for your Amalfi Coast wedding and negotiate contracts on your behalf. We also handle all of the communication and coordination with vendors, which saves our couples a lot of time and stress.

Because we handle all of the details and logistics for you, you’re able to relax and enjoy the wedding planning process. With a decade of experience under our belts, we’re also equipped to handle any unexpected issues that may arise in the planning process, or on the wedding day itself. (If you haven’t already, be sure to check out 5 Things to Look for in a Destination Wedding Planner)

Just remember, when planning a destination wedding, you deserve peace of mind and to fully enjoy your special day! If you’d like to remove the stress from your shoulders, get in touch with us today to learn how we can help.

 
Juliana Calvo