The Amalfi Coast is an amazing elopement location. People are drawn to it’s colorful Cliffside’s and beautiful beaches from all over the world. This guide is going to go over everything you need to consider, such as locations, crowds, seasons, and permits. Read on to find out exactly how to elope at the Amalfi Coast, and see the most beautiful Amalfi Coast elopement locations. If you want to read my full guide on eloping in Italy, you can find that here!
Where is The Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is along the southern edge of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It stretches from the town of Positano in the west to the town of Vietri sul Mare in the east. The best airport to fly into for visiting the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport. Naples is the closest major city to the Amalfi Coast, and is about a 1-2 hour drive depending on your exact location!
When to Elope at The Amalfi Coast
The best months to elope at the Amalfi Coast are likely May and September, this time of year is still warm, but attracts fewer crowds. However, it’s important to figure out what kind of weather best suits you and your partner and decide based off of that. Here is what each season looks like on the Amalfi Coast:
Spring
Spring is when things start to warm up, generally between 50 degrees (March-April) and mid 70 degrees (towards the later part of spring in May.) Not only that, but the flowers are blooming. The gardens and terraces of the Amalfi coast come alive with vibrant flowers, which makes this landscape even more stunning. Additionally, there are less crowds. However, if you’re looking to swim, the water might still feel a bit too cold.
Summer
This is peak tourist season. There will be a ton of crowds, and the rates for flights and hotels will be higher this time of year. However, it’s when temps are the warmest and the most comfortable weather to swim in. If you want to be in the water and don’t mind the crowds, this is still an okay time for your elopement.
Fall
Fall is one of my favorite times for an elopement on the Amalfi Coast. Through spring and September, you’ll still be getting days that are in the 70 degree range. And, the water is still warm enough for swimming. On top of that, the crowds are dying down. Hotels and flights will be cheaper. The only downside is there will be less flowers.
Winter
Winter is still a good time for an elopement on the Amalfi Coast, as temps don’t drop all too low. Generally, you can expect weather within 40-50 degrees. For some that might be too chilly. However, if you don’t mind the cooler temps, this is when there are the least amount of people on the Amalfi Coast. Thus offering a ton of tranquility and less people at popular locations.
How to Get Legally Married on The Amalfi Coast
You do not need to be a resident of the Amalfi Coast to get married here, and you have two different options for this. First, you can go the simple route. This includes going to your local courthouse prior to your elopement, and doing the paperwork there. This ensures that you’ll be legally married, and can simply celebrate your union in Italy!
However, if it’s important to you to do the legal bits abroad, here is how to get a marriage license on the Amalfi Coast:
First, you must prove that you are legally free to marry. In Italy, this is typically done by obtaining a “nulla osta” (certificate of no impediment) from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You will need for this, an Affidavit of Eligibility to Marry. Obtain an affidavit from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Italy, declaring that there are no legal impediments to your marriage. You need to make an appointment for this at the Embassy or Consulate. Here are the Documents Required for the Affidavit:
- Valid U.S. passport.
- Birth certificate.
- Proof of termination of any previous marriages (divorce decree or death certificate)
- The affidavit needs to be translated into Italian and legalized with an apostille from the Secretary of State from the U.S. state where it was issued.
Next, you will need to book the ceremony! You will need to contact the town hall (comune) where you plan to marry to book the date and time for your wedding ceremony. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Passports.
- Nulla osta.
- Banns (if applicable).
- Additional documentation as required by the local comune.
Finally, after the marriage, the officiant will register your marriage with the local vital records office. You should obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate! Request a certified copy of the marriage certificate from the town hall (comune) where the marriage was registered. And if you need the marriage certificate for use in the U.S., have it translated into English and legalized with an apostille.
How to Elope at The Amalfi Coast
You plan an Amalfi Coast elopement in similar ways as you’d plan any adventure elopement. There are a few major steps, and you can read about those here on my thorough guide on how to elope. For this Amalfi Coast elopement guide, I’m going over the major things you’ll need to consider!
1. DECIDE IF YOU’RE HAVING GUESTS
This is an imperative part of the planning process for elopements. This is because some guests won’t be willing to travel, and some locations have a cap on how many guests you’re allowed to have. Choosing a location will be much easier once you’ve determine who you’re inviting, and how many guests total you’ll have.
2.HIRE YOUR AMALFI COAST ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
This might feel early in the planning process, but bear with me. Elopements don’t have wedding planners. Most elopement photographers have taken it upon themselves to help couples with some of the planning. Many actually help you find your location! And they will think of things you might not have considered, such as: lighting, elevation, difficulty in hiking in a dress, permits, and so much more.
Each elopement photographer offers something different. Personally, I send my couples a customized list of locations based on their preferences, hiking ability, who they want to invite, and what they want to see. I also help them determine lodging options, get permits, get their marriage license, recommend vendors, and create a comprehensive day of timeline, and offer unlimited guidance calls for any questions along the way.
The being said, hiring your Amalfi Coast elopement photographer early is going to take a massive amount of planning stress off of your shoulders. Wanna chat? Contact me here!
3.DETERMINE WHAT WEATHER YOU WANT TO BE IN
This is going to help you choose a date and location. Some areas are more mild year round, while some get very hot or very cold. Determine what type of weather you want to be in, and research what each season brings, and this will greatly help you determine a time of year for your elopement, as well as a general region.
4.PICK YOUR AMALFI ELOPEMENT LOCATION
Once you’ve decided on how much you’d like to hike, how many guests are coming, your ideal weather, and the landscapes you want, you’re ready to deep dive into researching Amalfi Coast elopement locations. Finding the perfect spot will be a lot simpler after considering all of your needs and logistics.
This is information I collect from my couples through a questionnaire, and then use to make a customized list of Amalfi Coast elopement location options for them.
5.HIRE VENDORS
Once you have your location, it’s time to consider if there’s anything you need vendors for. Do you need any event rentals? Do you want a friend or family to officiate, or do you want to hire an officiant? Will you go out to eat, or do you want something catered, like a meal at an Airbnb from a private chef?
Figure out what extra services you may want, and hire your vendors in advance!
6.GET YOUR PERMITS
You will need to get the correct permits for your elopement. These are usually “special use” permits that you apply for on the National Parks website, or National Forest/BLM website.
Personally, I get all permit information for my eloping couples that hire me. With that, all you need to do is fill out the application when it’s sent to you and pay the fee. Fee’s vary, but are usually around $150 or less.
7.CHOOSE ADDITIONAL ELOPEMENT ACTIVITIES
Activities are such a fun part of an elopement. When you choose to elope, you’re opening yourself up to having a wedding day celebration that feels unique and resonates with you. Incorporate things that will elevate your elopement day experience. Here’s just a few ideas to get you brainstorming:
- Going on a hike
- Going on a sunset cruise
- Having a picnic on a beach
- Star-gazing or astrophotography
- Swimming
- Cliff jumping
- Visiting waterfalls
- Hiring a private chef
- Sightseeing
- Scenic driving with time to stop for pictures
- Exchanging gifts
- Reading letters from friends or family
8. MAKE A DAY-OF TIMELINE
Making a timeline is an important part of any elopement. It strings together all of your locations, activities, and lets guests know where to be and when. Creating a well thought out timeline will help you feel relaxed during the day, instead of stressed or rush. Make sure to include drive times as well as buffer times between each “event.”
Here are the things I include in the timelines I make for my couples:
- All addresses
- Sunrise time
- Sunset time
- Drive times
- A linke to Accuweather
- A list of all names for group shots
- Vendor info
- Emergency contact info
- A packing list
Lodging on the Amalfi Coast
Lodging is important when it comes to elopements. A lot of couples incorporate their lodging into aspects of their wedding day. For example, getting ready + getting ready photos, a first look, an intimate reception with friends, a dinner made by a private chef, etc. Once you’ve decided what you’ll incorporate in your day, pick a location that will allow everything you want to include.
If you want to host an intimate reception, I highly recommend a vacation rental such as a cabin or an Airbnb. You can also stay at hotels, resorts, chalets, campgrounds, etc. Here are some amazing lodging options on the Amalfi Coast:
- Villa Adriana Amalfi
- Hotel Luna Convento
- Amalfi Resort
- Hotel Marina
- List of Airbnbs on the Amalfi Coast
How Much Does it Cost to Elope on the Amalfi Coast
Obtaining the affidavit and certificate from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate can cost around $50-$100, translating documents into Italian and obtaining apostilles can cost approximately $50-$200 per document, and the cost of the marriage license and registration at the town hall varies by location but is typically between $50-$200. So technically, it’ll cost around $500 to get married in Italy. That being said, most couples spend an average of $5000-$25,000 on destination elopements. This includes flights, lodging, permits, vendors, wedding attire, meals, and anything extra a couple might want.
Amalfi Coast Elopement Locations
There are endless amounts of Amalfi Coast elopement locations to choose from. As an elopement photographer, I make a customized location list for my couples based on their needs, this includes: landscape, drive times, how much they do or don’t want to hike, ideal weather, and guest count. For now, here are some of the top stunning elopement locations on the Amalfi Coast:
Path of the Gods
This is a hiking trails that runs through Agerola and Positano. If you’re looking to do a hiking elopement, and still get stunning views of the cities on the cliffs, this is an amazing Amalfi Coast elopement location for you!
Atrani Beach
Atrani Beach is a beautiful location for an Amalfi Coast elopement. The water is stunning, an the views of the colorful building and greenery makes for a gorgeous backdrop.
Praiano Viewpoint
This is know as a “hidden gem location” The viewpoint offers views of the colorful houses dotted amongst the rolling cliff sides, and of course, beautiful views of the ocean. This is a great Amalfi Coast elopement location to soak in a ton of views during a ceremony.
Positano
Positano has a ton of cliffside locations that would be stunning for a ceremony. You’re getting beautiful views of the pastel houses as well as views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. I love this Amalfi Coast elopement location because of it’s blend of hikes and the charming town itself.
Maiori
I’m obsessed with the dark green and contrasted colors of Maiori. Say your vows on a cliffside, get amazing food in town, and then do a sunset cruise taking in the stunning views of the water. A top ten Amalfi Coast elopement location.
Cetara
This Amalfi Coast elopement locations is one of my favorites for a few reasons. I love how jagged the peaks of the cliffs are here. Not only that, but it’s a quieter and less touristed spot. Making it a perfect location if you want a summer elopement but to not be around as many crowds.
Amalfi Coast Elopement Packages
Elopement photography by Emilee Setting Photo, and everything included in my packages:
- Explore anywhere within Italy, all travel fees included in the price!
- Packages from half day elopements to multi-day elopements
- Receive a customized location list
- Help finding lodging that suits your needs if you’re having an intimate reception
- Included comprehensive timeline design
- Help obtaining your permits
- Help obtaining your marriage license
- A planning checklist
- Unlimited planning and guidance calls
- All of your stunning photos delivered under three months
- Day of polaroid sneak peeks
Amalfi elopement packages starting at $8800. Want more information on my pricing and what’s included? Click here
Ready to Elope at The Amalfi Coast?
This Amalfi elopement guide is a way to get you excited about all the possibilities of what your day could look like. Although, this amount of information can be overwhelming. I’m here to help. I can answer any and all questions you have on a complimentary low pressure consultation call. If you then choose you’d like to work together, I’ll do all of this planning right by your said to alleviate any stress, and bring your Italy elopement vision to life. We can chat here!