12 Amalfi Coast wedding venues, seen by someone who works there

Amalfi Coast wedding venues are famous for the photographs they produce. Far less is said about how you get to them, where your guests will stand, or what time the sun disappears behind the mountain. If you’re wondering where to get married on the Amalfi Coast, this isn’t a hotel ranking or a list of venues to book: it’s twelve places along the coast – towns, churches, squares, gardens and one type of venue you’ll see in almost every quote – described by someone who works there with a camera in hand. For each one you’ll find what’s there, what light to expect, and the strengths and practical problems.

One thing applies to the whole coast: almost every town faces south, squeezed between the sea and steep mountains. In many spots the sun drops behind the mountains before the official sunset time (around 20:35 in June, around 19:15 in September). And the SS163, the only road linking the towns, is slow in summer. Those two things, light and road, shape the day more than anything else.

If you’re flying in, most couples and guests land at Naples airport and reach the coast by road, or go via Salerno, where ferries usually run to Amalfi and Positano in season. Check the ferry timetables for your dates: they change from year to year.

Amalfi Coast wedding venues, from west to east

1. Positano: the church of Santa Maria Assunta and the Spiaggia Grande

What’s there. The church with the yellow and green majolica dome, a few steps from the Spiaggia Grande, and around it the town climbing up the hillside in terraces. It’s the picture of the Amalfi Coast everyone knows.

Light. The town faces south and south-west and gets sun until late. In the early afternoon in summer the light on the houses is harsh; the best hours for portraits are the ones just before sunset.

Strengths and problems. The backdrop speaks for itself. The problem is people: in summer the beach and the lanes are packed, and the steps are a real test for older guests and high heels. Parking is expensive and scarce; for guests it’s worth arranging shuttles or arriving by sea. For couple portraits I prefer to move into side lanes, away from the crowds. I go into more detail on my page for Amalfi Coast wedding photography.

2. Praiano: San Gennaro and the churchyard above the sea

What’s there. The church of San Gennaro, with its majolica floor and a churchyard that looks out over the sea towards Positano and Capri.

Light. Praiano is one of the most west-facing points on the coast, so it holds the sun until sunset longer than other towns. This is where evening light really does arrive.

Strengths and problems. Fewer crowds than Positano and Amalfi, a village feel. The spaces are small: the churchyard fills up quickly with a large group. Parking along the main road is limited here too.

3. Furore and Conca dei Marini: the fjord and the coves

What’s there. The Fiordo di Furore, a narrow gorge between the rocks with a tiny beach beneath the road bridge, and further on Conca dei Marini with its coves. These aren’t ceremony venues, but places for couple portraits or an engagement shoot.

Light. The sun only reaches the bottom of the fjord for a few hours a day, around midday; the rest of the time it’s in shade, with a soft, cool light that can work well for portraits.

Strengths and problems. Rarely used and instantly recognisable. But there are plenty of steps down to the fjord, the bridge is on the main road and stopping with a car is a problem. In a long wedding dress, think it through carefully. Access and restrictions can change from one season to the next: check them beforehand.

4. Amalfi: the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea and the Cloister of Paradise

What’s there. The great flight of steps, the striped, mosaic-covered façade of the Duomo, the square below, and next door the Chiostro del Paradiso with its interlaced arches.

Light. The square is hemmed in by tall buildings and for much of the day gets reflected rather than direct light. On the steps the sun can be very contrasty in the middle of the day.

Strengths and problems. Walking out of the Duomo with your guests on the steps is one of the best scenes on the coast. It’s also one of the most crowded: tourists, café tables, people stopping to photograph you. In summer it’s worth choosing a quieter ceremony time and allowing for some waiting. In the cloister space is limited and access follows the Diocese’s rules. I describe how I work there on the Amalfi Coast wedding photographer page.

5. Atrani: the little square and the two churches

What’s there. One of the smallest municipalities in Italy, a ten-minute walk from Amalfi. The small, enclosed square, the church of San Salvatore de’ Birecto and, higher up, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maddalena with its majolica bell tower.

Light. The town is tucked into a narrow valley: soft side light, with long shadows from the afternoon onwards.

Strengths and problems. It looks like Amalfi with far fewer people. It suits small weddings. There’s very little space for a large group, and for vehicles the only access point is the main road, above the square. It pairs well with couple portraits along the walk between Atrani and Amalfi.

6. Ravello: the Duomo, Villa Rufolo and the clifftop gardens

What’s there. Ravello sits about 350 metres above the sea. The Duomo is on the main square; next to it, Villa Rufolo with its gardens and terraces over the gulf; further on, on foot, Villa Cimbrone with the belvedere known as the Terrace of Infinity.

Light. From up here the view opens to the south-east, over the coastline of Minori and Maiori. Late-afternoon light comes in from the side and is the best for portraits on the terraces. At this height it’s windy, especially at the end of summer: plan for veils and hairstyles.

Strengths and problems. Quieter than the towns by the sea, open spaces, historic gardens. But the road up is narrow, parking is scarce, and on foot the square is a fair way from some of the villas. The gardens have their own opening hours and rules, and wedding photos may need permits or tickets: ask well in advance. You’ll find all of this on my Amalfi Coast wedding photographer page.

7. Scala: the Cathedral of San Lorenzo

What’s there. The oldest town on the coast, on the slope facing Ravello. The Cathedral of San Lorenzo, a quiet square and a direct view of Ravello across the valley.

Light. Open aspect, good light in the late afternoon. From here you see Ravello at sunset, with the light falling across the valley.

Strengths and problems. Silence, few tourists, space in the square. It’s a good alternative if you want Ravello’s height without its crowds. The road is the same one, narrow and full of hairpin bends; for guests coming up from Amalfi, work out the journey carefully.

8. Minori: the Basilica of Santa Trofimena and the seafront

What’s there. A compact seaside town, with the Basilica of Santa Trofimena a few steps from the beach, a flat seafront promenade and the remains of a Roman villa.

Light. Facing south, it gets full sun in the middle of the day. In the evening the light on the promenade is warm and low.

Strengths and problems. It’s one of the easiest towns on the coast: few steps, everything on foot, and the road up to Ravello starts here. The seafront is busy in summer, but less so than Amalfi.

9. Maiori: the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare and the longest beach

What’s there. The Collegiate Church with its majolica dome, up high, reached by a long flight of steps; below, the seafront and the longest beach on the Amalfi Coast. In the centre there’s also Palazzo Mezzacapo and its gardens.

Light. The seafront is wide and open: full light, room to move, a clear horizon. From the church steps you can see the whole town.

Strengths and problems. It’s the most practical town for large weddings: space, parking that’s comparatively easier, wider streets. The steps up to the Collegiate Church are long and steep, something to consider for older guests. Where civil ceremonies are held is a question for the town hall.

10. Cetara: the fishing village and the tower

What’s there. A fishing village, known for its anchovies and colatura, the local anchovy sauce. The church of San Pietro with its majolica dome, the little harbour full of boats, the viceregal tower on the sea.

Light. The harbour opens to the south; late-afternoon light on the boats and the coloured houses is some of the finest on the eastern side of the coast.

Strengths and problems. It’s genuine, not staged, with the rhythm of a real village. Few hotels and limited space for large receptions. Many couples hold the ceremony or take their photos here and have the reception elsewhere.

11. Vietri sul Mare: the ceramics and the Marina

What’s there. The gateway to the Amalfi Coast, a few minutes from Salerno. The church of San Giovanni Battista with its majolica dome, the ceramics workshops, and below them the Marina with its beach and the Due Fratelli, two sea stacks just off the shore.

Light. The centre is on the hillside, the Marina is down below and open to the Gulf of Salerno. In the evening the light comes in from the side across the sea.

Strengths and problems. It’s the easiest Amalfi Coast venue to reach: no hours on the coast road, close to the motorway and to Salerno – handy if your guests are flying into Naples. The ceramic colours give backdrops you won’t find anywhere else. The centre has narrow lanes and parking on summer weekends is hard.

12. The clifftop terrace: what to ask before you choose one

What’s there. Not a specific place but the type of venue you’ll find most often in quotes: the terrace of a hotel or private villa, hanging over the sea, with the reception outdoors.

Light. On south-facing terraces the afternoon sun is head-on and harsh: squinting eyes, hard shadows on faces, guests hunting for shade. After sunset the light fades quickly and you need lighting.

Strengths and problems. The view is the reason you chose the Amalfi Coast. Before you sign with a venue like this, ask: is there shade for the drinks reception? What happens if it rains or the wind picks up – is there an indoor plan? How do guests arrive and where do they park? How late can the music go on? Is there a quiet corner, away from the tables, for ten minutes of couple portraits? The answers change the day more than the view does.

How to choose between these venues for your wedding

Three things, before how beautiful the place is:

• Getting around. A church in one town and a reception in another means the coast road, and in summer that can mean an hour. The more of the wedding happens in one place, the more time is left for you and for the photos.
• Your guests. Steps, parking, shuttles. If you have grandparents or guests who find walking difficult, Maiori, Minori and Vietri are easier than Positano or Atrani.
• The timing. Getting married at noon in summer in a sun-baked square is hard work for everyone. A late-afternoon ceremony leaves the best light for photos and cooler air for your guests.

You’ll find many of these places together in the places section of my portfolio. If you already have a venue in mind and want to know how it works on the day, or you’re still choosing, get in touch through the contact page: I do the site visits myself. If you’re also wondering how much the Amalfi Coast adds to the budget, I’ve written a guide to what a wedding photographer costs in Salerno and on the Amalfi Coast.