Getting Married In Sorrento, Amalfi Coast Wedding Guide
Sorrento, perched picturesquely on a plateau above the sea with spectacular views over the Bay of Naples, has been a popular tourist destination for almost two centuries. Traditionally the town is one of the favourite resorts of British visitors to Italy, and over the last few decades it has ruled as Italy's leading package-holiday destination for English-speakers. The historic seaside town has learned to live with, and make the most of tourism, and in return it offers a classic 'Mediterranean summer holiday' atmosphere - but without losing all of its Italian character and charm. As a Destination Wedding Photographers we love photographing weddings in Italy. It's truly a magical place.
The key attraction of Sorrento is that it can offer a variety of holiday experiences to suit different visitors, from rural walks through lemon and olive groves to a choice of excursions by land or sea. Pompeii, Herculaneum and Naples are accessible in one direction, and the Amalfi Coast in another. Days out can include Roman ruins, low-key seaside resorts, traditional villages and breathtaking scenery. Being well-connected and easy to get to makes this a straightforward and practical holiday choice.
Sorrento is a pleasant town for pottering around; its pedestrian lanes, little tourist boutiques, limoncello tastings and restaurants all make it an easy and enjoyable place to dawdle and enjoy the holiday atmosphere. Tourists line the railings in the Villa Comunale park to enjoy grand views towards Vesuvius, Naples and Ischia and watch fiery sunsets behind the headland. There is a good range of things to do and sights to see - a few places of interest in Sorrento itself including the old town walls and a couple of museums, and more attractions a bus, train or boat ride away. Walkers will find a network of old mule paths and lanes across the peninsula which give the chance of enjoying the landscape close up.
How to plan your destination wedding in Sorrento
1. Decide On the Type of Ceremony
There are two ways to have a legally binding ceremony in Italy. You can get married in a civil ceremony in the town hall or legal venue, or conduct a ceremony in a Catholic church.
Anyone can be married in Italy, as there's no legal residency requirement for a wedding. Whether foreign or not, you’ll have to provide paperwork that certifies your identity. You also must certify that there are no legal obstacles standing in the way of your marriage. A foreign national marrying an Italian citizen does not need to have a visa to hold a wedding in Italy.
Couples must be 18 years old to legally marry, and under-18s must have written parental consent. Muslim individuals aged 16 can marry with the permission of sharia authorities.
You will need to prepare all necessary paperwork required for a civil, religious or symbolic wedding in Italy. Plan to have the following documents at hand:
A valid passport or national ID card for both parties
Original birth certificate for both parties
Divorce papers or death certificate if you have been previously married and divorced or widowed
An affidavit, Nulla Osta or Dichiarazione Giurata sworn before a consular office of your home country, stating that there's no legal impediment to your marriage in your home country
An Atto Notorio signed by two witnesses, further confirming no legal impediment to your marriage
A declaration of intent to marry that will go to the civil registrar
A Catholic wedding may also require some or all of the following documentation:
Baptism certificates
Confirmation certificates
Letter of no impediment to marry
Proof of attendance of a premarital course
Local bishop’s permission to marry abroad
2. PICK YOUR WEDDING DATE
There is no doubt that the main wedding season in Italy runs from April to October. But the good news is you can get married here at anytime throughout the year. Prime time for an Amalfi Coast wedding is during the warmer spring, summer and early autumn months, when your wedding party can take full advantage of the warm Mediterranean waters, sunny seaside and beautiful beaches.
The wedding season in Sorrento usually runs from late April till the end of October and most of the wedding take place in this period.
3. RESERVE Your Dream WEDDING VENUE
There are tons of options when picking a wedding venue, from ones that offer all-inclusive wedding packages to spaces where you can rent the location but hire each vendor individually. Depending on what you decide, make sure to get all the rental information regarding the length of the rental, minimal stays and what is included. We would suggest to reserve wedding venue before hiring a wedding planner. Similar to Tuscany, wedding planner might get an extra commision for finding wedding venue and other vendors.
BEST WEDDING VENUES IN SORRENTO
4. HIRE A WEDDING PLANNER AND CELEBRANT
It's important to have someone local to run things for you. A good wedding planner can make the process of planning a wedding much easier and stress free. They will act as your liaison, giving the best advice in all the technical, legal and creative aspects of your big day. They'll be your ears, eyes and voice, ensuring that everything is planned and ready to go upon your arrival.
5. GO TO VISIT SORRENTO AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE THE WEDDING DAY
If you are planning a destination wedding in Sorrento, be sure to visit beforehand. Ideally, this is the time to explore your venue and meet with your vendors. It’s a great opportunity to see the venue first hand and understand the best ways to use the spaces, to meet with caterers to try the menu, and to have a reassuring salon trial. For the wedding trip itself, arrive a few days beforehand, to not only acclimate to the time change but meet with your wedding planner, complete any paperwork, rehearse the ceremony and generally to turn what would be a one day event back home into a several day experience, adding perhaps a pool party the day before, and a recovery brunch or barbecue the day afterwards.
Sorrento is centrally located within Amalfi Coast, so it makes the perfect place to start your honeymoon travelling around Italy (Positano, Istchia, Naples), Europe, or beyond.
We hope you enjoyed this article on Getting married in Sorrento.
If you’d love us to come along and capture your Sorrento wedding in Italy, do get in touch here.
Amalfi coast destination wedding photography in Sorrento by Urban Photo Lab
Amalfi Coast wedding venues | Italy Wedding Photographer | Destination Wedding Photography | Sorrento wedding planning | Wedding planner in Italy | Italian wedding videographer | How to get married in Sorrento
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