Sorrento wedding venues: a photographer’s guide

Choosing a wedding venue in Sorrento

Sorrento sits on the Amalfi Coast, surrounded by breathtaking views along the coastline, and it has a great many wedding venues that would be perfect for your day. The wide choice means you can evaluate the options and pick your venue according to your needs, your personal taste and your budget.

A good rule to start with: a Catholic church wedding is not possible in Sorrento, so ceremonies here are civil, symbolic or – at some venues – Protestant. Couples usually choose a ceremony location and a reception venue – sometimes the same place, sometimes a short walk or drive apart. [TODO Adamo: confirm]

Villa Antiche Mura – my favourite reception venue

Among all the wedding locations I have worked in, Villa Antiche Mura is the one I have come to appreciate most. It offers an elegant setting with a wonderful sea view, beauty and elegance together with a relaxed atmosphere, a large garden with romantic courtyards and an area planted with Sorrento lemon trees.

The villa also has private access to the beach, where we can take stunning photos at sunset. And sunset is one of the magical moments of the whole day here: it is traditionally when the cake is cut, with the sky turning gold and blue behind you. It does not matter how big or small your wedding is – I truly believe Villa Antiche Mura is one of the venues in Sorrento that leaves you with an indelible memory of your big day.

The Cloister of San Francesco – Sorrento’s classic ceremony

The Cloister of San Francesco is the most famous and popular wedding location in Sorrento. Built in the 14th century as part of a monastery, it has kept its original architecture, with arches draped in greenery that create a very romantic atmosphere. Ceremonies take place outdoors in the cloister.

What makes it so convenient is everything around it. Couple and family photos can be taken in the cloister straight after the ceremony, and a few steps away the terrace of the Villa Comunale has one of the most spectacular views of the Gulf of Naples – so there is no need to travel far for beautiful portraits. Book well in advance, and remember that the bells ring at noon.

Museo Correale – a civil ceremony in a historic villa

Villa Correale, on the edge of Sorrento, was once the private home of the Correale family and was later donated to the city. Today it is a museum with its original 17th-century decoration, and it is used for civil wedding ceremonies – either in one of its beautiful rooms or in the gardens, among ancient trees and citrus groves. It is also very close to Villa Antiche Mura.

Villa Fondi – a terrace above the Gulf of Naples

Just ten minutes from the centre of Sorrento, Villa Fondi stands on a cliff with a huge panoramic terrace. The ceremony takes place on the terrace, looking across the Gulf of Naples to Vesuvius, with botanical gardens full of olive trees and palms around you. An elegant, comfortable and truly magical place to celebrate.

Villa Sabrina – a garden close to Sorrento

Not far from Sorrento, Villa Sabrina is surrounded by a beautiful garden, and it is one of those places where you immediately feel at home. The food is another reason couples choose it. I have photographed many weddings here and love using the garden for portraits of the couple.

Other Sorrento and Amalfi Coast wedding venues I have photographed

Over the years I have also photographed weddings and receptions at many other venues on the Sorrento coast, including Hotel Bellevue Syrene, Hotel Mediterraneo, Terrazza delle Sirene, Hotel Cocumella, Hotel Alimuri on the Amalfi Coast and Castore restaurant, as well as in nearby Massa Lubrense. [TODO Adamo: confirm you are happy to name these venues – they come from the captions of your own photos on the old site – and add a line about each if you like]

How to choose between them

Think first about the kind of day you want: a historic ceremony in town, a terrace above the sea, or a garden where your guests can relax all afternoon. Then think about your guests – Sorrento is easy to reach, and your guests can stay in town and explore the coast by boat. Whatever you choose, my advice is to visit the venues if you can before deciding. If you would like my honest opinion on how a venue photographs at the time of day you are planning, just ask.