How to Elope in Positano / Positano Elopement Photography

All you need to know about How to Elope in Positano, featuring Daniel & Kimberlea’s beautiful, relaxed Positano Elopement Photography, updated for couples looking to Elope to Positano in 2023.

When Daniel & Kimberlea contacted me about photographing their Positano Elopement in July, asking if I would be available in just 4 weeks, I couldn’t help but say yes! I usually avoid weddings in August (it’s the craziest time to visit Italy, guys!), but these two were just so sweet I couldn’t help myself. Plus, it’s really never a bad time to visit Positano and the rest of the Amalfi Coast. We managed to find a wonderful officiant, Zoe, to celebrate their symbolic ceremony, and woke up before the crack of dawn to enjoy a quiet moment in the midst of Italy’s busiest weekend of the year. Daniel & Kimberlea were happy to keep the day simple – they just wanted to share vows on a beautiful Amalfi Coast beach, take some casual portraits at the Bagni di Regina Giovanna, and then enjoy the rest of their wedding day together.

For those of you who also dream of a Positano elopement, whether that involves a quiet morning like this or a full-day tour of the coast, I’ve put together a little guide on How to Elope in Positano.

HOW TO ELOPE IN POSITANO | POSITANO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY

Positano Elopement Photography

If you’re lucky enough to have already visited Positano, you’ll no doubt know that this cascading, luxurious Mediterranean town lives up to the hype. The way the colourful villas and palazzi seem to spring from the sea is breathtaking, and every little detail is beautiful (even the endless stairs!). It shouldn’t come as a surprise that even Ancient Romans couldn’t resist building villas where Positano stands today.

Positano exudes Italian summer luxury, from the artisanal linen and ceramic boutiques to the way bougainvillea bursts out from colourful stucco facades. Naturally, this all makes the seaside town a popular backdrop for Wedding and Elopement Photography. But of course, being such a popular destination – which is only growing in popularity thanks to social media – it’s a good idea to plan in advance so you can truly enjoy your Positano Elopement.

How to Elope in Positano

If you’re choosing to elope because you don’t want to plan a big wedding, I absolutely understand! Planning a destination elopement in Italy takes away a lot of the hassle that comes with a traditional wedding. There are still a few things to consider though! That’s why I’ve created this Positano Elopement Guide, to help make your elopement experience easy and stress-free.

Can You Elope in Positano?

Yes, of course you can elope in Positano! You can choose to elope legally in Italy, or have a symbolic ceremony in Positano and have the legal ceremony in your hometown.

I’m not going to lie, I tend to recommend the second option. Symbolic ceremonies can be conducted anywhere you choose – on the beach, on a boat, on a beautiful terrace with seaside views… Wherever you like! Having a legal ceremony, on the other hand, involves dealing with Italy’s infamous bureaucracy. That said, if you have your heart set on getting legally married in Italy, you should absolutely do it! Just book your trip a little in advance and enlist the help of a local wedding planner or wedding celebrant who’ll be able to help you navigate the local paperwork.

For some more info on getting legally married in Italy, check out the ultimate guide to How to Elope in Italy.

Choose Your Positano Elopement Photographer

If you choose to have a symbolic ceremony, you likely won’t need the help of a wedding planner. Instead, your Positano Elopement Photographer should be able to help you with choosing locations, finding other local vendors, and more. That’s why I always recommend booking your photographer as the first step! Myself and most other wedding photographers I know are constantly dreaming up new and beautiful ideas for weddings. I’d be more than happy to help you plan something epic.

In fact, I know it’s likely you aren’t totally sure yet about the details of your elopement. One of the many beauties of eloping is that all the planning is a little more flexible! That’s why I’ve begun offering my clients the opportunity to book in a tentative time period while I help you finalise a date and a location. That way, you’re not left trying to figure out the best date, time, and place to elope and then scrambling to find a photographer who’s available. Instead, I can help you choose the right place and location for you, and ensure I’ll be there to photograph your day as well! If you’d like to know more about how it works, and check my availability, I’d love to hear from you. Just get in touch!

Pick a Date for Your Amalfi Elopement

The next step for planning your Positano Elopement is choosing the precise date. I always recommend booking either in June or late September. The Amalfi Coast, Positano included, is a world-famous destination and July & August are, without a doubt, the busiest dates. Not only that, the weather in July & August can be extremely hot and uncomfortable. In June, September and October*, you’ll likely find less crowds and more temperate weather – still beautiful and warm, but not oppressive! Plus, being peak holiday months, July and August tend to be significantly more expensive. Weekdays are also a great idea, as the touristic areas will be a little less busy.

That said, the sea can be a little more temperamental in September and October, so if you have you have your heart set on a boat tour (which I highly recommend!), then June is the best option.

Best Positano Elopement Locations

Next up, you should choose your specific elopement location! Would you like to share vows on the beach, on a terrace, or out on a boat? Even if you get up at the crack of dawn, you might meet some early-rising locals on Positano’s main beach. I always recommend taking portraits on the beach at sunrise, to avoid the inevitable crowds, and then heading somewhere a touch more private.

Daniel & Kimberlea decided to head over to the nearby Fornillo Beach for their ceremony, with a second portrait session a little later on at the Bagni di Regina Giovanna near Sorrento.

There are so many other options though, including exploring more of the Amalfi Coast with a boat tour! You could head to Praiano, the Fiordo di Furore, Capri (although a trip to Capri will mean a full-day boat tour for sure!)… the options are endless, and each is as beautiful as the next! And don’t worry, if you’re overwhelmed with ideas, I’d be more than happy to help you choose the right spots for you.

Book Positano Elopement Vendors

Once you’ve confirmed your date, it’s time to book your Positano Elopement Vendors (if you want any, of course). Another amazing thing about choosing to elope is that it takes away the pressure of a traditional wedding, like having flowers, caterers, make-up artists, and more. Instead, you can pick and choose, whether you want them all or none at all! Here are a few ideas of what you could include to make your Positano Elopement unique and true to you.

Of course, by now you should have chosen the photographer who’ll document your day and take care of your Positano Elopement Photography. And if you’ve chosen to have a legal ceremony, a local celebrant.

Even if you choose to skip the legalities, it can be beautiful to have a Positano Wedding Celebrant there to conduct your ceremony. A good celebrant will take the time to get to know you and tell your story, facilitating anything you want to include. Zoe Graham conducted Daniel & Kimberlea’s ceremony and it was truly so special. Speaking of, Zoe is also a Positano Makeup Artist and can take away the stress of doing your own makeup on the day.

If you’ve chosen to have a boat tour then I’d always recommend booking this as far in advance as you can. These are a popular activity, so booking early ensures you get the best tour and the boat of your choice. A Boat Tour is the best way to take in Positano’s spectacular views and take some time just for the two of you. The half-day tours usually give you half an hour to stop in at Amalfi for a gelato or a quick walk around, or you can ask the captain to pull in at a sheltered cove for a lazy swim. If you book a full-day tour, then you’ll get to explore all up and down the coast, and you can choose whether to stop for a lunch at a beach club where you can only arrive by boat, or in one of the towns along the coast.

For something extra special, you could also consider booking a private chef, if you have private accommodation with a kitchen, or an intimate private dinner at a restaurant. This is your wedding day after all!!

Your Dream Elopement in Positano

Truly, when it comes to booking your Positano Elopement Vendors, I’d encourage you to think less about what a wedding looks like, and more about what your perfect day looks like. Where would you go? What would you do? What would you eat?

If that means swapping your wedding clothes for a swimsuit and diving into the sea, like Lauren & Shay, do it!! If that means hiking the Passeggiata dell’Amore di Furore, let’s make it happen! If that means jumping from a cute café to a gelateria to a beautiful restaurant, then we can plan that, too.

For now, all you need to do is dream of all the endless possibilities and hey! If you’d like some more help with How to Plan Your Positano Elopement, I’d love to do that for you! Just get in touch now to find out more about my Positano Elopement Packages and to check availability. I have limited places left for the 2022 season!

Or did you just love Daniel & Kimberlea’s Positano Elopement Photography? Let them know in the comments below!