Wendy & Patrick

Come Back to Sorrento.

The magical town of Sorrento is one of those unique places where, no matter how busy and full of life it becomes, you can always find peace and a sense that something of the town belongs to you alone. It’s this quality that guarantees it as a perfect wedding location.

Busy bars and shops line the historical alleyways; young Italians snake along the cobbled streets on cool mopeds – this combination of old and new, of life and tranquility, means that your guests will always be entertained, while you’ll be ensured the individuality and space you need at such a personal time. More importantly, if like Wendy & Patrick you’re not planning on visiting your destination prior to the wedding, you can be assured that the town will fulfill everything you could wish for, regardless of the size or style of your wedding. “We’d never heard a bad thing about Sorrento”, said Wendy. “It was certainly as lovely as people had described, and we had no regrets not seeing it beforehand”.

A Romantic Setting in the Sun

“We wanted a wedding that was a romantic setting in the sun, easily accessible for family members, and somewhere people could come for a weekend break”, explained Wendy. With requirements such as these, the town was ideal for the couple. Recommended to them by several friends who had visited the area, Wendy & Patrick carried out careful research into the area, and knew that its classic reputation, busy atmosphere and stunning scenery fulfilled everything they wanted for their special day.

Stress Fee

Far from being nervous about staging such an important event in a place they’d never set foot in, Wendy found the experience much more relaxing than planning a UK wedding would have been. “If I’d have married at home, there would have been far more preparation and stress – instead it was all done for us, and wasn’t stressful in the slightest”, she commented. “The co-ordinator was excellent, offering a choice of reception venues, and organising my hair appointment, photographer and florist – things I don’t think I’d have had the time or knowledge to sort out myself”.

Love in the Cloisters

The civil ceremony took place on a beautifully hot sunny day at 1pm in the monastery cloisters of the Church of San Francesco, in the center of town. After the ceremony, which was carried out in Italian and English, and personalised with a reading chosen by the bride and groom, the couple spent some time in the nearby gardens that overlook the stunning Bay of Naples – the perfect backdrop to their photographs – before walking through the town to the reception venue with their friends and family. “People stopped and offered their congratulations in the streets. Walking through the town to our reception, as newly weds and with all our family and friends around us, was a very special part of the day, and is something we’d have missed out on had we married in England”.

On Shady Terraces

The reception took place on the shady terrace of O’Parruchiano restaurant, a staggering venue built like a giant glasshouse, full of citrus trees and flowers. In this quiet, private atmosphere and beautiful scenic surroundings, the couple and their guests had a wonderful meal, complete with wedding cake and speeches. “The waiters made such a fuss, and made us feel so special. They’d decorated the tables for us beautifully.” After the meal, the party moved on to the Foreigners Club for evening drinks. A wonderful cliff-side location with breathtaking views, it was the perfect location with which to end the day.

Warmth and Hospitality

“Everyone commented on the hospitality and warmth of the country and its people”, concluded Wendy. “It’s a beautiful location – the civil ceremony was lovely and so different; overall we felt it was far nicer than a UK registry office wedding would have been”. And as for whether she’d recommended it to other couples: “the warm friendly people; the beautiful service; the lovely atmosphere. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough!”

Story: Callie Copeman-Bryant

The Perfect Partners

Wedding Planner: Cresta Weddings // Ceremony: Cloisters San Francesco // Reception: O’Parruchiano // Bridal Gown: Jasper Conran // Bridal Shoes: Ravel // Bridesmaid’s Dress: Monsoon // Groom’s Attire: Armani // Hair & Make-Up: Beauty Line Salon // Bridal Accommodation: Hotel de la ville // Wedding Gift List: John Lewis // Airline: British Airways