Jo Daye from Accent Events had been hearing a lot of comments from couples that they felt weddings in Sorrento were developing a conveyor belt image. Gio feels these comments are unjustified, continue reading to find our why…
Sorrento is synonymous with weddings and is a popular choice for many British couples. Popularity can often bring with it the trappings of commercialism. The Caribbean suffered a similar phenomenon. Conveyor belt weddings was often quoted and it is something that is being said about having a wedding in Sorrento.
Leigh & Marc’s wedding in Sorrento photography courtesy of Gianni Coppola
I want to encourage all couples who are looking at having a wedding in Sorrento to not be put off by comments on forums, because Sorrento has so much to offer because its strongest attraction is variety. Sorrento is a location that can fulfil 5* glamour (Bellevue Syrene, Hotel La Favorita, Hotel Meditarraneo, Villa Antiche Mura) with the corresponding budget or it can be do a budget wedding against 5* scenery and hospitality.
In today’s world of travel – we are seeking an authentic experience something that is true and honest and with local identity and tradition at its heart. Sometimes the authentic is applied to a lesser known region, somewhere that is yet to be packaged up as a major wedding destination.
Indeed, there is much to be said about being “a little daring” and travelling the extra couple of hours to reach such locations. The fact that you have ventured off the tourist trail you will stand out more and on the wedding day it is highly likely you will be “embraced” by the local residents in recognition of your special day but because you are contributing to their livelihood and in smaller places this is extremely important.
Sorrento on the other hand is the largest of the Amalfi Coast towns and sees in excess of 400 destination weddings each year and the number is growing due to well-known travel companies promoting the area.
Please do not be put off by this, as a wedding planner that operates on the Amalfi Coast we recognise the importance of staying ahead of the game, mixing things up, thinking about new ways to showcase the very best of what is on offer in the heart of Sorrento or in the mountains a short drive away.
In my own response to enquiries I write that Accent Events starts with carte blanche for each couple – we create something that is specifically tailored to each couple’s style and budget and this is made easy for us in Sorrento because of the wide variety of choice, the different locations and easy accessibility are the prerequisites to creating a wedding of your dreams.
Once we have the date and check availability we will advise you on how best to orchestrate the day so that it will feel Sorrento is yours for your wedding day. it is not always easy but here’s an indication of what we can do:
Wedding in Sorrento – Ceremony Choices
There are two locations for civil weddings in Sorrento; everyone tends to focus on the Chiostro di San Francesco – this is mainly because it is in the centre of Sorrento and many of the wedding venues can be reached on foot keeping logistics easy.
The location does make this a much sought after option but more importantly this is a very unique venue in that although it is licensed for civil weddings it has a wonderful spiritual ambience. It is located next to a church, so for those couples who would like to incorporate a religious element it does this in its physical set up.
There is also no restriction to using religious readings or music (as there is in the UK) so the Cloisters meets this requirement perfectly.
In the last two years the booking system has improved in that bookings for the following year are now being taken from May of the current year but you need to be quick as the time slots go very quickly and those that remain are either early morning, or mid -day when it is the hottest. These times should not be ignored as this can be worked to your advantage and we would be happy to discuss options with those of you who are thinking about Sorrento and the Cloisters for your wedding.
The second location is the beautiful and very elegant Villa Fondi in Piano di Sorrento which is a very short distance from Piazza Tasso in Sorrento.
Villa Fondi sits tucked away with an open view of the Bay of Naples, and its small park which provides much needed shade and is fabulous for photography.
The layout allows for variations for the civil ceremony set up which is not really available at the Cloisters. For those brides where an aisle is a must have – Villa Fondi certainly provides the grand entrance and an opportunity for your musicians to play your choice of Processional music to the maximum.
Or if you are travelling with a smaller group then you might like the idea of a very private and romantic symbolic ceremony.
Just outside of Sorrento in Massa Lubrense you can rent villas where it is possible to host your wedding celebrations, we can hire a chef to cook a specially designed menu, we can organise a blessing in the grounds of your private villa.
Another option is to hire a small yacht and have a very romantic symbolic blessing away from the mainland with Sorrento and the Bay of Naples as your backdrop, we could decorate your yacht with lanterns, sailing to one of the sea front restaurants.
Wedding in Sorrento – Location & Imagination
The choice of two civil wedding locations means that we can keep costs down on transport if you are on a smaller budget; there is a wealth of reception venues available nearby to the Cloisters and Villa Fondi, considering your guests comfort particularly on a hot day will win you brownie points.
Although that is not to say that you may wish to give your guests a small tour of Sorrento and the surrounding areas, civil ceremony in one location, aperitivi in another and reception in another its one way of showing off the location to guests that have specifically come for your wedding in Sorrento and will be leaving the next day.
There are some large hotels that have some hidden secrets, roof top terraces with a panoramic view that can be hired for your wedding celebrations. Those that want a more typical sorrentine experience then head up into the mountains for some of the best views and where you can experience not one but two views of the Bay of Naples and the Bay of Amalfi.
Wedding in Sorrento – Styling & Theming
This is becoming a big part of wedding planning, some couples are using professional companies to create mood boards of their ideas and in order to deliver the concept you need the all important list of contacts. Sorrento close proximity to Positano and Ravello and the major city of Naples means we can bring in all manner of entertainers, musicians, make up artistes and stylists.
Getting There and Out and About’
Sorrento is only a short journey from Naples airport, no long distance travel once you are out of the airport – Curreri Viaggi run an efficient transfer bus from the airport – a single ticket is 12 euro and you will be dropped in the heart of Sorrento. Chauffeur driven airport transfers can meet guests that arrive late at night again this works out to be very attractive if you arrive in groups of 3+ passengers. Or for the more adventurous you can make your way down to the port and catch the ferry to Sorrento.
Circumvesuviana train station is a 5 minute walk from Piazza Tasso – trains run regularly from Naples and train tickets in Italy are in expensive and they tend to run to time.
Visiting the area – if there is a group of you it is economical to hire a chauffeur driven minibus and we can create an itinerary for you taking in other locations of Positano, Ravello, Atrani and Maiori.
Wedding in Sorrento – Ad Hoc Requests
Believe it or not we have been asked for a snow making machine for a private villa party in Sorrento!
Wedding in Sorrento – Pre Wedding Parties
For the bridal party the connecting ferries can take you to Ischia, Procida and Capri – haute couture shopping, or spa treatments all available.
The groom and his bestmen can take an organised tour up to Vesuvius stopping at a local vineyard on the way back (could be a bit dodgy doing this before ). Or the boys can hire a boat with onboard captain and have a day of sailing the coastline and swimming.
Sorrento – has the capacity to accommodate new restaurants and bars giving opportunity for a new feel and look to Sorrento. Places such as Camera e Cucina and the new Cocktail bar at Palazzo Marziale are keeping Sorrento a top wedding destination location.
This is what prevents a well known and sophisticated and established wedding industry becoming stale – it is all down to choice, vision and good management.
Find out More
In a bid to keep wedding planning simple, affordable, supportive and easy Jo from Accent Events is now offering “Virtual” Wedding Planning Services, including including 90 minute Personalised Wedding Consultations which are tailored according to your requirements, Wedding Styling & Concept Mood Boards and Legalisation & Translation Services.
Her approach is to get you focused and to prioritise what’s important to you, guiding you on how to get the wedding you truly want. With over a decade of planning highly bespoke destination weddings and events, Jo is able to tap into a deep well of knowledge and actual experience. Having researched, planned and overseen many requests she can explain with clarity what is involved and what things to consider.
To find our more about the services Jo provides or how she can help you bring your dream wedding in Sorrento or any other location in Italy to life, please use the form below as a quick and easy way to contact her.
Jo Daye (Virtual Planning Consultations)
Further Reading:
Real Wedding – Matt & Emma’s Weddings at the Relais Blu
10 expert tips for choosing a Wedding Venue in Italy.
A Mini Guide to Lake Como Weddings
Learn More About Getting Married in Italy
