Get to know Sorrento: the Italian wedding hotspot
In Partnership with Bella Sposa.
The glistening Amalfi Coast, renowned for its breathtaking sea views, old-world Italian charm, and exclusive allure, has long captivated couples seeking the perfect wedding destination. But with so many incredible regions in Italy to choose from, what sets the Amalfi coast—and specifically Sorrento—apart? To uncover the magic of this iconic region, we spoke with Cheryl, a wedding planner from Bella Sposa.
What do we need to know about Sorrento weddings?
Sorrento has the most beautiful sea views, cliff top locations but has so much more than coastline! Try not to focus on having the sea view for every aspect of your wedding celebration. Remember you have the welcome day and possibly day 3 to think of too, so no need to have the same backdrop for every event. It’s diversity is what makes it so charming.
A wedding in Sorrento is as seamless to plan as any other region, with the right support.
Sorrento weddings don’t come with a trademark look, as other regions do. Your wedding day can look and feel exactly you.
Prices can be very competitive compared with other Italian regions.
Guests travel can be very smooth with a flight in to Naples and a taxi through to Sorrento.
What are the top questions to ask a Sorrento venue?
Many Sorrento venues are hotels or day rental villas. These can come with more rules. As long as these are clear, your wedding can be flexible and completely unique to you.
Does the venue operate with full flexibility of vendors? Or must you use specific vendors?
Does the venue have any rules on styling and decor i.e. areas which cannot be decorated or whether they have specific times when a florist can come to the venue to set up?
Which areas of the location can be used? Is it exclusive?
How many hours do they include for service? Many venues operate on 7-8 hour hire. Exclusivity means you have it for the entire wedding day, or multiple wedding days (but this is less common in Sorrento).
Is there a music curfew? And is there a room inside that could host the party once the music has stopped outside?
What could a Sorrento wedding look like?
It’s natural to think of sea views when you imagine the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento but the magic of this area is the vast selection of vistas it has to offer.
Day 0: Pre-wedding shoot! Rent a Fiat 500 and take to the cliff roads with your photographer - you will not regret this shoot. Plus it gives you back time on the actual wedding day getting this shoot done beforehand.
Day 1: The Welcome, hosted at one of Sorrento’s clifftop venues with 360 views of the entire coastline.
Day 2: The wedding - hosted inland at a historical villa that is surrounded by an oasis of olive and citrus trees. Food is key, with live cooking demonstrations and personalised spritz far from your standard cocktail hour - instead your aperitivo will be dynamic, fun and interactive.
Day 3: The Recovery Day, giving your guests a little post-wedding day high on a sailing boat discovering the Amalfi coast by sea.
Why use a planner?
Nobody is going to be as excited for your wedding as the right planner. Imagine a stress-free engagement without the constant weight that planning a wedding alone can bring. Ask yourself will your planner go the extra mile for you? Do they understand you and do you trust them?
What has your biggest planning win been?
Biggest Win - Flipping a wedding ! The bride had fallen in love with a long entrance, her dress cascading on a staircase for her ceremony, but unfortunately the weather had other ideas and brought us torrential rain and storms. So, I suggested flipping the wedding, within hours the wedding was rearranged to the next day, all suppliers were on board and the recovery event was pushed forward a day so nothing was lost. The wedding day itself was magical, the bride and groom got the day and photos they had dreamt about and I have never been so relieved to have trusted my gut!
How do you choose the right venue in Sorrento?
This decision comes down to budget, your wedding criteria (ie. spaces, number of guests etc.) logistics and aesthetic preference. A planner should highlight the pros and cons of each venue on the shortlist so you can best make this crucial choice. Villa Zagara is one of my favourites…..as it’s a venue which people never expect to find in the heart of Sorrento!
