On the Amalfi Coast there's no such thing as a flat venue. Everything is built on the rock: villas, gardens, churches, entire villages. That's exactly why it's so beautiful, and why choosing between Amalfi Coast wedding venues is as much about logistics as it is about the view.

These are the places we know and the ones couples ask us about most, starting from Ravello, the quietest and highest town on the coast.

Ravello

La Rondinaia. The former home of the writer Gore Vidal, clinging to the cliff just below the town, with gardens that step down toward the drop and nothing in front of you but sky and sea. We filmed a wedding at La Rondinaia: the ceremony arch was set at the very edge of the terrace, and the dinner tables looked straight down at the coast.

Villa Cimbrone. Famous for its gardens and its Terrace of Infinity, a belvedere lined with marble busts above the sea. It's also a small hotel, so part of your group can stay where the party is.

Belmond Hotel Caruso. A historic palazzo turned luxury hotel, with an infinity pool that seems to fall into the sea. Ideal for couples who want five-star service and guests sleeping on site.

Villa Rufolo and the Duomo. Villa Rufolo, with its medieval towers and gardens, is the heart of the Ravello Festival. For a Catholic ceremony, the cathedral in the main square is a beautiful choice, and the walk from the church to the reception is part of the experience.

Positano

Positano is the postcard: pastel houses tumbling toward the beach and the majolica dome of Santa Maria Assunta. Weddings here usually revolve around its legendary hotels, with terraces facing the sea. It's livelier than Ravello and very busy in summer, so it works best with a planner who knows every staircase and every boat.

Amalfi, Praiano and the private villas

Between the famous names there are many private villas and smaller hotels, often with exclusive use and a more intimate feeling. Amalfi has its cathedral and its harbor, Praiano is quieter and has wonderful sunsets, and some villas can only be reached by boat, which turns the arrival of the guests into a show.

Amalfi Coast wedding venues: logistics, honestly

• Naples airport is about an hour and a half away by car, more in summer traffic.
• The coastal road is narrow and slow. Use small shuttles rather than coaches, and consider boats between villages.
• In Ravello the center is pedestrian. Suppliers carry everything by hand, and so do we.
• Many hotels and villas close between November and March. The season runs roughly from April to October.
• Plan the ceremony late in the afternoon. The midday light on the sea is hard on everyone.

Small is beautiful here

Most venues on the coast are perfect for weddings of up to a hundred guests, and some are even better for thirty. If your guest list is very long, look at the few places with large terraces or consider a hotel buyout. For everything else, a smaller wedding on the Amalfi Coast feels like a private party in the most beautiful house in the world.

Planning a wedding on the coast? See our Amalfi Coast wedding photography, read how the coast compares with the rest of Italy, or tell us about your plans.