Positano Destination Wedding | A + B | Amalfi Coast Wedding Photographer

Anne and Brian selected the stunning Amalfi Coast for their simple but sophisticated destination wedding. The bride shared that they had visited Positano before and “loved Italy, in particular the Amalfi region.” They would cobble together their limited vacation time every year to explore Italy and sometimes France, “We couldn’t get enough.” They also had fond memories of a vacation in Positano with Brian’s father, who passed away unexpectedly after their trip there. “It was a doubly special location for us since he wouldn’t be with us,” remembered Anne.

They wanted to tie the knot in a simple, beautiful and uncomplicated fashion. Anne even did her own hair and makeup for the big day! With a tight guest list of family only (the original “micro-wedding”!) the wedding was a family affair in other ways, too. Anne’s mother made her dress and her sister in law visited the market the morning of the wedding to put together a bouquet of fresh flowers for Anne to carry with her down the aisle. Brian’s niece and nephew served as flower girl and ring bearer.

Though most of the wedding festivities took place in Positano, they were married at the church of San Gennario slightly north of Positano in the village of Praiano. Though still very grand, it is less well-known than the Catholic church in Positano, which is famed for its spectacular decorative dome and the centerpiece of postcards and guidebooks for the area. This particular sacred space also allowed them to be married between Christian faiths without the usual Catholic process for marriage. After the ceremony, the family briefly celebrated on the broad terrace overlooking the coast and then headed over to Hotel Palazzo Murat for the reception dinner. One long table seated all guests (including me!). To incorporate a little piece of home, the hotel used a lace tablecloth from Anne’s family.

Prior to the wedding, Anne and Brian stayed at the iconic Le Sirenuse hotel, After the wedding Anne and Brian sampled another quintessential Italian hotel, Il San Pietro. The honeymoon included a little light celebrity spotting — Baywatch star (and German singing sensation), David Hasselhoff, who cheerfully posed for pictures. After returning to the US, they toasted with friends at a cocktail reception at The Racquet Club in Chicago.