Even if the world’s current uncertainty seems to slow down our hopes and dreams like marriage, it’s important that you don’t give up on your wedding plans. You can adjust your plans (and even improve on them!) for your dream big day; what about an exciting elopement in Italy? If you are now finding yourself planning a smaller wedding or a destination elopement rather than the huge gathering you had originally planned, you are not any less of a married couple. You can still plan an informal celebration and party with your loved ones in your country and then repeat your vows abroad, even if it’s just the two of you (how romantic!) and the photographer.
One of the most exciting things you could do is spontaneously put a flag on the map and choose it as your elopement destination! Luckily, Italy is home to just about everything you could dream of: dramatic cliffs and mountains, bijoux fishing villages, atmospheric cities, stunning monuments and many hidden gems. It’s quite common that couples can’t quite choose where to hold their wedding in Italy because every new place they visit is the place… but then they visit the next location and – puff! – they change their minds!
Elope in Italy and you will be guaranteed to experience the wedding of your dreams, no matter what your budget is. At Framelines, we are Italian wedding photographers first and foremost, but we specialise in micro-weddings. And guess what? Small weddings are definitely trending now, owing to the pandemic! Due to restrictions on gatherings in many countries, a lot of couples have opted for a beautiful boutique wedding for two. A mediterranean elopement in Italy is pretty straightforward, and an adorable alternative to a traditional wedding.
If you’re dreaming of an elopement by the sea and you’re looking for inspiration, you shouldn’t miss Valerie and Andrew’s big day. They planned a classy, movie-like Sorrento elopement on a budget. Valerie wore a vintage midi wedding gown and Andrew a classy colonel tuxedo. The high-end Hotel Victoria in Sorrento hosted them in the suite for few days, and the ceremony was held on a panoramic terrace, from which the Vesuvio Volcano can be seen in the distance. They chose an intimate sand ceremony, which symbolised the bringing together of two lives into one.
Wondering about eloping? It’s so romantic and intimate, and it’s a great opportunity to set some quality time aside for just the two of you – after all, your wedding is about the marriage of you both. With Valerie and Andrew’s elopement, there was no rush for the couple photoshoot, and we decided instead to have a short break before the photoshoot, which allowed the couple to embrace a moment of intimacy while enjoying a glass of Prosecco.
The photoshoot in Sorrento was about an hour long, and we enjoyed a beautiful walk around the traditional Italian streets and the well-known St. Francis Cloister. The cherry on top was our visit to the ancient fishing village of Sorrento. When it comes to a couple photoshoot, I love capturing the authentic vibes and the real essence of the relationship. Apart from a few technical suggestions about lighting, I leave the couple free to express themselves. I’m a photographer who likes to be present and available, but I don’t like to intrude on your big day!
If you’re not sure where to start when planning your intimate wedding, my suggestion is to pick the top three things that are most important to you. If I were to elope, my top three most important considerations would be:
- Photography. I know it’s obvious but I think it’s so important to save visual memories of your day. I love finding in pictures what I usually try to give to my clients: authenticity, profoundness and a hint of humour too!
- Location. I would choose a special, meaningful place to us. Whether it was a luxury hotel, fishing village, rocky cliff or moroccan riad, it could be anywhere as long as it evoked something beautiful for us as a couple.
- Wedding dress. I’m not a fashionista but on this special occasion, I’d love to have a stylish outfit that makes me feel confident and beautiful. Some of my favourite elopement outfits are from Mrselfportrait, Reformation, and Hermione de Paula informal dress.
So those are my top three considerations when planning an elopment. What are yours?
Wishing you the best of luck wherever you fly to celebrate love, and if you decide to come in Italy do not forget to get in touch with us!
