Wedding photographer in Amalfi

Wedding photographer in Amalfi

There are things in this life that you want to happen and you know that someday they will come. One of them was to become a wedding photographer in Amalfi and it has finally happened. It has been one of the best experiences I’ve had, I felt as if it was my first wedding. Full of illusion, nerves and very motivated.

This couple are Yuliya and Michael, they have known each other for many years and live in London.

They contacted us thanks to the wonderful wedding planners Mr and Mrs Wedding in Italy. They were interested in meeting me and we had a video call. It was a very pleasant conversation and we immediately connected very well. Michael explained to me that he is a video producer and Yuliya has studied English Literature but at the same time she is an amazing illustrator.

Bride's preparations

I love the fact that they are both creative and artistic in their work. That they notice my photography is a very important detail for me. They realized that I have a very particular style of photography. They immediately told me that they wanted me to be their wedding photographer in Amalfi and I was very happy.

Wedding on the Amalfi Coast

Italy is a country I love and I have been there many times. In Amalfi I was just before the Covid on a trip that started in Milan and went all over Tuscany. From there I went to the Amalfi Coast making a last stop in Naples. It was going to be very interesting to go again this time to do a wedding.

Magical venue in Amalfi

The wedding was to be held on July 8th at the Nh Collection Gran Hotel Convento di Amalfi. The most beautiful hotel in Amalfi, it had been a monastery in the thirteenth century and has been remodeled preserving the church and the cloister. It is located on top of a cliff 80 meters high with incredible views. They were going to book the entire hotel for two days so all the spaces would be used exclusively by them.

 

The second week of July arrived and I was already looking forward to catching the plane to Naples. From there I was going to Amalfi a couple of days before the wedding. I like to go early when I do destination weddings. As a wedding photographer in Amalfi that’s what I did and so the day after arriving I was able to go see the hotel.

Amalfi is in full tourist season full of people eager to travel after the Covid. The gleaming white streets with its stores offering limoncello and lemon ice cream. We are in the land of the lemon and they use it for everything.

 

First day in Amalfi

I had arranged to meet Yuliya and Michael the next morning at the hotel to meet them in person. The hotel is located in a prime location in Amalfi almost next to the harbor and is sort of hanging off the mountain with dreamy views. Upon entering you have to take two different elevators to go all the way up.

Amazing couple

The couple was finishing breakfast on the terrace and we gave each other a big hug when we saw each other.
They told us that they were not nervous but they were having to finish a lot of details and that gave them a little stress.

It is normal because they had invited 100 people from all over the world to their wedding.

They were wondering if they had been able to fly well and then catch the transfer to the hotel. Considering that Yuliya’s family came from Ukraine and Russia at this time, the stress was normal.

Yuliya also commented on the thunderstorm that had occurred the night before, a typical summer storm that was not going to spoil their wedding.

Meeting in Amalfi

Yuliya was radiant with a big pamela hiding her face from the Italian sun. We went with them to see the spaces where the wedding would take place. The cloister where the ceremony was to be held was particularly impressive. Yuliya wanted a decoration full of white flowers and olive leaves inspired by a secret garden so it was going to be beautiful.

Then we saw the cocktail and banquet area right on the outdoor terrace overlooking the views of the entire Amalfi Bay. I was already thinking about the couple photos I wanted for them and where to take them. Everything was going to be perfect as a wedding photographer in Amalfi I was very excited.

We said goodbye to them until the wedding day recommending them to relax and enjoy Amalfi.

Wedding day

Saturday dawned with splendid sunshine and a light breeze that relaxed the temperature.
We had arranged to meet Valerio Magliano the wedding videographer in the lobby. He was with his assistant Alfonso and we greeted each other cordially. Ines came with Adriano the wedding planners and told us how the last details were going. The cloister was already impressively decorated and ready.

Last details in Amalfi

Michael showed up coming from the pool and said that we should come by later to take some pictures with his friends, he wanted something very informal and not the typical preparations. So we went first with the bride to the room where she was going to get ready.

Usually as a wedding photographer in Amalfi I know that there are always delays at weddings. The bride’s makeup and hairstyle usually takes a while to be ready, that’s normal. But on this occasion as soon as Yuliya came in she told us she was ready which was wonderful, she looked beautiful. 

Wedding in Amalfi

We were able to start taking pictures that I had already planned for her, the bride was very eager and happy. With a cappuccino and a bathrobe on we had a great time doing different things. Then came the bridesmaids all made up and combed, with their kimonos and I made them get on the bed. I gave Yuliya a bottle of champagne and the party started. They all danced with a glass in their hands and toasted the bride and the great day ahead.

Magical wedding in Amalfi

Then the mother helped her put on the dress, it was spectacular, very elegant and modern like her. The Manolo Blahnik shoes were the perfect complement.

Michael while having a drink with his friends on the terrace enjoying the moments before he was officially a married man. He had chosen a black tuxedo with velvet details and amazing suede shoes. He was very elegant and his groommen also matched him.

Welcome drink and ceremony

The guests arrived little by little to the welcome drink and greeted each other with joy and excitement for what awaited us. There were people coming from all over the world and for me as a wedding photographer in Amalfi it was very special.

Finally we all went to the cloister, we went through the church that still houses the hotel. The bride was going to make her entrance here with her father, apparently it was a secret passage, she showed it to us the day before.

Once the guests were seated Michael made his entrance on his mother’s arm. He looked very excited to see Yuliya. First the 10 bridesmaids made their entrance in pairs in matching satin gowns with floral details to match the decorations.

Bride's entrance

The bride’s entrance was amazing, on her father’s arm she looked beautiful. Michael couldn’t stop smiling, his eyes were shining looking at Yuliya.

Finally they met, it was a very exciting moment and they took their position at the altar. An Italian councilman and a translating celebrant made the ceremony very enjoyable. There were several speeches where Yuliya’s sister, Sasha made a very touching one.

Then vows and rings were exchanged. Everything flowed in a magical way and they finally made their exit as husband and wife.

Couple and cocktail photos

The couple wanted to have a photo of all the guests together and since there were 100 of them, the best thing to do was to take it from above towards the cloister. It was the right time to do it after the ceremony when everyone was gathered there. There is a terrace that overlooks everything and with everyone’s help I was able to get it there.

Then we had agreed to do some group photos with just family and close friends. We did it quickly so they could all enjoy the cocktail party. Right after that I took the couple to take some photos of them alone that I had already planned with them enjoying being together.
Once in the terrace area they made their entrance and everyone congratulated the couple. A harp and violin duo played music to liven up the moment.

Banquet, cake and fireworks

Once the cocktail was over, we went to the banquet area. They had prepared a long table and several round tables on the sides. They were beautifully decorated with pink bougainvillea and olive leaves. There were hanging from the wooden ceiling lemons and candles that gave a very romantic and magical atmosphere.

Romantic and elegant dinner

Before dinner Michael’s father and Yuliya’s father made speeches. Then Michael and Yuliya spoke thanking everyone who had made the effort to come from all over the world.
Dinner began and then there were more speeches from the groommen and bridesmaids. As usual the whole thing took a long time between one thing and another and we had to move quickly to the cutting of the cake.

They were going to do it in a garden that was on a terrace located below the cocktail area. The guests didn’t know that there were going to be fireworks right after and it was amazing.
They were launching them from a part of the harbor below and it was magical with the couple in front of them enjoying them.

First dance and party

When it was over they went upstairs for the first dance. There was a live band playing, they played their song and the two happily danced together. Then they were joined by all the other guests and the party started.

Yuliya’s elderly grandfather was so happy that he couldn’t stop dancing. He danced with her giving everything as if he was a young boy, it was very sweet.

Her parents danced as much in love as if it was their first date. And with this atmosphere we said goodbye to everyone. I thank them for having trusted me wishing them all the happiness in the world. To Inés and Adriano for giving us this opportunity and their magnificent work, I hope we do many weddings together.

And so ended this wedding as a wedding photographer in Amalfi, I am very happy to have lived this experience. It was all very magical and special.

Wedding photographer in Amalfi