ITALY – VILLA ASTOR SORRENTO AMALFI COAST ELOPEMENT

What goes on behind the scenes on a wedding day photoshoot is a huge part of creating incredible images. Sure, there’s an incredibly talented photographer behind the lens. But even before the snaps begin, there’s a multi-faceted plan, including the inspiration for the photos. This Amalfi coast elopement at Villa Astor is the perfect example of how an in-depth editorial concept is essential for capturing the most majestic wedding day moments. And with an elopement, perfect photos are key evidence in presenting every single element of the celebration.

The Vision for the Amalfi Coast Elopement at Villa Astor

With a wedding in Italy at a venue like Villa Astor, the concept development is easy… virtually effortless, really. It’s harder to avoid being inspired by a place like this than it is just to absorb everything it has to offer. The property includes the “villa,” rather than a mansion, nestled in the hills of the Amalfi Coast, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The traditional Italian architecture embraces the pure beauty of the natural landscape, from the tropical gardens and terraces to the natural exposed stone of the hillside. It all blends together for the most incredible and unique setting, where chic and modern meet classic.

The modern mixed with tradition continued inside, including the bride’s area, where she spent her pre-wedding prep moments. The glam squad took over one of the master rooms, the perfect setting for one-of-a-kind photos. Luxe velvet fabrics met the flawless marble stone for the most beautiful balance of textures. While the bride had her own retreat, the groom found a cozy nook hidden away in the villa’s library, where he could wait in comfort until he was called for the first look. Naturally, this meant the groom could sip cognac in casual elegance, as if he were a movie star from Italy’s Golden Age of Cinema, waiting to film his next scene.

Using the Decor of Villa Astor as Inspiration

Contrast was a key theme throughout the entire wedding day, from early on until the final moments of the reception. The permanent décor of the villa established the idea with various black and white tile stylings, along with the natural greenery playing off the neutral tones of the statues. The florist carried the palette even further, with white, dry, and delicate stems. These were the perfect complement to the sculptures. It also brought much-needed balance to the bright foliage. There were also hints of gold throughout because gold is everyone’s favorite neutral color, right?

Just look at the kitchen snaps, dictated by the contrast of the black and white tiles and the copper kitchenware against the wood and brick. But possibly the biggest contrast is our bride, in her impeccable Berta gown, twirling her fork in a bowl of pasta. So casual, yet so chic and glam, all at the same time. But please note there was no red sauce involved in this photoshoot. No bridal gowns were harmed in the filming of this scene.

The Amalfi Coast Elopement Ceremony

It was something simple and yet spectacular. So, naturally, another perfect blend of contrast. The idea of an elopement is to allow the couple to shine without all of the forced pressure from outside sources. And this traditional ceremony did just that. The couple was the main focus, with the location as the perfect accessory in the décor provided from the villa along with the natural surroundings. Simple luxuries like an old stone vase were ideal main decorations for this elopement. And the rest we left to nature and the view to do the job. Again, the location of Villa Astor and the natural surroundings of the Amalfi Coast really do most of the work here.

Exploring Sorrento Italy

The couple took advantage of the time in between the ceremony and intimate elopement reception to venture into the quaint town of nearby. Here, they were able to let their true personalities shine. And we were able to capture some moments while being completely immersed in the Italian culture. The storefronts exploded with merchandise, lining the paved walkway with souvenirs and knick-knacks. Checkered tablecloths from the trattorias invited guests inside to sample traditional Italian dishes that are only found here. And yet again, the beauty, in contrast, was unlocked, with our couple in their wedding attire, walking through the town as if they were in their regular clothes. The natural light was able to peek through the buildings to shine just perfectly on our couple.

Discovering All that Villa Astor Offered

At first glance, the photo evidence of this perfect Amalfi Coast elopement might seem like the lens was doing most of the walking. But without a clear idea of everything Villa Astor and our couple had to offer, there might have been missed opportunities.

For instance, the topical vibes provided by the gardens were a natural choice for outdoor wedding photos. But without the premeditated inspiration and roadmap, we might have missed out on the chance to play with multiple lighting situations, something that can only be found on a summer day in Italy.

The tropical and coastal vibes near the villa were another ideal setting to capture the couple for a few moments before they were whisked away to the small reception that would follow. The rich, green trees barely allowed the sky any showtime, like they weren’t interested in the competition. Another contrasting element was the warm colors of the setting sun, against the cooler tones of the sea below, once the sun and sky were allowed to make an appearance, finding a way through the lush leaves and trees. But those few minutes led weren’t wasted. They were integral on some of the day’s most spectacular shots. We were thankful that Mother Nature intervened because the outcome was sheer perfection.

The Intimate Reception at Villa Astor

When the couple wrapped up their intimate photoshoot, they joined a handful of guests for a small dinner. Small, as in fewer guests at the table, not small in ambiance. The gold notes carried on throughout the event and made their way onto the tables. It was the ideal way to tie in the tablescape, along with the food. Because food should also be part of the décor. Dry lemon zest was on the table as an appetizer, the perfect segway taste-wise, and color-wise, into the pasta all Nerano with a golden-hued saffron sauce… it was absolutely delicious and every bit as decadent to eat as it was to look at, not just for show, promise. The rich, golden color continued into the table linens, with luxurious, deep-toned mustard napkins, runners, and cushions.

The award-winning wedding planners from Wedding House were able to create the perfect setup for the entire day, start to finish. They didn’t miss a single opportunity to take every element to the next level, allowing our couple to live in each moment without feeling the heat of any worry. Everything was carefully tended to, from the moments spent getting ready to the walk through the streets. The attention to planning and detail meant that capturing these moments was even easier than ever before. Having a carefree couple is also provides a solid foundation for the best wedding pictures. When people are worry-free, they’re truly able to let their personalities shine… just like our couple did on their big day.

The physical settings throughout the day blended contrast in colors while gently balancing darks and lights. But the emotions we captured were all provided by our couple. We embraced the location and were present throughout the day. It really shows that nothing can go wrong if you embrace where you are physically and in the moment. And, of course, if you add a little bit of personal touch.

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Elopement Vendors:

Photography: Lilly Red
Venue: Villa Astor
Bridal Gown: Berta Bridal
Planner: Wedding House
Textiles: Allegoria Textiles
Hair and Makeup Artist: Alessandro Mancino
Floral Designer: Maria Starace