Reflecting on Wedding Season 2021
As I write this article, I can't quite believe that we are almost at the end of 2021. This year has been a whirlwind for all of us, full of highs and lows and it continues to be challenging as we approach the festive period. Today I want to focus on the positives and the huge high of being given finally the opportunity to help our couples' dreams take flight and become real-life weddings in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
I'm going to share a very small snapshot of some of the beautiful, romantic and most swoon-worthy weddings of 2021 with you. There’s so much more that I can’t wait to share too and I look forward to doing so in 2022 as we approach the new wedding season with positivity and enthusiasm.
So now over to some of our special couples who made this year so completely magical.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year filled with love and happiness.
Victoria x
Vitamin sea
Megan and Seamus tied the knot at dreamy Villa Antiche Mura in September. The villa promised the perfect setting for their luxurious black tie style. They enjoyed an ocean backdrop for their open-air ceremony like no other. Then later, under the starry sky of the Red Infinity Terrace, they experienced again those once-in-a-lifetime views for their Gala dinner and party too. Not to mention the incredible Sorrento sunset that we were blessed with that day!
"From our first meeting back in 2020, Victoria made us feel so at ease and comfortable in planning and helping us decide on a spectacular venue and allowing us to have a perfect wedding day in Sorrento," smiles Megan. "I can safely say that Victoria's reassurance and positivity during what can be described as a rollercoaster of a year (thanks to Covid) was a breath of fresh air for a bride-to-be."
"Having to change our date (thankfully only once) in between also, you made it so easy and allowed it to be a stress free situation for us, and we were so lucky that we were able to still have all the amazing suppliers, music, photographer, videographer, venue which you dealt with and arranged for us so promptly! We enjoyed every single minute of the build-up and wedding day, and just wish we could do it all over again. Thank you so much for absolutely everything Victoria, we are forever grateful."
Photography for Megan & Seamus : Enzo Campitelli
Romance for two
Where to begin for Ashley and Bilal? This beautiful couple truly made the most of every minute of their wedding on the Amalfi Coast. Think pre-wedding private boat charter to capture some utterly romantic photos and relax in front of the camera. Followed by a very early morning start for a first-look at the pretigious Villa Cimbrone on the Terrace of the Infinity. Finally the elopement ceremony of dreams perched high above the sea in the luxurious Wagner Gardens of the prestigious Hotel Belmond Caruso. Towering urns of tumbling flowers framed the couple.
They totally rocked the venue's ornate gardens, breath-taking infinity pool and panoramic ocean views. Theirs was an authentic Amalfi Coast experience to cherish for every day to come.
"We had a very short deadline (30 days!) to plan our elopement," reveals Ashley, "but Victoria was on it from the start and never once did she doubt or say it couldn’t be done. She was extremely efficient and timely with her communication. She was very organized and also recommended amazing vendors to us. Victoria really went the extra mile to make sure everything was done on time."
"Our special day was PERFECT because of all her hard work. We can’t thank Victoria enough for everything and we can't wait to come back to Amalfi for our anniversary. Would absolutely recommend Sophisticated Weddings to anyone planning their wedding in Italy!! You won't be disappointed!" the happy couple grin.
Photography for Ashley & Bilal : JoAnne Dunn Photographers
Positano promises
"My husband and I went in to our wedding planning with a dream for a low-key, elegant, and intimate affair in Positano, Italy but didn't know where to begin," explains bride Cassidy. "Enter Victoria and the team at Sophisticated Weddings. She has a wealth of knowledge about the Amalfi Coast area, vendors and venues, as well as the cultural nuance of organizing and executing a wedding in Italy."
Cassidy and Jae's vision was a gorgeous one. They channelled the colours of the ocean right through from Cassidy's bridal robe, to the groom's royal blue suit. The bride stunned in a minimalist design with delicate spaghetti straps and a scoop neck, perfect for the sun-kissed weather in store.
Marrying beneath a vine-laden terrace with views to the cascading houses of Positano and the sea, this luxury wedding in Positano couldn't have been more magical. I'll let the couple tell you the rest!
"Victoria helped us to refine and elevate our experience and worked diligently to ensure that our wedding was a true reflection of our values and relationship. I can't say enough good things about Victoria and the experience that she and her team provided. I can't imagine planning my wedding without her and her guidance. Choosing Sophisticated Weddings was an investment that had massive returns on how smoothly, efficiently, and stress-free our gorgeous wedding ended up being."
Photography for Jae & Cassidy : Maison Pestea Photography
Third time lucky
For Tara and Stuart, the dream of a wedding in Ravello began back in 2019!
"We first contacted Victoria in February of 2019 after a recommendation by a colleague," the couple explain. Fast forward through the pandemic and it was finally third time lucky for this wonderful couple. "We were not sure that even this September date would be viable until 28 days before our wedding when the restrictions were lifted."
"The next 3 weeks were a whirlwind of pulling together all of the vendors and last minute touches to our wedding. Victoria and her team of trusted vendors worked miracles, and were so kind, constant and reassuring throughout the whole process, from the beginning of 2019 through to our wedding day in September 2021. Unlike many couples who had lost money due to charges from vendors and venues alike, all of Sophisticated Weddings' vendors and venues moved dates/times etc with no fuss, extra charges or problems. They were amazing to us throughout this whole journey and we will never be able to thank them enough."
Every detail came together for this lovely couple's micro wedding - even the gardens were in full bloom! Their ceremony oozed romance (as did the photos!). It was magical to help them celebrate the day of their dreams at last.
Photography for Tara & Stuart : Francesco Quaglia Photography
Dancing in the rain
"Victoria planned and took care of our wedding like it was her own," declares bride Francesca.
For some couples, this level of commitment might come as a surprise. But for anyone who's attended or celebrated their wedding with me at Sophisticated Weddings, you'll know this speaks volumes. This is the biggest day of your lives. The most amazing milestone to celebrate. As your destination wedding planner, I consider it a great privilege to help you translate your vision into your reality. And I'll work round-the-clock, behind the scenes, whatever the world throws at us, to make that happen.
"On the day of our wedding, we had hoped to wake up to blue skies and sun shining however we were greeted with thunderstorms and rain. Victoria checked in with me first thing to tell us not to worry and that she had spoken to the venue and sorted Plan B. She took care of absolutely everything to ensure we had no worries. Victoria stayed throughout the wedding, co-ordinating the day to make sure it was all smooth sailing. All our guests commented on how amazing she was in the lead up to the wedding and on the day."
Francesca and James married in the Sala degli Specchi at the Museum Correale in Sorrento, beneath romantic chandeliers amid sophisticated grandeur with a distinctly Italian feel. Fortunately, the clouds parted and the couple captured photos with the dream Sorrento Coast backdrop. They even went on to celebrate their cutting of the cake outside after dark complete with sparklers and cold fountain fireworks. The effect was just gorgeous.
"Planning a wedding abroad can seem like a daunting prospect, however our experience was anything but and that is thanks to Sophisticated Weddings. We cannot thank Victoria and her team enough for everything they did to make our day completely perfect," Francesca smiles.
Photography for Fran & James : Francesco Quaglia Photography
Weddings in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Despite the world's best efforts to change plans during the pandemic, it was simply amazing to give these fearless couples their best day ever as they tied the knot in Italy. At a time that continues to be challenging, my commitment to you as your destination wedding planner is to ensure that we realise your most special day and that I’m by your side to help guide you through and make it happen.
If you’re considering a wedding in Sorrento or on the Amalfi Coast feel free to get in touch. The first consultation is complimentary and I’d love to hear about your wedding vision, be it an elopement wedding for two or a larger celebration.
Spaces are limited for 2023. Click here to start your planning journey today.