Photographing an Amalfi Coast elopement is what I do now guys. Dreaming up a European destination elopement isn’t difficult, but choosing from a long list of stunning cities gets a little trickier. Kara + Chase wanted a bit of romantic culture, delectable bites, iconic views, and easy-going vibes (I mean, who wouldn’t?!). And you have to admit that there’s one country that does these things better than the rest – Italy. 

This elopement photography love story starts back when a sweetheart of a man (who we now know as Chase) dropped an inquiry into my inbox last year. He left thoughtful details talking about how his girlfriend loved Christmas time and trees and twinkling lights and the entire season, and that he was planning to propose to her while on a trip in Montana. And lucky me, asked me to photograph their proposal.

Flash forward a few months, Chase + Kara were back in my inbox, but this time with very fun plans. Not only were they planning a destination elopement, but an Italian elopement on the Amalfi Coast. They knew I traveled all over to shoot wedding photos and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind when I said, “COUNT ME IN!” 

And as dreamy and beautiful and love-filled their Positano elopement was in the end, it wasn’t without a few hiccups here and there. If you’re planning a destination wedding, don’t forget to embrace the flaws, go with the flow, make plan Bs you love, and leave the focus more on the fact that you’re getting married than on the views or scenery or where you are in the world. 

Now that I’ve put you into the right mindset, let Kara+ Chase’s day whisk you away to the coast of Italy, in the infamous region of Amalfi, in a little cliffside town that draws in people from all over the world for its colorful stacked buildings and endless views. Positano is as pretty as cities come, with maze-like streets and pebble beaches and villas tucked into the side of its rugged coastline. 

Kara + Chase planned a laid-back elopement for early May, a month rumored to be the best time to visit this region with great weather and limited tourists. The plan was a ceremony on their private balcony, take-out pizza, a boat ride into the bay, and a next-day trip to Capri to explore. But the universe had other plans for us. 

When Kara + Chase arrived in Naples, their luggage didn’t. And in a time where the weather was historically stunning, it poured rain for days on end. The waters were too rough on the bay for boat rentals to cruise and even the ferries shut down completely. Gray skies dimmed the usual vintage glow of Positano and the original plan was thrown out practically upon arrival. 

But even with all of the mishaps, Kara + Chase had their dream destination elopement. 

Kara had her dress with her and a bit of makeup too. I brought over a straightener I had packed to help with her hair. We watched the radar only get worse, but still Kara + Chase didn’t lose their enthusiasm while we dreamed up new plans for the day. Rather than the terrace of their villa, the lovers exchanged sweet personal vows in the doorway as the skies dumped rain outside. After the ceremony and after we were told that the boat rentals weren’t operating, we headed out to the streets of the village for photos, stopping for a pizza along the way. 

It’s often the simplest moments of a wedding day that feel the most authentic and natural to my couples and boy did these photos prove that right once again! The pizza photos were some of my favorites, even among the classic Postinano views. 

It’s common for couples to add a day-after session to their elopements and we just had to do one with Kara + Chase in Italy, even with the wild weather and lost baggage. Kara found some sandals and a dress in the village boutique and even though our day trip to Capri wouldn’t happen, lots of rain meant empty beaches. A big plus for us! So we explored the beachfront and played in the rough waves, soaking in all of the beautiful chaos of their destination elopement so far. 

All in all, it was a beautiful, wild, unpredictable, happy, majestic few days on the coast of Italy. Another incredible destination elopement in the books. How fun was it that I got to check Italian elopement off of my bucket list because of these two?! Where should we head next?? Spain? Vietnam?? Norway?? Sign me up! 
Don’t forget to swipe through their Amalfi Coast wedding photos for inspiration for your own adventure! Or if you’re looking for inspo with a different vibe, check out his international destination elopement in Iceland!