Portofino, Santa Margherita, Finale Ligure
Wedding photographer in Portofino
and on the Italian Riviera
Santa Margherita, Portofino, Finale Ligure: when couples write to me about a wedding on the Italian Riviera, they almost always start with the name of a place.
Every season I photograph between five and ten weddings on each side of Genoa, for couples who travel from abroad and for those born in Liguria who now live elsewhere and come home to get married. I’m Francesca Alberico, a wedding photographer based in Genoa, and from here I cover the whole Riviera as well as Piedmont and Tuscany.
Why here
Why get married on the
Italian Riviera
For the view, first of all. The Portofino promontory and the Gulf of Tigullio are among the most beautiful sights in Liguria, and the venues along this coast know how to make the most of them: historic villas with Italian gardens, terraces over the sea, castles right on the water.
To the west, toward Finale Ligure, the sea meets the countryside: lawns among the olive trees, terraced hillsides, gardens where dinner is served outdoors. Weddings here average between 100 and 120 guests, slightly more formal around Portofino, almost always outdoors in the west. It’s the coast that draws the most couples from abroad, who come for the sea and the traditional food.
The venues
Venues on the
Italian Riviera
The venues I know best, where I’ve photographed the most weddings, from Portofino to Finale Ligure.
Santa Margherita Ligure
Villa Durazzo
A historic residence with an Italian garden and a sea view, and beautiful indoor rooms for the cooler months or in case of rain. The church of San Giacomo di Corte stands right next to the villa, and there’s plenty of outdoor space for a civil ceremony. It’s one of the venues most often chosen by couples from abroad.
Santa Giulia
Villa Riviera
Between Portofino and the Cinque Terre, with a breathtaking view over the gulf. The civil ceremony takes place outdoors, facing the sea, and the getting ready rooms are cared for down to the last detail. The ceremony happens in full sun, which is why I recommend late afternoon.
Zoagli
Castello Canevaro
A castle full of history, overlooking the sea. The interiors have lots of character and are perfect for getting ready, while dinner on the sea view terrace is the moment people remember most. The church in the center of Zoagli is a short walk away.
Finale Ligure
La Ginestra
Surrounded by greenery a few miles from the sea, it’s perfect if you want a wedding in nature with every detail cared for. The civil ceremony takes place on site and dinner is set on the big lawn among the olive trees, with an indoor option in case of bad weather.
Season and light
Your day on the
Italian Riviera
The season runs from May to October: in winter almost no one gets married here, between the cold and the rain. Ceremonies take place in the afternoon. In June, July and August the light is very strong and the heat is humid, so I’d suggest not getting married too early and, for an outdoor civil ceremony, choosing the late afternoon.
For couple portraits I wait for sunset, when the light softens, and I prefer to stay at the venue or close by, where there’s less traffic and fewer tourists.
Good to know
Traffic and backlight
The thing to keep in mind is traffic: between the highway and the seaside towns, getting around often takes longer than expected, and it’s worth building that into the timeline.
The other is the sea view, which everyone would love in every photo: for most of the day it’s backlit, which is one of the reasons I photograph portraits at sunset.
Availability
Getting married on the
Italian Riviera?
Tell me your date and the venue you’ve chosen.
Stories
Stories from the
Italian Riviera
The latest weddings I’ve photographed on the Italian Riviera.
FAQ
Weddings on the Italian Riviera
01. How far ahead should we book?
On the Italian Riviera couples book about a year ahead, especially for weekends between May and October. I only take one wedding per date.
02. Can the ceremony and reception be in the same place?
Yes, all these venues allow a civil ceremony on site. For a religious ceremony, Villa Durazzo and Castello Canevaro have a church just steps away, while from Villa Riviera you’ll need a short drive.
03. What if it rains?
Every venue has a rain plan, some with beautiful indoor rooms. I always keep a clear umbrella in the car, and I’ve photographed weddings in every kind of weather.
Contact
Your story starts here
Tell me your date and the venue you’ve chosen, or the one you’re still looking for.
