A Romantic Cinque Terre Elopement: Sunrise to Sunset Adventure

Eloping in Cinque Terre is like stepping into a fairytale—colorful villages, stunning cliffs, and endless sea views. Liz and Chris embraced the magic of this iconic Italian coastline with an intimate and adventure-filled day. From a sunrise first look on the cliffs of Riomaggiore to a sunset ceremony on a boat, their elopement was a perfect mix of romance and spontaneity.

Planning your own Cinque Terre elopement? Keep reading for expert tips, the best ways to avoid the crowds, and why embracing the unexpected will make your day even more unforgettable! Or check out our Italy elopement packages to start planning.

About This Elopement

Photography by Benni Carol Photography

“Liz and Chris had an intimate sunrise first look on Riomaggiore (the first of the Cinque Terre – Five fisherman villages on the Italian Riviera) cliffs. Later, we visited the other villages Manarola and Vernazza by train rides, finishing with a big breakfast before the tourist crowds arrived.

After a midday break, the couple had a 4 hour boat tour around La Spezia’s bay, known as the Poets Bay for its beauty, visiting Lerici and Portovenere. They had a romantic sunset ceremony on the boat between the little islands of the bay, Tino, Tinetto and Palmaria and celebrated afterwards with prosecco and local products.” [Benedetta, the photographer]

Learn more about eloping in Italy.

Permits and Planning Your Elopement in Cinque Terre

“You don’t need a specific permit to get married at Cinque Terre. However, there are a few things that one needs to keep in mind if they chooses to elope here. Cinque Terre is a place of outstanding beauty, but it is getting more and more popular, and therefore crowded, every new year.

To travel in a sustainable way to Cinque Terre it would be best to avoid the peak season, which usually goes from the end of May to late September. If you can only travel in that period of the year, then try to avoid weekends and busy times of the day (which are the central hours).

The good thing about Cinque Terre is that the easiest way to get there is by train – the most sustainable way of traveling, and you can easily reach the area pretty much from most other Italian cities as the train connections are really good.” [Benedetta, the photographer]

Top Tips From The Photographer

Be prepared for an early start if you want to avoid the crowds

“Cinque Terre is a highly popular destination, so we always recommend that our couples have an early first look or ceremony in the morning, followed by an exploration of the five villages by train. Fortunately, the first train departs very early, making it easy to start the day before the crowds arrive.

Wandering through the villages at dawn creates a truly magical and almost surreal atmosphere for your photos. After exploring, it’s always lovely to relax with breakfast at a local café, watching as the area gradually fills with visitors—often by 9 AM.”

Embrace the weather

“If you want an almost entirely outdoor elopement, it’s important to keep in mind that the weather can be unpredictable—it might be cloudy, windy, or even rainy on the day. The best approach is to embrace whatever nature brings, and if the forecast looks uncertain, we’ll have umbrellas on hand just in case. You may be surprised by how dramatic and beautiful the changing light and skies can be, especially in a seaside setting.”

Be prepared to be a little bit flexible with the planning of the day

“While we can still explore the villages of Cinque Terre in the rain, rough seas may prevent a standing ceremony on a boat or even cancel a boat tour altogether. If that happens, we’ll have a Plan B ready with alternative activities and stunning locations, such as Portovenere, which can be reached by car and explored on foot—even in the rain. The key is to stay positive and open to new possibilities, knowing that sometimes the best memories come from the unexpected.”

Soak in the beauty around you and reflect on the celebration of your love

“It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of your elopement day—or to focus on capturing beautiful photos—but we’ll be there to gently remind you to pause, breathe, and truly take it all in.”

About the Couple

“When Liz and Chris reached out to us, they shared their full itinerary for their stay in Italy, along with a list of outdoor and adventure activities they had already planned in other parts of the country. From the moment we saw their plans, we knew they were our kind of couple.

They were easygoing, flexible, and open to suggestions. So when we proposed an elopement in Cinque Terre, with a sunrise first look on the cliffs of Riomaggiore and a sunset ceremony on a boat, they said yes right away!” [Benedetta, the photographer]

Details We’re Loving

“Throughout the day, Liz and Chris radiated such enthusiasm for the places they visited and the experiences they had—it was a true joy to document it all. We’ll always cherish the laughter, the emotions, and the unforgettable, funny moments we were lucky enough to share with them” [Benedetta, the photographer]

Memorable Moments During This Elopement

From the photographer:

“Definitely the sunset boat tour: it was a perfect mix of emotional moments, laughter, and trying to keep our balance as the boat hit each wave!”

Vendors

Planners and photographers | Benni Carol Photography

Flowers | Barbara Becarelli 

Boats | Simone Zennaro & Dad 

Celebrant | Veronica Regis 

Photos From This Elopement