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An Intimate Italian Riviera Elopement: Haley & Daniel

Haley and Daniel travelled from the United States to the Italian Riviera for an intimate wedding, just the two of them. Their ceremony took place at Cappella della Madonnina della Punta, a little chapel overlooking the Mediterranean near Bonassola. From a forgotten bridal bouquet to an unexpected encounter with the Giro d'Italia and sunset photographs in Portofino, their wedding day was full of beautiful moments and surprises.

By Janis Ratnieks · Publication date · Updated

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Haley and Daniel beside Cappella della Madonnina della Punta, a white cliffside wedding chapel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Bonassola, Italy.

01

Getting Ready on the Ligurian Coast

Getting Ready on the Ligurian Coast

The day began at a seaside Airbnb where Haley and Daniel were getting ready. I arrived to photograph those quiet moments before the ceremony. Haley wore an elegant vintage wedding dress, perfectly suited to the intimate celebration they had planned. With just the two of them, the morning had a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

A groom is standing on a balcony, adjusting their hat.
A large cruise ship is docked in the harbor, surrounded by a mix of modern and traditional buildings.
The photograph shows two wedding rings placed on an open book.
The photograph shows an open book with a ring placed on it.
A groom in a white shirt and black tie is standing in a bathroom, looking at his phone.
The photograph features a bride wearing a cream-colored halter neck dress with a deep V-neckline.
A bride is holding a small round mirror in front of their face, reflecting their nose and part of their cheek.
A bride is holding a small round mirror in front of their face, reflecting their eye.
A bride in a white dress stands indoors, holding a book.
The bride in a white dress sits on a dark blue couch, leaning back against a white pillow.
A bride stands in a dimly lit room, wearing a sleeveless, form-fitting dress with a deep neckline and a high slit on one side.

02

The Forgotten Bouquet

The Forgotten Bouquet

On our way to the chapel, Haley realised she had forgotten her wedding bouquet at the Airbnb. Rather than go all the way back, we stopped beside the road and picked some wildflowers. It was one of those small, unexpected moments that made the day feel especially personal.

A bride is sitting on a teal couch, wearing a white dress with a one-shoulder design and a delicate necklace.
A bridein a white sleeveless top stands in front of a bush of pink roses.
A bride is holding a bouquet of flowers, including pink roses and yellow flowers, in their hands.

03

A Cliffside Wedding at Cappella della Madonnina della Punta

A Cliffside Wedding at Cappella della Madonnina della Punta

Their wedding planner, Eleonora from Love Gracefully, had found an extraordinary location: Cappella della Madonnina della Punta near Bonassola. The chapel stands on a promontory overlooking the Mediterranean. Haley and Daniel exchanged deeply personal vows, with the gentle sound of the sea below. Their words genuinely moved me. Even after photographing weddings for more than twenty years, moments like this can still bring tears to my eyes.

A bride in a white dress stands on a paved path near a small, arched building with a cross on top, overlooking the ocean.
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet of flowers.
A couple stands under an arched, rustic structure with a view of the ocean.
A couple stands under an archway, with the person in a white dress and the person in a dark suit.
The photograph shows a close-up of a person's upper body, focusing on a white dress with a V-neckline and a delicate necklace.
The photograph shows a close-up of two hands, one holding a bouquet of flowers and the other holding a ring.
The bride in a white dress stands under an archway, holding a bouquet of flowers.
A couple stands under an archway with a statue above them, facing each other.
A couple stands under an archway with a view of the ocean.
The photograph shows a handwritten wedding vows note on lined paper, placed on a textured surface.
A couple stands on a balcony overlooking the ocean, with the woman in a white dress and the man in a dark suit.
A couple stands under an archway, gazing into each other's eyes.
A couple stands under an archway, gazing at the sea.
The wedding celebrant is holding a small object, possibly a ring, in their hand.
A sailboat is sailing on the calm blue sea, framed by a stone archway.
The bride and groom laughing while putting a wedding ring on brides hand
A bride is holding a ring, and the groom is looking at the ring.
A couple is embracing in front of a window with a view of the sea
A couple is kissing in a covered outdoor area with arches and a view of the ocean.
A couple is embracing under an archway, with the ocean and sky visible in the background.
A couple stands close together, with the man in a dark suit and the woman in a white dress.
The photograph shows a black book or notebook with a pen and a bouquet of flowers placed on top.
The photograph shows a vast expanse of calm, deep blue ocean with gentle waves lapping against rocky cliffs.
A bride in a white dress and a groom in a black suit are walking along a path near the sea.
A couple is sitting on a ledge overlooking the ocean.
A couple stands on a balcony overlooking a scenic coastal view, with the man in a dark suit and the woman in a white dress holding a bouquet of flowers.
A bride and person stand embracing on a paved path, with the groom in a white dress and the person in a black suit.
A couple stands close together, the man in a white shirt and black pants, the woman in a white dress holding a bouquet of flowers.
A couple is dancing in front of a small, rustic chapel with a cross on top, set against a backdrop of a rocky cliff and a clear sky.
A couple is embracing on a scenic coastal path, with a small chapel and a cross visible in the background.
The photograph is in black and white, featuring a couple standing close together outdoors.
A groom in a black suit and a bride in a white dress are embracing outdoors.
The photograph is in black and white, showing a close-up of a groom and a bride's faces.
The photograph shows a small, light-colored bell tower with a cross on top.
A couple stands on a narrow path leading to a Cappella della Madonnina della Punta perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.
A couple stands on a paved path overlooking the ocean, with a Cappella della Madonnina della Punta chapel-like structure with a cross on top visible in the background.
Cappella della Madonnina della Punta on top is situated on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.

04

Editorial Wedding Portraits on the Cliffs of Bonassola

The surroundings of Cappella della Madonnina della Punta were a photographer's dream. After the intimate ceremony, we took our time exploring the rocky cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean, photographing Haley and Daniel against the dramatic Ligurian coastline.

The combination of the sea, the rugged landscape and the beautiful natural light made the setting feel almost like an outdoor fashion editorial. It was the perfect backdrop for elegant, cinematic wedding portraits, with the Italian Riviera providing all the atmosphere we needed.

For couples considering an intimate wedding or elopement in Italy, this part of the Ligurian coast offers something rather special: a romantic ceremony location and extraordinary opportunities for wedding photography, all within a short walk.

A groom in a black suit stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean.
A groom in a black suit stands on a rocky cliff overlooking a vast, calm ocean.
A bride in a white dress is standing on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ligurian sea
A bride in a white dress holds hands with a groom in a black suit on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.
A bride in a white dress stands on rocky terrain, holding a bouquet of flowers with the groom
A couple is kissing on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.
A couple is sitting on a rocky cliff overlooking a vast, turquoise sea.
A couple is sitting on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet of flowers, standing on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.
A bride in a white dress stands on rocky terrain, holding a bouquet of flowers.
The photograph is in black and white, showing a close-up of a couple embracing.
The photograph is in black and white, showing a close-up of a person's hand holding a bouquet of flowers.
A couple is sitting on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.
A couple is sitting on a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean.
A couple is embracing on a balcony overlooking the ocean.

05

When the Giro d'Italia Interrupted the Wedding

After the ceremony, we set off towards our next location, only to find ourselves unexpectedly stopped by the Giro d'Italia cycling race. It certainly wasn't part of the wedding schedule! Eventually we continued to a neighbouring village for some photographs and a quick bite to eat.

The bride and groom during Giro d'Italia in Bonassola

06

An Unexpectedly Wonderful Italian Pizza Copy

We stopped at a little place in a nearby village without any particular restaurant in mind. Somehow, completely by chance, it turned out to serve one of the tastiest pizzas I have ever eaten in Italy. Sometimes the unplanned parts of a wedding day become the most memorable.

The photograph shows a sandy beach with several people enjoying the sun and sea.
Ex Oratorio di Sant’Erasmo church with a couple sitting on steps in front of the church in Bonassola
A couple is holding hands and walking down a set of stairs in front of Ex Oratorio di Sant’Erasmo church in Bonassola
A couple is sitting on a stone bench in front of a Ex Oratorio di Sant’Erasmo church in Bonassola
A groom in a white shirt and black tie is holding a bride's face, both lying on a stone surface.
The photograph is in black and white, featuring a close-up of a bride with short hair, wearing a white sleeveless top and a delicate necklace.
The photograph is in black and white, showing a couple sitting on a metal bench on a balcony in Bonassola

07

Sunset Wedding Photographs in Portofino

For the final part of the day, we travelled to Portofino for sunset portraits. The harbour, colourful buildings and evening light provided a beautiful finish to Haley and Daniel's Italian Riviera wedding. It had been a wonderfully intimate day, full of emotion, unexpected adventures and moments that I will remember for a long time.

A bride and groom stand on a paved walkway near a marina filled with boats and yachts.
The photograph shows a serene harbor with several boats docked, including a white boat with a sign reading "PRIVATE BOAT TOURS." The background features colorful buildings with balconies and shutters, and a clear blue sky with a few clouds in Portofino
The photograph shows a picturesque harbor with several boats docked along the waterfront in the Portofino harbour
A bride and groom stand close together, the person holding a bouquet of white flowers in Portofino
The photograph features a bride and groom standing on a stone-paved dock by a body of water in Portofino
A couple stands on a stone-paved dock by a picturesque harbor, with colorful buildings and lush greenery in the background in Portofino
The photograph features a couple standing by a waterfront, with a picturesque town in the background in Portofino
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet of white flowers as she walks along a stone path near a Portofino harbor.
A man and a woman are embracing on a dock.
A bride in a white dress sits on a stone ledge by a body of water, holding a bouquet of white flowers in Portofino Italy
The photograph shows a picturesque Portofino harbor with colorful buildings lining the waterfront, and a clear blue sky above.
A couple is sitting on a stone wall by the water, with a boat and colorful buildings in the background in Portofino
A bride laughing in a bridal dress stands on a cobblestone path by a body of water, holding a bouquet of flowers in Portofino Italy
A couple is holding hands on a stone-paved walkway by a body of water in Portofino
A couple is walking along a stone-paved path by the water, holding hands in Portofino
A bride in a white dress stands on a stone wall, holding a bouquet of white flowers with green leaves in Portofino
A bride in a white dress stands on a stone wall, holding a bouquet of white flowers In Portofino
The Portofino photograph shows a picturesque coastal town with colorful buildings and a hillside covered in greenery.
The photograph shows a clear blue sky with a large, fluffy white cloud formation.
A couple is standing on a balcony overlooking the ocean, with the man in a dark suit and the woman in a white dress overlooking Portofino beach
The photograph shows a vast expanse of calm, deep blue ocean stretching to the horizon under a clear, light blue sky.
The photograph shows a rocky cliffside with a metal railing along the edge, overlooking a body of turquoise blue water.
The photograph shows a close-up of a cactus plant with green spiky leaves and red flower buds.
A bride in a white dress holds a bouquet of flowers as she walks hand-in-hand with a person.
The photograph shows a serene harbor with several boats docked, including sailboats and motorboats, in calm waters.
The photograph shows a picturesque coastal town with colorful buildings and a hillside covered in greenery.
The photograph shows a picturesque coastal town with colorful buildings and a church with a tall bell tower.

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