From Suffolk to Sorrento: Amy & Toni’s destination wedding

4 hours ago
3 min read

Photographing Amy & Antonino's destination wedding was like taking a step into a story that had already unfolded years before the wedding day itself. From a joyful, laughter-filled pre-wedding shoot in Suffolk, to the scenic surrounds of Sorrento, it was like a book that I never wanted to put down!

Bride and groom kiss on a Sorrento terrace at sunset, beneath a floral arch. Mountains and sea in the background create a romantic atmosphere. Photography by destination wedding photographer Mikaela Jade.

Getting to know Amy & Toni: Our pre-wedding shoot in Suffolk

From our first meeting, Amy and Toni's connection came across as so natural and effortless. We had already spent time together during their pre-wedding shoot on Felixstowe beach - a place close to the couple's hearts - where windswept moments and giggles set the tone for everything that followed.

Even then, so early on, their energy was visible to me: Amy’s warmth, Toni’s humour, and the way they moved together in front of the camera so naturally. Amy’s lemon-print dress was a nod to what was to come... a beautiful thread tying her world to his.

Settling into the Sorrento wedding feel

Fast forward to Sorrento (Toni’s hometown), where everything came together. Arriving with makeup artist Emily Chantal a few days early meant that we could slow down, explore the area and take it all in.

These "in-between" moments - wandering sunlit streets, sharing plans and stories, chatting over tapas (or 'cicchetti' as it's called in Italian) - built a feeling of easiness that carried into the wedding day itself. By the time the morning arrived, it almost didn’t feel like work. It felt more like being there for friends.

Getting ready, the reveal, and the ceremony

The day was unhurried, full of anticipation but never rushed. Time seemed to stretch in the golden Italian light. Amy getting ready, the villa still and waiting, Mount Vesuvius standing strong in the distance.

And then came one of the most emotional moments of the day: the reveal with Amy's dad. A pause in time before the ceremony, filled with pride and love.

A bride in a white dress and veil hugs her father. A woman in a floral dress smiles nearby. Photographed by destination wedding photographer Mikaela Jade.

Amy and Toni looked so at-ease and in-love in the way they laughed, how Toni’s humour kept everything light, and how they both softened into every moment. As the sun set over Sorrento, the surrounds began to glow. The couple stood together, wrapped in golden light, a song playing softly in the background. It was a moment that needed hardly any direction from me.

And then, as night fell, the momentum really picked up. Dinner gave way to celebration, and the terrace filled with music, dancing and joy - a saxophone carrying the party long into the evening.

Digital and 35mm film wedding photography

Throughout it all, my approach remained the same: to document honestly, to notice the small things, and to preserve the feeling as much as the image. Using both digital and film photography allowed me to capture both the clearness of the moment and the softness of the memory together.

Below are just a few of the shots captured on film, in colour and black and white.

Amy's review:

“Mikaela, you're an absolute dream! How you so perfectly captured our wedding day has honestly made us so overjoyed, and we can't quite believe these are our wedding photos… Apart from being the BEST photographer there is, another huge reason for asking you to do our wedding is your love of film photography… These photos are absolutely golden… Above all you honestly felt like an extension of my bridal party… your calming presence on the day… we cannot thank you enough.”

And that’s always the goal for me: not just to photograph a wedding, but to be part of it in a supportive and natural way. Bringing two worlds together - in this case, Suffolk and Sorrento - was, for me, a task that was more than just capturing the beauty of a destination wedding. In fact, it was more about the people, than the place. Amy and Toni made it easy for me; a couple that could evoke a feeling of "home", wherever you are in the world.

And to be honest... I fell a little bit in love with Sorrento, too.

If you are interested in destination wedding photography, including 35mm film wedding photography, please browse my wedding packages or contact me. I would be delighted to hear about your wedding plans, and to check my availability for your wedding date.