Why You Should Avoid Villa Boheme in Positano for Your Elopement

Why I No Longer Recommend Villa Boheme in Positano for Elopements

Planning an elopement in Positano should feel like a dream. But sometimes, even the most beautiful venues come with hidden problems that can ruin a couple’s experience. After what I witnessed recently, I can no longer recommend Villa Boheme in Positano for any intimate wedding or elopement.

Let me tell you what happened, and why I believe no couple should book this venue for one of the most important days of their lives.

A Drastic Change in Hospitality

Just one year ago, I had a positive experience shooting a wedding at Villa Boheme. The team was welcoming, the coordination felt smooth, and everything ran according to plan. That memory, unfortunately, has been shattered.

At a recent wedding I photographed with Felice, things went wrong from the very beginning. It was clear that the venue’s current manager, Anita, had other priorities — and they didn’t align with the couple’s vision.

Manipulative Pressure to Change the Schedule

The couple had carefully planned their day with a private driver to explore multiple locations around Positano. But Anita suggested a sudden change to the ceremony time, insisting it would be “too hot.” The heat in May, just like in September, is never extreme in Positano. The couple hadn’t raised any concerns. They were from Tennessee, where the heat is definitely more than in Italy.

So why was this change pushed? It seemed to benefit only Anita and the celebrant she recommended, not the bride and groom.

Worse, both Anita and the celebrant pressured the couple until they panicked. They ended up accepting a new plan that disrupted the natural flow of their day. The photos they wanted in specific locations never happened. The mood shifted. And a moment that should have been joyful turned into a stressful experience.

A Celebrant That Did Not Respect the Couple’s Vision

The celebrant, Chiara D’Orio, was not chosen by the couple. It appears the venue forced them to book her. I strongly recommend that no one hire her. She did not speak fluent English. She ignored the couple’s wishes. And she insisted on a ceremony setup that suited her needs, not theirs.

The bride had requested a neutral floral arrangement in memory of her late mother — something deeply personal and symbolic. Instead, Chiara and Anita set up a tacky white carpet, a lectern that looked like it belonged in the 1990s, and chairs for the couple to sit on during the ceremony. None of this was discussed with the bride and groom. None of it reflected who they are.

A Lack of Respect for Privacy

The suite terrace, which should be a private space for the couple, had what looked like a camera installed. To this day, we can’t confirm if it was a surveillance camera or a sensor, but either way — it made the couple feel watched. That kind of discomfort has no place on a wedding day. Intimate moments should remain private.

Our Professional Advice for Couples

If you are considering Villa Boheme for your elopement, I urge you to rethink that choice. From forced supplier recommendations to changes made without consent, this venue no longer respects the values that matter: freedom, trust, and emotional safety.

You deserve a team that protects your vision, not one that manipulates it.

Please do not follow any timeline or advice given by Anita or Chiara D’Orio. If you need support or feel overwhelmed by pressure to change your plans, you should talk with your wedding planner. And if you don’t have one you should not listen to their suggestions.

Final Thoughts

I decided to share this experience openly because I care deeply about the couples who trust me with their memories. I believe in transparency. I believe in doing the right thing. That’s why we’ve added Chiara D’Orio to our internal blacklist, and we’re informing all our clients about what happened.

Your wedding should be shaped by your story — not by someone else’s agenda.

If you have any questions, or you’d like help finding a reliable venue or celebrant in Positano, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to make sure your day is everything you hoped for, and more.

Read more about the the best wedding venues in Positano. This is the only one we will never suggest you, till the management won’t change.