Alps Wedding Planning Guide

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Want to plan the most romantic, epic wedding ever? Whether you are dreaming of a summer elopement in the Swiss Alps or a winter wedding in the ski resorts of the Austrian Alps, this planning guide has you covered!

Planning a Wedding in the Alps

The Alps make up the highest and largest mountain range in Europe, stretching across 8 countries: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland. Most alpine communities still celebrate aspects of their traditional cultures, with farming & woodcarving continuing to be prominent in most areas. The alps are also famous for their iconic peaks, such as Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, and also for their top-class winter sports and hiking.

A climbing elopement in the Dolomite mountains of Italy. https://rifugiokostner.it/en

Can You Get Legally Married in the Alps?

Most of the alpine countries in Europe allow non-residents to get married, however, in some, it’s a lot more complicated than others. As someone who had a destination wedding in the Alps, I’ve experienced the bureaucracy that is preparing all your paperwork for getting married in another country than the one you are from. Whilst it is absolutely possible to do all this yourself, I’ve learned from experience (mine and a number of my couples) that if you want a completely stress-free process, it’s best to hire a local wedding planner to help you to make sure you have all the correct documents and you’re actually allowed to get married. If this still sounds like way too much hassle, around 70% of my couples decide to sign the marriage license back in their home country and opt for a symbolic ceremony in the Alps instead. I’ve linked my favorite Alps wedding planners at the end of this post 🙂

Mountain wedding ceremony in the Dolomite Alps in Italy by Wild Connections Photography — Dolomites Micro-Wedding in Val Gardena

Getting Married in the French Alps

While it is possible to get married legally in France, you need to be a resident for at least 40 days before you can marry there. For many couples, this isn’t an option, so most opt for a more personal celebrant-led ceremony or a simple elopement instead.

Getting Married in the Austrian Alps

Austria has no residency requirements to get married there. You need to submit your paperwork to the local Standesamt (registrar) in advance of your wedding date. They perform the legal ceremony in German at the local registry office, so if you don’t speak German, you might need a translator. Some registrars are quite relaxed and will let you have your own translator, or they will translate for you themselves, while others (especially in the big cities) require a court-certified translator. Only a small number of towns have locations outside of the registry office where they will conduct ceremonies, but it is possible to have a legal ceremony in a mountain hut in some areas (I’ll get to which ones later).

Mountain wedding with sheep in the Austrian Alps by Wild Connections Photography — Innsbruck Elopement with Sheep

Getting Married in Italy

Italy also allows non-residents to marry there. Similarly to Austria, you must submit documents to the local government offices in advance of your wedding date. In most areas in the Alpine regions, the ceremony is conducted by the local mayor in either Italian or German (depending on which province you are in). Many areas offer the option to get married at an approved outside location if you’re not mad about the idea of getting married in the mayor’s office, and some of them are really beautiful.

To learn more about getting married in the Italian Alps & the Dolomites,
read this Dolomites Elopement Guide

Getting Married in Switzerland

It is possible for non-residents to have a legal marriage ceremony in Switzerland. However, unlike in most other European countries, it can vary from town to town, so it really depends on where you want to get married in Switzerland. In Switzerland, a wedding planner cannot submit the documents to the local registry office on your behalf. Instead, you must file them at a Swiss Embassy or Consulate.

Elopement ceremony in the Italian Alps by Wild Connections Photography — Dolomites Fall Elopement

Getting Married in Germany

Germany does allow foreigners to legally marry there, but like France, it has a minimum residency requirement, which is 21 days. Many destination couples, therefore, opt for a symbolic ceremony or an intimate vow reading instead.

LGBTQIA+ Weddings In The Alps

Unfortunately, marriage equality hasn’t reached all of Europe yet, but it has reached some of the Alpine countries. Austria, Germany, and France all support marriage equality. Most of the other alpine countries recognize civil unions but not marriages of same-sex couples.

Summer Weddings in the Alps

Elopement ceremony in the Swiss Alps by Wild Connections Photography

Summer in the Alps might conjure up visions of the Sound of Music or hiking tours to quaint mountain huts. Perhaps it makes you think lush alpine meadows and jangling cowbells, men in lederhosen and women in dirndls. Summer in the alps is magical. The meadows are lush and green, filled with wildflowers. Cows, sheep and goats often roam freely in the mountain pastures. There’s amazing hiking, cycling and climbing in every direction. Not to mention the welcoming mountains huts serving home-made, local products to refuel you after a long day of exploring.

Winter Weddings in the Alps

Seefeld Wedding bride and groom kiss under the cable car which transports guests up the ski slope by Wild Connections Photography

Ski & Snowboard Weddings

Yes – you absolutely can get married on your skis and your snowboard if you want to! I’ve accompanied many couples on their wedding day as they’ve hit the slopes. Some choose to arrive in style and opt to ski to their ceremony, while others save hitting the piste until after they’ve said I do. Ski weddings in the Alps are my favourite. After all, what’s better than a ski trip? Using your wedding budget to pay for a ski trip and getting married on the slopes! And if you’re thinking of eloping, I love the idea of a ski touring elopement where we skin out or snowshoe to a beautiful, secluded location for you to say your vows. Doesn’t that sound pretty darn perfect?

A skiing wedding couple shoot in Axamer Lizum by Wild Connections Photography

Even if you don’t want to hit the ski slopes on your wedding day, a winter wedding in the Alps is so beautiful. Glistening snow, cosy mountain chalets with hot-tub views to die for and snow-capped mountains as far as you can see makes for an unforgettable wedding experience in the Alps.