An Innsbruck Elopement With Sheep – Maggie + Cass
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Maggie & Cass are sheep herders in the beautiful state of Wyoming in the USA. But when it came to planning their wedding, neither of them wanted a big, traditional celebration. They decided instead to plan a trip to Europe and elope during their trip. After settling on Innsbruck as the location for their elopement, they only had one request for their wedding day. They wanted to spend the day exploring the local scenery and see as many animals as they could – especially sheep!
An Mountain Elopement In Innsbruck
Maggie & Cass met in high school, sharing mutual friends. But it wasn’t until a few years later at the country fair that they both confessed that they had been thinking about each despite all those years apart. And from that moment, they were officially an item.
They cherish their quiet mountain life in Wyoming, spending their happiest days outside in nature with their animals. Once they had decided that they didn’t want a big wedding, they spent most of their wedding fund on expanding their flock of sheep. What was left over, they used to plan a trip to the Alps where they wanted to see different breeds of sheep from across Austria and Switzerland. And in the middle, they would say their vows to one another surrounded by beautiful nature.
When they told me about their dream to have photos with sheep on their elopement day in Innsbruck, I knew it was going to be a challenge. During the summer months, most sheep roam freely in the mountains around Tirol. But come September, as the weather starts to get colder they are brought back down to the valleys and in to the barns ready for winter.
A few months out from their October elopement in Innsbruck, I contacted the Tirolean Sheep Association with a very unique request. I asked them if they could put me in contact with any local farmers around Innsbruck who would be happy to let Maggie & Cass come and visit their sheep on their wedding day. And after a few weeks, I got a response. One wonderful farmer in Innsbruck said YES!
A few days before their elopement, I visited the farm to see where the sheep were and to chat about the couple with the farmer. Despite being completely shocked that a bride in a white wedding dress would want to visit a sheep farm on her wedding day, he showed me around and introduced me to his beautiful flock of Tirolean mountain sheep.
On the day of their elopement in Innsbruck, the weather decided to throw us a curve ball, and the morning skies were darkened by rain clouds. We met in Innsbruck at the registry office in the Golden Roof where Maggie & Cass signed their marriage papers certifying that they were now legally man & wife. After a quick walk through the city in the rain, we jumped in the car and headed to the farm.
What led you to decide to elope?
A traditional wedding just seemed like a very expensive day of stress. Our relationship has always been incredibly intimate, and we wanted a fun day of adventure rather than a stress-filled day of trying to please others.
How did you choose Innsbruck as your elopement location?
We made a list of all the things we wanted out of a trip. The activities, the adventures, the sights, the animals and the food. After our list was complete we sat down with a globe and started doing our research on various countries. As we narrowed it down between several options, we found that the legal process of marriage in Austria is fairly straightforward, and transferring a marriage certificate is quite simple. Innsbruck is truly one of the most beautiful old towns of the Alps, and the energy is vibrant and powerful. The perfect destination.
What were the biggest challenges you faced in planning your elopement?
The logistics of making sure all of our paperwork and needs were met before we arrived. Documents needed translated, filed, fees payed, etc. etc. A quality planner like Stephanie who is well versed in the process is worth the money.
Do you have a favourite moment from the day?
After a beautiful legal ceremony in Innsbruck, Cat, our photographer, proceeded to give us the best day of our lives, the day we had been hoping for. As sheep ranchers, we wanted to be near sheep on our special day. Cat took us to a wonderful local sheep farm, where we proceeded to hang around with some pretty great and adorable animals, wedding clothes and all. It was such a warm and beautiful experience, one that we will never forget. Afterwards Cat again came through with some magic, taking us to a beautiful open hillside where the clouds broke and we could see all of Innsbruck and the mountains that surround it. There we quietly read our vows to each other, soaking in the sun and just appreciating the presence of each other.
Advice for other couples planning a wedding?
Really ask yourselves and each other what you want out of the experience. Prioritize seriously, and don’t be afraid to shoot for the moon. Your wedding day doesn’t have to be anything that’s ever been done before, it just needs to be what you want it to be. Try an adventure!
Anything you are really glad you did? Or wish you didn’t do?
We are especially glad we worked in the farm visit, and took pictures in the mud with the animals. Not only was it outrageously fun, the pictures and the memories are one of a kind.
Maggie & Cass were given a tour of the sheep farm. First they were invited in to the barn to meet the majority of the flock, who enjoyed getting chin scratches from the couple. Then it was time to go outside and meet the newest members of the flock. Armed with a bucket of food, Maggie & Cass were taken outside to the paddock, where a number of sheep were grazing with their young lambs (mountain sheep have babies twice a year – a fun fact I learned from the farmer that day). They were fascinated at the differences between the sheep of Austria and their sheep back at home, and I did my best to act as translator as they asked the farmer all about this particular breed.
Damp from the rain, and covered in mud from the sheep, I don’t think I’ve seen a happier couple than Maggie & Cass as they stood in a field surrounded by sheep on their wedding day. Now the only thing left was to find somewhere quiet for them to say their vows.
We saw a break in the clouds on the south side of Innsbruck, and headed over that way to find the perfect location. In the meadows above the Inn valley, the clouds started to lift, and Maggie & Cass read their hand-written wedding vows to one another, with the climbing of cow bells in the distance.
Credits
Wedding Photography – Wild Connections Photography
Wedding Planner – Dreamotions
Registry Office – Innsbruck Standesamt
Sheep Farm – Maxnhof
These are soo beautiful! I love your tones so much!
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