The Ultimate Austria Elopement Guide: Everything You Need to Know (2025)
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I’m in love with Austria. But that’s probably not a surprise because that’s why I moved here from the UK in 2011 and became an elopement photographer. Austria is a hugely overlooked destination when it comes to planning an elopement in the Alps. Most people look at the Swiss Alps and the Dolomites first, as they are perhaps better known worldwide. But there are so many reasons to elope in Austria, and more specifically, the Austrian Alps. I believe that the Austrian Alps are definitely somewhere you need to consider if you are looking for a mountain elopement in Europe, so I’ve created this guide for you to help you plan your dream wedding in the mountains.
01.
Why Choose Austria
Discover why Austria might just be the perfect destination for an elopement or intimate wedding.
02.
Legal Marriage Requirements
Find out how to get legally married in Austria as a foreigner, including where you can marry and what paperwork you need.
03.
Where & When
Let me share with you my favourite elopement locations across Austria, as well as the best times of year to elope in Austria.
04.
Austria Travel Tips
Tips and advice from a local on travelling to Austria and getting around once you’re here.
Why Elope in Austria?
There are sooo many reasons to choose Austria as your elopement destination, but if you’re going to make me pick, these are the top reasons I think Austria is the perfect place to say “I do”
Six Great
Reasons to elope in Austria
Getting Married in Austria
Whether you choose to have a legally recognized civil ceremony or opt for a symbolic commitment ceremony, here are some things to know about getting married in Austria.
Can Foreigners Get Married In Austria?
Legal Marriage Ceremonies In Austria
In Austria, the only option for a legally recognized marriage is a civil ceremony. Civil ceremonies are conducted by a local Standesamt (registry office), which is usually housed inside the local council building. A civil ceremony in Austria is usually short and very “official”. They usually last around 20 minutes and are conducted in German.
For LGBTQ Couples – Austria Has Marriage Equality
Since January 2019, same-sex couples have been able to legally marry in Austria – yay! And even more great news is that you don’t need to be Austrian, or a resident in Austria to get married here. You just need to submit the required paperwork to the local standesamt in the district where you want to get married before your appointment.
What documents do you need?
To get married in Austria, you must present the Standesamt with proof of your eligibility to marry and proof of no impediment. You must submit these documents to the local Standesamt no earlier than six months before your requested wedding date.
Although each Standesamt has its own specific requirements, as a general rule, the following documents are required, in original or certified copies, which must be accompanied by a translated copy in German from an Austrian state-certified translator (Dolmetscher). For some documents an apostille may also be required.
- Passport
- Full birth certificate which includes the names of both parents
- Certificate of No Impediment
- Proof of residency (e.g. Driver’s license with address)
When registering your intent to marry at the Standesamt, they will ask what surnames you will take after the marriage, so you’ll need to have decided this when submitting your paperwork before the wedding.
Insider Tip: If you want to have a civil marriage in Austria, I recommend contacting the local Standesamt (registry office) in the location you want to get married. They will be able to walk you through the exact requirements of what paperwork you need to submit, when and where to submit it, and whether they require you to hire an external interpreter (as some locations are stricter than others on what is required).
Here are some examples of elopements in Austria that included a legal ceremony:
Common Questions about
Getting Married in Austria
Other common questions about having a legally recognized marriage ceremony in Austria
Symbolic
Elopement Ceremonies in Austria
Fewer couples are choosing to have the standesamt ceremony in Austria on the same day as their elopement. More couples are choosing to sign the legal paperwork in their home country before travelling to Austria or having the standesamt ceremony the day before.
Going down this route means that you are free to plan your elopement day exactly as you want, without the restrictions of all the legal stuff. With the boring, legal bit taken care of, the day is free for you to have the best adventure of your lives. If your dream is to hike up a mountain, have a picnic by an alpine lake and say your vows to one another at sunset, you can absolutely do that!
You could choose to have a celebrant conduct a ceremony for you in your chosen location, bring your closest friends and family to officiate, or plan a private vow reading with just the two of you. The beauty is that possibilities are endless.
Linked below you can find some examples of weddings in Austria that didn’t include a legal ceremony:
Austria Elopement Locations & Activities
Living in the Austrian Alps for almost 15 years, I’m an Austria elopement expert. That’s because I spend all my free time outside hiking, skiing, climbing and exploring all around Tyrol. Whilst I keep my absolute favourite locations secret and only share them with the couples that book me, there are a number of areas that I think are must-see places in Austria. There are also some that, in my honest opinion, are slightly overrated, but I’ll come to that in more detail below.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is often called as the “Capital of the Alps” sitting nestled in the heart of Austria, close to the borders of Germany and Italy.
Innsbruck is so much more than just a beautiful city nestled between mountains. It’s the gateway to a wider region that includes Olympic ski resorts, beautiful alpine villages, and easily accessible hiking trails.
Tirol (Tyrol)
If you’re dreaming of a wedding day that feels wild, raw, and breathtakingly beautiful, Tirol is your place. This rugged corner of the Austrian Alps is all about epic peaks, hidden lakes, and alpine meadows. Tirol is made for couples who crave adventure, breathtaking scenery, and alpine charm.
Some of my favourite locations in Tirol include the Stubai valley, Achensee lake, the Karwendel nature park, and the Pitztal valley.
Salzburg Region
Salzburg’s mountains might not be as dramatic as those in Tirol, but they are still incredibly beautiful. Picture rolling hills, historic castles, and large lakes.
If you’re dreaming of a Sound of Music-inspired elopement, this is your place!
Hallstatt
Hallstatt is undeniably beautiful. This village inspired a Disney movie, with its lakeside setting and wooden houses. And while it is stunning, I don’t recommend it for elopements.
In recent years, many popular photo spots have even been blocked off by locals who are frustrated by the overwhelming tourism. If you’re hoping for a more private and relaxed elopement day, I’d love to help you discover some lesser-known spots that are just as beautiful — and far more peaceful.
Which Season is best?
When to Elope in Austria
Austria still enjoys four distinct seasons, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. When choosing your dream elopement location, one of the most important things to consider is the season, as many locations are seasonal.
Spring in Austria
April – May – June
Spring in the Austrian Alps doesn’t follow a predictable schedule. It typically arrives later than in lowland areas, sometimes not beginning until late April or May when the snow finally starts to melt. Once it arrives, spring often transitions quickly into summer-like conditions, sometimes lasting only a few weeks. This makes planning challenging, as the weather and landscape can vary significantly from year to year. During this brief season, you’ll find a mix of melting snow at higher elevations while lower valleys begin to green up and bloom.
Summer in Austria
June – July – August
Summer in the Austrian Alps runs roughly from June through early September, though it varies by elevation. It isn’t just hiking season in the Alps. It’s when everything comes alive. Tourists and locals spend their days out and about in the mountains. Summer offers lush green meadows filled with wildflowers, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and excellent hiking conditions on accessible mountain trails.
Fall in Austria
September – October – November
Autumn (or fall if you’re one of my American friends) starts around mid-September and stays into November (again, depending on the elevation). It isn’t just hiking season in the Alps. It’s when everything comes alive. Tourists and locals spend their days out and about in the mountains. Summer offers lush green meadows filled with wildflowers, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and excellent hiking conditions on accessible mountain trails.
Winter in Austria
December – January – February – March – April
For most people, winter in the Austrian Alps means ski season, and towns and villages that are relatively calm and quiet throughout most of the year suddenly fill up with winter sports enthusiasts. Ski season typically begins shortly before Christmas, and usually continues until mid-April, depending on snow conditions. But winter isn’t only for fans of winter sports. There’s so much to do in Austria in the winter outside of skiing.
Things to do
Austria elopement Activities
Choosing your elopement location might be heavily influenced by the activities you want to include in your elopement (and in the days around it). Here are just a few ideas of activities you can include in your elopement to make the day feel more personal to you:
Summer Activities
Hiking & Trail Running
Austria has hiking trails for all abilities and experience levels, from wheelchair-friendly valley trails to challenging technical summits.
Biking
Whether you’re into road cycling or mountain biking, you’ll be spoiled for choice. We’ve got classic road routes from races like the Tour of the Alps and World Cup downhill MTB trails.
Climbing & Via Ferrata
Lead climbing, bouldering, trad climbing, and via ferrata (called Klettersteig in Austria) are all popular in Austria. You’ll find countless route options for all levels. And for those bad weather days, we’ve also got some world-class climbing gyms too.
Wild Swimming
Take a swim in one of our beautiful lakes or a cold plunge in a mountain stream (if you’re brave enough).
Paragliding
Take to the skies on a random paraglider and see the mountains from a completely new perspective.
Kayaking, Rafting & SUP
Enjoy the thrill of white water rafting or go for a peaceful SUP on a calm mountain lake.
Picnic
Elopement adventures don’t need to be all adrenaline. Why not hike to a scenic spot and enjoy a picnic as you take in the views.
Mountain Hut Visit – Lunch or Overnight
Visit a traditional mountain hut for lunch, or for the adventurous, consider sleeping overnight in one.
Alpaka Hiking
Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the mountain landscapes with a furry friend.
Farmers Market
Visit a local farmers market and try some local produce, such as cured meats, cheeses, and schnapps.
Winter Activities
Skiing & Snowboarding
Austria has some of the most famous ski areas in the world, with epic skiing and snowboarding. We’ve also got cross-country skiing tracks in many areas.
Showshoe Hiking
For those who don’t ski but want to get deep into the mountains, snowshoe hiking can be a great way to reach more remote locations in winter.
Winter walking
Don’t want to work up a sweat? Then choose a winter walking trail. These trails are usually flatter and suitable for all abilities.
Sledding / Tobogganing
The Austrians love to enjoy a drink at the top of a mountain, then race back down on a toboggan.
Ice Skating
Many towns have outdoor ice rinks during the winter
Dog Sledding
Enjoy the thrill of being carried along by a team of sled dogs as you race through the snowy landscape.
Horse-drawn Sleigh ride
Take a quiet trip through the winter landscape on a horse-drawn carriage ride.
Christmas Markets
Nothing will get you more in the festive mood than wandering the streets of a Christmas market with a cup of glühwein in your hands.
Ice Climbing
Experienced ice climbers will find lots of amazing waterfall ice in Tirol. And for novice climbers, there are also taster-sessions to try it for the first time.
Paragliding
Paragliding isn’t just a summer activity. You can do it in winter too!
Common Questions about
Choosing When & Where
Choosing your elopement date and location isn’t always a straightforward process. Sometimes it’s a compromise between finding a location that works with your availability, or otherwise planning your elopement date around when is the best time in your preferred location.
Austria Travel Tips
With Austria being centrally location in Europe, it benefits from incredible travel connections.
Travel In Austria
Travelling to Austria
Austria has a number of international airports, with the largest in Vienna. Vienna is the only airport in Austria that has incoming flights from outside of Europe, but once you’re there, you’ve got amazing rail connections around the country which will get you to most of the places you might want to visit. However, if it’s a wedding in the Alps that you are dreaming of, flying to Innsbruck, Salzburg, or Munich are your best options.
Check connections on Skyscanner and look for last-minute deals on Flight Guru.
Travelling Around In Austria
Austria has amazing public transport. It’s super-efficient and you’ll be able to get almost anywhere by train and bus, even to some of the more remote ski resorts. However, for total flexibility, I highly recommend renting a car. Austria is part of the Schengen area, so it’s easy to drive to from other countries in Europe.
The major car rental companies Avis, Europcar, Sixt and Hertz all have offices in Austria, as well as a couple of regional companies such as Buchbinder. However, you can often find the best car rental deals via broker sites such Holiday Autos and Auto Europe rather than booking directly with them.
If you are driving in from another country and you want to drive on the motorway in Austria, you’ll need to buy a vignette. You’ll see signs for places you can buy these when you get close to the Austrian border. Most cities, towns and many larger ski resorts have taxis, but they can be quite expensive. At the time of writing this guide, there is Uber in Vienna but it isn’t common in other areas of Austria yet.
For planning train travel within Austria, use the Austrian rail website OEBB for train times and tickets.
If you are planning your elopement in Austria and then honeymooning in the rest of Europe, you might want to consider a Eurail pass. These are multi-country passes that you can buy for the train networks based on your individual itinerary.
Planning Your Trip To Austria
There are some great online resources for planning your trip to Austria. All of the different states in Austria have their own tourist office websites, and in Tirol and Salzburg, where tourism is a huge part of the economy, almost every valley/ski resort has their own website with tips for planning your trip. Below are the main tourist office websites for Austria and the different states:
Visit Austria Website
Tyrol – Tirol
Salzburg
Vienna
Styria
Vorarlberg
Upper Austria
Burgenland
Lower Austria
Carinthia
Austria Elopement Costs
Breaking down some of the costs of an elopement in Austria.
Things to Consider when
Plannning your Elopement Budget
Planning how much you want to spend on your element isn’t just incredibly personal, but it’s also pretty subjective. What is considered “budget” for some people may be a luxury for others. That being said, an elopement is almost always going to cost less than a traditional wedding, primarily because you’re not feeding and entertaining a large group of people.
Below I’ve tried to include some rough breakdowns of the costs of different types of elopements, but excluding the major travel expenses such as flights (because these vary too much depending on where you are traveling from).
Within every elopement there’s the option to save money on some aspects and splurge on things you really want – but for every couple, that’s different.
Budget Elopement Costs
Keeping things simple
Having a budget elopement doesn’t mean you can’t have a bit of luxury, but you’re keeping things simple. You can save money by thrifting your outfits, skipping decorations such as flowers, having a symbolic ceremony with just the two of you, and doing your own hair & makeup.
Depending on which items you choose to spend or save on, you can estimate spending between €6,500 – €8,000 for a budget elopement in Austria.
Here’s an example:
Photographer (half day) – €5000
Budget hotel (3 nights) – €450
Dinner out on wedding day – €150
Outfits (thrifted) – €500
Picnic food – €25
DIY Hair & Makeup – €0
Symbolic ceremony – €0
Total: €7000
Mid-Range Elopement Costs
Including Some Little Luxuries
Mid-range elopements may be longer in their duration, or might include some more nice-to-have details such as flowers or a cake.
Depending on which items you choose to spend or save on, you can estimate spending between €8000 – €12,000 for a mid-range elopement in Austria.
Here’s an example:
Photographer (full day) – €7500
Mid-range hotel with spa (3 Nights) – €750
Dinner out on wedding day – €350
Outfits – €1500
Lunch in mountain restaurant – €50
Hair & Makeup – €500
Flowers – €100
Small cake from local bakery – €50
Personalized vow books – €50
Mountain lift tickets – €80
Symbolic ceremony – €0
Total: €10,930
Luxury Elopement Costs
Treating Yourselves to an unforgettable Experience
Luxury is definitely in the eye of the beholder. For some couples luxury might be dinner in a Michelin star restaurant, while for others it might be a more simple elopement but across multiple days. Below I’ve broken down a number of options for what you might include in a luxury elopement in Austria.
Depending on which items you choose to spend or save on, you can estimate spending between €12,000 – €35,000 for a luxury elopement in Austria.
Here’s an example:
Photographer (two days) – €10,000
Private luxury chalet (3 Nights) – €5000
Private chef on wedding night – €3500
Outfits – €5000
Wedding planner – €3500
Hair & Makeup – €500
Flowers (bouquet, boutonniere & flowers for table) – €1000
Cake – €150
Personalized vow books – €50
Mountain lift tickets – €80
Celebrant for symbolic ceremony – €500
Regustry office fee for legal ceremony – €400
Mountain hut overnight stay + dinner – €250
Helicopter tour – €3000
Total: €32,930
Your Elopement Photography
Austria Elopement Packages
Your Austrian elopement isn’t complete without the right photographer to capture this incredible adventure for you.
My Austrian elopement photography packages start at €5000 for half-day coverage. All packages include:
You’ll want to have an experienced elopement photographer who is also a local expert, and that’s where I come in! I’m a multi-award-winning adventure wedding & elopement photographer, and I’m based in Innsbruck, in the heart of the Austrian Alps. As a local expert, I’m here to help guide you through the whole process of planning your elopement in the Austrian Alps.
Step-by-Step Planning Guide
Taking the next steps on your Austria elopement adventure.
breaking it down
how to plan your Austria elopement
No elopement planning journey looks exactly the same for each couple. While some people take over a year to plan their elopement, others may do it in a matter of weeks.
Below, I’ve broken down the major milestones that most couples cross when planning their elopement in Austria, however, this isn’t always a linear process, so don’t obsess if you end up doing some of these steps in a different order.
01.
Pick your season & general location
The first step in planning is to sit down together and decide what your overall vision is for your elopement. Do you want to elope alone or with some friends or family with you?
Try to narrow down a rough timeframe or a general area based on your vision. This helps you in the next step when searching for your key vendors.
02.
Hire your primary Vendors
Search for your key vendors who are local experts in the area that you are looking at for your elopement. In the initial stages the key vendors are your photographer and possibly an elopement planner.
Now is a good time to also consider if you want to get legally married in Austria or have a symbolic ceremony.
03.
Choose Your Location
Once you’ve hired your key vendors, they will help you narrow down the search for your dream location/s. Use their expertise and guidance to choose a location that fits your elopement vision.
Hold-off booking anything else (such as travel or other vendors) until you’ve narrowed down your location.
04.
Book Your Travel & Accommodation
I recommend only starting to book your travel and accommodation after your’ve narrowed down your elopement location. Otherwise you run the risk of booking a hotel that might be amazing, but is inconveniently located for the locations you want to visit for your elopement.
05.
Plan your Activities & Timeline
Now that you know your where and when, work together with your planning team to start mapping out how the day is going to unfold. This helps you understand how everything will fit together, and what things you might need.
06.
Finalize other vendors
Now that you’ve got most of the important details figured out, now is a great time to reach out to any other vendors that you might want to include in your elopement day, such as a celebrant, videographer or makeup artist.
07.
Shop for wedding outfits & Details
I recommend waiting until you know how you’ll be spending your elopement day before you go shopping. There’s nothing worse than realizing the outfit you ordered is unsuitable for what you’ve got planned.
If you are planning on ordering something custom made, you may need to do it earlier.
08.
Submit Your Paperwork
If you are planning on having a civil ceremony, you’ll need to submit your documents no earlier than 6 months before your wedding day. These may need to be shipped overseas, translated, and/or authenticated so you’ll need to allocate time for that too.
Don’t forget to check if you need any travel visas too.
09.
Final Preparations
It’s the final countdown. Now is the time to start thinking about all the things you need to pack, make sure you’ve ticked off all of the major milestones in your planning, and start getting ready for your big adventure.
I recommend checking in with all of your vendors around 1 month before your elopement do confirm the final plans.
10.
Have an Epic Elopement
When your elopement day comes around, make sure to slow down and be present. Sometimes even the best made plans need to change or something unexpected happens. Remember why you chose to get married in Austria and enjoy spending every moment of this unforgettable adventure with your love.
Common Questions about
Elopement Planning
Are you ready for your adventure?
Start planning your Austria elopement today
