Enchanting Micro-wedding in the Zillertal Alps

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Carrie & Alex didn’t want a big wedding. They wanted a day that felt like them: intimate, whimsical, and full of the people they love most. So they traded the traditional guest list for something smaller and rarer, an elopement in the Zillertal Alps, surrounded only by their closest family.

They pictured a fairy-tale backdrop, everyone dressed up to look their best, and a day that felt relaxed enough that everyone could be fully present. Lush mountains, water features, and a sense of enchantment were non-negotiable. As you’ll see below, Zillertal delivered on all counts.

What they got was a micro-wedding built entirely around meaning: handwritten vows, blessings from the family members gathered around them, and a last-minute bouquet rescued by two kind florists in Mayrhofen the day before the ceremony. Below, Carrie and Alex share the story in their own words, from the proposal to the vows to the advice they’d give any couple planning their own.

How did you get engaged?

Carrie was away, and I scattered rose petals all over our living room floor, lit candles, and set up some cameras to film and capture the moment. I paced the living room for about five minutes, nervous over what would soon transpire. As soon as Carrie walked through the door, she was stunned. Joy ensued. We were both so excited, and as she slowly crept in, she saw me and knew the moment was upon us. I got down on my knee and asked her to marry me.

Any funny stories leading up to your wedding day?

As we were trying to make last-minute preparations, we needed a bouquet and boutonniere. A ragtag crew got together to make the treacherous trip down the mountain to see what we could scrounge up. When we went into the first flower shop we found in Mayrhofen, we were met with disbelief that we had waited until the day before the wedding, and wanted such an order by the end of the day. Thankfully, the kindness and creativity of the florists came through. They created the wonderful works that are showcased in the pictures, and even lent us a vase for the day so we could keep everything fresh.

How did you decide on your location?

After touring some venues in our area, we got on the computer and started googling elopement locations. We wanted somewhere lush, green, and mountainous with water features. We ended up searching elopements in Austria, even though we had never been there before. Some of Cat’s photos popped up and her ability to capture the moments and tell a story through pictures sold us. The rest is history.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planning your wedding/elopement?

Finding accommodations for our big family was a challenge. We wanted to bring together each side of our families and we lucked out with House Brindling – one house that had two apartments in Hippach.

What is your favourite moment/memory from the day?

Alex: Exchanging our vows was an incredibly powerful moment for me. It was so meaningful to bear my heart to the woman I love!

Carrie: Torn between two moments. I really enjoyed the ceremony with our family members. Each of our loved ones shared sweet blessings over our union. I also can’t help but to remember the exchanging of our handwritten vows. It felt like a powerful moment.

Is there anything you are really glad you did? Or didn’t do?

We’re glad that we simplified the overall plan for the day so that it was relaxed. We were able to be present, enjoy the day, and fall more in love with each other.

What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?

Keep it simple. Figure out what would be most meaningful to you.

What was your favourite thing about working with Cat?

We always felt we could be very open with Cat. She’s warm, easy-going, and so encouraging. This allowed us to feel comfortable expressing every emotion on such an important day. She was both accommodating and honoring of our wishes. The entire experience felt custom to us–we felt very special throughout the whole process. When we look at these photos we are in awe of how beautifully she captured our love and the natural beauty of the Alps. Don’t hesitate to connect with Cat–you won’t regret it!!

About Their Day

Carrie & Alex decided to keep their elopement coverage to a half-day package. After some conversations back and forth, they decided that they would skip photos of getting ready and their dinner in the evening, and make use of the full 5 hours on location at the lake. This gave them time to fully immerse themselves in the location that they had chosen, and to spend time with their family as well as having enough time to steal away for a little hike and private vows, without ever needing to feel rushed.

Their Austrian Elopement Timeline

Their half-day elopement timeline was as follows:

2:30 pm – Alex arrives for first look
2:45 pm – Carrie arrives for first look
3:30 pm – Ceremony and family photos
5 pm – Alex & Carrie to depart on hike to location for private vows & picnic
7:30 pm – Return to trailhead & drive home (end of photos).