Snowy September Elopement in the Dolomites - Abbi & Nathan

Contents show

Disclaimer - Some posts on this website contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase using my links, which I'll almost certainly use to buy more skis and climbing gear.

In the run-up to Abbi & Nathan’s elopement in the Dolomites, nothing went to plan. The location that they had originally chosen for their sunrise spot had been closed all summer, so I suggested switching to a different nearby location. But that wasn’t the only change we needed to deal with. It felt like every time I mapped out a new itinerary, something else happened. Road closures due to maintenance work, area closures for military exercises, and over 50cm of new snow and near-freezing temperatures forced me to re-plan their elopement itinerary multiple times. I didn’t want to keep sending them new itineraries, only to change them just hours later. So just days before they were due to say I do, I asked them to trust me. After spending months getting to know them as a couple and learning about their elopement dreams, I knew I could give them an unforgettable day. It would just be different to the one they had been picturing in their minds for the last few months…

Their Story

How did you get engaged?

We took a trip to Iceland in May 2023 during which we were driving around the ring road in a campervan. We got to the campground at Skogafoss around 8 or 9pm and had planned to go to Kvernufoss the next morning (where Nathan was planning to propose). We checked the forecast for the next day and saw that it was going to be raining all morning so we decided to go check out Kvernufoss that evening instead. It ended up being perfect that way because we were the only ones there and were able to enjoy the peaceful and happy evening together at a beautiful location. Weather plays a common theme here in disrupting our carefully made plans but allowing us to embrace and find joy in the unexpected.

Any funny stories leading up to your wedding day?

We very carefully planned our trip’s itinerary for the Dolomites, including restaurant reservations with our families. Staying in San Cassiano, we were excited for a dinner in Cortina d’Ampezzo the night before, expecting a smooth 45-minute drive. But then an unexpected road closure transformed our drive into an almost two-hour adventure that made us question our life choices.

By the time we finally arrived to our hotel, it was much later than expected, and I was in a full-on panic about getting some sleep before my 2:30am hair and makeup. Nathan ended up drying my hair for me while I fumbled around with gluing on my press-on nails. It was a bit chaotic in our hotel room at 11:00pm and looked like a tornado had rampaged the bathroom, but we got to put our teamwork to the test one last time before our big day.

How did you decide on your location?

After we got engaged, we started working on planning a traditional wedding, but quickly realized that we didn’t really feel excited about the options we were seeing. We decided to poke around the internet and see what types of elopements people do without really expecting it to go anywhere, but when we stumbled upon the Dolomites we just had the feeling right away that it was what we were looking for. Making the decision felt surreal and honestly a little crazy, but the more we thought about it the more we realized that it was perfect for us. I grew up hiking with my mom, who I lost a few years ago, and I find peace and a connection with her while hiking in nature. Nathan grew up traveling the world with his family and loves to explore new places. These are passions that we have shared with each other over the course of our relationship and have developed mutual loves for. Eloping in the Dolomites combined this love of hiking and exploring and seeking new adventures together and we can’t imagine a more perfect place to have landed on.

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

The planning for our elopement was surprisingly smooth until just five days before the big day. As we prepared to fly to Venice, we checked the weather forecast and found out that an unexpected cold front and snowstorm were heading through the Dolomites. Suddenly, I found myself on a last-minute hunt for the perfect puffer jacket to somehow complement my wedding dress, while Cat was busy brainstorming alternative locations based on the changing conditions.

After we settled on a new itinerary, Nathan noticed a road closure on Google Maps that would lengthen our driving time significantly. Although Cat had been driving that road without issues all week, she decided to double-check, only to find out that the road was set to close the day before our elopement—affecting all of our planned locations.

In that moment of uncertainty, Cat asked if we trusted her. We took a leap of faith, tossed our original itinerary aside, and allowed her to craft a completely new plan for us. On the day of the elopement, we were blown away by her instincts for finding new locations that would make for an incredible view. That plus she came prepared with spikes so that we could send it up an icy muddy mountain for an epic adventure. Despite the initial stress, everything turned out beautifully, and we have no regrets about putting our trust in Cat. In fact, she later revealed that she was still fine-tuning the plan that very morning!

What is your favourite moment/memory from the day?

Once we reached the top of Pordoi Pass, we got to have fun with a little dance party and run through the snow with breathtaking 360º views all around us. We were able to just have a good time together and let go of everything else while getting to appreciate the beauty of where we were.

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

We’re really glad we didn’t let stress take over our day. We chose to elope because we wanted to do things our way and avoid the formalities of a traditional wedding. If we’d had a big wedding with a lot of vendors and guests, I think last-minute changes would have thrown us for a loop. But with just a small group, we could roll with whatever happened and focus on what truly mattered.

The smaller setup also meant we didn’t feel the pressure to put on a show for anyone else. It was all about us, which made the day feel so much more genuine. We were able to enjoy our time together without worrying about pleasing a crowd, and it was nice knowing Cat was there to capture our real moments. Overall, it was just the kind of day we wanted—relaxed and filled with love!

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

If Cat proposes a new location with no photos of other couples there or asks you to trust her to come up with a surprise itinerary for the day, just say yes, even if it sounds scary and stressful. The unknown of what we were going to do added to the adventure, and we had so much fun. I am not the type of person that usually says yes without knowing the full plan, but the weather and road closures forced me out of my comfort zone and I am so glad that it did.

Trust her!

What was your favourite thing about working with Cat?

Working with Cat was an awesome experience, and one of our favorite aspects was her deep knowledge of the area. It was clear she had explored the best spots, and her appreciation for the outdoors shone through in both her photos and her attitude. She instinctively knew where to go for the most stunning views, which made our photos not only beautiful but also a true reflection of our love for nature.

Another standout quality was how effortlessly she made us feel comfortable throughout the day. Despite having another person there, we were able to stay in the moment and truly enjoy our time together. Cat’s friendly demeanor and open communication created a relaxed atmosphere, allowing us to focus on each other rather than the camera. Plus, Nathan’s random culture and geography questions kept the mood light, and it was impressive how Cat handled them with enthusiasm and insight. It felt like we were hanging out with a friend who just happened to be capturing our special day, and that made all the difference.