How to plan an Elopement in Switzerland
Eloping in the Swiss Alps is a dream for many couples - breathtaking mountains, serene lakes and magical valleys that feel like they were made just for you. But planning an elopement in this stunning setting can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re coming from abroad. Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Here’s a step-by-step guide with practical tips to make your Swiss elopement unforgettable, calm, and deeply personal.
1: Define the Structure of your elopement
Before picking a specific location, we define how you imagine your day structured.
Concrete questions to ask yourselves:
Are you eloping just the two of you, or with:
Parents only?
Immediate family?
A few close friends (under 10)?
Do you want:
A simple ceremony + photos
Or a full experience with getting ready, exploring, celebrating?
How physically demanding should the day be?
No hiking
Short, easy walk
Moderate hike
Do you want the day to feel:
Calm & slow
Adventurous
Emotional & intimate
Chic and elevated
Once this is clear, I can immediately narrow down which regions, locations, and timelines make sense for you.
2. Choosing the location
Switzerland is packed with breathtaking elopement locations, but not every spot fits every couple. When selecting a location, you’ll want to consider:
Accessibility: Some mountaintops require cable cars, hikes, or long drives. I’ll help you choose places that match your comfort level and energy.
Privacy: Early mornings, off-season dates, or hidden trails can make your ceremony feel completely intimate.
Landscape & light: Different landscapes provide different moods, jagged peaks create dramatic, cinematic images, while green valleys feel soft and romantic. I’ll guide you to locations that suit your style and timing.
Backup plans: Mountains are unpredictable. I’ll suggest alternative spots for rain or clouds so your day stays beautiful no matter what.
Examples of iconic spots :
3. Deciding the flow of your day
Elopements can be as short or as full as you like, the key is pacing it so you feel relaxed. Some options include for example:
Short & intimate: Ceremony + portraits (2–3 hours). Perfect for couples wanting a simple, heartfelt day.
Half-day adventure: Getting ready, ceremony, portraits, and time to explore (4–6 hours).
Full-day experience: Getting ready, ceremony, portraits, adventure, lunch with your loved ones, and golden-hour photos (8+ hours).
I’ll help you decide which flow matches your style, energy, and the location you choose.
4: Vendors : who you might need
Elopements don’t require many vendors, but the right ones make a huge difference.
Depending on your wishes, I can help you plan and coordinate:
Celebrant
For symbolic or guided ceremonies
Optional: many couples choose to exchange vows privately
Florist
Bouquet or floral elements, designed to withstand mountain conditions
Easy pickup or delivery options
Hair & Makeup Artist
On-location or at your accommodation
Experienced with early mornings and mountain environments
Natural, timeless styles that last all day
Cake / Picnic / Champagne
Small cake or picnic/lunch setup
Simple, portable, and location-appropriate
You can choose how involved you want to be : from selecting options yourself to letting me guide the process entirely.
5. Planning the Ceremony
Even for small elopements, the ceremony is the heart of the day. Together, we’ll decide:
Location : On a cliff, by a lake, under a tree, or on a quiet trail.
Celebrant or symbolic ceremony: Some couples hire a celebrant, others write personal vows and perform a symbolic ritual.
Practical details : chairs or standing ? music or acoustic silence? loved ones speeches?
Personal touches: custom booklet, flowers, rings,… choose small details that are meaningful to you.
💡 Tip: Keep it simple : meaningful details matter more than extravagant decor, especially in the mountains where nature is the backdrop.
6: Outfits, shoes & what to bring
Eloping in the Alps comes with practical considerations. Together we plan:
Which shoes you wear for:
Walking
Ceremony
Photos
Where and when you change shoes if needed
How to carry:
Jackets
Water
Rings
Vow books
I’ll tell you exactly what to bring!
7: Timing the day (light, crowds & weather)
Timing is one of the most important parts and one you don’t have to manage.
We plan around:
Best light (I usually recommend early morning or evening, to have a soft golden light)
Crowd patterns (some places are empty at 7am and packed at 10am)
Seasonal conditions:
Snow vs green meadows
Cable car schedules
Weather flexibility
I build the timeline so that if clouds roll in or plans shift, the day still flows naturally.
8: Travel, accommodation & logistics
You don’t need to figure out Swiss logistics on your own.
We consider:
Where you stay the night before
Train vs car access
Cable car timing
Where to meet and finish the day
9: What you actually do on the Day
This is what couples love hearing:
You don’t worry about time
You don’t check Google Maps
You don’t watch the weather forecast
You don’t manage guests
You show up.
You connect.
You experience the mountains.
I guide, adjust, photograph, and plan in real time!
A note on “Rules” : there aren’t any!
One of the most important things to understand about eloping in the Swiss Alps is this:
There is no right or wrong way to elope.
There is only what feels right to you.
An elopement doesn’t have to look a certain way to be meaningful.
You can hike to a mountaintop at sunrise, or take a cable car and walk five minutes.
You can exchange vows in silence or laugh, cry, and celebrate loudly.
You can keep it simple or turn it into a full-day experience.
If you want to rent a small boat on a mountain lake, jump for a swim and share a piece of cake, that’s completely up to you!
That is not “wrong” or “less meaningful.”
That is your elopement.
My role isn’t to fit you into a predefined format, it’s to help you shape a day that reflects who you are, while making sure it works practically, safely, and beautifully in the mountains.
You bring:
Your story
Your wishes
Your love
I take care of:
Locations
Timing
Flow
Logistics
And capturing it all honestly and beautifully
So your only job is to live it!
Planning your own micro-wedding in the Alps?
Whether you're dreaming of an intimate elopement for two or a small wedding surrounded by close loved ones, the Alps offer a breathtaking and meaningful backdrop to say “I do.”
I’m Mathilde and as a photographer based in Switzerland, I specialize in capturing intimate, emotional weddings and elopements in wild, beautiful places. If this kind of celebration speaks to your heart, I’d love to help you tell your story.
