How To Plan An Epic Elopement In Switzerland

for nature lovers & adventurous souls ~

So you’ve made the big decision to elope in Switzerland, but you have no idea where to start…

Hey, I’m Gabriela!

I’m an adventure elopement + micro wedding photographer, that’s deeply passionate about the art of photography and creating incredible experiences + meaningful memories for my couples, in the most wild and epic places.

If you’ve landed here, you are likely imagining what your elopement could look like, in one of the most breathtaking countries in the world — Switzerland.

Switzerland is full of spectacular landscapes… from the iconic Swiss Alps to stunning meadows, quaint towns, and bodies of water everywhere you look! It is a one of a kind location and will make an unforgettable destination for your elopement.

If you want to learn more about how to plan an elopement in Switzerland, continue reading below…

How to start planning your Switzerland elopement…

I am here not only as your photographer, but as your co-planner. I will help you find the perfect spot to exchange your vows, craft a day with intention, and help you include other vendors + activities to make your elopement more than just your vows — but a memorable experience.

Here is a quick checklist to help you get started planning your Switzerland elopement:

Decide on a season and date
Book your Switzerland elopement photographer
Decide on an elopement location in Switzerland
Begin visualizing the details and imagining. your elopement experience
Book travel and lodging
Book your Switzerland elopement vendors
Decide on elopement activities and finalize your timeline
Gather necessary wedding + travel documents
Commit your lives to each other in Switzerland!

Let’s dive a little deeper into each of these steps below…

Best time of year to elope in Switzerland

SPRING: Spring in Switzerland can be a bit unpredictable as the climate changes from winter to summer. But late spring is a beautiful time to elope, as the glacier melt makes lakes a saturated blue color and waterfalls pop up everywhere!

SUMMER: Summer is the high season for visiting Switzerland, and for good reason! All trails and resorts are open and the wildflowers are in full bloom. The weather is temperate and beautiful. However, thunderstorms can occasionally roll in by the late afternoon, so a morning elopement would be a safe choice.

FALL: Fall is an ideal time to elope in Switzerland, and my favorite season personally. By this time the busy tourist bustle has slowed, but the views do not disappoint. The larches change from a green, to a vibrant yellow, and then a saturated orange by mid-October. It’s a landscape you don’t want to miss! Because this is a slower season, you are also more likely to be able to secure venues and the vendors you need with ease.

WINTER: Winter elopements offer a wide range of activities and spectacular, snow-capped mountain backdrops everywhere you turn. Activities include skiing, sledding, and ice skating. Switzerland is known for its beautiful winter resorts — a perfect place to cozy up together in a European chalet and relax by the fire or in a hot tub.

Finding your Switzerland elopement photographer

Hiring an elopement photographer should be next on your list in the planning process, because they can assist you with everything to follow. Even if your date hasn’t been decided, but you know what season you’d like, they can help you narrow it down.

That’s where I come in!

Not only will you have beautiful and meaningful images to look back on, you also get…

+ Personalized planning assistance from beginning to end to bring your dreams and vision to life!

+ Virtual and in-person scouting to ensure we find the perfect spot for you to exchange your vows.

+ Vendor recommendations like officiants, florists, hair and makeup artists, etc. (English speaking)

+ A custom timeline for your day to make sure we can document everything at a relaxed and comfortable pace, without missing any of the big or small details.

+ Unlimited access to me to answer questions you may have along the way and to build a friendship together before the big day.

+ A convenient online gallery of high-resolution, edited images that can easily be shared with family and friends.

+ A sneak peek preview within one week.

+ A final gallery of images that tell your unique love story, in an artistic way, with Switzerland as an unforgettable backdrop.

My packages include half day or full/multi-day elopement photography coverage, along with all of the above!

Packages begin at $7,900

And here’s another bonus, for the nostalgic couple…

You’ll receive 5-10 polaroid images that you can take with you at the end of the day, as a keepsake and tangible memory of the unforgettable commitment you just made.

Why do I offer this to all of my couples?

There’s beauty and sentimentality involved with polaroid film that allows you to have instant, physical images. Polaroids also create feelings of nostalgia and the artistry of imperfection.

Instant film also allows you to have something you can share right away with loved ones that could not be present for your wedding. You can honeymoon with photos that can’t be replicated and never lose significance.

Flash back to your wedding day with a one-of-a-kind form of documentation.

Where to elope in Switzerland

This is one of the number one questions I’m asked when it comes to eloping. Here are just a few suggestions as you begin your search…

APPENZELL: This village town is an amazing choice for your Switzerland elopement, because it isn’t swamped with tourists, but is surrounded by alpine lakes, an idyllic countryside, waterfalls, and more! It’s also an amazing location to see Swiss traditions and rustic views.

INTERLAKEN: This part of Switzerland is lake dominated, making it a picturesque location to exchange your vows. It’s a charming place with stunning castle venues and mountain views everywhere you look.

LUCERNE: Lucerne is a great choice to get the best of both worlds. Not only is it a lavish and beautiful town, but it’s covered in charming lakeside towns and only roughly an hour from the Alps. You can experience both history, culture, and good food here along with stunning landscapes.

ZERMATT: Zermatt is a renowned mountain resort that offers lots of activities and is home to the Matterhorn landmark! It’s considered the symbol of Switzerland. While you could choose to make the trek right up to the summit, eloping down below will give you an iconic backdrop for your vows.

TICINO: If you want to experience feeling of two countries being blended into one, Ticino is for you. This part of Switzerland borders with Italy and therefore has been greatly influenced by the Italian culture and even the landscape. Featuring vineyards, palm trees, amazing hiking, and glacial lakes.

ZURICH: Zurich is a large city and is likely the airport you will fly into. It’s a beautiful place featuring “old-town” charm, alongside modern architecture and world-class innovation. Not to mention, it sits alongside Lake Zurich, making it nestled amidst a gorgeous landscape with nature nearby.

These locations are just a start to give you ideas. As we start shaping what you want your day to look like, we can co-create an incredible experience that feels authentic and special to you!

Marriage in Switzerland as a Foreigner

While you certainly can elope in Switzerland, you cannot get legally married there. Only residents of Switzerland can. However, you can hold a symbolic or commitment ceremony. You would handle the legal paperwork back at home with a civil ceremony, but have the freedom to craft the epic wedding day experience you’ve been dreaming of in Switzerland, without the legalities and stress that comes with it.

You can still have an officiant present to conduct a ceremony to include local traditions if you’d like, or you can exchange private vows between just the two of you.

Your timeline & vendors

I will assist you with creating a custom timeline that factors in travel time, locations, tourist traffic, logistics, etc. so that your day can be a seamless and stress-free experience!

You won’t have to worry about finding other vendors that you may need, because I can connect you with English-speaking local vendors like hair stylists, makeup artists, florists, officiants, and anyone else so that your day can be the vision that you’ve been dreaming up.

By the time the big day arrives, your only job will be to commit your lives to each other and enjoy all of the planning we put in to craft a meaningful elopement experience, in breathtaking Switzlerand!