Dolomites Elopement Photographer | How to plan your elopement in the Dolomites
The Dolomites, Italy
When you don’t know where to start planning your elopement in the Dolomites.
Here’s everything you should know!
How to decide on a date and place?
The Dolomites in northern Italy is a popular tourist location, so planning the right date and place is essential if you don’t want to end up in a crowd of people during your elopement.
Summer and winter season are the busiest in the Dolomites because it attracts tourists that want to go hiking and skiing. The busiest months to avoid are July/ August/ January/ February which luckily leaves enough room to pick a less busy month of the year.
If you do have your mind set on having your elopement in a busier month, you can have it at sunrise or less crowded weekdays. Most ski lifts are opening after 9 am (all year) so that’s when the crowds start coming up the mountains.
Where in the Dolomites?
Imagine taking in the epic mountain view all around you. The most amazing mountains in the Dolomites are pretty close to each other and most are easy to get to by ski lifts.
There’s lots of options to choose from in the area and most are within short a driving distance. I personally love researching and finding amazing locations for my couples, that’s why I have a personal Location Ideas List included in my photography elopement packages and they will be based on the scenery of your dreams.
What elopement vendors to choose?
Whether you want your elopement to be low key or fully styled choosing the right vendors is always hard. A good elopement vendor is open to your vision and ideas but also has the knowledge and experience to execute their service well, so you can enjoy your day without a worry.
In the Dolomites you can find a florist, officiant, hair stylist and make-up artist to help you on your day. A wedding photographer is also be important because your wedding day deserves to have every moment captured, so you can look back on every detailed moment of that day for years to come.
I believe it’s important to find a wedding photographer that you fit and connect with on a personal level. So you can have the time and space to have the most amazing and personal wedding day that is truly about you two without having to pose for photos.
Local vendor recommendations for your wedding location are included in my elopement photography packages. Just to give you some options and inspiration!
How do you elope in Italy?
If you want to get legally married in the Dolomites you need to have an officiant and the legal documents to elope in Italy. You can have a civil or catholic ceremony and foreigners are also allowed to get married in Italy.
All you need do is submit paperwork and request the local government to have your ceremony outdoors with two witnesses. The legal ceremonies have to be conducted by a local mayor or government official.
For the paperwork you need your passport, birth certificate, affidavit and submit a declaration of intent to marry. Most couple want to avoid the hassle and get legally married at their hometown and have a symbolical ceremony in Italy instead.
Whatever you choose, a wedding day is about devoting your love to one another and that’s what matters most! Some people want to have their beloved family and friends witnessing their elopement day. While others choose for it to be with just the two of them.
Whatever your personal preference is, either way this day will be a very intimate and long lasting experience for you both.
What to do on your elopement day in the Dolomites?
You can have an elopement adventure! If you like hiking and exploring, there are so many amazing sights in the Dolomites.
Most couples like to hike up a mountain in their wedding attire or change in their wedding clothes at the top of the mountain. And other couples like to do a picnic at a beautiful lake.
To make the ceremony special you can read out vows for each other and exchange rings. Whether you want traditional or personalized vows, it will definitely be an intimate and emotional moment for you two.
After the ceremony you can pop some champagne and make a toast to starting your life together. Do you have a special song together? Because you can still have your first dance together even if its outdoors or at the restaurant later. I can bring my music speaker and play your favorite song.
At the end of your day you can look back on the day while fine dining in an amazing Italian restaurant. (And it’s the best in the world) Or even have a small after party with cuddles by the fire place. That’s the fun of elopements, you can literally create a day filled with the things you love doing together!
I took these photos at Seceda, Val Gardena at sunset in August after a three hour hike together and we had so much fun!
Weddingdress by: Modeca
Do you want to learn more? You can read more about my elopement photography here!
Or check out my other blogs below.
ARE YOU READY TO CREATE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE?
If you want help creating your adventurous wedding day, find a unique location off the beaten path, help with planning your timeline, vendor recommendations, and a creative photography style on your adventurous day. I would love to be more than “just” your photographer and help you plan your adventure elopement or destination wedding!