Two-Day Elopement in Austria
TWO DAYS, TWO UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES, AND A DEEP CONNECTION – THE LOVE FOR NATURE, THE LOVE FOR THE MOUNTAINS.
Exactly that was evident with Victoria & Fabian right from the beginning. This shared, profound connection they both have with the surrounding mountains. Therefore, it didn't come as a surprise to us when the two of them told us about their plans one evening. A ceremony with their closest family, surrounded by towering mountains on the first day, and a sunrise hike with personal vows at over 2,300 meters on the second day. It was something truly extraordinary!
But let's start from the beginning. The first day started early in the morning with both of them getting ready. Thick mist hung over the valley, giving the whole scene a mystical atmosphere. The first look took place right outside their door on a meadow surrounded by large rock formations. Victoria's bouquet was the bright splash of color on this rainy morning. It was made of many colorful autumn blossoms, some of which came from Victoria's grandmother's garden. She also had a jacket with her on which she had embroidered "love is the greatest adventure" (seen below - simply beautiful!).
What an emotional start! But that was not all and so we continued onwards. First, driving along the winding mountain roads and then ascending the first elevation meters with a large cable car. Another ride on a chairlift was waiting for us up there.
And because the weather didn't quite cooperate as hoped, the two of them spontaneously decided to make a brief stop at an alpine hut and warm up with hot chocolate and tea. On the way there, there were lots of little frogs in the puddles, drawn out by the rain. Apart from us, there wasn't a soul in sight.
After everyone was finally refreshed, the weather gradually improved, and so the remaining elevation meters of the day were tackled on foot. Victoria & Fabian wanted to make the final decision about where the ceremony should take place spontaneously. A mountain meadow covered with heather, cowberries, and blueberries eventually felt right for them. And so, the ceremony took place in this wonderful autumn setting - initially surrounded by mist and rain, which stopped just in time for the exchange of rings. Even the sun made a brief appearance! By opting for an outdoor ceremony, the two had embraced letting nature take its course and were rewarded with a unique spectacle.
How the exchange of rings would take place had also been carefully thought out beforehand. Victoria & Fabian had actually gotten tattoos instead of traditional wedding rings (shown below). Nevertheless, they didn't want to forgo a classic ring exchange because there was a very special ring bearer who was eager to run forward: Mirko, Victoria's parents' dog! And so, he brought the two wooden rings forward and excitedly watched as they officially sealed their marriage.
After the official part was over, congratulations were given, toasts were made, and songs were sung before descending again on the cable car in a cheerful mood.
Meanwhile, the grandparents, for whom the mountain hike would have been too strenuous, had prepared a surprise for the couple in the garden. Everything was decorated with lanterns, fairy lights, and candles, and there was delicious food and drinks for everyone, including a bonfire and marshmallow roasting. A wonderful conclusion to the day before moving on to the next highlight the next day.
Especially for Victoria, the alarm clock rang even earlier the next day. She had already set out to her stylist in the night so that we could be in the mountains by sunrise. Together, we set off around 4 o'clock in the morning in Rufus (their camper). Today, we used only a single mode of transportation, but we covered significantly more elevation on foot. Armed with headlamps, our hike began in dense fog at the base of the mountain. This time, only the two of them and us. Because they opted for something very special on day two. A sunrise elopement with personal wedding vows!
After a few hours of hiking, the summit and our destination for today slowly came into view. However, there was no trace of the splendid autumn colors from the previous day - it had snowed overnight and everything was covered in a layer of white powder. The view of the surrounding mountains wasn't visible yet, as the fog was so thick. In temperatures below freezing, the two of them changed into their wedding outfits. But then came what we had all been waiting for. Right on time for their vows, the sky cleared, the clouds dissipated, and the sun rose over the mountain peaks – what a sight, what a moment! The warming sunlight brought a glow to everyone's faces.
Afterwards, a picnic at over 2,300 meters was initially planned, but due to the icy wind, we decided to warm up with some hot tea instead. As a special ritual, the two of them exchanged the old prayer flag at the summit of the mountain for a new one. After that, we slowly began the descent - back into the fog in the valley, where Rufus was waiting.
We won't forget these two days and the many unique experiences anytime soon, and we wish them all the best for their shared adventures.
By the way, Victoria & Fabian celebrated further on the following weekend - with all their friends and family. Planning an elopement doesn't mean having to miss out on a big celebration; both are possible!
