Winter Elopement at Alpe di Siusi
There are days that simply stay with you. Not just because of the views or the photos we take, but because of the emotions, the laughter, and the little moments in between. M & C’s winter elopement in the Dolomites was exactly that — a day filled with joy, spontaneity, and magic in every sense of the word.
Their day began in a cozy mountain chalet, tucked away in the snowy landscape. As we stepped inside, we were immediately wrapped in the warmth of excitement and anticipation. M was already in the living room, getting her hair and makeup done by her stylist, while C had his quiet getting ready moments in the bedroom. The atmosphere was so relaxed, so personal, it felt more like a group of close friends than a wedding day.
The two of them shared a story from the night before that instantly had us laughing. They’d set out to find a restaurant for dinner but couldn’t locate it, so they ended up eating eggs in their chalet. And as if that wasn’t already cute enough, the next morning when breakfast arrived, the first thing C fed M was a hard-boiled egg. It was one of those “only we would have this kind of story” moments, and it set the tone for a day that would be both incredibly personal and wildly fun.
Once both of them were dressed and looking absolutely stunning, we stepped into the sun-drenched backyard of their chalet. This little patch of nature, surrounded by trees and views of the mountains, became the perfect setting for their intimate first look. It was tender, emotional, and filled with that beautiful anticipation of what was to come. And little did we know, this backyard would hold one more surprise before the day was done.
With hearts full and smiles wide, we all jumped into our cars and made our way to the first of their two dream locations. The legendary Seceda. After taking the gondola up, M & C stepped out into a scene straight from a winter fairytale. Snow-covered peaks surrounded us, and the sunlight made everything sparkle. They were speechless, just taking it all in.
We had already scouted the perfect spot for their vows. A quiet little nook overlooking the mountains. There, wrapped in blankets and each other’s arms, M & C exchanged heartfelt words, laughed, cried, and popped a bottle of champagne to celebrate their commitment. It was raw, real, and absolutely beautiful.
From there, we hopped onto a snowmobile and rode through the snowy trails to a mountain hut for lunch. As they stepped outside for a few more couple portraits, something truly magical happened. A group of skiers passed by, paused, and then spontaneously formed an arch with their ski poles for the newlyweds to walk through. It was one of those moments no one could have planned, but everyone will remember forever.
But the day wasn’t over. Far from it.
Next stop: Alpe di Siusi. One of the crown jewels of the Dolomites. Once you reach the high plateau, it’s like entering another world. With the skiing season coming to an end, the area was less crowded and the snow still blanketed the meadows while hints of spring peeked through.
M & C had one more surprise waiting for them. A romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride through this magical landscape. It gave them the chance to slow down, breathe it all in, and just be. We made a few stops along the way to capture more portraits, each one framed by the ever-dramatic mountain backdrop.
We made our way back to their chalet. Awaiting them was a sweet wedding cake, more heartfelt laughter, and some truly emotional moments as they read letters from their loved ones back home in the U.S.
And then it happened! One of those unplanned, completely perfect moments. Throughout the day, they had been humming their favorite song. And right there in the grass, barefoot, with the mountains all around them and the sun shining on them, C grabbed his phone and played the song. M & C had their first dance, just the two of them, swaying slowly in the fading light. That backyard from earlier? It became the perfect dance floor. It was pure magic.
To wrap up this unforgettable day, we headed into a small nearby Italian village. After some wine tasting in a cozy cellar, M & C enjoyed a romantic dinner at a beautiful little restaurant. The perfect end to a day full of wonder.
This elopement had it all: emotion, adventure, beauty, and those irreplaceable in-between moments that make a day like this unforgettable. Seceda and Alpe di Siusi gave us some of the most jaw-dropping backdrops we’ve ever seen, but it was M & C’s connection, their humor, and their genuine joy that made it truly extraordinary.
Here’s to barefoot first dances, spontaneous ski-pole arches, and the kind of love that lights up even the snowiest mountain.
