How to Elope & Get Married in Switzerland in 2026 – The Complete Guide – From A Local Photographer

If you’re planning to elope in Switzerland in 2026, here’s your ultimate source of information. I’m Morgane, a Swiss elopement photographer, and I was born and bred here. I care about your experience, and I care about giving you honest and no-bullshit information about my country. So if you’re in, let’s dive in!

Why Elope In Switzerland In The First Place?

I know every photographer will claim their country is the best for an elopement, and even if that’s entirely subjective to your taste and needs, here’s why Switzerland could be a good option.

Let’s Get Real For A Second Here – How Is The Nature In Switzerland?

If what you’re after is pure wilderness, with absolutely no signs of human activity, this is not what you will find here, unless you are prepared for a long hike. Switzerland is really densely populated, and we have built infrastructures everywhere, even on the mountains sometimes. Even when you’re on a summit, you may see some town somewhere. Also, lot of the mountain lakes we have are actual artificial ones, since a lot of our electricity is produced that way.

It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t elope here of course. I just want you to have a clear picture of what my country truly looks like.

A Note On The Tourism Situation In Switzerland

I always strive to show people lesser-known areas of Switzerland. I can take you to Zermatt or the Bernese Oberland if you’d like, but if you want a more peaceful elopement experience, I am more than happy to show you some truly secluded locations. As a local, I care about protecting nature here. I strongly believe that shooting in the same world-famous spots as everyone else is only adding to the overtourism problem we are starting to have in some regions.

General Questions About Eloping in Switzerland

Can We Get Married Officially In Switzerland As Foreigners?

Yes, you can. I wouldn’t recommend it though, as it is a lot of paperwork, and will be a considerable constraint in your day. The beauty of eloping is to be free, so I’d recommend you get married in your own country instead, if possible.



If you still want to get married officially here, you will need to ask your local Swiss Embassy, as they will be able to let you know the exact process to get married. Depending on where you’re coming from, you might also need a marriage visa. You wil need to provide documents, and if they’re not in one of the official Swiss languages (French, German, Italian and Romansh), they will need to be officially translated.

Is Same-Sex Marriage Legal In Switzerland?

Yes, it’s legal for same-sex partners to get officially married in Switzerland since 2022 (you’re allowed to judge us because this is so recent, yes.)

Is Switzerland LGBTQIA+ friendly?

The Equality Index for Switzerland is at 67/100.

Here’s the link for more information: https://www.equaldex.com/region/switzerland



Not being queer myself, I asked one of my past queer couples about their experience and here’s what they told me:

« We felt generally pretty safe in Switzerland. When we travel we just tend to not be super PDA in general just for safety things, but I didn’t feel overly unsafe or anything like that. People are absolutely kind and welcoming, and we we had no problems whatsoever with it, so I definitely felt very comfortable. »

I feel like it’s generally accepted, even though there is of course so much room for improvement.

Do We Need A Permit To Elope In The Outdoors In Switzerland?

No, you don’t. Unless it’s a private property, natural places are for everyone. It’s very important it stays that way so that people can come and enjoy it in the future. This is why I’m mindful about where I’m taking my couples, and why I make sure we follow Leave No Trace principles.

How To Start Planning Your Elopement In Switzerland

Start Envisioning Your Day

Sit for a sec, and put everything that comes to mind onto paper. Even the things you’re not sure you’ll be able to do. This is your time to dream, the reality check will come later!



Try thinking about how the ideal day would feel like for you: do you want to feel calm, do everything at your own pace, and have a slow experience? Or do you imagine the thrill of being somewhere you had to climb to, or of an activity that’s gonna get your blod rushing?



Is it hot or cold, in your mind? Which kind of vibes do you want? Ask yourself: are you easily tired? Do you need to be able to have some down time during the day? (hello neurospicy people)



All of those will help you get a clearer picture of the type of experience you will want for yourselves. Oftentimes we’re so influenced by what we see online that we don’t even think it could be different for us.



This should give you a rough idea or direction to start building your elopement day. Depending on those answers, you might pick a different season and/or area of Switzerland for your elopement (which is where I can help, by the way).



Understanding The Climate To Pick The Date Of Your Elopement In Switzerland

Here’s a general overview of the seasons in terms of elopement planning

:

Winter (December to February)

Best if you want snowy views and winter wonderland vibes. It’s a really touristic season, with the ski season being in full swing. Hiking is limited but possible if you’re down wearing snowshoes.

Spring (May-June)

Nature awakens, wildflowers start blooming. Low altitude spots are accessible again in May, but hiking season really starts in June. It’s also off-season, so there are less tourists, and prices are a bit cheaper.



Summer (July-September)

The warmest season. Wildflowers everywhere, long days and beautiful sunsets. It’s also thunderstom season, so be prepared to be flexible as these can hit hard, especially in the mountains. July and August are the hottest months, and it’s peak tourism season. September is still warm, and a bit quieter.



Autumn (October)

Beautiful colours and mild weather. You can get the sunniest days OR the moodiest rainy days, you never know:


To know more, read my article: https://morganeraposo.ch/en/when-is-the-best-season-to-plan-your-elopement-in-switzerland/

What Are The Different Mountain Areas Of Switzerland?

This section is here to give you an overview of Switzerland’s geography. You really don’t have to know where to go if you’re booking a photographer, as it’s usually part of our services to help you with our local knowledge.

The Bernese Oberland

The area you’ve probably already seen online: Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen, Oeschinensee, the Jungfrau… These are all locations situated in the Bernese Oberland region. It’s the most famous area of Switzerland, the mountains are grand and impressive, and you can go up the mountains without hiking (I’m hardly exagerating).

Here’s the deal: most of those places are becoming increasingly crowded, and it is impacting the couples’ experience. You can go on hikes and get away from most people, but you might still encounter people. This is an area that is starting to get impacted by overtourism. This is why I am not necessarily recommending it to my clients for their elopement. If you want to go there to admire the views, please do, and spend in local shops, to give back to the locals!

Wallis/Valais



On the other side of the Alps and around the Rhône Valley lies the area I know best: the canton of Valais (or Wallis in German). Home to the Matterhorn, it’s also full of smaller valleys that often lead to beautiful lakes. Besides touristic hotspots such as Verbier and Zermatt, it’s way more secluded.

Central Switzerland

If you want quieter locations that are still fairly close to Zürich, the canton of Glarus has some options for you!

Appenzell

Located East of Switzerland, the small and hilly canton of Appenzell is a gem to visit. Its most famous lake is already all over the internet, so I won’t talk too much about it!

Eastern Switzerland: Graubünden

The wildest part of Switzerland is the canton of Graubünden. Our only National Park is located in that area, and has amazing (although on the longer side) trails. While Davos and St-Moritz are really touristic towns, there’s plenty more to explore. That part of Switzerland is higher in altitude though, even at the valley bottom, so if you want to hike there, I would advise you to pick a date between July and September.

About Locations: Do You Plan On Having Guests Or Not?

Having guests while of course impact your day, as not everyone might want to be out all day in the mountains.

I have written a whole blog post on the topic already, feel free to check it out: https://morganeraposo.ch/en/how-to-plan-an-elopement-with-guests-in-switzerland/

Transportation To And In Switzerland

What Are The Main Airports In Switzerland?

Zürich and Geneva are the two biggest airports. Depending on where you’re eloping, picking one or the other will save you some time. I recommend you hold off booking your flights until you have a more precise idea of your elopement location.

Do We Need To Rent A Car?

We have an amazing train system here, that comes at a cost. You can buy a Swiss Travel Pass if you’re planning on getting around by public transport. If you want to have more freedom, and depending on where you are eloping again, you might be more comfortable having a rental car. You can definitely rent one just for your elopement day (and the day before + after) and do the rest by train though!

Choosing Your Elopement Accomodation

When you’ve picked your location, one of the first thing to do is to book your hotel, at least for and around your elopement day. Hotels in certain areas tend to book out pretty fast.

What To Look For:

• Something that will be practical for you: don’t book a hotel that’s 1h30 away from where you’re starting your elopement.
• A cosy nest: I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing more satisfying and comforting when I’m travelling than a comfortable bed, and a room that feels cosy. Even if you’re on a strict budget, I would recommned you to splurge a little for the night before and on your elopement day.
• If you’re having a photographer, pick a room with plenty of light, and that looks good.
• A room with enough space to move around, especially if you’re planning on getting ready there. Those ballgowns do take up a lot of floor space, I know.

  Choosing Your Vendors

Other Vendors To Consider

In general, you will want a hair and makeup artist and a florist. Not saying that you must, of course. Here are some other vendors you migth want to book, depending on your needs.

• a celebrant, if you want something more specific than a vow exchange.
• a private chef, if you’re really into food and want someone to cook your favourite meal



Picking Your Elopement Photographer

I have written this article to be as helpful as I could, even if you’re not planning on booking a photographer. If you want to book someone, here’s what to look for:

• Are they offering planning services and support?
• Are they local and knowledgeable?
• Do you vibe with their work?
• Most importantly: do you vibe with their personality? Please, don’t ever book someone whose work you love, but whose personality you can’t stand. You WILL think of that every time you’ll be looking at your pictures, and it will suck.



The Cost Of A Trip To Switzerland – Things To Consider



How Much Does It Cost To Elope To Switzerland?

I’m gonna be annoying here and tell you it all depends on your budget and priorities. You can have a really cheap elopement with attire purchased online, supermarket flowers, and still have an amazing and highly symbolic time. Or you can splurge into different things, and spend waaaay more money. It will probably still be cheaper than a big wedding with 200 guests, that’s for sure.



I have written an article on the subject, with a more precise cost breakdown on everything an elopement can include: https://morganeraposo.ch/en/how-much-cost-elopement-switzerland/

How Expensive Is Switzerland In General?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world.

Here’s a little cost breakdown for you:

• Accomodation: can range from 70CHF/night to 700CHF/night or even more for a super luxury suite.
• Eating out: you can eat take-away for 15CHF, or you can spend 150CHF on a luxury menu in a fancy restaurant.
• Transport: The Swiss Travel Pass grants you unlimited travel in Switzerland over periods of 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 days. For 6 days, it’s 379CHF currently. Which would still be less than if you had to buy each individual ticket for 6 days (but please calculate your itinerary and see for yourself!).
  
  I know Swiss Francs might be a bit confusing; click here to convert to your own currency!

How Many Days Should We Stay To Visit Switzerland And Elope Here?

I would not recommend you stay less than 5 days. First of all, it’s better to have one or two days to rest properly before your elopement (you don’t want to look tired on your wedding day!). Second of all, even if our country might seem small, it can still take several hours to travel from one place to the other, because of the mountains being, well, everywhere (almost).

I will always recommend you to stay longer in just a few areas, rather than trying to hop from one location to the other just to grab a few pictures. This way, you will get a chance to truly experience the Swiss way of life!

Ready To Elope In Switzerland?

If you have questions, leave me a comment or reach out via my contact form. You can also have a look at other helpful blog posts I have regarding elopements in Switzerland!