9 Unique Elopement Locations Ideas to Get Married in Switzerland
Why Consider Lesser-Known Elopement Locations in Switzerland?
Switzerland is full of amazing mountain locations. It’s probably why you’re planning your trip right now, am I right? What I’ve found is that on touristic websites, the same places are recommended again and again. Often, people do the same itinerary for their swiss trip. And I get that – you want to see Oeschinensee, Grindelwald, or Zermatt, because these places look stunning (and they are!). But for your elopement, wouldn’t it be cool to get married in a location that only the locals know about? One that is more secluded, that will allow you to truly enjoy nature without having to avoid the crowds? Yep, I thought so too.
As a local Switzerland elopement photographer, protecting nature is also part of my responsibility. Some locations, like Oeschinensee, are really starting to suffer from overtourism, leading local authorities to prevent people to elope or do photoshoots there. I want to show you that Switzerland is full of hidden gems, so that you get a chance to discover another side of our beautiful country.
This is also why I’m keeping the exact name of some of these locations hidden. I’m more than happy to share my knowledge with people who book me! I hope these ideas inspire you for your Switzerland elopement.
Without Further Due: The 9 Elopement Locations Ideas in Switzerland
The Pennine Alps: A Well of Hidden Elopement Locations in The South of Switzerland
I live at the feet of the Alps, in the South part of Switzerland, and here are some of my personal favourite spots.
A Hidden Alpine Pasture Above Gryon
1h10 of hiking, 430m (1410ft) of elevation gain until this stunning and secluded plateau. There’s a mountain hut there, where you can eat a traditional lunch and sleep.
This Mountain Peak With 360° Views Over the Swiss & French Alps
30-45 minutes of hiking, 268m (879ft) of elevation gain. This one is a favourite of mine for sunrise/sunset elopements. There are also some beautiful pastures in the area.
A Mountain Top With Lake Views, Straddling the French & German Part of Switzerland
1h15 of hiking to the summit, through pastures, with 361m (1184ft) of elevation gain. The views here are just stunning, and during the week, it’s almost guaranted you won’t see anyone but foxes and ibexes.
Bonus: Back at the trailhead, there’s a small restaurant & hotel with amazing food, and a lake withe a rowing boat you can rent. In the summer, you can also swim in the lake, whose temperature is perfectly agrable, since the lake is very small.
Read the article: Dreamy Sunrise Elopement in the Swiss Alps
An Alpine Lake Surrounded by Larches – The Perfect Elopement Location For Your Fall Elopement in Switzerland
This breathtaking alpine lake doesn’t even require a hike! You can then hike around it if you’d like, but you can have your ceremony with stunning views without any physical effort. It’s a 30-minutes drive on a bumpy mountain road, from the closest city.
A Glacial Blue Lake With Several Hiking Possibilities
The lake itself is accessible by car during the summer/fall season, and wether you want to do a small walk, or hike up to the next summit to get amazing 360° views over the Alps and the lake, there’s an option for everyone!
Various Mountain Passes in the South of Switzerland
If you were planning on travelling by car to Italy for your honeymoon, there are several mountain passes in the South of the country, that are really close to Ticino and Italy. You don’t necessarily need to hike for those locations, and even the car ride will leave you speechless.
Get Married in Gstaad Region: A Personal Favourite Elopement Location of Mine For Your Switzerland Wedding
Although Gstaad is a well-known area, it’s still quieter than other regions like the Bernese Oberland. Not far from town, there are several elopement locations options: a small lake (with a rowing boat you can rent!), a hidden valley with a gorgeous waterfall (it requires 1h of hiking), and some beautiful forest, crossed by a river and a waterfall, that’s perfect for exchanging private vows.
East of Switzerland – More Hidden Gem Locations to Get Married At
Appenzell Canton
You’ve probably heard of the Seealpsee, but there are several other lakes and locations you can go to for your elopement!
The Graubünden Region – The Wildest Part of Switzerland
This area is often overlooked, even by locals, since it requires a bit more travel to go there. This means: secluded valleys, and a truly authentic experience, in my opinion. It’s also home of our fourth national language, Romansh, which is spoken by over 60K people.
The Swiss National Park
We have only one national park in the country, and this is where it’s located. It’s only open from May to October, and it offer several elopement locations options. They will often involve hiking. There are some hotels within the parc, to allow you to have a fully immersive experience in Switzerland’s nature.
An Alpine Pasture Straight Out of the Lord of the Rings Books
Only 35 minutes from the famous town of St-Moritz, there’s a location I dream of shooting an elopement at. It’s a huge pasture, with views of the local mountain range in the background. See for yourself!
It’s a 2-hour circular hike with 235m (774ft) of elevation gain.
Choosing the Best Location for Your Elopement
Picking a location isn’t easy, especially when you’re not living in the country. That’s why I’m here to help. As a local, I know the intricacies of each region, and can give you specific recommendations that will be tailored to your unique needs and wishes. My aim is to co-create an intentional elopement experience with you, not to creat Instagram-worthy content.
When you book, you’ll get an in-depth questionnaire, that will allow me to get to know you better, so that I can then create a unique location guide for your day.
I’m all about being intentional, and taking the time to slow down. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, reach out and let’s start chatting about your ideas!
