Will we ever get over adventure elopements? Probably not. Can you blame us? This earthy adventurous elopement in the Italian Dolomites has our wanderlust at an all-time high. Michelle and Adam took their love for the great outdoors to new heights by tying the knot on a snow-covered mountain top after hiking the challenging Alta Via 1 trail.
After hiking for over a week—with their wedding gear tucked into their backpacks—the couple rode the gondola to the very top of the peak. At the summit, they played a game of rock, paper, scissors, exchanged emotional vows, and pledged their love to one another forever. After a stunning shoot with talented photographer Wild Connections Photographer, the two celebrated with elderflower schnapps, a perfect way to soak up the feeling of being newlyweds.
Get those hiking boots ready because this elopement will inspire you to scale mountains for the sake of love.
The Couple:
Michelle and Adam
The Wedding:
Dolomites, Italy
Why An Elopement in the Dolomites
The mountains are our home and they guide our lifestyle. Once we decided that we were going to elope in the Alps, we were thrilled to have the Dolomites galvanize the aesthetic. We took the natural beauty of the region, our photographer’s knack for an earthy hue, and used that to guide the aesthetic of our outfits. The hat with a homemade flower crown really pulled the modern and nature look together.
Wedding Advice From the Couple
Our advice is a little unconventional. If you’re planning a wedding and realize that you’re most excited about the honeymoon, reconsider just going on your honeymoon and tying the knot while there! The moment we realized we should get married on the epic hike we were planning as our honeymoon, everything just fell into place.
A Memorable Wedding Climb
We rode a gondola to the top of a huge peak and although we’ve ridden them many times before, to ascend in our wedding clothes was a giddy and exciting experience. When we arrived at the top we walked out to a massive cliff where photos of us were taken from afar. There were views in every direction, and clouds rose from beneath us–it felt almost as if we were being hugged by the mountains. If the Dolomites were our wedding theme, this was the apex.
Recommended Reading: 35 Cute Wedding Boots For Fall and Winter Brides
A Private Ceremony With A View
We hiked to the crest of the green hill with the spires rising up behind. Then, we played rock, paper, scissors to decide who got to say vows first. Even though it was just us there, the power of the moment was beautifully overwhelming. We proclaimed our handwritten vows, sobbed like babies, and exchanged our homemade rings. Now, we look back at this moment knowing that nothing else compares to it. A swig of elderflower schnapps made it official. It couldn’t have been more perfect if we planned every moment.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Wild Connections Photography
Wedding Dress – Catherine Deane
Congratulations to Michelle and Adam on their adventurous elopement in the Dolomites! We can’t get enough of the photos captured by Wild Connections Photography. If you’re planning your own elopement, check out our ultimate elopement planning guide to make the process as seamless as possible.
Great photos and stunning mountains! Dolomites are such a romantic place!
Beautiful wedding, so inspiring and unique. Congratulations to the photographer, love your work.