For Mia and Kosovar, distance has always been part of the story. Long-distance stretches, solo travel, and months apart shaped how they learned to communicate and choose each other. When it came time to marry, a mountain picnic elopement in the Italian Dolomites felt like the most natural way to celebrate their relationship.
They pictured a day that felt classic yet relaxed, refined but open to the unexpected. Instead of a traditional wedding, they planned something that felt closer to a shared adventure than a formal event.
What We Love About This Mountain Picnic Elopement
- A courthouse ceremony with family in Denmark, followed by private vows in the mountains
- A DIY picnic designed by Mia, blending elegance with relaxed, cozy details
- A sunrise first look and vows at Cadini di Misurina, with hikers cheering afterward
- Turning unexpected rain into an extended coffee break and even better memories
Featured Vendor:
Shawna Rae Photography
Choosing an Elopement That Fit Their Lifestyle
Mia and Kos first met in 2016 through a shared gym, but their relationship quickly became defined by time apart. Early on, Mia left for a solo backpacking trip through the Philippines and Thailand, often without internet access. During those weeks, Kos wrote daily diary-style messages to her inbox. When Mia finally reconnected and read them all at once, it deepened their connection in a way neither expected.
That same mindset guided how they approached their wedding. Coming from different cultural backgrounds, a large traditional celebration never felt like the right fit. Instead, they focused on creating a mountain picnic elopement that reflected how they actually live their lives together, prioritizing experience over expectation.
Their plan took shape in clear stages. They legally married in Denmark with eight close family members, shared lunch at a botanical garden, then set off on a road trip to the Dolomites for a ceremony just for the two of them. From there, the celebration continued with four weeks of travel through Italy, ending in Sicily.
Using the Walk to Set the Tone for the Ceremony
Mountains have always mattered to both of them, which made Cadini di Misurina an easy choice. Beyond the views, what stood out most was the approach. The narrow walk up to the peak felt like a natural aisle, gradually opening to wide, dramatic scenery.
Standing together on the cliff, they exchanged vows and rings in complete privacy. Mia handmade their vow booklets herself, keeping the moment focused on the words they wanted to share rather than added elements.
Later, they continued celebrating at Cinque Torri, where their picnic, first dance, and quiet pauses happened naturally within the landscape.
Why Having an Area Expert Made Planning Easier
Because the Dolomites were completely new to them, finding the right vendors felt especially important. During their research, they discovered Junebug vendor Shawna Rae Photography, whose experience with elopements in the region immediately stood out.
Shawna helped shape the day from the start, suggesting locations, structuring the timeline, and guiding them through details they wouldn’t have known to plan for on their own. Alongside her husband Harry, who captured video and drone footage, the team felt more like trusted companions than hired vendors.
Shawna also recommended their videographer, Rachel King, which helped everything feel cohesive from the beginning.
Balancing Wedding Style With Outdoor Conditions
Their outfits reflected the balance they wanted for the day. Kos wore a classic black suit with a white shirt and bow tie, finished with a white floral boutonniere made by Mia.
Mia chose a white satin dress with a long train and slit, knowing it would brush against rocks and dirt. She paired it with nude wool stockings and hiking boots, prioritizing comfort and movement while keeping the look clean and understated. Her jewelry featured gold pieces with diamond and pearl details, including a mountain-inspired ring made from melted gold from Kos’ late mother’s jewelry.
Later, during their boat ride at Lago di Braies, Mia changed into her courthouse dress with DIY pearl Nike sneakers.
Staying Flexible When Plans Changed
Rain wasn’t part of the plan, but it arrived during their picnic at Cinque Torri. Instead of pushing through, they paused. Umbrellas came out, coffee breaks stretched a little longer, and the picnic setup waited until the timing felt right.
Their first dance also needed a restart. Dancing in a long dress on uneven ground took a bit of adjusting, but the laughter that came with it quickly became part of the memory.
From sunrise coffee before vows to cheering hikers and Instax photos during the picnic, the day unfolded through moments that couldn’t have been planned and didn’t need to be.
What They’d Tell Couples Considering a Nontraditional Wedding
Mia and Kos wouldn’t change a thing. Looking back, they’re grateful they approached the day with curiosity rather than expectations, allowing it to move at its own pace.
For couples considering a mountain picnic elopement, their advice is simple: focus on each other and stay flexible. There are many ways to celebrate love, and it doesn’t have to look traditional if that doesn’t feel right. Whether it’s exchanging vows on a cliff or sharing pizza in the mountains, the most important part is choosing what fits your life together.
In the end, their wedding wasn’t about following a format. It was about spending the day exactly how they wanted, together, in a place that felt aligned with how they live and love.
The Wedding Team:
Photography – Shawna Rae Photography
Drone + Social Media – Your Love Is Reel
Cake – Garage Patisserie
Videography – Rachel King Films
Wedding Dress – Lulus
Rings – Nuran
Accommodation – Chalet Lago Antorno
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