Location
AUSTRIA
HOW TO: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR ELOPEMENT IN AUSTRIA IN 2023
You've decided to elope in Austria, heck yeah!
This guide is chock full of information and resources to get you started with planning your elopement in the Austrian Alps
What is the best time for planning an elopement in Austria?
Austria has got four seasons – and all of them are gorgeous in their own way. Your first question should be: which season do we want to elope? Summer? Winter? Maybe spring or fall?
This is important as the season will determine accessibility of certain locations and parts of the Alps. The winter season usually starts in early December and lasts until the end of Easter holidays in Austria (this date changes annually) – however, the best time to go skiing is from December to February. During this time ski resorts are open and cable cars are operating. In December you’ll also find the traditional Christmas markets in many cities and towns all across the country – an absolutely treat to visit!
The best time
The best time to visit and go hiking in the Austrian Alps (if you don’t plan on doing a winter elopement), is during summer season from late June to September. For the rest of Austria in lower elevations, usually May-mid October is great time frame to visit.
April/May/Mid June and Mid October/November are considered shoulder season in the Austrian Alps. Some hotels and resorts in the mountains can be closed, cable cars and lifts aren’t running until the busy winter season again. Mountain huts and shelters are usually closed too.
CAN WE LEGALLY GET MARRIED IF WE AREN’T FROM AUSTRIA?
YES! Austria is one of those countries where you don’t need to be a resident in order to get legally married. Only civil weddings are legal.What you need:
You don’t need a witness to get married.
Find all the info here.
CAN WE LEGALLY GET MARRIED ON TOP OF A MOUNTAIN IN AUSTRIA?
That depends! Civil weddings are usually conducted in town halls or register offices - however, there are exceptions. Certain certified event locations will allow a legal civil wedding in the mountains, such as the register office at Gamskogelhuette in Carinthia at 1850m sea level, or the highest register office in Austria, “Cafe 3.440”, at dizzying - you guessed it - 3440 meters sea level.
SYMBOLIC CEREMONIES
In order to avoid stress and paperwork abroad, many couples these days choose to the formal paperwork at home in order to be free in their elopement planning and with choosing the ceremony location.
BEST AIRPORTS TO FLY INTO AUSTRIA
The main airport is located in the capital Vienna (VIE). Closer to the Alps you will find the smaller airports Salzburg W.A. Mozart and Innsbruck Kranebitten. Depending on where you are flying from, you might also get great deals into Munich, Venice, Milan or even Zurich.
Austria has great train connections and the public transport in cities like Vienna, Innsbruck, Graz or Salzburg work fine - however, as soon you want to explore off-beat Austria and its little villages, you’ll find that there is no way around renting a car.
ACCOMMODATION - WHERE TO STAY?
Ohhhh, that’s one of my favorite parts!
Whether you are a lover of wellness spas, alpine chalets, boutique hotels or rustic mountain huts - this is the place!
MY 5 FAVORITE LUXURY MOUNTAIN CHALETS & BOUTIQUE HOTELS:
TYPICAL MOUNTAIN HUTS
Find every hut in the Austrian Alps (more than 500!) on the website of the Austrian Alpine Club.
Winter Opening times of all huts in 2019/2020.
Summer Opening times of all huts in 2020.
Mountain huts are basic shelters, often with rooms accommodating 2-20 people, but they are true life savers! If you are planning a multi-day hike or want to experience a sunset or a sunrise in the Alps, staying in one of these huts is a unique experience. Life slows down, the views are amazing and it’s peaceful high up in the Alps - and isn’t that true luxury?
MY 5 FAVORITE RUSTIC MOUNTAIN HUTS WITH INSANE VIEWS IN THE AUSTRIAN ALPS:
MY TOP 5 SKIING RESORTS IN THE AUSTRIAN ALPS FOR A SKIING & SNOWBOARDING ELOPEMENT:
HIKING ELOPEMENT OR EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY CAR
You definitely don’t have to be into hiking to enjoy the mountain views in Austria. There are plenty of mountain pass roads open in summer and early fall that can take you high up in elevation. Don’t feel like driving? Skiing resorts are running their ski lifts and cable cars all summer long which can take you easily higher for panoramic views without breaking a sweat.
Yet, for those who love hiking just like myself, let this water your mouth: with 40.000 kilometers of hiking trails available you should be able to find your absolute dream location. Hiking allows you to find seclusion and privacy and to pick a spot most likely no one has ever said their vows before.
HELICOPTER ELOPEMENT
Have I mentioned the third option? Flying with a helicopter will give you the best of both worlds, a secluded spot without sweating a drop! Located in Zell am See in the heart of the Alps, the guys from Sennair can give you a lift.
SHOULD WE ELOPE AT SUNSET OR SUNRISE?
From a photographer’s perspective, sunset and sunrise are the best times of the day for dramatic and flattering light. WE JUST LOVE IT! Every photographer in the world is going to recommend these two times of the day to you. Especially in the mountains, it can be an advantage to elope in the morning - not only will you find more privacy, also the weather will be more stable - apart from the obvious fact that sunrises are epic, folks!
Hey, what about sunset? That’s pretty epic too, isn’t it? YES!!! If there happens to be a weather forecast for a patch of stable weather, you will be lucky to watch a beautiful sunset with Alpenglow in the mountains.
A typical and in summer very common weather pattern in the Alps are local thunderstorms in the afternoons. While in the mornings the air is cool, the atmosphere starts heating up during the day leading to thunderstorm clouds building up. These thunderstorms are very powerful and violent and usually pass through as quickly as they came. And often, the suns makes a late appearance with a spectacular and colorful sunset in the mix of rain clouds.
THE WEATHER
It’s not uncommon for a summer weather forecast to look like this for days in Austria —>
But don’t fret! If you face days on end for “a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon” forecast, you need to plan accordingly when planning to go hiking. Make sure to make a proper risk assessment: how long ist the hike going to be? Are there shelters nearby? What time are the thunderstorms predicted? Therefore, start very early and avoid hiking in the afternoon. Additionally, always make sure you’re not too far away from the next shelter and don’t take difficult/risky hikes or long/difficult via ferratas on a day with a thunderstorm forecast. Make sure to back early and watch the show from the safety of your shelter.
And finally, don’t ever use your smart phone app as a reliable source. Just….don’t. Instead, take a look at the official Austrian weather forecast institute ZAMG or the “Bergfex” weather forecast app, which pulls its data from ZAMG.
THINGS TO DO IN AUSTRIA - on your elopement or honeymoon
SO, WHERE ARE THE BEST PLACES TO ELOPE IN AUSTRIA?
Holy cow - that question isn’t easy to answer, as there are so many and Austria is extremely versatile.
Every location should definitely be considered within the season you want to elope for accessability and safety.
THINKING OF ELOPING IN AUSTRIA?
AS A WEDDING AND ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER LIVING IN THE AUSTRIAN ALPS I’M A LOCAL EXPERT - IN MY SPARE TIME, I LOVE SPENDING TIME IN NATURE AND EXPLORING NEW AND OFF THE BEATEN PATH ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS. GOT QUESTIONS? ASK AWAY!
COMMENTS
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Your photos are incredible! The Austrian Alps are so beautiful and this is such a great resource for couples considering eloping there!
We might consider our vows renewal there! Such a beautiful place!!! So many incredible places to play!
This is SUCH a great resource for couples wanting to elope in Austria! And your photos are STUN. ING.
Ok, these landscapes are gorgeous and the lodges are darling! Like out of a fairytale! This info is so helpful to couples wanting to elope out in Austria. The only problem I can see are couples running out of wall-space in their homes after hanging up all of their amazing images!!!! 🙂
This guide for eloping in Austria is amazing! I love you laid out your favorite accommodations, and even things to do! The sunrise vs sunset part was also really helpful. This is fantastic information for all couples!
So much amazing information for couples!
So interesting! I dont think I would have even looked up if non-residents could legally be married there. Beautiful photos too!
Holy cow what an amazing resource for couples wanting to elope in Austria! These images are soooo gorgeous, I am obsessed!
These are such helpful resources for couples who are thinking of an Austrian elopement! Just may renew my vows there thanks to how beautiful all of these photos are!
These are great tips!! Austria sounds like a great place to elope 🥰