When couples get engaged, it’s not long before they start considering where to get married. They’ve got a lot of options on the table. They could make it a local wedding, in their home town, or home state. Or they can go out of state to anywhere across the country. But some realize that this simply won’t satisfy them.
These couples are not interested in the big weddings with hundreds of guests. Instead, they want to be with the one they love, celebrating their love somewhere extraordinary. That’s why so many people head to Europe to elope. With so many beautiful options available, it’s an irresistible chance to get married in style. So here’s what you need to know as an American eloping in Europe.
Why Should You Elope In Europe?
Any American eloping in Europe has asked themselves, ‘why Europe?’ It’s a fair question, and there are so many reasons why we could argue that there’s no better place. Of course, we’re from Europe, so maybe we’re biased, but there’s real magic available here that is hard to find anywhere else.
Maybe it’s the stunning natural beauty. Or perhaps it’s the architecture, the food, the landmarks, and the people. There are just too many reasons to even consider. Europe is home to so many cultural icons, and that’s partly why it’s such a tourist attraction. So making it your elopement location makes a lot of sense. Having your wedding and honeymoon somewhere in Europe is easy and perfect for couples looking to make the most of their special day.
American Eloping In Europe: A How-To Guide
We’ve answered the why, but what about the where, when, who, and how?
#1 – Where An American Eloping In Europe Can Go
You have a plethora of options when it comes to Europe. We lean more toward enjoying the natural beauty of Europe, which means a stunning mountaintop wedding or a wedding by a river or a lake. We’re going to get into some great options in a moment. Still, there are other things an American eloping in Europe needs to know first.
#2 – When Should You Elope?
This is a personal preference question. The winter season in Europe can be bitterly cold, so we’re not really advocating for a winter wedding. Instead, we think that Spring and Summer is Europe’s best time of the year for elopement.
Having a stunning sunset wedding with the sun cascading down on the mountains it’s spectacular. It doesn’t even matter if there’s a touch of rain. It’s still near perfect!
#3 – Who Should Come Along For The Journey?
Europe is expensive, as any American eloping in Europe might be well aware of beforehand. You’ve got to be extremely careful with how many people you let in on the secret.
If you want to bring people along with you, that’s entirely up to you. It’s essential to remember that this isn’t like a normal wedding with an expansive guest list. It’s meant to be small and intimate, and in many cases, just you and your partner.
Where Should An American Eloping In Europe Go?
We want to really shine a light on natural wonders, not man-made ones. Europe is covered in grasslands, mountains, forests, seaside cliffs, waterfalls, lakes, and other natural splendors worthy of a European elopement. Leave the towns and cities for the honeymoon!
There are so many places in Europe you can go to, so we can’t mention them all. However, we thought we’d touch on a few, so an American eloping in Europe has an idea of where to go!
#1 – Iceland
Iceland is known for its many options of exciting and unique places to elope. From the black sand beach Reynisfjara, the seaside cliffs, Skógafoss waterfall, Búdakirkja Black Church, lagoons, lakes, mountains, and more – not to mention the hot springs.
This is such an exciting place to consider for its many options that can really make your wedding stand out.
#2 – Norway
Ah, the fjords. Whenever we think of Norway, that’s immediately where our minds go. Norway is a natural paradise when it comes to planning an elopement. The fjords, big mountains, rocky cliffs, coastal views – it’s all straight out of a fantasy.
Some of the best locations in Norway include Hardanger, Aurland, and the Lofoten Islands. These are a little less crowded with tourists and are just breathtaking. While we didn’t advocate for winter elopements before, any American eloping in Europe, or considering it, should definitely look into winter elopements in Norway. It’s a whole nother world of beauty.
#3 – Switzerland
You think Switzerland, and immediately you turn to the Swiss Alps. Switzerland is known for its massive mountains, and it’s for a good reason. Some amazing locations across Switzerland include Zermatt, Grindelwald, and Lauterbrunnen.
There are endless opportunities to find beautiful places with luxury ski lodges present, so you can quickly get to the elopement spot via a ski lift or a short hike. When you see that view as the backdrop of your wedding, all the stress will melt away. It’s unlike anything you could imagine.
#4 – Italy
While there are many options for eloping in Italy, none compare to the Dolomites. This mountain range in Northeastern Italy is breathtaking from the very moment you see it. But, of course, the Dolomites aren’t your only option. There’s also the stunning city of Venice, the hillside region of Tuscany, or Garda Lake. Italy is yet another incredible place to elope, with so many old towns and gorgeous vineyards, architecture, and natural features.
Check out a recent mountain elopement we captured up and around the Dolomites!
#4 – Austria
We’re from Austria, and we can attest to how drop-dead gorgeous our country is for elopements or even just visiting. Some of the best venues include Nordkette, Vienna, Hallstatt, or our personal choice, Tyrol. We specifically love North Tyrol. We’ve built up a lot of relationships in the area, so we’ve got exclusive access to certain aspects of the area that make an elopement even better. In addition, thanks to our relationship with local state officials, North Tyrol makes it easy to get officially married on the mountain. So besides the undeniable beauty of the region, this is why we’re fierce advocates of eloping in Tyrol!
Check out one of our favorite Tyrol mountain elopements that we had the honor of capturing for Moni and Lennart.
Eloping In Austria: How To Get Legally Married
We have a lot of experience handling elopements in Austra. We felt it necessary to dive a little deeper into what you need to know about getting married in our beautiful country.
To officially get married in Austria, you need the following.
– Need to be above the age of 18. If you or your partner are 16, you need written consent from both parties’ parents.
– You’re required to produce the following documents:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Drivers license
- The residence registration form is issued by the authorities after arrival unless staying at a hotel.
- Proof that previous marriages are no longer valid (final divorce, annulment, dissolution documentation).
- U.S. certificate of no impediment to marriage.
– In Austria, civil marriages are legal and can be followed by religious ceremonies. Civil marriage is performed by the Vital Statistics Office in the jurisdiction they manage, which you’ll need to apply to.
All of this needs to be completed within 2-4 weeks, and once everything is in order, and you’re married, it’s legally binding. We are well versed in this process and can guide you through everything, so you’re not left stranded.
Conclusion
Any American eloping in Europe knows that there’s so much to see and do in this great continent. So whether you end up in Norway or Austria, France or Italy, you will be able to have a wedding unlike any other.
We love creating adventures with our clients from start to finish. We want to guide you through the process and take some of that stress off your shoulders. So contact us today, and let’s get you married on top of a mountain with the most jaw-dropping views of your life surrounding you!
DID YOU ENJOY THIS BLOG POST? PIN IT FOR LATER…
