Grindelwald is one of Switzerland’s top elopement locations thanks to its dramatic mountain views, and endless activities to experience. The destination is also ever-growing in popularity on social media and travel blogs, thanks to its proximity to Instagram hot spots such as Lauterbrunnen and Interlaken. Grindelwald is part of the Jungrau/Bernese Alps, and arguably, Switzerland’s most popular region for weddings.
This Grindelwald, Switzerland elopement guide is crafted with my years of experience photographing weddings and elopements in the area. I’m sharing with you Grindelwald elopement locations, activity ideas, places to stay, and more.
As your Switzerland elopement photographer, I want this guide to help you decide if Grindelwald is the right fit for your wedding, or somewhere equally beautiful, but lesser known should be considered.
Elopement Locations in Grindelwald, Switzerland
No matter where you elope in Grindelwald, you’re sure to experience big mountain views and sweeping panoramas. Most locations are accessed via cable car or cogwheel train, as the majority of land in the valley is privately owned or protected for farming. Below you’ll find an overview of the top Grindelwald, Switzerland elopement locations.
Bachalpsee
Zermatt is a car-free town, which means the only way to arrive is by train or a private taxi service. Everyone traveling to Zermatt will pass through the village of Täsch. Here, you can either park your car and catch the train into Zermatt, or else book a private taxi service.
Once you’re in Zermatt, you can get around town on foot, by bike, taking the electric buses, or hiring an electric taxi.
Best Airports: The best airports to fly into if you’re getting married in Zermatt are Geneva (about 3 hours driving) and Zurich (about 4 hours driving).
Männlichen
The Männlichen provides one of the best alpine views in Grindelwald for a memorable wedding. From the top, you get a clear view of peaks towering over 4.000m (or 13,000+ feet), and on one side you can look down at the dramatic cliffs into Lauterbrunnen.
Elopements at the Männlichen require minimal hiking, although there are numerous hiking trails you can connect for something unique. Due to the popularity of the area, we suggest couples plan an overnight elopement adventure at the Berghaus Männlichen. This mountain hotel is right near the top of the cable car, and the perfect place to enjoy sunrise, sunset, and stargazing.
Kleine Scheidegg
Kleine Scheidegg rests on a high plateau above Grindelwald and is accessed via the Bernese Oberland Railway. This elopement location is ideal for couples who don’t mind hiking and want to be in a place that feels up close and personal with the towering summits. From Kleine Scheidegg, it’s not uncommon to even hear glaciers cracking on the mountain walls. Dozens of trails of varying difficulty can be accessed from this base, and could make your perfect wedding spot.
Once you’re in Zermatt, you can get around town on foot, by bike, taking the electric buses, or hiring an electric taxi.
Grindelwald Switzerland Wedding Venues
If you’re holding a micro-wedding or destination wedding in Grindelwald, here are some venue options that can accommodate a variety of capacity sizes. Restaurant Eigernordwand is one of the best venue options, as their terrace has a fantastic view of the mountains and is especially well-suited for small wedding parties.
Do I Need a Permit for my Grindelwald Elopement Location?
Typically, no!
With that being said, there is some nuance. Most outdoor locations don’t require a formal permit for an elopement ceremony. However, if you’re planning a larger gathering (8 or more people), getting married on private property (ie, next to a hut, villa, farmer’s property, etc.) you may need to obtain permission.
Beyond permits, it’s important to consider other factors like respecting the natural environment and leaving no trace. Some locations may have restrictions on amplified music, or can only accommodate a few people due to fragile alpine areas. Most spots have drone restrictions.
Wildflower Meadows and Your Grindelwald Elopement
Throughout the summer, you’ll find tall grassy meadows filled with wildflowers that dot the valley landscape. While it may be tempting to step in, frolic through, or sit in these idyllic meadows, this is often damaging to the environment. It also can disrupt important food sources farmers rely on cultivating for their animals. On a similar thread, you’ll notice a lot of the meadows around Grindelwald are roped off, or a part of someone’s yard.
Working with a local photographer helps ensure your elopement plans respect the communities and environment you’re getting married in, all while enjoying the flowers.
If you love the vibe of Grindelwald but would prefer to elope somewhere less touristy and more off-the-beaten-path, here are some great alternative regions in Switzerland we’d love to help you elope at:
Grindelwald, Switzerland is easy to get to and around, thanks to Switzerland’s robust public transportation system. You can reach Grindelwald via train, bus, or car, and there are numerous large parking lots within the village.
While the main hub of Grindelwald is walkable, some of the hotels sprawling on the mountainsides are difficult to reach without a car, so keep this in mind while booking accommodation.
Best Airports: The best airport to fly to if you’re getting married in Grindelwald is Zurich Airport. From the Zurich Airport, you can drive or take a bus to Grindelwald in just over two hours, or take the train in a little under three hours.
When to Elope in Grindelwald, Switzerland
Grindelwald is a mountain destination, so timing your elopement with what types of scenery you’d like to enjoy and activities to do is key. The best months to elope in Grindelwald are January and February for winter elopements, and late June through mid-October for summer and autumn elopements.
I recommend avoiding spring and early summer when Grindelwald’s trails are still slushy and muddy. I also typically recommend other parts of Switzerland for autumn elopements, since Grindelwald’s foliage tends to be hit or miss, and this region is rainier than some other parts of the Alps.
Activities for Your Grindelwald Switzerland Elopement
If there’s one thing Grindelwald has no shortage of, it’s fun activities for your wedding or elopement. I wholeheartedly believe your elopement is more than just a photoshoot, and implementing activities is the perfect way to create a memorable experience.
Grindelwald Hiking Elopements
As a hiker at heart, Grindelwald hiking elopements are always a treat. There are countless trails crisscrossing the mountains, and if you’re up for something bigger, there are ways to beat the crowds. Switzerland’s trail system is well-marked, so the only hard part is narrowing down which trail to explore!
Paragliding
Paragliding is one of our favorite adventure elopement activities, and Grindelwald is one of the ideal places to do it. If you’ve ever wanted to see the mountains from above (without the expense of a helicopter ride) this is the way to kick off your experience in a one-of-a-kind way.
At the top of Grindelwald First cable car, there are a few adventurous elopement activities to choose from, but the best is their mountain carts. These mountain carts (that look a bit like a go-kart) can be ridden down a winding mountainside trail that descends toward the valley. It’s worth noting this activity is extremely popular and fills up quickly, so you should try to go early in the day. Wait times can be well over an hour.
If you want a mountain cart adventure with fewer crowds, there are plenty of other parts of the Alps that offer it.
Wedding Helicopter Tours
Helicopter tours with glacier landings are an exciting way to get married year-round. The nearest base to Grindelwald is about 25 minutes away in Interlaken. From here, you can be flown onto the Petersgrat, a high-altitude glacier in the Jungfrau region. At the top, you can enjoy food, champagne, and the amazing view.
Overnight at a Mountain Hut and Stargaze
Mountain huts and hotels are some of my favorite parts about the Alps for a variety of reasons. During your elopement, an overnight stay at a mountain hut allows you to:
Enjoy secluded alpine locations at sunrise and sunset. Cable cars in the Alps generally operate between 9am-5pm, and overnight adventures in a hut or mountain hotel allow you to stay after hours.
Go stargazing! In the summer, you can only see the stars from around midnight until 3 am, so staying in a mountain hut puts you in the perfect, convenient location to look up at the night sky. If this is something you know you’d like to do, let your photographer know so you can book the right date that will align closest to a new moon.
It’s worth noting, that many mountain huts are modern and up-to-date, offer private-double rooms, and may even have en-suite bathrooms. Huts and mountain hotels can range from rustic to even luxurious.
Wedding Skiing and Snowboarding
Thinking of eloping in winter? Winter elopements in Grindelwald can be experienced with 103km of groomed slopes ready to be explored. Across the Alps, you’ll find lift tickets to be significantly cheaper than in North America.
Sledding
Grindelwald boasts the longest winter tobogganing run in the world at 18km (over 11 miles!) long. Sledding in the Alps is unlike anything you’ve experienced before, since out here, there are countless groomed runs to zip down. Sled runs can be accessed via cable car or hiking, and are often done on a traditional wooden toboggan. It’s an activity for all ages, and in some ways more exhilarating than skiing.
The Best and Most Unique Places to Stay for Your Grindelwald Wedding or Elopement
Below you’ll find a collection of beautiful hotels and unique mountain huts you should consider staying at for your Grindelwald wedding or elopement.
The Best Hotels for Your Grindelwald Elopement
Alpinhotel Bort is in a secluded part of Grindelwald overlooking the valley and has some of the most beautiful views you can get of the surrounding mountains. It’s the perfect place to get ready and exchange first looks. You can only access the hotel via cable car, or a pass from the hotel allowing you to drive a private road. This makes it more secluded than just about any other place.
Hotel Aspen Grindelwald is set on a hillside outside of town and offers gorgeous accommodation options. We love how spacious some of the balconies are, and right outside the hotel, there are spectacular views for a first look.
Bergwelt Grindelwald Alpine Design Resort offers rooms with a modern edge, a luxurious spa, and an upscale vibe many couples will love. I’ve loved shooting here because the rooms are spacious and perfect for a getting-ready suite. This hotel is on a quiet street but within easy walking distance of some of the main cable cars.
Boutique Hotel Glacier is nice because while it’s in town, it’s also separated enough from the main hub to feel quiet.
Grindelwald Mountain Huts for your Adventure Wedding
Berghotel Faulhorn is a great place to stay for your elopement if you want unbeatable panoramic views and a traditional mountain hut experience. This hut is perched at quite literally, the top of a mountain. We love the rustic charm, and it is possible to book double rooms. This is a great hut for a two-day hiking elopement full of diverse scenery.
Berggasthaus First is the ideal base for couples wanting to elope at the Bachalpsee in privacy. This hut is located right near the top of the Grindelwald First cable car, making it accessible for all ability levels.
Berghaus Männlichen is more of a hotel than a mountain hut with comfortable and spacious rooms. This spot is perfect for couples who want a more modern overnight stay, while also enjoying the perks of secluded beautiful views.
8+ hours of photography coverage with the option to add on videography
My VIP elopement planning guide and English-speaking vendor guide
Personalized Questionnaires
Custom location guides and timeline assistance
Unlimited support from me, your American living in the Alps
All photographer/videographer travel fees are covered
Grindelwald Elopement Photographer
As your Grindelwald, Switzerland elopement photographer, I offer so much more than just taking photos. I work with every wedding couple to create a unique, tailored-to-them experience via personalized questionnaires, custom location guides, and support calls. You deserve a stress free wedding experience in the Alps.
Grindelwald Elopement Reviews
Here’s what my couples have shared about working with me…
”Where do I even begin? Christine is incredible in every way! Her pictures speak for themselves.. she is so much more than a photographer. She honestly could/should charge so much more because she puts so much into each couples day. We felt like we had known her for years…If you are questioning booking her.. DO IT!!!!”
-Emily + Hugo
‘’Christine and Scott are both incredibly kind and compassionate people, they really cared about making our wedding day perfect. Christine was very helpful with location scouting and planning. She was very detailed in getting to know us and helping create our vision of our perfect elopement wedding. We got sneak peak photos back next day, and love every single one. I’d recommend Christine and Scott to anyone looking for an elopement wedding.’’
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