A Spectacular Swiss Alps Mountain Top Elopement at Sunset

While most couples avoid eloping in the wilder, more rugged parts of the Swiss Alps, Taylor + Austin’s elopement may have you changing your mind. 

This region straddling the famed Bernese Alps is rockier than the classic Swiss scenery most couples picture, but the dramatic views more than make up for it. And, we’ve found, even in the most rugged areas, there are wildflowers tucked between the rocks and bursts of green (oh, and not to mention, you’ll find more privacy and seclusion in places like this). 

Taylor + Austin are Hoosiers, like me (they actually grew up about 10 minutes from where I spent part of my childhood 💛), and there’s something extra fun about sharing the Alps with people from the flatlands who truly understand how completely unreal it all feels. When you grow up with cornfields as far as the eye can see, it’s still hard to believe mountains and places like this exist. 

The week Taylor + Austin eloped, the Alps were experiencing record heat. Lucky for us, they were eloping in a higher-altitude region, which meant (slightly) cooler temperatures. Even with the hot weather, we still had to pull out our puffies as the sun began to dip lower in the sky. Mountain life always keeps things interesting.  

While the whole day was a dream, from first looks near their hotel with the prettiest view, to cake next to a lake, letters from family and friends, and a magical ibex sighting right at sunset one part that particularly stands out is the funicular ride. 

These two are daredevils, having bungee jumped and sky-dived….but the angle on one of Europe’s steepest funiculars will get you every time. 

Scott and I had a blast capturing these two from start to finish – it’s days like these you forget you’re even at work. 🥰

Swiss Alps Mountain Top Elopement Timeline

This winter wedding in St. Moritz included visiting a few easy-access locations with both their family and exploring on their own. They got everything from valley views to mountain top vistas. You can check out Mallory + Hayden’s elopement timeline overview below. 

• 10:00 am – We arrive for getting ready.
• 11:15 am – Finish getting ready. First looks nearby the hotel.  
• 12:00 pm – Wrapping up first looks and driving to the funicular
• 1:00 pm – Take the funicular up the mountain and arrive at the top
  • Exploring
  • Snack break + dessert
  • Reading letters from family and friends.
• 3:00 pm – Take the funicular back down the mountain.
• 4:00 pm – Late lunch/early-dinner break
• 5:30 pm – Hike to sunset ceremony location
• 6:30 pm – Arrive at the top of the mountain. Change into wedding attire + freshen up. 
• 7:00 pm – Evening vows; champagne toast/pop + exploring/sunset portraits
• 9:00 pm – Change into hiking clothes and hike back down the mountain
• 10:30 pm – Arrive back at cars, wrap up and say goodbyes. You’re married 🥳

Check out Taylor + Austin’s Switzerland Sunset Elopement below