Dramatic Weather and Dreamy Views: A Berchtesgaden Adventure Elopement

When your dream to get married on a mountain top finally becomes a reality ✨

When Karen and Austin reached out last September, they knew they wanted to elope in the mountains. They only had a short window of time at the beginning of June, so from our initial call together, I was suggesting areas that typically melt out early enough in the summer to get the best of high-alpine views and even taller snow-capped summits. 

As we dove deeper into location planning, I pitched this particular set of spots near Berchtesgaden National Park as a bit of a wild card. It was quite a ways from where they initially considered traveling, but checked the boxes so beautifully I just couldn’t resist – epic views, privacy, some hiking, and alpine lakes. When they decided to move forward with it, I was ecstatic. 

It didn’t take long for the pair to begin planning – from booking a cozy chalet, ordering wedding signs for their backpacks, and getting a few details together that were meaningful to them (the personalized cake toppers of their cats were a real highlight 🐈). 

As Karen and Austin’s German Alps elopement drew closer, we kept a close eye on the weather forecast. Heavy rain and thunderstorms continued to show for both their main day, and the built-in backup day I give every couple. We kept our fingers crossed though, putting an emphasis on rearranging what was needed to pull off their dream mountain-top vows.

In the end, it was BEAUTIFUL! While plans had to pivot a few times, and we definitely got wet….it also all came together how it needed to thanks to their flexibility. I still can’t get over their secluded ceremony location, surrounded by towering summits. Oh, and the sheep grazing just outside their accommodation were a real treat.

Elopement Day Timeline

This full-day elopement included a couple of stunning locations in Bavaria’s Berchtesgaden National Park. You can check out Karen + Austin’s elopement timeline overview below. 

• 8:30 am –  I arrive for getting ready. You share a breakfast spread from the hotel in the morning.
• 9:00 am –  Hair and makeup wraps up + change into wedding attire
• 10:00 am – First looks at accommodation
• 10:45 am – Leave the accommodation, drive to the cable car. Purchase tickets and ride up the mountain
• 11:45 am – Arrive at the top of the mountain. Hike to the ceremony location.
• 12:30 pm – Arrive at the ceremony location.
  • Ceremony/exchange vows
  • Champagne toast
  • Exploring and portraits at the top
• 3:00 pm – Hike back to the cable car and ride down the mountain.
• 4:00 pm – Cable Car back down the mountain
• 4:15 pm – Arrive back at the parking lot. Drive to location #2.
• 5:30 pm – Arrive at the lake. Exploring the lake, boat rentals (weather permitting) and first dances.
• 7:00 pm – Finish at the lake and drive back to your accommodation for cake cutting and FaceTime calls with family.
• 8:00 pm – Wrap up and say goodbyes- you’re married!

Check Out Karen + Austin’s Berchtesgaden National Park, Germany Elopement