A Winter Elopement in the German Alps Among Castle Ruins 

Chris and Shaynne traveled all the way from California to the German Alps for their epic winter elopement among castle ruins. They shared the experience with two close family members, which made it all the more memorable. We loved capturing their adventure, and hope it inspires more couples to elope in winter! 

This adventure elopement in the German Alps focused on primarily being outside in a stunning setting. Initially, we had planned to cable car up a local mountain and sled down a groomed track, but due to unforeseen circumstances the day-of, we quickly pivoted to a new location. Chris and Shaynne were so kind and flexible, so despite the change in plans, everything still turned out beautifully. 

Getting Ready 

Chris and Shaynne got ready together at the chic Boutiquehotel Werdenfelserei while I photographed a few of their wedding details. Before leaving, Chris’s brother, Alex, and sister in-law joined for a few morning pastries. Alex was also officiating the ceremony, so during the morning, he was preparing the final details. Once everyone was bundled up, we drove to the originally planned location.

Winter Wedding Sledding  

Our initial hope was to celebrate Chris and Shaynne’s winter wedding with sledding on wooden toboggans down a groomed run, a few miles in length. Because of limited snow this winter, we had a number of back-up locations in case sledding couldn’t work out. We had been excited when just two days before their wedding, a beautiful white coat blanketed the mountains. What our group didn’t expect was how unusually crowded the smaller, local cable cars would be, now that there was finally snow. Upon arriving at the cable car with sledding location, we were met with a long line. So long, we knew we’d have little time to enjoy exploring at the top and the sledding down. 

Because of this predicament, we decided to change locations. I know this region like the back of my hand, having spent years and living and exploring these mountains. Immediately, the perfect place came to mind. Some beautiful castle ruins surrounded by mountains in all directions. 

Germany Elopement At a Castle 

We drove a short distance to some nearby castle ruins, and were thrilled to see the parking lot nearly empty. It was a stark contrast to the nearby bustle of the local cable cars. We gathered our things and hiked up a short path to the castle ruins. Surrounded by snow capped mountains, it felt truly epic. The weather was surprisingly warm, and Chris and Shaynne at one point threw out their arms in joy, soaking up the beauty. 

We found a quiet spot for the ceremony. Alex led the ceremony, making everyone laugh and feel loved. Afterward, the group toasted with German beers. 

As the sun set, we explored, took some portraits, and hiked back down to our cars. Mission accomplished! While the wedding hadn’t gone according to Plan ‘’A’’, ‘’B’’, or even ‘’C’’, it was still spectacular, and truly, even better than we could have imagined. 

Thank you to Chris and Shaynne for trusting me to capture your epic winter elopement in the German Alps. 

Tips for Your Adventure Wedding in the German Alps 

If you want to plan your own winter wedding or elopement in the German Alps, here are a couple of tips:

• The best times for a winter wedding in Germany are mid-January through mid-March. I personally like January best, as it’s the least crowded month since there aren’t any holidays. 
• Some regions receive more snow than others. I personally recommend eloping in the Allgäu region for the best chance at experiencing a winter wonderland. 
• Hire a local who is familiar with the best locations and typical weather. Winter can be unpredictable, and it’s not uncommon to need to pivot or switch up plans. 

If you want more tips on eloping in winter, you can check out my Winter Elopement Guide. 

Real Germany Elopement Experience: A Review from My Couple

”If you’re on the fence… don’t be! I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to leave a review for the best day of my life, that would not have been made possible without Christine’s guidance! 20 out of 10 stars! What we were looking for most on our special day was fun, adventure, and no stress. We wanted to elope to have our day be relaxed and fun, and that’s exactly what we got. Woke up in the morning with no nerves, just excitement. Knowing that we had a kick ass photographer that knew the area super well relieved any concerns. The photos turned out beyond expectations.. the lighting, the feel; everything was top notch. We actually switched things up mid morning but it turned out even better than we had hoped XO You can trust her fully- she has every interest in making your day the absolute greatest, and it shows! We can’t wait to return to Garmisch and go on another adventure. Xoxo much love and appreciation to you Christine and your rad partner in crime Scott.”

-Shaynne + Chris

Want to start planning your adventure wedding or elopement in Germany? You can view my Alps Elopement Pricing + Packages here, or contact me to get started.