How to Plan a Breathtaking Matterhorn Wedding: Your Guide to Zermatt Weddings and Elopements

Zermatt is one of Switzerland’s most popular wedding and elopement locations, and for good reason. The bustling town is surrounded by sweeping mountains on all sides, and most prominently, the famed Matterhorn summit towers over. If you’re dreaming of an incredible mountain wedding destination, this is your best guide on how to get married in Zermatt. 

Riffelsee

The Riffelsee (lake) is one of the Matterhorn’s most photographed views, thanks to the uninterrupted panorama and perfect reflection of the peak often seen. You can access the Riffelsee just a ten-minute walk from the Rotenboden train stop on the Gornergrat Bahn. 

Riffelalp

Another Zermatt wedding location is the Riffelalp, also accessed via the Gornergrat Bahn. Numerous trails lead from the Riffelalp so you can wander to a quiet spot to enjoy the incredible landscape. The Riffelberg Bruder Klaus Church is a scenic location for many. 

Gornergrat (summit)

If you ride the Gornergrat Bahn all the way to the top, eventually, you’ll arrive at the Gornergrat summit. Here, you’ll find dining options, and can even stay at Switzerland’s highest hotel, 3100 Kulmhotel.  Zermatt has so many views to enjoy beyond the Matterhorn, and you really get a feel for that atop the Gornergrat. 

Stellisee 

The Stellisee is another small high-altitude lake hikers seek out for its beautiful reflections of the Matterhorn and surrounding mountains. You can access the Stellisee via a short, 20-minute walk from the top of the Sunnegga-Blauherd Cable Car. 

Matterhorn Hiking Elopements

While you likely won’t scale the Matterhorn during your elopement, there are plentiful hiking trails with jaw-dropping views that will leave you in awe. Switzerland’s trail system is well-marked, so the only hard part is narrowing down which trail to explore! 

Wedding Helicopter Tours 

Matterhorn helicopter tours with glacier landings are an exciting way to get married year-round. There are two main helicopter bases you can fly out of – Zermatt, and Raron. If you take a wedding helicopter flight with landing in Zermatt, you’re required to hire a mountain guide for the trip. While the Raron base takes about 1-hour to get to from Zermatt, you are not required to hire a mountain guide.

Stargaze 

If you stay in one of the mountain hotels or mountain huts above the valley, stargazing during your Zermatt elopement can’t be missed! The night sky is spectacular in both summer and winter. 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. 

Paragliding

Paragliding is one of our favorite adventure elopement activities, and Zermatt 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. 

Wedding Skiing and Snowboarding

If you love to ski and snowboard, you’re in for a treat- Zermatt offers year-round slopes. That means you can get the best of both worlds, even in summer. Summer skiing and snowboarding takes place at the top of Klein Matterhorn (tickets cost 95 CHF) and is open daily until the early afternoon. 

Dogsled with Huskies

In winter, you can take a 1km round-trip dogsled ride with huskies. During the ride, you can learn more about the dogs and also spend time playing with them. In summer, you can also book guided hikes with the huskies. 

Meet the Valais Blacknose Sheep

The Valais Blacknose Sheep are a unique breed of sheep that come from the canton of Valais, where Zermat is located. These sheep are incredibly adorable, and you can visit them a couple of ways. The first, is to book a tour of the farm where the sheep live. This is available from December-April on Wednesdays. The second, is to hike to the sheep on the mountain in summer. Online, there’s even a GPS tracker so you can find them! 

Horse and Carriage Rides

In winter, a private horse and carriage ride through Zermatt is the perfect way to cozy up and end your elopement day. 

Visit the Furgg Glacier Ice Cave

The mouth of the Furgg Glacier has an ice cave that can be explored in both summer and winter. This would be an incredibly cool and unique Zermatt elopement location. Due to the risks of walking inside of a glacier, the ice caves should be explored with a certified mountain guide, and the trip does require a moderate hike. 

Take a guided climb of the Breithorn

Switzerland boasts 48 summits over 4,000 meters tall. One of the easiest summits, the Breithorn, can be climbed in just 90 minutes (one-way) if you take the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Cable Car. While the peak is technically easy, it is glaciated and requires crampons and crevasse safety so you should go with a certified mountain guide.

Relax at a Wine Bar

After a big day in the mountains, how about winding down at a cozy wine bar with local food? The Rex Hotel, Zermatt, offers great options for couples looking for a unique drink and multi-course fine-dining. 

Riffelhaus 1853

If you want comfort, luxury, and the best possible views for a sunrise or sunset elopement, book a stay at the Riffelhaus 1853. The hotel is located above town and can only be accessed via cable car, the Gornergrat bahn, or hiking. When the cable cars and train stop running for the day, you still have access to some of the best views, without the crowds.  This is an ideal place to stay for stargazing elopements. 

Iglu Dorf Zermatt

In winter, you can overnight at Iglu Dorf Zermatt, a small igloo village equipped for comfortable overnight stays with a unique-twist. When you book a stay at the Iglu Dorf, it is a luxury experience. Packages include everything from offering whirlpool and sauna options, to fondue and champagne aong guided nighttime snowshoe hikes. Each igloo is also equipped so you can stay warm and comfortable. Iglu Dorf Zermatt is also located on the mountain, only accessible by cable car or the Gornergrat railway. 

3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat

At the top of the Gornergrat Bahn at just over 3,000m (over 10,000 feet!) sits the Kulmhotel. Here, you can enjoy great food, stargazing, and even stay in a suite with a private jacuzzi that has a glass ceiling that opens up to the night sky. It’s a luxury stay everyone should experience once. 

Hörnlihütte

For couples who love to hike, you can’t pass up an experience to overnight at the Hörnlihütte, a traditional Swiss mountain hut. This hut sits directly at the base of the climbing routes up the Matterhorn. The hut and the hike itself also boast some of the most picturesque views in the area. While the Hörnlihütte is a mountain hut, it’s also modern and up-to-date. Private, double rooms with a bathroom are available for booking. The hike to the hut is moderate but steep, and at altitude. It also has a few chain-secured sections due to steep drop-offs, so it’s not suitable for beginners or those with a fear of heights.  With that being said, it is one of the coolest hut experiences I’ve been able to enjoy, and I’d recommend it for any couple looking for a more rugged Matterhorn elopement experience.