Fall Elopement in Hallstatt & Ödensee
Disclaimer – This website contains affiliate links. We may earn a very small commission if you make a purchase using links on this site, at no extra cost to you. That’s how we can afford to keep this awesome site running!
Get ready to fall head over heels in love with Austria! This charming country boasts the most picturesque towns, breathtaking alpine lakes, and majestic mountains that will leave you singing with joy whether they’re covered in snow or basked in sunshine.
It’s no surprise that Sari & Daniel traveled all the way from Australia to experience the sheer beauty of Hallstatt for their enchanting elopement. With the vibrant fall colors painting the surroundings, the couple experienced the magic of all four seasons on their big day. They soaked up the sun’s exceptional light one moment, only to have heavy rain pour down on their deck where they were set to marry the next. But nothing could stop the dream-like quality of their day, not even missing the shuttle bus that was supposed to take them to their ceremony. It was a magical adventure that will be cherished forever!
Our day was intimate and intentional, with just eight of our closest family joining us to witness our vows. We didn’t want any over-the-top styling, but rather wanted the location to be the main focus, with a subtle fairytale theme of course! The scenery around us was absolutely breathtaking, with stunning golden fall colors around the Ödensee. Thankfully our day went incredibly smoothly, and that was because of the amazing vendors we choose: our incredible photographer Cat from Wild Connections Photography; our fantasticwedding planner Irene from High Emotion Weddings; and the amazing people, food and facilities at the Genuss Gasthaus Kohlröserlhütte.
Sari & Daniel
Tips For Planning An Elopement In Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a beautiful lakeside town, one hour away from the city of Salzburg. However while this UNESCO World Heritage Site may look like a sleepy mountain village, it can be anything but. Being one of Austria’s most-visited tourism destinations, it can become extremely crowded.
Tips For A Stress-Free Elopement In Hallstatt
Hallstatt is a location that is busy year-round. However there are ways to plan your elopement here to avoid the worst of the crowds and have a much more enjoyable experience.
- Stay in Hallstatt
Most visitors to Hallstatt come on a day trip from Salzburg or one of Austria’s other larger towns. That means during the daytime it can be super busy, but in the early morning and the evening, the town is much quieter. If you want to get out and explore and take some photos before the big tour busses arrive, then stay directly in Hallstatt at one of it’s many lovely hotels and plan to get up and go out around sunrise (or in the evening around sunset). - Have Your Ceremony Elsewhere
While Hallstatt is very beautiful, I don’t recommend having your elopement ceremony here in the town, as there simply isn’t the privacy. Instead, I recommend combining it with visiting another location or exploring other parts of the lake away from the town. - Get Comfortable Saying No To Photo Requests
You will be asked for photos and selfies. The first few can be fun, but then they can become quite tiresome. Be prepared to say “sorry but no” to all the people asking to take your photo, or have their photos taken with you, because it will end up taking up so much time on your day. - Respect Private Property
Some of the most picturesque locations in Hallstatt are actually on private property. Many locals have grown tired of tourists walking all over their spaces, and you’ll see a number of signs and fences up. Remember that while for you it’s a special day, and you might think jumping a fence can’t hurt, don’t forget that the locals are dealing with this day-in, day-out, and are pretty intolerant of people trespassing on their property. If you see somewhere that you want to take photos that isn’t a public space, ask permission to take photos there.
Vendor Credits
Photography – Wild Connections Photography
Wedding Planner, Stylist & Celebrant – High Emotion Weddings
Ceremony Venue – Genuss Gasthaus Kohlröserlhütte
Dress Designer – Maggie Sottero from Angelic Bridal
Groom’s Suit – InStitchu Custom Tailored Menswear
Flowers – Ponk Rentals
Hair – Roswitha Seethaler
Make Up – Sfumato Make Up
Hotel – Heritage Hotel Hallstatt