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Shannon and David reside in the United States but since Shannon has family from Austria, they looked into getting married there. That is what they ended up doing with a beautiful and intimate micro-wedding, surrounded by 28 of their closest loved ones and saying I do by the lake with incredible views in Tyrol.
Why Did the Couple Choose Kitzbühel in Austria for Their Wedding?
Shannon & David: Shannon’s family is from Austria and we both love everything outdoors and the mountains so we decided to elope in the Alps! We had considered having a wedding in the United States but it is so expensive to have a simple small wedding here so we started exploring the idea of getting married in the Alps and stumbled upon our photographer, Cat from WildConnections Photography. Seeing her work and the excitement we felt at the possibility of eloping overseas confirmed it was the right decision for us!
We wanted to incorporate a lake/see into our wedding and when I stumbled upon Das Steghaus am Schwarzsee I knew it was the right location for a perfect wedding.
What Makes Das Steghaus in Kitzbühel Special for Destination Weddings?
Cat, the photographer: Kitzbühel is famous for being a winter destination, since it hosts one of the most famous ski races in the world. But in the summertime it’s also really beautiful. There are lakes you can swin in, and there are miles and miles of stunning hiking trails.
I especially love this area in the autumn (September – November) when the autumn leaves turn such vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Can You Get Legally Married in Kitzbühel?
It is possible to have your legal ceremony in Austria, even if you are not residents here. In Kitzbühel, legal ceremonies take place at the town hall. For Das Steghaus, it is only possible to have a symbolic ceremony. This is what Shannon & David chose to do for their destination wedding in Austria.
Shannon & David: We did both. We had a legal ceremony a few months prior in the states, to satisfy that requirement. We had a full ceremony with about 30 people attending in the afternoon in Kitzbühel, at Das Steghaus after our morning hike in the evening. This was the perfect combination for us because it allowed us to have our “mountain time” as well as celebrate with all of our close family and friends who flew out to join us!
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made (if any) For This Wedding in Tyrol?
Shannon & David: Our only sustainability concern was the extra decor (candles, table runners, flowers) that were left over from our wedding. Luckily for us, we were able to give away them away to Shannon’s family who live nearby which helped eliminate the possibility of wasting those items.
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of Tyrol into Their Wedding?
Shannon & David: We did, we had a small intimate ceremony in the afternoon after our morning hike and invited Shannon’s family to join us. We encouraged traditional wedding attire (dirndls) and also had traditional Tyrolean dishes for our wedding dinner meal options.
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in Austria in October?
Shannon & David: Our favorite seasons of the year are fall and winter so getting married in late October allowed us to have both beautiful fall foliage as well as the nice chill and light snow dusting on the tips of the mountains. The temperature was perfectly cold enough to not be hot when changing or walking around with a heavy wedding dress or tuxedo, but also not so cold that we were uncontrollably shivering.
Cat, the photographer: For hiking elopements, from June to October is fantastic (although some lower-lying locations are also good to visit in May already).
For winter weddings, I would recommend December to March.
Do you need any permits from landowners for this location?
Cat, the photographer: If you want to hold your ceremony on the deck of Das Steghaus, you’ll need to contact the property owners.
For elopements, it is possible to hold a symbolic ceremony in the mountains. If you are by yourselves, you can easily do it at the side of one of the many hiking trails. However, if you are with guests, I highly recommend having a fixed venue so that you are not creating too much disturbance for other people by having a big, impromptu wedding ceremony in the middle of a hiking trail and blocking the view for other hikers.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Kitzbühel, Austria?
Shannon & David: Our best tips are to not be afraid to be creative. We knew we wanted to incorporate the mountains as well as a more traditional wedding ceremony and we were able to do both.
Cat, the photographer: In summer, if you can avoid weekends, you’ll find many places are quieter. Most cable cars run until late September, and some into mid-October. Mountain huts also tend to close around this time too.
While coming in the shoulder season can mean accommodation is cheaper and places are less-crowded, some hotels and restaurants will close in October and November to prepare for the winter season.
If you’re planning to come in winter, avoid the high skiing season (Christmas, New Years, February and Easter), and race week for the Hahnenkamm race.
Kitzbühel is typically an expensive destination, due to it being one of the most famous ski resorts on Europe. But you can find equally charming places to stay that are more budget friendly in many of the nearby towns and villages.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Wedding at Das Steghaus?
Shannon & David: On our morning hike, we made coffee on the mountain and ate cake instead of other breakfast foods, so we would have “wedding cake” since we opted to have Marillenknödel for our dessert at our wedding dinner in the evening.
At our ceremony we handed out programs with little bells, so the bells could be rung (instead of clapping) when we came down the aisle as an officially married couple!
We also hand wrote notes to each of our wedding guests to open and read right before dinner. Each guest also had a tiny painting that was hand selected by us as their name cards for their seats at dinner. These were both huge hits!!
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Wedding in Austria, and How Did They Overcome Them?
Shannon & David: One of our struggles was packing, we could not figure out how to bring everything we needed (including the wedding place cards, menus, decor etc) as well as our clothes for our honeymoon which followed directly after the wedding. We overcame the struggle by banding together with our friends who were also attending and splitting some of the items up among their suitcases so we could make sure it all went over smoothly.
What Advice Would You Give to Others Planning a Wedding in Austria?
Shannon & David: Austria is so beautiful and we absolutely recommend continuing your trip with your honeymoon right after your wedding/elopement!
Cat, the photographer: The pace of life in Austria is a bit slower than what you might be used to if you’re from the USA or the UK. When contacting vendors and accommodation, don’t be surprised if they take a while to get back to you. Very few things are seen as urgent over here. Especially because the tourism is very seasonal (summer hiking and winter ski tourism), many places focus on the upcoming season. This means confirming accommodation or a venue more than 12 months in advance might be challenging. That doesn’t mean you can’t enquire more than a year in advance, but they might not be able to confirm right away.
If this “relaxed” way of doing things stresses you out (I know it does for many) then I recommend hiring a local wedding planner who can chase enquiries so you don’t need to.
What Made the Das Steghaus Perfect for a Small, Intimate Wedding?
Shannon & David: The staff, including the restaurant Manager Patrick were so helpful and ecstatic to help put together the most perfect event. It was also large enough to have 30 attendees but small enough to feel intimate.
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Wedding?
Shannon & David: One of the most memorable moments from our day would be the hike in the morning, specifically when the sun started coming out and illuminating the towering mountains around us. It was such a memorable and amazing moment.
Why Is Austria One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Shannon & David: Tyrol is one of the most breathtaking and beautiful areas in all of the world. People often compare it to the Rockies but I say you can’t even compare. The beauty of the region is not comparable to anywhere else. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, the region is absolutely affordable and you will have an experience you will never forget. You could go at any time during the year and it will be just as beautiful.
