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Kate & Tom were torn between eloping and wanting to celebrate with their friends and family in the UK, so they found a perfect solution. They had their civil wedding ceremony in the UK, and celebrated with a garden party at home with their friends and family afterwards the weekend before they then flew out to Austria, to enjoy an adventure in the mountains with just the two of them.
Why Did the Couple Choose Austria for Their Elopement?
Kate & Tom picked Austria for a number of reasons. They knew they wanted to go somewhere in the Alps to celebrate their marriage, and since Kate had previously visited their friend and photographer, Cat for some skiing in winter, Austria quickly rose to the top of the list.
From Cat, the photographer: When deciding the exact location for their elopement, they gave me a brief of what their perfect adventure would look like, and I used that to guide which locations and itineraries I suggested to them. Knowing that they wanted to hike, and stay overnight in a mountain hut, there were a number of options available to us. But one in particular stood out as being absolutely perfect for them…
Since Kate loved winter and the snow so much, and Tom loved lush green scenery, they wondered if it was possible to find a location in July that had both snow and green. And there was – a glacier close to Innsbruck that Kate and I had been skiing on a couple of years before. At the very top we would find snow and ice, and as we descended towards the valley, we’d find all the lush green meadows, ferns, and trees (and also some beautiful lakes and waterfalls). It was a location that ticked all of their boxes!
What Makes This Location Special for Elopements?
From Cat, the photographer: This particular location is great for elopements for a number of reasons. Firstly, it’s pretty close to Innsbruck, which is a great transport hub. There are direct flights from the UK to Innsbruck, and trains from all across Europe. Innsbruck is a great base for an elopement in Austria, as you’ve got all the charm and conveniece of a city (although it’s a very small city) and you’re right in the middle of the Austrian Alps. Best of both worlds!
The elopement location itself is great for couples who are motivated to hike – it’s high elevation, at between 2000m – 3000m above sea level, but there is also cable car access for those who want to enjoy the high mountains without having to climb them from the bottom.
Can You Get Legally Married in Austria?
Yes, you can. And there’s a whole post about it that we’ll link below. Kate & Tim didn’t have their legal wedding in Austria though. They decided to do that back in the UK with their families present.
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made For This Elopement in Austria?
Firstly, Kate & Tom opted to keep things pretty simple. The only new things they purchased were their wedding outfits. While they did fly to Austria, once they arrived, they travelled with public transport and car-pooled with their photographer to their elopement location. They stayed in a locally owned and run hotel rather than staying in an international chain, ate in local restaurants, and worked with a local photographer. They also didn’t purchase any new hiking gear for their trip. They had everything they needed already, and while it wasn’t brand new, it still was perfectly functional.
