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!
Celestina and Valentino’s vision for their day was clear. They wanted an outdoor ceremony, legal marriage, and a day full of exploring, hiking, dancing, and enjoying each other’s company. The plan was to start with a leisurely hike for an early and private ceremony in the scenic Swiss alps, stopping for photos and fun along the way, having a relaxed day full of exploring before heading to their civil ceremony.
Although they didn’t have sun and a sunrise for their early morning ceremony, they still enjoyed and embraced every second of it and got rewarded with sun and “Heidi”-Vibes during midday. They wanted to avoid crowds, so they chose secluded spots and timed the activities to maintain their privacy. And bonus points: they walked with Alpacas!
Why Did the Couple Choose Savognin for Their Elopement?
Celestina & Valentino: It is one of the most beautiful regions in Switzerland and it’s close enough for us to visit whenever we feel like it. We also wanted to have our legal ceremony on the same day and it doing it all in Switzerland was the perfect solution.
We both have larger families and we did not want to feel overwhelmed or stressed on our wedding day. Plus the thought of eloping is also very romantic! Additionally, saving money and putting it towards future travels plans also sounded very appealing to us. We would choose to elope again in a heartbeat and in fact have been recommending it to many people!
What Makes Savognin in The Swiss Alps Special for Elopements?
Celestina & Valentino: Everything from the food, the service, the remote location to the gorgeous and charming rooms. It is high up in the mountains, so perfect for a mountain ceremony nearby!
Katja & Walter, the photographers/videographers: It was so calm, so beautiful and so diverse! It was also very accessible, we drove around a lot on the day and had a few different stops to have different sceneries.
Can You Get Legally Married in Savognin?
Celestina & Valentino: We had both a legal and a symbolic ceremony, which was important to us. We had a symbolic ceremony in the beautiful mountains in the morning and then had our legal ceremony in the afternoon of the same day.
Katja & Walter, the photographers/videographers: We didn’t need any permits for anything, as we only walked on already existing hiking trails and paths. In Switzerland you also normally don’t need any permits to have a symbolic wedding ceremony outside. It’s different with legal ceremonies though. Therefore, depending on where you’re from, you need a marriage license, your documents, 2 witnesses and a translator if you don’t speak german. Also good to know: since 2020 same-sex marriage is legally allowed in Switzerland.
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made (if any) For This Elopement in the Swiss Alps?
Celestina & Valentino: All of our outfits were either things we already owned or that were second-hand purchases. We did not use any single use items for anything, and the few things that were purchased are still in use (such as a picnic blanket, or the dried flower bouquet).
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of Savognin into Their Elopement?
Celestina & Valentino: We are Swiss, so I guess we were the local culture aspect 😉
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in the Swiss Alps During the month of May?
Celestina & Valentino: We got married in May and the mountain peaks still had some snow, which led to stunning pictures! It was a bit cold in the morning, and it rain intermittently, so for people who do not like dealing with the elements it might be a bit too early in the year.
Katja & Walter, the photographers/videographers: You can never predict the weather in the mountains, we had rain, sun, clouds and snow all in one day, even though it was already late May. The most important thing is to embrace every weather that comes your way, because you know what? You can’t change it. But what you can change is your mood towards it. C&V embraced the weather, and even though we planned for a sunrise ceremony, the mountains did not show and it was also a little bit rainy, they had the greatest time and enjoyed every second of it. And they got rewarded with sun afterwards! So yeah, I would still recommend going there in May or June, but also other months will be great, it really depends on what you’re envisioning for your day.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning an Elopement in Savognin?
Celestina & Valentino: Go for a hike and explore the beautiful surroundings. The local people are very helpful and will support you with bringing your vision to life.
Katja & Walter, the photographers/videographers: It is definitely helpful to have someone that speaks the language if you want to get married legally in Switzerland. If you only think of doing a symbolic ceremony, a lot of people you need to get in contact with when planning your elopement in Switzerland speak English. And if not, we’re here to help you out wherever we can! 🙂
One thing to keep in mind: Switzerland is a very expensive country in Europe, but definitely worth every penny. It is so beautiful and diverse, the people are friendly and it’s a perfect place to have a scenic elopement.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Elopement?
Celestina & Valentino: We wanted to have a fun, relaxed, stress-free atmosphere and a big part of that was that we went on a little hike with some Alpacas from the region! A lovely farmer brought her entire Alpaca herd, including a calf, and decorated them with fresh wild flowers.
We also brought some of our favourite pastries to eat on the day (essentially doubling as our wedding cake). Since it was just the two of us plus our amazing photographer and the father of the bride as witnesses, we also decided to wear different outfits for the different portions of the day.
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Elopement in the Swiss Alps, and How Did They Overcome Them?
Celestina & Valentino: We kept our wedding a secret from everyone except the witnesses (photographer + father in law) and the officiant. It wasn’t easy to stay quiet about our plans for several months, but we managed. However, the planning process itself was incredibly smooth since we had the freedom to do exactly what we wanted. After we shared the news, some family members felt a bit disappointed and sad, which was challenging to navigate. In the end, almost everybody was incredibly supportive and genuinely happy for us when we announced that we had gotten married.
What Advice Would You Give to Others Planning an Elopement in Savognin?
Celestina & Valentino: Do whatever feels right for you and don’t stress about your timeline too much. Don’t try to fill every minute of the day with some activity, but allow for some spontaneity instead.
Katja & Walter: Find yourself someone who is familiar with getting married in Europe, like a planner, or a photo & videographer team who also assists with planning a destination wedding/elopement in Switzerland! Like us! 🙂
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Elopement?
Celestina & Valentino:
– Getting dressed outside after a brief hike to our ceremony spot.
– Lying in mountain moss in the early hours of the day after exchanging our heartfelt vows.
– cuddling the Alpacas
– signing the wedding documents and enjoying the atmosphere of having a joint secret.
– Valentino playing the piano for Celestina (impromptu concert in the bar!)
Why Is Savognin One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Celestina & Valentino: We stayed in the most charming little locally-owned hotel in stunning scenery, and had a free ceremony with a breathtaking view of snow-capped mountains. We met the kindest farmer who let us to walk her alpacas, and to our surprise, she shared a lovely connection with our officiant, who had also performed her wedding! The officiant was so thoughtful, crafting a speech that felt uniquely tailored to us. To top it all off, the owner of a cozy local bar graciously let us play their piano, adding yet another unforgettable moment to our special day. In summary: If you love nature and want extraordinary views, and you wish to be accompanied by really friendly people that will join in on your happiness, go to the Graubünden area in Switzerland (specifically Savognin!)
