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Tayler and Quinn’s travelled all the way from Toronto for their beautiful Dolomites elopement and celebrated their day with only their daughter and the bride’s sister. They began their day at the Lago di Braies boathouse, where they read their vows, exchanged rings, and took a fun trip on a beautiful wooden rowboat. They then headed up to the mountains for a red bull break (the couple’s favorite!), a small hike, and lots of stops to frolic in meadows with their daughter. the day ended with a gorgeous golden hour shoot and pizza!
Why Did You Choose To Elope, and what made you choose The Dolomites?
Tayler: I have always dreamed of going to Italy since I was a little girl. I planned to spend the year there after high school but I ended up having my beautiful daughter and plans changed. Fast forward, my now husband and high school sweetheart took our daughter and I to get married in the place I always dreamed of! My dad has aggressive lung cancer and I wanted him to see me get married. It was just us, there was no pressure to impress anyone or anything. We just got to celebrate our love quietly.
What Makes The Dolomites Special for Elopements?
Kathryn, the photographer: While they are undoubtedly famous and often crowded, the Dolomites have this incredible way of making you feel tiny in the best possible way, which I think is the reason so many people go there. Lago di Braies, for example, lives up to the hype —the colour of the water, the mountain backdrop, and the charming wooden rowboats all combined almost don’t look real. What I love even more is pairing it with Prato Piazza, a higher-altitude location. It has a completely different feel: wide-open meadows which the couple loved frolicking in with their daughter, the stunning peaks in every direction, and so much space to slow down. These two locations together create an elopement day that feels adventurous and intimate, but they also allow you to experience multiple sides of the Dolomites.
Did You Have A Civil (Legal) Ceremony, or A Symbolic Ceremony? Can You Get Legally Married in Italy?
You can legally get married in Italy as a non-resident. Tayler & Quinn opted for a symbolic ceremony.
What Sustainability Considerations Were Made (if any) For This Elopement in The Dolomites?
Tayler: More so time considerations. My dad has lung cancer and I wanted him to see me get married, even if it was virtual.
Did You Incorporate Aspects of the Local Culture into Your Wedding?
Tayler: We hiked up a mountain and had a lovely tiramisu in lieu of a wedding cake.
Do You Recommend May For Getting Married in The Dolomites?
Tayler: Absolutely! It was perfect, not too hot not too cold.
Kathryn, the photographer: I would say late spring through early autumn is generally the sweet spot, with June to September offering the most reliable mountain access. I photographed this elopement in May, and while during this period there can still be snow lingering in the higher elevations, it makes the scenery even more stunning, and also means crowds are still not as bad as during the high season. However, if you go in May it’s definitely worth checking road openings, as some mountain roads don’t open until late spring/early summer.
For Lago di Braies, sunrise is best—or even before sunrise if you’ve privately rented the boathouse and are happy to wake up early! The lake will be at its quietest, and the lighting is stunning.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning an Elopement in The Dolomites?
Tayler: Kathryn, our photographer was the key to the success and magic of our wedding. She went above and beyond finding the perfection locations, tailoring the day to us. We couldn’t have done it without her she made it so seamless and easy.
Kathryn, the photographer: Build your timeline around the locations, not just the ceremony. The Dolomites are incredibly popular, so an early start is absolutely worth it—especially at Lago di Braies, where you can privately book the boathouse if you go early in the morning. Going during low season, as Tayler and Quinn did, also helps to avoid crowds!
I’d also recommend (if you have the time) choosing two locations with different vibes rather than spending the whole day in one spot. Starting at the lake and ending in the mountains creates a beautiful story and gives you more variety in your photos.
And don’t underestimate the weather (this is valid for any mountain region). The mountains and mountain weather love to keep everyone on their toes, so having a flexible timeline and embracing whatever conditions show up usually leads to the most memorable moments.
How Did you Personalize your Wedding Day?
Tayler: My husband and I don’t drink but we love red bulls so that was our special cheers!
How much was your overall budget/spend for your wedding/elopement? When planning your budget, what were your priorities?
Tayler: 5K. All I wanted was professional photos to capture the day, something my kids and grandkids and so on would be able to look at.
What Challenges Did you Face While Planning your Elopement in The Dolomites, and How Did You Overcome Them?
Tayler: The biggest “problem” was finding flowers to make a bouquet but it ended up being a little fun adventure hunting down flowers.
What Advice Would you Give to Others Planning an Elopement in The Dolomites?
Tayler: Hire Kathryn Coppola! She helped make this day perfect and stress-free. Also just going into the day light hearted, when you put so much pressure on perfection it can be consuming, but if you have the right team behind you it’s a great way to just enjoy the day.
Kathryn, the photographer: Explore more than one location if you can, without trying to cram too much into one day. You shouldn’t think about eloping in the Dolomites as a reason to check famous locations off a list, because there’s way too many anyway— just find 2 or 3 that are not too far from each other, and focus on allowing yourself to fully experience them.
to make the most of your day plan for an early morning, and as with all mountain locations, wear comfortable shoes, bring layers (even in summer!), and leave room for flexibility and spontaneous moments.
What Were the Most Memorable Moments?
Tayler: I would have to say sitting in the boat on Lago di braies across from my daughter and husband and just looking at them with the mountains cascading in the background. I remember thinking, this will be the place I go to in my dreams.
Why Is The Dolomites One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Tayler: Its beauty is otherworldly. I truly can’t put into words how much it just captivated me.
Do you need any permits or permission from landowners for this location?
Kathryn, the photographer: For Tayler and Quinn’s elopement, they privately rented the Palafitta boathouse at Lago di Braies for the morning, which gave us 1h30 of exclusive access before the crowds arrived. It’s one of the best ways to experience the lake if you’re planning a ceremony or portraits there.
Prato Piazza generally doesn’t require special permission for a simple elopement as long as you stick to the trails, but it’s always a good idea to verify current rules if you’re bringing vendors, decorations, or planning anything beyond a low-impact ceremony, as the regulations have been changing more the last few years.
It’s also worth noting that drone photography is not allowed at Lago di Braies, despite many people doing so – you can find confirmation of this on the Palafitta’s official website, and if you call the tourism office.
Anything Else You’d Like To Share With Our Readers?
Tayler: Elope! Not only does it save you money but we were able to celebrate our love without the pressure of perfection.
