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This couple wanted a real adventure elopement and started their day with a sunrise hike. They insisted that their planner & photographer, Eva, would pick a trail she had never encountered before either. Due to wildfires all the way in Canada, their sunrise views across the lake from the peak at the mountain trail, created a soft haze which made for a very special effect in their photos. They said I do with their feet in the water, creating a day that felt absolutely like them.
Why Did the Couple Choose Lake Garda for Their Elopement?
Kaisa & Laur: Italy has a great variety of places to visit. We wanted to go to Tuscany, to a lake side and also the mountains in Northern Italy too. So we decided to do a roundtrip that included Tuscany and some towns on the coast and then finished the trip at lake Garda that fulfilled the mountains and the lake part.
We never wanted a big wedding, marriage is primarily about us. For us it doesn’t make sense to throw a big party for others. We got legally married in November, said our vows in Italy in June and then in July we had a little gathering in Estonia with our closest loved ones that was Italian-themed.
What Makes Lake Garda Special for Elopements?
Eva, the photographer: The big sister of lake Como. Less known lake with higher mountains on its side, but equally beautiful! You can have it all: mountain tops, lake sides, hikes, boat rides, restaurants, city pictures etc. A great variety of stunning locations all rather close by.
Can You Get Legally Married in Italy?
Yes, you can get legally married in Italy as a non resident but Kaisa & Laur decided to skip the paperwork hassle and opted for a legal ceremony at home and a symbolic one in Italy.
Did the Couple Incorporate Any Cultural Aspects of Lake Garda into Their Elopement?
Kaisa & Laur: We had pizza in the evening.
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in Lake Garda During June?
Kaisa & Laur: It wasn’t too crowded nor too hot. We could get privacy for our ceremony and photos.
Eva, the photographer: April-May-June or September-October are the best time of year for this location.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning an Elopement in Lake Garda?
Kaisa & Laur: I guess we would recommend to make the day true to you, even if it is unusual. We decided to have our ceremony while standing inside the lake since water plays a significant role in our relationship. We also asked Eva to take us on a hike she has not been to before herself to have more adventures. We goofed around a lot because that is just how we are. This made it possible for the day to be really OURS.
Eva: Elope off season, within a week and early in the morning. Avoid July and August due to crowds and heat waves.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Elopement?
Kaisa & Laur: The things we said before – ceremony in the lake, unknown hike, goofing around.
What Challenges Did the Couple Face While Planning Their Elopement in Lake Garda and How Did They Overcome Them?
Kaisa & Laur: No, not really any challenges. At the very beginning it was hard to decide where to have the ceremony because we had so many different locations in mind but then Eva helped us narrow it down to a location that fulfilled two of our wishes (lake + mountains) and then we explored other locations as part of our honeymoon.
What Advice Would the Couple Give to Others Planning an Elopement in Lake Garda?
Kaisa & Laur: Hire Eva! She knows the location well, she took amazing photos of us and it was so chill with her. Her dedication is truly admirable! You can see our full review of her service in her blog post.
Eva: Choose somebody who knows the area to guide you around with ease. Make an entire day or two out of it! There is so much to explore and to do!
What Were the Most Memorable Moments from This Elopement?
Kaisa & Laur: The day was so beautiful from start to finish. It is hard to narrow it down to just a couple of things! The ceremony of course was emotional! The hike in the morning was adventurous and spectacular. The viewpoint had an amazing view and the sunrise on this morning was very unusual (more orange looking). The boat ride that my friends had organized for us was such a surprise and actually one of the most relaxing parts of the entire day. There was just us, the driver and Eva. Nobody else around for two full hours and we cruised around on the lake, relaxing, sipping champagne. We had a bubble machine fun on top of another mountain in the afternoon and this was very us. We also read letters from our family and friends while we were there. Eva had them handwritten into a little notebook for us. In the evening we hanged out on the docks, listening to music, dancing our first dance. The best possible end for this beautiful day!
Why Is Lake Garda One of the Best Places to Get Married in Europe?
Kaisa & Laur: It is such a beautiful place. I mean Italy in general is amazing, but lake Garda has its charm with the little towns, beautiful lakeside restaurants, docks etc. Mountains for hikes, lake for boat rides, manicured gardens etc. And yet, it is not as crowded and known as lake Como which is great! You can get privacy more easily and it is also not as expensive as lake Como. Although the views can be quite similar.
