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These two brides chose to return to Val Gardena, one of their favourite places in the Dolomites, for their winter elopement in the snow, where they were legally married by one of their best friends.
Why Did the Couple Choose Val Gardena for Their Winter Elopement?
Mary & Moriah had visited the Dolomites during summer and really loved spending time there. Since one of their favorite memories was paragliding from the top of Seceda, they thought it would be wonderful to return to Ortisei for their elopement.
We were living in Italy at the time and loved spending our time in the gorgeous Italian Alps. We thought it couldn’t be a more perfect, beautiful place to get married.
What Makes Val Gardena Special for Elopements?
The towns of Ortisei, St Christina and Selvä in Val Gardena are not only surrounded by breathtaking scenery, but they are also in a perfect position to enjoy miles of ski pistes. It’s a convenient location for visiting the iconic locations of Seceda and Alpe di Siusi, which take on a completely different appearance when covered in a blanket of snow in the wintertime.
There are endless options for accommodation, whether you’re looking for a cozy chalet or a luxury wellness hotel. And you don’t even need to be a skier or snowboarder to enjoy spending time in Val Gardena in winter. There’s plenty to do for everyone too. Those who want to spend time outside can enjoy winter hiking, snowshoeing, tobogganing, ice skating and cross-country skiing. And for those who want to experience more of the local culture, you can visit local churches, castles and museums, enjoy a traditional lunch at a mountain restaurant, or relax in one of the many hotel spas.
Can You Get Legally Married Val Gardena?
Yes, it is possible to get legally married in Val Gardena. A legal ceremony is carried out by the local mayor/deputy. While it’s possible for non-residents to get married in Italy, it’s not possible for LGBTQIA+ couples to have a legal marriage.
For Mary & Moriah, they found a way around this. Being both in the US military, they asked a friend to get ordained and accompany them on the trip. She was able to legally marry them, and they registered their marriage when they returned back to base in the days following.
What Was the Couple’s Experience with Getting Married in Val Gardena During Winter?
Winter ski season in Val Gardena usually begins in early-mid December and lasts until April (although with climate change, the snowfall is becoming more unpredictable). The best months for snow are typically January and February, but temperatures are much colder and the days are shorter. March can be a great time to visit, with warmer, sunnier days and still good snow conditions. April is usually warm, but be prepared for slushy spring snow.
Mary & Moriah chose the beginning of February for their elopement in Val Gardena. There was heavy snowfall on the day of their elopement, so they adjusted their plans and pushed everything back by one day so that they could get to enjoy the incredible mountain views.
At the top of Seceda, it was pretty cold and windy. The couple had winter jackets to wear whilst hiking up, and they put them back on in-between taking photos to warm up. They also had some faux-fur shrugs, but realised quickly that they weren’t warm at all, so they ended up not wearing them.
We chose a location that was a popular ski lift so we had to maneuver around people when getting on the gondola, but we were able to make it to the top and find places where there were no people and got some great photos!!
To get around, the couple decided to use snowshoes to hike, since they wanted to be able to walk easily, especially in the areas where the snow was deeper.
What Are the Best Tips for Planning an Elopement in Val Gardena in Winter?
Not All Locations Are Accessible in Winter
While there are many more mountain lifts in operation during ski season than in the summer, many of these are only for skiers and snowboarders and don’t allow foot passengers.
Many locations that you see from the summertime are inaccessible during the winter, so it’s important to work with someone local and familiar with the area to help you plan suitable winter locations.
Using a photographer that knows their way around and can help guide your elopement! We used Cat, @wildconnectionsphoto for our elopement and she did a phenomenal job!!!
Also, find a precise location before hand. If possible, be sure to go look at all the places you want to get pictures, prior to the big day!
Avoid The Peak Times
While ski season is a relatively busy time throughout the winter, there are some weeks that are much busier than others. If you don’t want to deal with crowded ski slopes and long lift lines, avoid the following key dates:
- Christmas & New Year
- Fasching/Carnival
- Easter
- FIS Ski World Cup events in Val Gardena/Gröden and Alta Badia.
Wear Layers
Mary & Moriah wore nude fleece leggings under their dresses, as well as wearing warm gloves, ski socks and winter boots. While they were not taking photos, they both had warm, insulated winter jackets to put on over their dresses.
Have A Flexible Timeline with Warming Up Breaks
No matter how much you think you’ll be able to push through, the cold always affects people more than they think. Expect to be stopping and starting lots, and plan some flexibility in your schedule to have warming up breaks.
Choose A Location Outside of the Ski Area For More Privacy
While Mary & Moriah knew they wanted to visit Seceda on their elopement day, they wanted to have their ceremony somewhere a little bit more private. Cat, their photographer, scouted out a second location for them that offered them total privacy for their ceremony. She was able to visit the location in the morning to check the snow conditions, avalanche safety, and already break trail to make the hike easier for the couple.
How Did the Couple Personalize Their Elopement?
Mary & Moriah personalised their elopement by sharing gifts for one another right after their first look. Their location choice was also personal to them, since they had shared many happy memories in this area in the summertime.
They had also originally planned to bring their dog with them, however during the planning process they found out that many of the hotels that accepted dogs only let them stay in the summertime and not during the winter season.
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