This US couple wanted a hiking elopement in Austria, but knew it needed to be on an easier trail. In June, sunrise is just after 5am, so even for a hike under an hour, we needed to wake up around 2:30 to summit in time for first light!
If you’re considering a similar sunrise hiking elopement in Austria, here’s what we did:
THEIR HALF DAY SUNRISE ELOPEMENT TIMELINE
02:30 Wake up
03:30 Meet at trailhead
03:30-04:45 Hike to summit, change, first look
04:45 – 05:30 Vow ceremony, family letters & portraits
05:30 – 08:00 Hike down
08:00-08.30 Finish
HIKING UP FOR SUNRISE
Since their elopement date was near midsummer, that meant a really early start. Catching sunrise this time of year means waking up very early! Depending on how much time you need to get ready, drive to the trailhead and hike up, we’re talking at least 4am. That’s a big reason why they wanted to keep this sunrise hike under an hour.
On top of being under one hour, the hike also had to have higher altitude views. With no gondolas running this early (understandable), it took a bit of research to find locations that met both these criteria. In the end, I sent them three to choose from, and they went with one in the Grossarltal region of the Austrian Alps. The trailhead started higher up, and only needed a few kilometers of hiking to reach expansive, rocky views far above the treeline.
We met up at 03:30am in the dark, and hiked up with headlamps and signposts guiding us. Under the starlight, we could hear the light clinking of cattle bells around us as the cows grazed.
SUNRISE VOWS ON THE SUMMIT
As the sky started to lighten, we reached the summit. In the twilight, they changed out of their hiking clothes into their wedding outfits. With the first rays of morning light revealing the land around us, we saw nothing but mountains, horizon to horizon. In the early golden sunlight, they turned around to face each other, having a first look at almost 2,000m above sea level.
Although they had already gotten legally married in the US, they were giddy to read their vows. THIS was the moment they considered their true wedding day! Just the two of them, they lead their own ceremony right there on the trail. Clouds swirled in the valley below, an orange sun warming them from within.
As they finished their vows, they sat down to read letters from friends and family. This was how they wanted to include those who couldn’t be there, and an emotional finish to their ceremony.
We hiked down, passing a number of grazing animals, and even some curious pigs! It was a perfect morning, and we parted ways so they could meet their family and celebrate privately.
LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR OWN SUNRISE HIKING ELOPEMENT IN AUSTRIA?
Hey, I’m Gina! I’m an elopement photographer based in the EU. If you are looking for someone who speaks fluent German and knows the Austrian and German alps, I’d love to hear from you. I can help you find a location just like this.
Just reach out using the contact form below to inquire about available dates and pricing.
