Europe Elopement Day 1: Saxer Lücke Hiking Engagement

When A & C first reached out to us, they had a lot of ideas about where they wanted to get married, and needed some guidance. Being from the midwest, they really wanted to plan an adventure to the Pacific Northwest or go all out and plan a European elopement. After looking over the logistics, they decided to plan an adventure elopement in the Swiss Alps! 

Picking a wedding location in Switzerland was truly the hardest part. There are so many parts of the Swiss and Austrian alps that are perfect for an adventurous elopement! We put together a comprehensive guide for them with several amazing towns, hikes, viewpoints, and things to do. After chatting a bunch, A & C decided that the Appenzell area was where they wanted to plan their day. 

Yet, there were still so many incredible hikes and views to explore in Appenzell. So, A & C extended their coverage to multiple days! We suggested a longer hike for Day 1, and a shorter trail for their actual elopement on Day 2. 

Saxer Lücke was definitely a bucketlist hike for all of us! We began early in the morning and caught one of the first gondolas up to the ridge. The hike itself was really long since we decided to make it a loop, but the views the entire time had our jaws on the floor, so it was 100% worth it. The weather was so lovely, too, and it honestly wasn’t too crowded! We made plenty of pitstops along the way, some for A to use her phone app to identify flowers, and others to just marvel at the views and sheep/cows.

Vow Writing For Saxer Lücke Elopement Adventure

The one requirement for Day 1 (besides having fun) was that A & C wanted to sit and write their vows to each other at an incredible viewpoint. So, at the main overlook for Saxer Lücke, we found a spot to set up a picnic blanket, had some snacks, took photos, and let A & C soak up the moment while writing their vows to each other.

Lakeside Engagement Photos at Fälensee

After the view of Saxer Lücke, we began our descent down to Fälensee. We stopped at Berggasthaus Bollenwees and grabbed some lunch before heading down to the lake! Then, we explored around the lake, dipping our toes in, and hanging out with the cows. 

The hike back to the car was a couple of miles through pastures with free range cows, beautiful little cottages, a creek running through people’s property, and lots of great views!

Europe Elopement Day 2: All Day Seealpsee Wedding in the Swiss Alps

For A & C’s Appenzell elopement itself, we had a jam-packed day full of adventure, spontaneity, and lots of beautiful moments. Their main requirements for this day were to see Seealpsee, say vows (duhhh), and have a slow morning together. So, you bet your butt that that’s how we crafted their day!

Getting Ready, Details, and First Look For Appenzell Elopement

We started the day bright and early with A getting her hair and makeup done by Anastasia Landtwing. When Adam and I arrived, she was about halfway done! So, we started with capturing some of their wedding details while C walked into town to grab some pastries. He mentioned that it was his wedding day at the local bakery, so the gal helping him threw in some extra pastries to try! Everything was SO delicious. After C got back with those, he began making coffee and breakfast to start the day off right!

How to get ready separately in the same space

It can be tricky to preserve a first look when you’re getting ready in the same space, especially if it isn’t a large rental. But don’t worry, we’re happy to help! For A & C’s day, we helped them coordinate by first having C get ready in the living room while A waited in the bedroom. He was mostly dressed, so it was just finishing details such as putting his suit jacket, shoes, and accessories on. Then, he closed his eyes while we brought A out into the living room to switch places for her getting ready moments and individual portraits. He waited in the bedroom until we were ready to head to their first look location.

First look in local Appenzell garden

Keeping a first look in wedding attire was important to them, so we found the cutest local garden for them to share a first look and exchange gifts!

Believe it or not, this garden wasn’t our original first look location. When we were scouting Seealpsee a few days before A & C’s elopement, we arrived at the trailhead (our original first look location) and quickly realized that it wasn’t going to be the best spot for that moment. So, we shifted and found the cutest little garden in the middle of town! It was super close to their rental, which was perfect.

Lake Seealpsee Elopement Day Hike

Okay, do NOT be fooled by this being rated as “moderate” on AllTrails. Thankfully, it’s a short hike, but it is very steep. Adam and I hiked the trail a few days before A & C’s elopement, and it ended up pouring rain on us halfway through the trek (to the point where all of our clothes were completely soaked through after only a few minutes). Being from a mountainous location in the states, we definitely should’ve been more prepared for the changing mountain weather, so it was a good reminder to always bring rain gear even if you don’t think it’s going to rain!

For A & C’s elopement day, we all slathered on sunscreen and began the steep hike up to the lake around midday! It was pretty warm, so we all got hot quickly and peeled some layers. But seeing the cows, hyping each other up, and taking breaks got us through it!

Bride & groom portraits

When we arrived at Seealpsee, there were a lot of people lounging on the shore, fishing, and even grilling! We were shocked that so many people had packed grills up to the lake. There weren’t a ton of spots for us to set up for their ceremony, so we shifted and found a spot with an overview of the lake and a little bit of shade. We captured some individual portraits while we waited for a good spot to open up for their vow exchange.

Couples photos at Seealpsee

We frolicked in the meadows, admired the cows some more (A LOVES cows, so that was perfect), and captured some couples photos here! It’s super important to build flexibility into your day and allow for shifts in your timeline. This also gives you room to relax, take in the views, and not feel rushed.

Lake Seealpsee Vow Exchange

Once a large spot opened up along the shore of Seealpsee, we quickly snagged it! After setting our gear up, Adam and I took a step back and allowed A & C to exchange the vows that they had written the day before at Saxer Lücke.

I also want to note that while you technically can get married in Switzerland without being a resident, there are a lot of legalities making the process long and requiring a valid visa. So, we just recommend getting married in the states and exchanging vows for your elopement celebration while in Switzerland!

Favorite Part: Impromptu Cheese Vending Machine & Ice Cream Pit Stop

Before we went to our final location for the day, we planned to stop for some picnic snacks. But on our way up to Seealpsee for their vow exchange, we noticed a vending machine at the start of the trailhead, so we decided to stop there for some snacks. We also had enough coins for ice cream, so you bet your butt we used the vending machine to get some ice cream cones!

Private Sunset Picnic & Dance

Adam and I had done a lot of online scouting ahead of time, and came across this gorgeous and private location amidst farm land with gorgeous views of the swiss alps! We hiked it a couple of days before A & C’s elopement, and it was just awesome.

But on their elopement day, we were all exhausted from hiking 10+ miles the day before and enduring the insane Lake Seealpsee hike in wedding attire and carrying tons of camera gear. So, we drove towards the picnic hike location, but A & C were wanting to potentially shift to a non-hiking spot. Nearby, we found a field to explore, but quickly realized that it wasn’t going to have the same vibes that they were hoping for. So, we all toughed it out and hiked uphill to this overlook. And although we were all pooped, it was worth the trek!

We got our own private views of the alps with no one around, and watched the most epic sunset. We basically had 360 degree views of mountains, farm land, and the homes down in the valley below. Setting up a picnic blanket, we ended their day with cheese, snacks, water (iykyk), and a sunset first dance!