Planning your elopement can feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially when you realize how many directions your day could take. Do you start slow with a relaxed morning, or head out before sunrise to catch the best light? Do you stay in one location and really soak it in, or move between multiple spots and turn it into an adventure?

The truth is, there is no one right way to elope.

The ideas you’ll find below are not set timelines or fixed packages. They are simply examples to help you visualize what your elopement day could look like in this location. Different places allow for different kinds of experiences, and sometimes all it takes is seeing a few possibilities to start understanding what feels right for you.

Some couples want a laid-back, slow-paced day with plenty of time to relax and be present. Others want to explore, hike, and turn their elopement into a full adventure. And many fall somewhere in between.

These sample itineraries are here to give you inspiration, show you what’s possible, and help you start shaping a day that truly fits you. But before we get to the itineraries, I’d like to go over why you can not hire just any photographer for an adventurous elopement…

Why I’m the right photographer for an adventurous Dolomites elopement

If you’re dreaming about an adventurous elopement in the Dolomites, the reality is that not every photographer is the right fit for that kind of experience. A lot of photographers prefer comfortable conditions. They avoid heights, cold weather, or anything that feels unpredictable. And that’s completely okay. But it also means they’re not always able to fully step into the kind of day you might be imagining.

For me, it’s the opposite. The more adventurous the idea, the more I’m in.

Some of my favorite elopements have been the ones where things felt wild, a little challenging, and completely outside the usual. That’s where I feel most at home, and that’s where I see couples come alive in the best way.

During a recent winter elopement in the Dolomites, we included a snowmobile ride through the mountains. I was sitting on the back of the tour guide’s snowmobile, facing backwards, holding my 3 pound camera gear with both hands while trying to keep myself steady using just my legs as we moved through uneven terrain. I couldn’t see what was coming next because I was backwards. The snowmobile was constantly going left and right and up and down, and it was technically one of the most challenging situations to photograph in.

And I was laughing the entire time. It was so hard to take photos like this, but I absolutely loved it!!! And I kept thinking the entire time that 95% of photographers would not like doing this 😂

Moments like that are exactly why I do what I do. I know that for many photographers, those situations would feel uncomfortable or even stressful. For me, they are exciting. So if you’re the kind of couple who wants to explore, try something different, and fully embrace the experience then you’re in the right place with me!

Itinerary 1: Full Day Elopement with a hike in the dark

This itinerary is perfect for couples who are up for a night-time hike with headlamps!

You can start by getting ready at the night time in your lodging

Drive to trailhead

Hike ~45min to a ceremony spot in the dark with headlamps

Have the ceremony at sunrise with the dramatic peaks of Cadini di Misurina as your backdrop

Visit the famous Cadini di Misurina viewpoint, set up a picnic and have breakfast with those stunning views

Hike back and drive back to your lodging. After a very early morning like this, you should relax a little at your lodging. Have a lunch and powernap.

In the afternoon you could head out to a mountain meadow. There you can have a nice scenic walk, cinematic dance-around-on-the-meadow-photos. You could have your first dance there, pop champagne, eat your wedding cake. After the sun has set and the blue hour starts, I can bring out my lanterns and string lights for moody lantern photos in the dark.

You could finish the day with a beautiful authentic Italian dinner at your hotel. Or have a private chef come to your AirBnB to cook for you. Or head out for a delicious authentic Italian pasta/pizza at a restaurant.

2. Full Day Elopement with a Hot Air Balloon Flight

This itinerary is perfect for couples who value privacy. Dolomites is not an easy place for finding complete privacy. But if you know hidden gems (like I do) or hire a hot air balloon pilot, then this itinerary might be for you.

You could start the day with getting ready in the night time.

At sunrise we could go to the starting point of the hot air balloon flight.

You can help the pilot fill the balloon with air and then off you go to experience the Dolomites from above at sunrise. What a unique experience to try out on your elopement day and of course the views are so worth it!

When you are back down, it is time for brunch. Let’s eat delicious Italian food and have some coffee.

As with the previous itinerary, I’d recommend something calmer for the afternoon to refuel your energy levels. A powernap at your lodging, or just resting in the car while we drive to the next location.

But if you feel you definitely don’t want to rest, then we could go to a waterfall during the day. It is located in a forest, easily accessible and it has a very powerful waterfall that is full of water in May and June.

The evening location could be a secret trail I like to bring my couples to. It is not well known. I’ve only seen a few people on this trail. This is where I bring the couples who want to have privacy. It has stunning views. The hike is around an hour, but the views are so worth it. In the afternoon we could drive to the trail head, then do the 1h hike.

This is a very good spot for your private vows and rings exchange. We could set up a picnic on the mountain top, just hang out, take in the views. At sunset we should take some portraits of course, too!

You could have your first dance on top of the mountain there, read letters from friends and family that they’ve written to you as you ‘wedding speeches’. Pop champagne, eat wedding cake, just chill and take it all in!

3. Multi-day adventure including helicopter ride and a via ferrata trail

This is for the couples who are very active and would like to combine different kind of adventures into their elopement.

Day 1

Getting ready early in the morning

Hike to a ceremony spot on a mountain top in dark with headlamps and lanterns

Have the ceremony on top of the mountain at sunrise

Continue with a picnic and portraits with the stunning views

Hike back, drive back and have a power nap at your lodging

In the evening you could go on a helicopter ride to a secluded spot on the mountains. You get to have unique sunset views and a helicopter flight experience! On the mountain top you could sip champagne, eat wedding cake and take in the views.

Day 2

On the second day you would do things that do not require wedding attire and make-up.

Wake up, have a slow morning. Have a breakfast and then head out to a trail head.

You can do a via ferrata trail. Via Ferrata trails are the ones where you are attached to the cliffs with steel cable and you must wear helmets. You climb on the side of vertical cliffs. You can even attach a tiny veil on your helmet and wear a white jumpsuit or white biker shorts and a white skirt with split.

After this very unique kind of hike you can go jump into an alpine lake.

4. Full day elopement with a helicopter flight

This itinerary is perfect for couples who value privacy. Dolomites is not an easy place for finding complete privacy. But if you know hidden gems (like I do) or hire a helicopter pilot, then accessing spots that others don’t know about, is an option.

You could start the day with getting ready in the night time.

At sunrise we would head out to the helicopter base where we would start our 20min flight to the ceremony spot.

The ceremony spot is up in the mountains. This spot is not accessible on foot. It has amazing views over some main locations in the Dolomites. EEEEPPICC at sunrise!!

You would have 1,5h there for a first look, ceremony, portraits and to take it all in. Imagine you putting your attire on one on both sides of the helicopter and once you are ready, you both walk in front of the helicopter and see each other for the first time! 🥹

The flight back is ~40min and you can see most iconic peaks of the Dolomites from above. The helicopter flight itself is such a unique and adventurous thing to do on your elopement day! You should definitely consider trying out new things on your elopement day!!

When you are back down, it is time for brunch and a power nap.

In the afternoon we can head out to yet another adventure! This time more physical.

ROCK CLIMBING!

Yes, it is possible to do this in wedding attire! There is a spot in the Dolomites where you can take a beginners course on rock climbing. Professionals can teach you how to do it all. I would be climbing with you of course, to capture it all. You just need to have a jumpsuit or biker shorts+skirt with split instead of a wedding dress so that you could move your legs freely.

You could finish the two day elopement experience with a delicious Italian meal.

5. Adventurous winter elopement

But why not elope in the winter? Winter in the Dolomites is magical!

You could start the day with getting ready early in the morning.

At sunrise we could head out to a frozen lake where you could have your private ceremony.

Then, go for a lunch to fill your bellies and warm up for a moment.

Then drive to another location where you can do either snowmobiling or a sled-dog ride! Both of these are very unique activities you probably wouldn’t do otherwise and they are SO MUCH FUN! The last couple just couldn’t stop smiling the entire evening when they were on the snowmobiles! 🥹

In the evening it is recommended to have a nice dinner. And if your hotel has spa, you could head to the saunas to warm up after a long day being outdoors.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, your elopement doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. These itinerary ideas are simply a starting point to help you see what’s possible in the Dolomites. Every elopement I plan is built from scratch around each couple. Based on their energy and their priorities.

If any of these ideas sparked something for you, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning and help you bring it to life. Get in touch with me through the contact form on my WEBSITE and let’s dream about your elopement together! 🥰