Dreaming of eloping in the Dolomites? ✨ Financial questions, understandably, come in to your mind as one of the first thing and you start to wonder how much does it cost to elope in the Dolomites? Whether you imagine exchanging vows by a peaceful alpine lake or in front of the dramatic peaks of Dolomites, it’s important to know what costs to expect when planning your adventure.
Here’s a breakdown of typical costs involved in eloping in the Dolomites — so you can plan wisely and create a day that’s unforgettable (without too many surprises). Also, bear in mind that you probably won’t need all of those things! Prices shown are in USD.
How much does it cost to elope in the Dolomites: breakdown by type of costs
✈️ Travel Costs
- Flights: Vary widely depending on your departure country and season. Booking early can help save costs. You should fly to either Milan or Venice. Both cities have multiple airports.
- Travel Insurance: Highly recommended, and the price depends on the provider and length of your stay.
- Car Rental: If you want the freedom to explore, rental prices range around $50–90 USD/day. Full insurance coverage is recommended!
💍 Wedding Essentials
- Rings: From $200 to several thousand, depending on style and materials.
- Wedding Dress: $250 to several thousand, depending on designer and style.
- Suit: $250 to several thousand, depending on designer and style.
✅ Tip: Keep in mind shipping times for dresses — some orders can take several months.
🌸 Floral & Styling
- Bridal bouquet + boutonniere: $250–300.
- Additional floral arrangements (optional): $1,500–4,000 for arches, altars, or ceremony décor.
- Experienced Hair and Makeup Artist: $600-1200 (includes travel and early morning fee if getting ready during the night for a sunrise adventure)
🏡 Accommodation & Food
- Hotels/Airbnb: Starting from $200/night for two people for charming, conveniently located places. More luxurious options, usually with amazing views, are around $400-700/night
- Meals: Delicious Italian food can be very affordable! Expect around $15–25/person/meal. You can splurge or save, depending on your dining style.
🚤 Fun Experiences & Activities
To make your Italian elopement even more unforgettable, you might want to add a few activities:
- Lake Braies reservation for 1,5h (private ceremony on the docks, 2 boats for rental): Around $700.
- Private hot air balloon ride over the mountains: $900–1,300.
- Private helicopter ride: $2000–2,600.
✅ Tip: Eloping in April, May, June, September, or October is ideal for great weather and fewer crowds. July and August tend to be extremely hot and busy!
📸 Photography and Videography
This is one of the most important investments for your elopement. Hiring an experienced elopement photographer (not a traditional wedding photographer) often costs around $6,000–10,000 for a full day.
A specialized elopement photographer helps:
- Plan and customize the day to your wishes and needs
- Scout epic locations for ceremony, portraits and all other activities
- Build timelines with enough buffer time so that you wouldn’t feel rushed
- Support you every step of the way with all questions you may have
- Some (like me) even offer all-inclusive options where the photographer books, pays and coordinates other vendors for you.
🎥 Adding a videographer (optional, but highly recommended!) can capture your emotions, vows, and moments in motion. Videographers’ prices vary from $3000-6000. Cost of hiring a videographer when you elope in Italy does increase your needed budget, but it is totally worth it, I promise!
👉 More about hiring a videographer: Should we hire a videographer for our elopement?
👉 More on why it’s crucial to hire the right photographer: How to Choose a Photographer for Your Elopement
📋 Legal Costs
- If you want to legally marry in Italy, there’s quite a bit of paperwork involved and you’ll need to start the process at least 3 months in advance.
- Many couples opt to legally marry in their home country first and have a symbolic ceremony in Italy (which is much easier and allows more flexibility).
- Celebrant/officiant $1200-1700
👉 Read more here: Getting Legally Married in Italy
📋 How much does it cost to elope in Italy: overview as a checklist
| Category | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Flights | Varies (by location and season) |
| Travel Insurance | Varies (by provider) |
| Car Rental | $50–90/day |
| Wedding Rings | $200–2500+ |
| Wedding Dress | $250–2500+ |
| Suit | $250–2500+ |
| Bridal Bouquet + Boutonniere | $250–300 |
| Additional Florals | $1,500–4,000 |
| Hair and Makeup Artist | $450–800 |
| Celebrant (optional) | $1200-1700 |
| Accommodation | From $200/night |
| Meals | ~$15–20/person/meal |
| Lake Braies private reservation | $700 |
| Hot Air Balloon Ride | $900–1,500 |
| Helicopter Ride | $2,000–2,600 |
| Photography (Full Day) with planning help and vendor coordination | $8,000–12,000 |
| Videography | $2500–6,000 |
| Legal Marriage Paperwork | Varies (~start 3+ months in advance) |
| Parking fees | $5-40 per parking |
Examples of two elopements and their costs
EXAMPLE 1: One week stay, full day elopement, photography, one fun activity on elopement day (the most common version of adventure elopements)
- Flights to Italy and back for two = $1,750
- Travel insurance for two for one week = $500
- 6 nights at a decent accommodation = 6 nights * $200 = $1,200
- 7 days of car rental = 7 days * $60 = $420
- 7 days of food, breakfast included in accommodation price, eating out 2 x day =
7 days * 2 persons * 2 meals per day * $20 per meal per person = $560 - Wedding attire for two people = Approximately $1,500
- Rings for two = $750
- Bouquet = $250
- Hair and make up artist = $1000
- Photographer (who also helps with planning and vendor coordination) for the entire day = $10,000
- Lake Braies reservation = $700
- Parking fees = 50
This example brings the total to around $18,680.
EXAMPLE 2: Two weeks stay, photography and videography, additional flower arrangements, two fun activities
- Flights to Italy and back for two = $1,750
- Travel insurance for two for two weeks = $1,000
- 13 nights at a very good accommodation (amazing views, great location, breakfast included) = 13*400 = $5,200
- 14 days of car rental = 14*60 = $840
- 14 days of food, breakfast included in accommodation price, eating out 2 x day = 14 days * 2 persons * 2x per day * 20 per meal per person = $1,120
- Wedding attire for two people = Approximately $2500
- Rings for two = $1000
- Bouquet = $300
- Additional bigger floral arrangements for ceremony = $1,500
- Celebrant for the ceremony = $1400
- Hair and make up artist = $1000
- Photographer (who also helps with planning and vendor coordination) and videographer for two days = $12000 + $5500
- Lake Braies reservation = $700
- Hot air balloon ride for four = $1500
- Parking fees = $80
This rather luxurious elopement example brings the total to around $37390
And as I said before, this are all approximate. It is always possible to get things done more affordably and it is always possible to spend more. But generally speaking, you can have an epic stress-free elopement in Italy with amazing vendors with the budget between $16,000 – 40,000.
Final Thoughts on the Cost of Eloping in the Dolomites
Eloping in Italy is an adventure you’ll never forget. From the mountains to the coast, every corner offers romance, beauty, and magic. 💛 By understanding the costs upfront, you can focus less on stress and more on creating a day that feels truly, wildly, you. Whether you try to have a luxury elopement or be more on budget, having an overview of how much does it cost when you elope in the Dolomites and which cost you need to take into account, is essential.
Need help planning your dream elopement?
Reach out HERE and let’s make it happen! ✨
Other blog posts you might be interested in:
Splurge or Save: Where to Invest in Your Elopement
What you need to know about last minute elopement in Italy
How your photographer’s approach defines your entire experience
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