Want to plan a Dolomites Italy elopement? If you’re a couple with a deep sense of adventure and an affinity for travel, the Dolomites (aka the Italian Alps) is an idyllic location known for its picturesque views filled with blankets of snow or wildflowers springing up from the mountains (depending on the season). It’s also one of the best spots on the globe for skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, mountain biking, mountain climbing, hiking, and helicopter tours! If you’re curious about planning a Dolomites Italy elopement, keep reading for your complete guide to adventure & vows.
Where to stay when visiting the Dolomites
Before you board your plane to the Dolomites, you might be wondering where to stay. Typically, most couples plan where to stay first by finding a ‘base’. Aka a place to stay that will allow them to explore different areas of the Dolomites because the range is so vast. Here are a few top choices to find lodging that will provide you with easy access to your Dolomites Italy elopement experience.
- Val Gardena
- Alta Badia
- Val di Fassa
- Val di Funes
- Val d’Ega
- Cortina d’Ampezzo
- Alta Pusteria
- San Martino di Castrozza
- Alpe di Siusi
Obtaining a Marriage License for your Dolomites Italy Elopement
There are two ways to hold your elopement wedding ceremony in the Dolomites. The first is to obtain a marriage certificate in Italy by appearing before the Civil Registrar of the City Hall (“Comune”). The second is to have a symbolic ceremony, which I’ll detail a bit more below.
Italian Marriage Certificate
I’m not going to lie, obtaining a marriage certificate in Italy is a bit of work. If what you’re after out of your elopement is to hop on a plane next week, you can scroll past this section and straight to the details of a symbolic ceremony. To obtain a marriage certificate in Italy, you’ll need to bring along two witnesses and make a declaration of your intention to marry. In addition to this process, you must both present the following documentation:
- A valid US passport
- A certified copy of your birth certificate in “long form”, which includes the names of both parents and legalized with an “Apostille” affixed by the Secretary of State of the State where your birth took place. Your birth certificate must be accurately translated into Italian and have an Apostille as well.
- A certificate of clearance to the marriage (art. 116 CC) issued by the authority responsible for the place of residence, duly translated and with Apostille issued by the competent authority, duly translated and with Apostille, or a certificate of marital capacity
- All attendees/witnesses must have a valid ID for identification (a passport or driver’s license)
- A declaration, sworn to by US citizens who intend to marry in Italy before an American Consular officer in Italy, stating that according to the United States laws, there is no obstacle to their marriage
- After the declaration, bans must be posted at the local City Hall for eight consecutive days and four more days are necessary before your marriage can occur. However, bans are typically waived by the Vital Statistic Registrar (“Ufficiale dello Stato Civile”) if neither party to the marriage is Italian nor residing in Italy.
It is also highly recommended that before leaving Italy, you request a copy of your marriage certificate from City Hall and have it legalized with an Apostille at the local Prefecture. Understandably, this is a super lengthy process. Most couples who plan a Dolomites Italy elopement are in it for the sense of adventure it brings to their elopement experience
Symbolic Elopement Ceremony in the Dolomites
If you want to skip all the forms and visits to City Hall, you absolutely can! The second option is to have a symbolic wedding ceremony instead. You don’t need a marriage license to have a symbolic wedding ceremony in the Dolomites. In fact, you don’t need documentation for a symbolic ceremony anywhere in Italy. The best part about this option is that you can even host your symbolic wedding ceremony at a venue or hotel that does not have a license required for hosting legal weddings. Meaning, your venue options have just opened up to endless possibilities! Many couples who chose this option, host a small courthouse wedding ceremony before or after their Dolomites Italy elopement.
Best Time of Year for a Dolomites Italy Elopement
The best time of year for your Dolomites Italy elopement will all depend on the type of experience you hope to have! Do you picture hiking the Dolomites in your wedding dress? Or going snowboarding or snowshoeing after you say I do? The Dolomites are a wonder to behold any time of the year. But, the adventure you dream of for your elopement will be weather contingent. No matter what season you choose to host your Dolomites Italy elopement, the biggest piece of advice I can give you is this, pack for all contingencies! The weather can quickly go from sunscreen and heat to chilly and needing layers. Having traveled to the Domoites as an elopement photographer, here’s what I can tell you about the experience of each season
Winter Elopement in the Dolomites
Best Months | December, January, and February
What to Expect | A playground of winter festivities awaits your Dolomites Italy elopement. It’s by far the best time for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. The idyllic mountain range is covered in a blanket of crisp white snow as far as the eye can see and the air is crisp.
Who It’s For | Want that added feeling of a winter wonderland for your elopement? The Dolomites somehow come to life during the winter months creating a magical backdrop filled with sheets of snow.
Your Dolomites Italy Elopement Photos | The sun rises late and sets early during the winter months. With the direction of the natural sunlight over top of the Dolomites, I highly recommend a sunrise elopement photography session, followed by your vows. This time frame will allow us to create the most magical elopement photos that will give you the rest of your wedding day to frolic and adventure, enjoying the winter activities that the Dolomites are known for.
Spring Elopement in the Dolomites
Best Months | April & May
What to Expect | Fewer crowds! During the early springtime in the Dolomites, you can expect some of the slopes to still be open. But by far the best part of a spring elopement in the Dolomites is the epic blooming wildflowers.
Who It’s For | If you’re stuck on deciding which season to head to the Dolomites, ask yourselves if you’re ok with missing the slopes. If so, you’ll love the easygoing feeling of spring for your Dolomites Italy elopement. There is still a chill in the air during spring so pack and plan your wedding day attire accordingly.
Your Dolomites Italy Elopement Photos | We have more room to chase the sun during your spring elopement in the Dolomites. Whether hopping in a gondola for a view of the wildflowers or to catch that last slope with a fresh blanket of snow, there is more room for a varied elopement photography experience during the spring months.
Summer Elopement in the Dolomites
Best Months | June, July, August
What to Expect | Outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, and mountain climbing are prime during the summer months. But so are the crowds! You can definitely expect an influx of tourists during the summer months.
Who It’s For | If you don’t mind or actually prefer to mix, mingle, and get social during your elopement in the Dolomites, then summer is your best option.
Your Dolomites Italy Elopement Photos | If you’re picturing an epic elopement with photos of snow-capped mountains off in the distance, summer is definitely not it. However, if you want serene lake views with a sprawling abundance of greenery, then eloping in the summer is a fabulous option.
Fall Elopement in the Dolomites
Best Months | September & October
What to Expect | Fall in the Dolomites is by far one the best times for hiking with the mildest range of temperatures. There will definitely be fewer crowds than in the summer months. Giving your Dolomites Italy elopement an easy-going feeling of adventure layered with fun.
Who It’s For | Want a gorgeous elopement with a range of natural colors, mild temperatures, and scenic views? If so a fall elopement in the Dolomites is for you.
Your Dolomites Italy Elopement Photos | Fall in the Dolomites is filled with beautifully vibrant colors as far as the eye can see. It’s an idyllic setting for gorgeous sunset or sunrise wedding day portraits with clear skies and autumnal tones.
Dolomites Helicopter Tour Elopement
Yes, you read that right. You can take a helicopter tour of the Dolomites as part of your elopement experience. It’s a fabulous add-on to your adventure-packed wedding day in the Italian Alps! Whether you are looking for a private helicopter elopement tour or a tour with other sightseers – here are a few options for the best tours from above.
1. Arabba
Total Cost | 90 Euros [$92.31 USD] per person with a minimum of 5 persons per tour.
Length of Tour | 15, 30, or 50 minutes.
2. Elikos
Total Cost | Tours range in price from 140 to 1,900 Euros [$143.59 to $1948.75 USD] for group or private tours.
Length of Tour | 15, 30, or 50 minutes.
3. Heliunion
Total Cost | Tours range in price from 85 to 2,200 Euros [$87.18 to $2256.45 USD] for group or private tours.
Length of Tour | 10, 20, 30, 50 minutes, or a full day of adventure!
Dolomites Elopement Photographer
I’m heading to the Dolomites in 2025 & beyond! Sunrise, sunset, winter, spring, summer, or fall; I’m ready to capture every moment of your fun & adventurous elopement.
You can find all the details about the experience I provide as a Dolomites elopement photographer, here.
