Your guide to Eloping in Switzerland at Lake Seealpsee

This is your sign to consider eloping in Switzerland.

When thinking of elopement destinations in Europe, everyone immediately thinks of places like Lake Como, the Dolomites, and Tuscany. All beautiful locations, but how about considering what still feels like a hidden gem – Switzerland.

The landscapes in Switzerland are unmatched, both in the summer and winter months. In the summer, Switzerland explodes into a land of colour and vibrancy, with beautiful green landscapes, wildflowers, alpine lakes and truly spectacular views.

Yasmine and Jarrett are from Hawaii, and they first inquired with me planning an elopement in Italy. After a call and working together to plan their elopement we settled on Switzerland. Specifically, Lake Seealpsee. Lake Seealpsee is located in the Appenzell region of Switzerland, close to Zurich. It's a beautiful alpine lake nestled in the mountains and accessed by a hiking trail next to a train station called Wasseauen. The walk to the top takes around an hour, it’s a relatively steep but manageable gravel path. But, for that reason, at sunrise, there are no tourists. I recommend planning your elopement at sunrise, firstly because you can pretty much guarantee you’ll be the only ones there, (with me too of course!) and you get the most incredible light at sunrise in this location. There are two hotels located on the lake, I’d recommend staying at Berggasthaus Forelle the night before your elopement.

Around 20 minutes before sunrise we headed out to a location around the lake for Yasmine and Jarrett to exchange their heartfelt private vows just as the sun rose. After exchanging their vows we walked around the circular path of the lake, we were met with the local Swiss bell cows who were peacefully grazing. I'll never forget the sound of the cow bells chiming and the distant sound of alphorns echoing through the region, honestly, it's one of the most beautiful moments I've ever witnessed.

As the couple were hotel guests, they had access to a free 30 minute boat hire, so off we went out onto the lake for some more romantic photos on one of the rowing boats here.

If you are a couple who wants their elopement to feel deeply personal, intimate, special and romantic, I urge you to elope in Switzerland. As an elopement photographer my approach to capturing elopements in Switzerland is as always rooted in storytelling, providing relaxed, elegant imagery aiming to capture both your emotions, your love and also the landscapes and location itself. My elopement package includes a digital gallery, sneak previews within 2 days, drone use, 35mm film and help with planning your elopement.

As well as Lake Seealpsee, some other Switzerland elopement locations I love are in the Jungfrau region, famous locations such as Lauterbrunnen, Murren or Wengen, all offering more beautiful traditional Switzerland landscapes for your elopement.

Consider planning your Switzerland elopement between May – September. Whilst in Switzerland, you have to travel around, it's such a gorgeous country! I'd recommend hiring a car, or if you can't drive, Switzerland is blessed with one of the best transport systems. Learn about the culture at one of the many museums, have a cheese fondue, and stay in one of the traditional style chalets, even just for a night. You're already in one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, so why not have a honey moon here also! Consider visiting neighbouring countries like Italy, Austria or France. As a type A girlie, you can guarantee I'll love chatting to you about these extra plans, and of course giving you a few travel tips and restaurant recs also.

Please enjoy some highlights from Yasmine & Jarrett's elopement at Lake Seealpsee, and if you'd like to enquire with me about your Switzerland elopement, please get in touch using the enquiry form on my contact page.

Photography: Kelly Hiscox Photography

Wedding Dress: Christina Wu