Adventure Elopement in the Lauterbrunnen Valley: A Behind-the-Scenes Journey
The Lauterbrunnen Valley, nestled in the heart of the Jungfrau Region in Switzerland, is a breathtaking destination for couples seeking a unique and adventurous elopement experience. As a local resident of Wengen, I bring unparalleled insider knowledge and connections to make your elopement truly special. Recently, I had the pleasure of planning and capturing a three-day adventure elopement for a wonderful couple from the USA. Having already had their intimate legal marriage in the States, they wanted to travel somewhere special to share their vows with one another. They chose Switzerland for its stunning landscapes but needed guidance on how to bring their vision to life. That’s where I stepped in by planning their elopement in full and filmed their adventure along with a Story Of Your Day associate photographer.
Before going into detail, here’s Kat and Dmetrey’s Trailer.
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Kat and Dmetrey arrived in Switzerland and spent a day acclimatising in Zurich before heading to Wengen, the picturesque village where I live and chosen by them for their elopement. Understanding the unpredictable nature of mountain weather, I kept four days clear in my calendar to ensure we had the flexibility needed. Their first few days in Wengen were spent exploring the village as the weather wasn’t ideal initially. With the forecast predicting brighter conditions towards the end of their stay, I encouraged them to extend their time in Wengen by another day to ensure we could film their elopement in the best possible weather.
Day 2: The Adventure Begins
The adventure began in the middle of the night, as Kat and Dmetrey wanted to go stargazing and capture an image of themselves with the Milky Way in the background. At 1:00 AM, we set off to a pre-arranged vantage point, hopeful despite the fog, as it was forecast to clear.
With our lanterns guiding the way, we left the village lights behind and embarked on a challenging hike. Upon arrival, we set up the cameras and waited. Although the skies didn’t clear, we captured some epic shots of the couple with beautiful clouds in the sky, creating a magical and unique backdrop.
Day 3: The Elopement Ceremony
After just a few hours of sleep, we began our elopement adventure first thing in the morning. We all caught the mountain railway train to the valley, and from there, we traveled by helicopter to Petersgrat Glacier. The helicopter journey was breathtaking, taking us past the north face of the Eiger, the Mönch, and around the Jungfrau and Jungfraujoch, known as the “Top of Europe.”
We were the first to land on the glacier that morning, making our footsteps the first on the pristine snow. We set up for the vow exchange in this stunning, untouched setting, followed by a photography session capturing the couple’s joy and love amidst the snow-capped peaks. We then flew the drone for more epic shots, capturing the grandeur of the glacier and the surrounding mountains.
The weather was on our side all day. After returning to the valley, we caught the train back up to Wengen and set up a picnic in a private spot – a garden of a friend of mine overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley and Staubach Falls. This special spot, accessible through my local connections, provided a perfect backdrop for the couple’s celebration. Kat and Dmetrey opened a bottle of champagne and shared their First Dance with one another, all captured beautifully on film and in photos.
After the picnic, we walked through the village and higher up towards another vantage point with more spectacular views. Here, we had another photo and film session in the peace and tranquility of the mountains, without another person in sight. The rest of the day, Kat and Dmetrey had to themselves to enjoy their first night together.
Day 4: A Romantic Boat Ride
The following morning, we went on a private boat ride on Lake Thun, where Kat and Dmetrey enjoyed a private breakfast and a tour of the villages and towns around this stunning blue lake. This serene and intimate experience was the perfect end to their adventure elopement in the Jungfrau Region. After this, the couple then headed to Venice by train to start their honeymoon adventures.
Incoporating Their Own Footage
While Kat and Dmetrey were on their honeymoon, I encouraged them to be their own content creators. I provided a brief lesson on filming techniques and asked them to gather as much material as they were comfortable with. They captured beautiful moments from their adventures, which I then incorporated into their elopement film. This unique touch, combined with a perfectly chosen music track about dreaming, made their film even more personal and special. The trailer includes a section featuring their footage, seamlessly edited with the scenes I filmed in Wengen and Lauterbrunnen.
The Advantages of Booking a Local Vendor
- Insider Knowledge: With my deep local knowledge, I was able to select the perfect, private locations for each part of the elopement, such as the pristine Petersgrat Glacier and a private garden overlooking the Lauterbrunnen Valley and Staubach Falls.
- Exclusive Access: My local network provided unique access to exclusive spots, ensuring a serene and personalized experience. This included arranging the helicopter journey and securing the private garden for the picnic and First Dance.
- Weather Flexibility: Understanding the unpredictable mountain weather, I kept my schedule flexible to ensure we captured the best moments in the best conditions. This flexibility allowed us to make the most of the clear weather on the day of the ceremony.
- Comprehensive Planning: As a local vendor, I handled all logistical aspects, from transportation and permits to accommodations and on-the-ground arrangements, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for the couple.
You can read more about how to get the best out of local vendors on this blog.
While we were on location, Kat and Dmetrey shared with me the reason why using a local team who planned, photographed and filmed everything was the best investment they could have made. Here’s a video testimonial from Kat and Dmetrey about their experience:
Behind the Scenes: Capturing the Magic
- Approach to Filming and Photographing: My approach to filming and photographing this elopement was to blend cinematic storytelling with natural, candid moments. I aimed to capture not just the events but the emotions and the breathtaking scenery.
- Challenges and Solutions: One of the main challenges was the unpredictable weather in the mountains. By keeping the schedule flexible and leveraging my local knowledge, we managed to navigate these challenges and make the most of the clear weather windows.
- Memorable Moments: One standout moment was the early morning hike for the star gazing session, where despite the fog, we captured stunning shots of the couple with dramatic cloud formations. Another highlight was the helicopter journey, offering unparalleled views of the Swiss Alps and of course the advantage of having a completely intimate and private ceremony in the most dreamy location.
This three-day adventure elopement in the Lauterbrunnen Valley showcased the unique beauty and adventure that Switzerland offers. It was a privilege to plan, film, and photograph such a special event, and I look forward to creating more unforgettable experiences for future couples.
Save on Your Investment
If videography is a priority for you, consider booking me as your videographer first. You can then choose one of my associate photographers or have me handle both photography and videography. This approach is cost-effective, as adding photography services is typically less expensive than upgrading videography services.
Plan Your Adventure Elopement
Ready to plan your own adventure elopement in the breathtaking Lauterbrunnen Valley? Find out more about my Elopement and Intimate Weddings.
Contact Story Of Your Day to start creating the unforgettable experience of your dreams. Let us bring your vision to life with our local expertise, stunning videography, and personalized planning.
