Canadian wedding photographers currently living in Miesbach, Germany
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Do you want to elope in Bavaria, Germany?
You’re thinking about eloping in Bavaria, Germany, but you’re wondering how do I go about this?
• What are the steps I need to take to make this thing official?
• How do I make my epic Bavarian Alps elopement dreams a reality?
Consider this Bavarian Elopement Guide your go-to source on all things eloping in Bavaria, Germany. We’ll talk through the best places to elope, how to decide what type of ceremony to have, who can marry you, how many witnesses you’ll need, as well as recommending some of our favourite Bavarian wedding vendors.
What You Get
Consultation | Timeline planning | Location Scouting | Easy communication | Wedding day prep
Before your ELopement
2 photographers (wife/husband) | Be fully present in the moment | Forget the camera is there | Family history captured | Feel comfortable | Natural looking photos | Documentary Style
On Your Elopement Day
After your Elopement
Full Gallery delivery in 3 weeks | High-Res Photographs | Custom edits by us | Easy to use Online Gallery | Share with friends and family | Online gallery backup | Fine Art Heirloom Albums | Album Design | Prints & Wall Art | Slideshow | Priceless memories | Online Store
What is an elopement?
An elopement is two people, in love, wanting to make a commitment to each other in marriage. In Germany you may elope with a civil service or with an elopement as a symbolic ceremony. You can choose to share a celebration with your extended family and friends before or after your elopement, or not at all. That’s the beauty of an elopement, everything is up to you!
If this sounds like your jam, keep reading for the nitty gritty on how to get this done.
WHy Elope in Germany
Why do you want to elope? Likely you’re looking for an intimate adventure to embark on with your partner. Germany, specifically the region of Bavaria has the jaw-dropping beauty of Switzerland, the friendly, welcoming atmosphere of Wales, and the range of lodging options from luxury to budget. You can choose to adventure at one of the instagrammable treasures of this region, or opt for something equally beautiful but definitely more locals-only low key. Once you’ve tied the knot you can spend your honey-moon galavanting around Bavaria taking in the sights along the Romantic Road, or jump across to Austria, Italy or even Switzerland (all within the space of a couple of hours - mind blowing for all of our North American friends who regularly drive a couple of hours for an afternoon getaway).
Our Favourite Places to Elope in Bavaria, Germany
Book your Bavarian Elopement Photographer.
First off, get a sense of what style of photography you gravitate toward. Are you looking for a documentary-style with lots of candid shots, or a more posed, traditional style? Have a look through some of the Bavarian elopement photographers on google, or ask your friends/family/colleagues for recommendations. Go through each photographers’ website and see if you connect with their content, with their shooting style, and with their personality. If you’re considering a midweek wedding you may have more flexibility with your dates. Once you’ve decided on your photographer, you can dive head first into the next step!
Plan your Bavarian Elopement Vision.
Let’s work together to plan your vision. Are you an early riser or a night owl? Would you prefer to see the sun rise or watch it sink below the horizon? If you’re looking for an epic portrait, we’re planning around the light which will mean we will schedule your ceremony and portraits within the hour after sunrise, or the hour before sunset. Working with your photographer you will ensure your location takes advantage of the soft light at your chosen time of day.
Choose a Location.
There are so many beautiful locations in Bavaria, Germany. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the choices we’ll narrow it down together based on a few criteria (light/access/cost).
Light/Access
When you consider your location, think about opening times and where you want to be for that prime light. If you’re hoping to elope with mountain views, for instance at Eibsee, we’ll need to check the opening times of parking specifically and plan around those. If you’d like to be at the top of Zugspitze we’ll need to plan around the cable car timings. If you’re planning to hike up to a higher elevation we’ll need to consider how long it will take you to hike there/get elopement ready. We’ll also want to consider how busy your location is, depending on the time of year. If you’re looking at a winter lakeside elopement you’ll likely have the trail mostly to yourself, however schedule your elopement for any time between June – September and you may have to consider many other visitors. We love sunrise elopements because even at the height of the summer season you can typically have the lake or trail to yourself.
Cost
Do you need a permit to get married at your chosen location? For the most part you are able to elope easily at the following locations without a permit, however as we finalize details of your elopement vision we will cover all associated permits/costs.
Ceremony types for your Bavarian, Elopement
Civil Ceremony
If you are a German citizen, marrying a German citizen, or on a visa in Germany you may get legally married with a civil ceremony at your local Rathaus. You can find more information about the legalities of getting married in Germany here. If you are coming to Germany from abroad we recommend handling the legalities in your country of residence either before or after your elopement. We did this for our own wedding (officially signing the marriage documents in Canada, then having a symbolic wedding ceremony including handfasting with a monk in Killarney, Ireland). You can technically get married in Germany as a foreigner but you must fulfill a minimum residency requirement, which is 21 days before your civil ceremony.
LGBTQIA Weddings/Elopements in Germany
In 2017 Germany’s parliament adopted “Marriage for All” which entitles same-sex couples to marriage and all the same legal rights at heterosexual couples. Yas! Another reason why you should consider eloping in Germany instead of other Alpine countries (e.g. Italy where same-sex marriage is not currently recognized by law).
Symbolic Ceremony
Your symbolic ceremony can be designed with an officiant (a celebrant, monk, friend) or by just the two of you. Some of the elements our couples have included are:
Personal vows
Poetry
Handfasting Ceremony
Tea Ceremony
Music (live musicians, hand-written songs)
We are Al & Pat (she/her & he/him), a Canadian wife and husband wedding photography team based in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
We acknowledge the Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work. We acknowledge our shared obligation to respect, honour and sustain these lands and the natural resources contained within.