Taylor & Ken
Eternal vows in the shadows of giants: a 3-day adventure elopement in Bavaria
Itinerary of their Bavaria elopement
Due to Leave No Trace policy, the exact locations names stay undisclosed
Day 1 – Saturday – Elopement day
10.30am: starting to get ready
11.00am: I’ll meet you at your accommodation for getting ready shots 🙂
Noon: don’t forget to eat!
1.00pm: first look near the lake
1.15pm: walking to the pier and boat boarding
1.30pm: boat ride to the pier
2.30-3.00pm: arrival at the pier, walk to the lake + finding the best spot for the ceremony
3.00-3.30pm: ceremony
3.30-3.45pm: group photoshoot at the lake
3.45-4.15pm: hike towards the waterfall
4.15-4.30pm: group + couples photos with the waterfall in the background (the highest waterfall in Germany)
4.30-5.00pm: back to the group at the lake and back to the pier
5.00-6.00pm: boat ride back to town
6.00-7.00pm: photoshoot on the shores of the lake
7.00-7.15pm: driving to the restaurant
7.30-9.30pm: reception
9.30-10.00pm: driving to the lake’s shores
10.00-11.00pm: couple photoshoot under the stars near the lake
Night at the Alpenhotel Fischer**** (included)
Day 2 – Sunday
We’ll meet around 10am at your accommodation and start our adventure! We’ll head to a summit located in Austria, with a beautiful view! We’ll then eat at a restaurant conveniently located on the mountain.
We should be back to our car around 3.00pm.
We’ll then head to the valley for a sunset photoshoot.
We’ll spend the night in Garmisch hôtel Werdenfelserei **** (included)
Day 3 – Monday
7.00-8.30am: We’ll start our day with a visit to the lake at sunrise
8.30-9.00am: We’ll then head to the gorge.
9.00-11.00am: nice autumn walk near the water.
11.00am: We’ll head back to town for lunch
12.00-1.00pm: drive to the castle
2.55pm-4.00pm: castle tour
4.30-6.30pm: drive to Münich
7.00-10.00pm: private food and beer tour of Munich
10.00pm: end of our adventure together!
What they have to say about their adventure
10/10 would recommend Amber (Zephyr & Luna) for your destination wedding or elopement!
Starting out, we were most worried about hiring a photographer we had never met in person. (She lives in France while we live in the US.) We were worried we might be getting catfished. But Amber kept our worries distant by meeting us using face calls, quickly responding to all emails and text messages, and referencing us to her website and other reviews as well. Now that the experience is complete, I can tell you that she’s real and not catfishing LOL.
Planning our destination wedding was as easy as telling Amber what we wanted; and she did all the work from there. My husband and I weren’t set on a specific date, but we did know that we wanted a great vibe. We eventually settled on the idea of a fall wedding. Amber recommended Germany to us, and we are so glad we went with her recommendations! The mountains, the water, and the trees just made the whole weekend feel like such a fairytale! Even the people were so kind and welcoming. The only “bump in the road” we came across when planning was the boat/charter company. They were a little hard to communicate with, but Amber stayed in touch with us throughout the whole process and we just had her send us a separate invoice for the boating fees so that way we could be stress-free and let her handle it. Even though the boat/charter company was the only stressful part, we ended up having the best boat captain, Barbara. Other than our ceremony and our vows, Barbara was probably the highlight of our wedding day. She stopped the boat in the middle of the lake and played a trumpet for us so we could listen to the echoes that the mountains created. Then she set the trumpet down and gave us a grand yodel!
Anyway, (back to Amber,) on our big day, we were slightly awkward in front of the camera at first, but Amber’s helpful tips and calming personality really helped us ease into the process. She is so kind and thanked us for every pose and action shot we did, which made us feel like super-stars. Our photos turned out better than we could have every imagined!
At the end of everything, she gives you an online link to all of your photos. We booked her for 3 days so we had over 1,000 photos to look through. She gives you both websize photos and high resolution photos too! (Which is incredibly considerate and helpful.)
If you’re like me, and you’ve never been married before and you’re not sure what a normal price for a wedding photographer is, just know that she’s worth every penny and, after my experience with her, I’m surprised she doesn’t charge more. I’m already thinking about ways to tell my hubby that I want to book her again for anniversary photos!
Reflections on the day
As I sit here, reflecting on the past few days, I am overwhelmed with emotions. The 3-day adventure elopement in Germany was truly an experience like no other. From the serene ceremony at the stunning Obersee to the adventurous hike in the Bavaria mountains, every moment was filled with wonder and beauty.
Capturing the love between the couple amidst the breathtaking landscapes was a privilege and a joy. Every click of my camera felt like capturing a piece of their soul, their love radiating through each image. The deep connection they shared was palpable, and I am grateful to have been able to witness and immortalize it.
The hike in northern Austria was a test of endurance and perseverance, but the sense of accomplishment and the stunning views made every step worth it. As we climbed higher and higher, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of freedom and peace wash over me. The mountains have a way of putting things into perspective, of reminding us of how small we are in this vast world.
And then, of course, there was the visit to the iconic Neuschwanstein Castle. The fairytale setting was the perfect backdrop for capturing the couple’s love story, a reminder that dreams do come true and love can conquer all.
Through it all, I have come to realize that photography is not just about capturing moments, but about capturing emotions, memories, and stories. It is about connecting with people on a deeper level and creating lasting reminders of the beauty that surrounds us.
This adventure elopement has been a transformative experience for me as a photographer. It has pushed me out of my comfort zone, challenged me to think creatively, and reminded me of the power of love and nature. I am grateful for the opportunity to document such a beautiful love story and to grow both personally and professionally in the process.
As I look back on the images from these past few days, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences I have had and the memories I have captured. I am reminded of the beauty and wonder that exist in the world, and the importance of living life to the fullest. And I am inspired to continue exploring, creating, and capturing the magic that surrounds us.
Behind the scenes of their Bavaria elopement
A short anecdote: This couple selected a picturesque lake for their ceremony, looking for tranquility and natural beauty. Since it was the end of the season, the regular rides to the lake had concluded for the year, which serendipitously meant we had the entire area to ourselves. To ensure the special day went as planned, we arranged for a private boat to take us there, making their elopement beautifully intimate and utterly exclusive.
This elopement won 7 international photography awards
Photos of this Bavaria elopement
