How to organize a wedding in the mountains?
Have you ever wanted to hold your wedding in an unusual and original place, different from the traditional locations chosen by most of your friends? Have you thought to ditch the routine and hold your wedding in the mountains?
For many couples, a traditional hometown wedding is no longer attractive enough. More and more people are choosing mountain scenery as the ideal location for their wedding. Often these are intimate ceremonies with breathtaking views that add to the beauty of the special day. However, sometimes a wedding grows to impressive proportions, with hundreds of guests enjoying themselves in a mountain inn. No matter what the bride and groom’s dream is, the mountains offer many options and are the perfect place for those who want an unforgettable wedding.
If it has ever crossed your mind to hold your wedding in the mountains, I will be happy to help you with 10 tips on how to organize such a wedding. I believe that I am the right person to write about this topic 🙂 Most of my wedding reportage took place just in the mountains. Most often it was the Tatra Mountains and Podhale, but I often work in the Pieniny Mountains as well. I have extensive experience in photographing outdoor weddings in the Tatra and Pieniny Mountains. I know places that are breathtaking, so I enjoy taking couples there for photo shoots. In the link below you will find examples of such places.
1. choose the right venue for your wedding in the mountains
The first and extremely important step in planning your wedding in the mountains is choosing the right venue. Chances are you already have some favorite mountain spots in your heart, or perhaps you are on the search for that one special location.
For couples who dream of a wedding ceremony in the Tatra Mountains, it is crucial to consider whether they prefer a church ceremony or an outdoor wedding with a picturesque view of the mountains. Organizing a church wedding in the Zakopane area offers many attractive options. There are some really captivating churches that I like to photograph in. One of the recommended options is to get married at the Jaszczurówka church, where there is a beautiful wooden chapel, the work of renowned architect Stanislaw Witkiewicz, ideal for an intimate ceremony. For couples planning a larger number of guests, a good choice might be the Bachledowka church, with its beautiful interior, hospitable Pauline Fathers and breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains that will appear to you as you leave the church.
Other places I’m happy to recommend for a church wedding in the Zakopane area include the Church on Wiktorówki and the Chapel on Płazówka. Of course, these examples are only a small part of the places I personally appreciate. There are many other equally stunning locations in the Zakopane area that can become the setting for your dream wedding.
Civil wedding in the mountains
More and more couples are choosing the picturesque scenery of the mountains to exchange their wedding vows surrounded by majestic peaks, or even in the heart of the Tatra Mountains. An outdoor wedding in the Tatra Mountains is the dream of many brides, but it is important to remember to obtain special permission from the Tatra National Park if the ceremony is to take place on its grounds. In the area of the Tatra Mountains, specific places are designated for weddings. A full list of such locations can be found on the official website of the Tatra National Park at https://tpn.pl/kontakt/zalatw-sprawe/ceremonie-slubne.
For couples who want a wedding overlooking the Tatra Mountains, but not necessarily in the heart of the mountains, an excellent alternative is to hold the ceremony in a hotel where the wedding will also take place. There are many places offering spectacular mountain views where such ceremonies can be held.
If you are still looking for the perfect place for a wedding in the mountains, I encourage you to read my article – Wedding halls in Podhale, where you will find more information and inspiration on the subject.
2. choose a convenient date
Is there a universally ideal date to hold a wedding in the mountains? This is a question that each bride and groom may answer differently, but in my experience, certain dates deserve special attention.
For couples who dream of having a wedding in the heart of Zakopane, but want to avoid the crowds of tourists, it is advisable to avoid holiday periods and winter holidays. The ideal dates for you may be the autumn and spring months, as well as part of winter, when the city is less crowded and Zakopane presents its other, quieter face.
If your wedding is to be held outside the central part of Zakopane, the date becomes less important. Although there may be more traffic on the roads, you will certainly be able to find a place where you can enjoy the ceremony away from the crowds, enjoying the peace and beauty of mountain nature.
3. find a good photographer
As the well-known saying goes, advertising is the lever of commerce, and this is also reflected in the wedding industry. Let me focus on my role – I am a wedding photographer with experience in capturing dozens of different weddings and weddings in the mountains. If you want your wedding photos to be taken in a natural, reportage style, full of unforgettable, touching moments that will make you pause over them for a long time, and the wedding session will take place in a friendly atmosphere and in a unique place – you are cordially invited to contact me.
Ask about available dates and see how I can help make your memories unforgettable. Before making a decision, I also encourage you to read my 2022 summary, where I present a compilation of the best wedding photos, so you can see examples of my work and get inspired to create your own unique wedding story.
4. ask the “locals”
When planning a wedding, it’s a good idea to follow a rule of thumb that also works for travel – look for places recommended by locals. Just as when choosing a restaurant on vacation, where it’s best to target places popular with “locals” who know the best spots with local food, it’s a good idea to seek advice from locals when organizing a wedding. If you are looking for the perfect wedding venue in the mountains, an interesting attraction or want to find the best wedding cake in Podhale, do not hesitate to ask on local Facebook groups. Residents will be happy to share their knowledge and experience, which can prove invaluable in organizing your dream wedding. They are the ones who know best where to find real local gems that can make your day even more special.
5. overnight stay in the mountains for wedding guests
Couples who decide to hold their weddings hundreds of kilometers away from where they live often face the challenge of providing accommodations for family and friends attending the reception. Many wedding halls in the area offer guest accommodations, which is a great convenience. However, if you are planning a wedding at a venue that does not have its own accommodations, it is advisable to ask the owners of the hall for recommendations on hotels or guesthouses nearby.
Wedding with accommodation in the mountains
In my experience, wedding organizers in Podhale often cooperate with the owners of guesthouses in close proximity to the wedding halls. So it is worth taking advantage of this cooperation to provide guests with comfortable and nearby accommodations. Such an arrangement is convenient both for the guests, who do not have to worry about getting there after the ceremony, and for the bride and groom, who can be sure that all invitees will find comfortable accommodations.
6. wedding session in the Tatra Mountains
Organizing a wedding in the mountains and not holding an outdoor session seems almost unthinkable. A photo session in a mountainous landscape can become one of the most picturesque elements of this special day. It does not necessarily have to be a wedding session scheduled for a different day than the wedding ceremony. If you are lucky with the weather, it is possible to organize a short photo session on the wedding day. For example, you can carve out about 30 minutes after lunch to go to one of the many vantage points to capture these moments in extraordinary scenery.
For couples, however, who prefer to plan a wedding session in a more relaxed atmosphere, on a different day, I am happy to recommend some stunning locations for a session in the Tatra or Pieniny Mountains. If you are interested in learning more about this topic, I encourage you to read my posts focusing specifically on organizing such sessions. You will find valuable tips on how to make the most of the beauty of the mountain landscape, so that your wedding photos are not just a souvenir, but a true work of art.
7. combine a wedding in the mountains with a vacation
The modern lifestyle sometimes makes it difficult to find time for a vacation. Weddings in the mountains, however, provide an excellent opportunity to combine the wedding festivities with a vacation or even a honeymoon. Especially when organizing a more modest wedding reception, it is possible to stay in the mountains for a few days after the wedding.
Such a scenario gives you a chance to relax and enjoy yourselves in a beautiful mountain environment, right after the official ceremonies are over. The mountains offer many ways to spend this time, from romantic walks on the trails to relaxing at local spas or exploring regional attractions. This is a great way to start your life together, while allowing you to take a breather and avoid an immediate return to everyday life. Combining a wedding with a short vacation in the mountains can be not only practical, but also unforgettable.
8. organize your wedding in the mountains remotely!
Nowadays, when technology offers more and more possibilities, organizing such an important event as a wedding and reception does not have to involve spending a lot of time meeting in person and running errands directly. Many elements of wedding preparations can now be handled remotely, which is convenient and saves time.
In my experience, brides and grooms are increasingly opting for remote contracting, made possible by modern technology. The use of special applications makes it possible to securely sign a contract related to the organization of the wedding, regardless of where the bride and groom are located. Such a solution is especially useful for couples who live far from the place where they are planning their wedding and reception, or for those who have limited time for preparations. Remote organization allows for easier time management and provides more flexibility in planning that special day.
9. plan attractions
When planning a wedding in the mountains, it is worth remembering that for many guests it will be an opportunity to experience local culture and traditions. That’s why one idea to spice up the festivities is to organize themed attractions that reflect the regional character of the venue.
Such local attractions can range from folkloric musical performances to demonstrations of regional dances to tastings of local culinary specialties. Such additions will not only add a unique flair to the wedding, but will also be an interesting attraction for guests who want to get to know more about the region where the ceremony is held.
Involving local performers and artisans is also a great way to support the local community and culture, which can add an extra, deeper meaning to the wedding. In this way, the wedding becomes not only a celebration of your love, but also a tribute to the beauty and traditions of the mountain region.
Talking to couples who come from different parts of Poland to the Tatra Mountains for their wedding, I noticed an interesting trend. Many of them choose to book a highland band to provide musical accompaniment during the ceremony or wedding reception. Such live music brings a unique regional flair to the ceremony and is a great way to highlight the mountainous nature of the wedding.
In winter, a popular wedding attraction is to organize a sleigh ride. Such a winter adventure, both before and after the wedding reception, can be an unforgettable attraction for guests. A sleigh ride, often combined with a bonfire and sausage roasting, is an ideal way to introduce guests to the highland atmosphere and enjoy the winter landscape.
In addition, many weddings in the Tatra Mountains also feature demonstrations of highland dancing and singing. Such performances not only make the wedding more colorful, but also allow guests to learn more about the local culture. They are a wonderful addition to the wedding program and are often one of the most memorable parts of the ceremony.
10. wedding day joy – universal advice
This advice is universal and applies to any wedding, whether it’s a wedding in the mountains, by the sea or any other place. The most important aspect is to enjoy the day and each other. The wedding day is a special moment in which the main role is played by you – the bride and groom.
There is no attraction, no view – not even the most picturesque one – that could overshadow the significance of the day. It is your love, happiness and celebration together that are most important. Remember to enjoy every moment of this day, celebrating your love and the presence of loved ones. A wedding is not just a formality or a party, it is a time when you create memories that will stay with you for a lifetime. So no matter what you plan, remember to focus on joy and love, which is the essence of this day.