2026 Luxury Elopements Are About Experience

What Couples are Spending Money on
Instead of a Big Wedding

Since around 2020, the way we get married has been changing. Couples aren’t necessarily spending less on their weddings, they’re just spending differently. Instead of inviting 120 people and filling a packed, fixed schedule, more couples are choosing to scale back the guest list and build something that they intentionally want to do. And honestly, it makes sense. When you strip away the pressure of hosting, there’s room to create an experience that is truly meaningful to you as a couple.

As a photographer who spends most of the year documenting mountain elopements in the Dolomites, Switzerland, and Iceland, I’ve seen this shift up close. Couples aren’t downsizing, they’re being intentional. They’re choosing adventure, privacy, and time together over production value.

Here’s what that looks like in real life.

A Private Mountain Ceremony

One of the biggest changes? Privacy.

There’s something completely different about reading your vows on a mountain with no one watching. You’re not thinking about whether people in the back can hear you, you’re not aware of who’s filming; you’re just there.

I’ve photographed many couples at sunrise in the Dolomites where the only sound was wind moving through the peaks. Vy and Alex, for example, stood quietly, took their time, and let the moment unfold without anyone waiting on them. You can read about their love story here.

Many locations at sunrise give you space. Gorgeous light, fewer hikers, and the kind of setting that makes you slow down naturally and put the stress of everyday life behind you. You hike into your ceremony spot together, breathe a little deeper, and whisper “holy sh*t” under your breath as you realize where you are.

Staying Somewhere That Adds to the Experience

Another thing I’m seeing more of in 2026 is couples treating themselves to a luxury hotel/accommodation with their wedding budget. Instead of spending on décor that disappears after one night, they book a hotel or mountain lodge that becomes part of the story. Imagine a slow morning with a cappuccino on the balcony and an incredible mountain view. Maybe a spa afternoon or dip in the pool before sunset portraits.

If you’re eloping in a city like Paris or Venice, that might mean choosing a boutique hotel that lets you step straight into quiet streets at blue hour. It gives your day breathing room. You’re not rushing from one obligation to the next, you’re enjoying where you are.

Where you stay doesn’t just hold your wedding day, it shapes how it feels and it’s where we will spend time doing some portraits, getting ready, and detail photos. It’s a part of the story of your best day ever.

Adding One Bold, Memorable Element

Some couples add a helicopter landing in the Dolomites, like Rebecca and Saeed. Others take a boat across Lago di Braies. A few hike a little farther than expected to reach a ridgeline with a panoramic view.

These choices aren’t about showing off; they’re about fully experiencing the place you travelled to, literally the reason that you went there.

I remember photographing Ann Marie and Dan after their helicopter drop-off high above the valleys. They had an entire mountaintop to themselves, with Tre Cime glowing in the background, they shared one last champagne toast as the sun slipped behind the peaks. That moment will stay with them forever, they will always love re-living it when they look through their wedding album.

In Iceland, couples wander beaches like Reynisfjara with the waves crashing behind them. Sometimes the wind is wild, sometimes it’s calm. Either way, it becomes part of the story. Years later, that’s what you’ll talk about. The way it felt to be there.

Choosing a Multi-Day Timeline

If there’s one thing I gently encourage whenever possible, it’s this: give yourself time.

A multi-day elopement changes everything. Instead of squeezing portraits, vows, and travel into one tight window, you spread it out. One morning for sunrise in the mountains. Another evening for waterfalls or coastal views.

Lorraine and Oliver chose to do exactly that. We chased light one morning, took a break midday with an Aperol Spritz, and explored somewhere completely different the next day. There was no rush. If the weather shifted, we adjusted.

In places like Iceland and Faroe Island where conditions can change quickly, that flexibility is practical. It takes the pressure off. You’re not staring at the sky hoping it behaves. You know there’s room to pivot.

And you actually get to enjoy where you are instead of watching the clock.

A Dinner You’ll Actually Taste

One of my favourite parts of smaller weddings is what happens after the ceremony.

Instead of organizing a large reception, many couples book a private dinner. Just the two of you. Maybe a few close people if you’ve invited them. Candlelight, good food, a bottle of wine you chose on purpose.

You can hear each other speak. You can sit longer than planned. You remember what you ate.

For couples who care about sustainability or ethical choices, this also opens the door to supporting local restaurants, choosing plant-forward menus, and keeping things low-impact. It feels thoughtful rather than excessive. If you’re in Italy, why not hire a local Pizzaiolo for your adventure? I probably know a guy.

When to Plan Your 2026 Adventure Elopement

In the Dolomites, late June through September usually gives you the best access to higher alpine locations. Sunrise is usually your best option for privacy and that soft, even light photographers love. But if you want less tourists, the shoulder seasons can also be incredible. You just need a local photographer or planner to help you plan a little better, because you will want to know about opening times, weather, and how else to prepare to come in the off season.

In Iceland, early summer offers long daylight hours, which gives you flexibility. Shoulder seasons can feel moodier and quieter, but they require even more flexibility with weather. Building a multi-day plan helps a lot here, that way you have more chances of getting a beautiful, sunny day.

No matter where you choose, the key is leaving space in the schedule. That’s what keeps the day calm.

So What Does Luxury Actually Mean Now?

From what I’ve seen, luxury in 2026 looks like alignment. It’s choosing a setting you genuinely care about. It’s giving yourselves time. It’s investing in these incredible experiences that you might not normally do. Adventure elopements and mountain weddings are not a backup plan for couples who “couldn’t” do something bigger. For all of the couples I work with, it’s their the first choice. They want something immersive and personal. They want to remember how it felt, not just how it looked.

And if you’re reading this thinking, “That sounds more like us,” you’re probably right.

If you’re considering an adventure elopement in 2026, I’d love to talk through what that could look like for you. Whether you’re dreaming about the Dolomites, Iceland, or somewhere else entirely, we can build a plan that feels grounded, thoughtful, and realistic. You can inquire or schedule a call whenever you’re ready. Even if you’re just in the early idea stage, that’s completely fine, having a chat with me is commitment-free. We’ll plan an elopement that feels meaningful, flexible, and completely true to you.