Adventurous Multi-Day Elopement in the Dolomites

DOLOMITES ITALY WEDDING & ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | SHAWNA RAE

Sarah & Rachel

Lago Sorapis, Tre cime & Cadini Di Misurina Elopement

Sarah and Rachel didn’t just want a wedding — they wanted an experience. They’re the kind of couple who does things with intention, heart, and a whole lot of pride (literally). Back home in Canada, they run Rainbow Certified, a brand that uplifts and empowers the LGBTQ+ community through bold, wearable statements of belonging. Their energy is magnetic. The love they have for their people and their community is huge. So when they reached out to me with a dream of doing both — a celebration with their loved ones and an elopement that felt entirely their own — I was immediately in. And not just because their vibe was amazing (it was), but because I knew we were a perfect match for one another.

Last updated: April 22, 2024

Sarah, Bride

"Shawna was incredible to work with & we are so happy with our photos! The communication prior to meeting and the chats throughout the day were incredibly comfortable & easy going."

Our first meetings.

From the very first video call, it felt like catching up with friends. We laughed, swapped stories, bonded over dogs (they have a golden retriever named Willow who obviously has her own Instagram), and got deep into what this elopement really meant to them. It wasn’t just about the photos or the location — it was about creating space. Space for just the two of them. Space to breathe, to be present, to hold each other without distraction.

We had multiple calls to map everything out. I built them a custom itinerary based on what they loved: dramatic views, a bit of adventure, and privacy. I brought my knowledge of the Dolomites, their travel goals, and my third-wheeling instincts into the mix and designed a route that gave them all of that and more. Every detail was tailored to them, and it came together like it was meant to be.

Eloping at Tre Cime and Lago Sorapis in the Dolomites.

The next day, we met up again for a second adventure — this time hiking up to Lago Sorapis. If you’ve never seen glacier-blue water in real life, prepare to have your mind blown. The color was wild, and the light at sunset made it feel otherworldly. We didn’t rush. We explored, let the wind play with their hair, and captured every little moment that made their dynamic so easy to photograph: the teasing, the gentle touches, the way they look at each other like there’s no one else on the planet. Their elopement wasn’t about perfection — it was about presence. And as someone who gets to tag along for stories like this, that’s my favorite thing to witness. Two people being fully themselves, fully in love, and trusting me to come along for the ride. It’s why I do this.

We started their elopement adventure with a sunset hike through Cadini di Misurina. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t just look epic — it feels epic. We wandered through the alpine landscape with those spiky peaks rising around us, chatting, laughing, pausing for deep breaths and deeper moments. When we reached Tre Cime, they stood together, tucked into a quiet overlook with just enough golden light and our own private space. They pulled out their vow books and read to each other softly, wrapped in the kind of connection that doesn’t need an audience. I stayed back, documenting, taking it all in while these two poured their hearts out in the middle of the mountains. It was peaceful. Honest. So completely them.

Day 2: Lago di Sorapis hike

Rachel and Sarah wanted the most iconic of all Dolomites spots for their elopement: Cadini de Misurina for their vow reading and Tre Cime de Lavaredo for some iconic photos. The weather was just phenomenal, and the sunset was honestly one of the best ones we've ever seen.

Day 1: Vow Reading at Tre Cime

On the second day, we did a lesser known, more adventurous hike to Lago di Sorapis for a sunset couple shoot. Again, we were super lucky with the weather. We hiked back down with our headlamp after sunset, and continued with some photo-fun by making cool photos with headlamps.

Rachel, Bride

"We wanted a fun, energetic photographer to come with us on our elopement in the Dolomites, Italy and Shawna was the perfect choice! Thank you so much for the most amazing photos, sending love!"

As a wedding & elopement photographer, I am very happy to share my years of expertise with you and give you more tips and tricks to help you make your dream wedding come true.

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Are you interested in going on a well-documented adventure with me? Then fill out the form with any questions you have or send me an email. I do my best to reply within 48 hours, although I could be out shooting a session or hiking in the mountains with no reception, so I do apologize for potential delays in my response. The best way to get in contact is definitely here or via direct email!

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