Intimate Micro-wedding at passo delle erbe & hotel bellavista emma

EUROPEAN ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | SHAWNA RAE

Vy + Alex

Elopement at passo delle erbe & hotel emma bellavista

The Dolomites have a way of holding light like nowhere else; soft, golden, and endlessly shifting across distinct jagged peaks. For Vy and Alex, who first got engaged in the mountains of Washington, eloping here felt like the natural next chapter in their story. They’d never been to the Dolomites before, but they knew they wanted a day that felt adventurous, intimate, and deeply them.

Created: October 26, 2025

Passo delle Erbe

Check out our sunrise hike together at Passo delle Erbe

Finding Their Perfect Spots

The morning began before dawn. Headlamps flickered along the path as the first hint of pink brushed the horizon. After a few consultations with me, Vy and Alex had chosen Passo delle Erbe for their sunrise portraits. It's slightly less famous and is one of the Dolomites’ most peaceful corners, where the Sass de Putia peak towers above rolling meadows.

The air was cool, the grass wet with dew, and the mountains glowed gold as the sun crested the ridge. It was the kind of morning that feels suspended in time. These quiet early hours gave them space to connect before the whirlwind of celebration ahead. The only life there to witness this even were the cows and goats from the local farmers.

Because they’d never been to the Dolomites before, Vy and Alex leaned on my local expertise to help scout the perfect ceremony location. A few months before the wedding, we explored and mapped out options, then we all drove around together the day before just to finalize the ceremony spot to make sure it was perfect.

Vy & Alex

We had a few google meet meetings with her and as well as email communication. It was very easy to talk to her and get a hold of her when needed during our planning process. She listened to all of our requests and delivered on every single one of them!

Ceremony Location

Check out their ceremony below.

Celebrating With Besties

In the afternoon, surrounded by the peaks they’d dreamed about for months, Vy and Alex exchanged their vows in a sunlit valley. A close friend officiated, while six of their loved ones stood by. They really wanted that intimacy level of eloping, but couldn't stand to leave behind their 7 ride-or-dies, so they knew they had to bring them along.

There were tears and laughter in equal measure. As they read their vows, the wind carried their voices through the valley, and the emotion was palpable. Every embrace, every smile, every small moment was held with tenderness.

Their bouquet, crafted by Hotel Bellavista Emma, included delicate wildflowers, sustainable option and a nod to the mountain meadows that had inspired their day.

Their Elopement Day

After the ceremony, everyone gathered back at Hotel Bellavista Emma for an aperitive. The terrace overlooked the mountains, and golden-hour light spilled across the table.

In one of the most memorable moments of the day, Alex opened a bottle of prosecco with a sword, a crazy tradition that just looks freaking cool. A few glasses of prosecco later, Vy gave it a go too. She had felt nervous about it before, but that didn't last long.

Dinner followed; a relaxed evening filled with laughter, heartfelt speeches, and more than a few happy tears. They had excellent Italian food, eventually followed by a beautiful cake. The whole day felt effortless, woven together by joy and genuine connection.