For couples with an adventurous spirit, romance and adventure go hand in hand. Europe is home to many of the world’s most famous and adventurous destination wedding locations. From snow-capped mountains and castle ruins to wild Atlantic coastlines, the options are vast. With so many amazing places to choose from, it can be hard to decide which location is right for you.
That’s why in this guide we’ve collaborated with destination elopement photographers The Chaffins to share their insight into 10 of the best places for an adventurous destination wedding across Europe. Their recommendations draw on years of experience photographing weddings and elopements across the continent.
They’ve outlined the highlights of each location, the best places for stunning adventure wedding photos, and some venues to consider. In some locations, weddings on public land are also possible. As destination wedding and elopement photographers, they’ve also included expert tips on how to choose the right location for you, and how to begin planning your wedding.
This guide is for couples who’ve fallen in love while exploring the outdoors and travelling the world together, as well as those who dream of doing that one day. Let’s jump right in.
1. Dolomites, Italy
The romance of Italy combines beautifully with the rugged alpine scenery of the Alps. The UNESCO World Heritage mountains of the Dolomites are unlike anywhere else in the world, with jagged peaks that rise sharply into the sky. The Dolomites are a fantastic adventure wedding location, as they support every style of celebration, from bare-bones hiking elopements to full-scale luxury weddings. Whether your vibe is alpine huts and hiking boots or fine dining and luxurious spas, the Dolomites deliver.
There is an extensive network of hiking trails, via ferratas, and gondolas that allow you to explore every corner of the mountains. At the same time, the rolling alpine meadows offer a softer, more serene landscape. Some of the best places to capture elopement or wedding photos include Lago di Braies, Cadini di Misurina, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Seceda ridgeline, and Giau Pass.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Tschötsch Alm: A cosy mountain chalet on the Alpe di Siusi, offering rustic charm and panoramic Dolomite views.
- Col Pradat: A charming mountain chalet in the Dolomites offering breathtaking alpine views and full service for weddings.
- Kolfuschgerhof Mountain Resort: A 5-star spa hotel in the Dolomites with lush alpine gardens and sweeping mountain views for an elegant wedding.
- Rosa Alpina Hotel & Spa: A 5-star alpine retreat, classic and refined, with panoramic mountain terraces.
- Hotel Cristallo: A historic luxury resort with grand architecture and mountain views.
2. Iceland
The ultimate playground for adventurous couples, Iceland’s landscapes are as dramatic as they are unique. On this single island, you can explore cascading waterfalls, towering mountains, black-sand beaches, glaciers, and volcanoes. It’s a destination that encourages couples to fully embrace the wild beauty of nature during their wedding weekend. Many couples choose to spend time exploring the landscape, either on their own or with guests, through activities such as Land Rover tours, horseback riding, or a visit to the Blue Lagoon.
Iceland’s wild beauty comes with equally wild weather. As with most adventure wedding locations, it’s important to be prepared and to have a plan in place. This may involve safely embracing the elements or arranging an indoor alternative.
Our favourite locations for adventurous elopement photos include Reynisfjara Beach, the Vestrahorn mountains, Gljúfrabúi Waterfall, Kvernufoss, Skógafoss, and Katla Ice Cave.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Hotel Rangá: A countryside luxury resort with unique ceremony options (hidden cave, riverbank, glacier view).
- Hotel Búðir: A boutique hotel on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula known for its iconic black church, ocean vistas, and lava-field backdrop.
- ION Adventure Hotel: A modern design hotel perched in geothermal landscapes with sweeping views of moss-covered lava fields and mountains.
3. Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye
Like stepping foot into a fantasy realm, the Scottish Highlands have an air of enchantment that goes even taller than the towering mountains, wider than the rolling hills filled with sheep, and stronger than the ancient castles. There’s a sense of magic in the very air and soil of this place and it’s the perfect fit for a fantasy-loving couple’s wedding. If you love a moody and ethereal aesthetic, this is the perfect place for you.
The highlands are remote in the best possible way. There’s just enough civilisation to fully support your wedding with food, accommodations, and venues, but you still feel a sense of being immersed in the landscape.
When it comes to taking your adventure wedding photos, we recommend exploring Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Glencoe, and Eilaean Donan Castle.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Inverlochy Castle: A romantic castle hotel with classic Highland mountain views.
- The Torridon: A luxury loch-side estate surrounded by dramatic peaks.
- Kinloch Lodge: A historic Skye lodge with peaceful coastal and hill views.
4. Norway’s Fjords
This land of glacier-carved fjords and towering mountains disappearing into the ocean holds some of the most dramatic scenery in mainland Europe. Norway is home to more fjords than any other country in the world, and the title is well-deserved. The fjords of Norway split apart the coastal mountains for kilometres inland and create incredible views.
Since the country is so far north and on the Atlantic, the weather is as dramatic as the landscapes. If you’re looking to embrace a colder climate that pays you back with outstanding views and a spirit of adventure, Norway is a fantastic choice.
Some of the most stunning scenery for photos in the country is located just inside the Artic circle in the Lofoten Islands, world-famous for its coastal mountains and midnight sun. That being said, there are breathtaking fjords and mountains all down the mid-section of Norway. Some of our other favourites include Geirangerfjord, Trolltunga, Jotunheimen, and Sognefjord.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Kviknes Hotel: A historic wooden hotel on the fjord, with heritage charm and stunning views.
- Nusfjord Arctic Resort: A design-forward cabins nestled between granite cliffs, offering an immersive fjord/wilderness experience.
- Lyngen North: An exclusive Arctic resort by the Lyngenfjord offering glass igloos, suites, and full-service destination wedding packages.
5. Swiss Alps
Just saying “Swiss Alps” immediately conjures images of grand and majestic mountains, rolling green meadows, and charming alpine villages. Switzerland manages to deliver on all of that, and still exceed your expectations. Due to its public transport and development into the alpine regions, your guests will have an easy time getting around, and have plenty to do.
This is another location that so beautifully blends luxury and adventure. You truly don’t have to hike to have incredible mountain views in Switzerland. You can get married at a traditional venue and spend your days in 5-star hotels, spas, and restaurants, all the while you still have sweeping mountain views. Or you can hit the trails and explore the deeper alpine regions of the Alps to enjoy some of the best mountain scenery in the world.
Narrowing down the best photo locations in Switzerland is hard, but the following spots really stand out: Lauterbrunnen Valley, Saxer Lucke, Wengen, Jungfrau Region, Lake Lucerne.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Suvretta House: The “fairy-tale castle of the Alps,” with panoramic mountain views and aristocratic ambiance.
- Grand Hôtel & Kurhaus: A historic mountain hotel at ~2,000 m with a garden, terrace, ballroom, and alpine views ideal for a romantic wedding.
- Hotel Villa Honegg: A 5-star villa above Lake Lucerne with stunning lake and mountain views.
- The Alpina Gstaad: A luxury mountain resort in Gstaad offering breathtaking alpine wedding settings.
6. Faroe Islands
If you thought Iceland was wild, let us introduce you to the Faroe Islands. This small, rugged group of islands looks like they were carved by a master in abstract sculpture. The wild, and windswept cliffs are beautifully jagged and covered in vibrant green against the grey of the moody sky. If you’re looking for somewhere remote that feels like you’re standing at the edge of the world where humans have barely been, somewhere entirely unique, this is the spot.
Due to the remoteness just getting to and around the islands is an adventure in itself. It’s perfect for an intimate celebration of you and a few of your most adventurous loved ones.
There are truly no bad places for photos as the islands are so small that every inch is covered in dramatic scenery. Although a few highlights include Lake Sorvagsvatn, Tjørnuvík Beach, Kallur Lighthouse, and Saksun Church.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Hotel Føroyar: The main hotel on the island.
- Vakstrarhúsið: A lush greenhouse venue surrounded by Faroese nature.
(Note: Because the Faroe Islands are so remote and less developed for large weddings, couples often plan very intimate or elopement-style ceremonies there.)
7. Ireland
If you want your wedding to feel like a fairytale complete with a gorgeous castle, Ireland is the spot for you. In Ireland you’ll find rolling green hills full of sheep, ancient castles in ruin and others still in use, windswept coastlines full of gorgeous cliffs and geological wonders, cozy pubs serving pint after pint, and so much more.
The Causeway coast of Northern Ireland features a jaw-dropping castle ruin perched atop a massive ocean cliff, and you can have your wedding ceremony with the perfect view of it. Within a 20 minutes drive you’ll find the world-famous Giant’s Causeway, and Dark Hedges as well.
What destination wedding guest wouldn’t be happy to spend some time in Ireland soaking in the views and toasting some Guinness?
Our favourite photo destinations here mostly lie in the country of Northern Ireland, but the Republic of Ireland is full of stunning sights as well. Our favourites are Dunluce Castle, Dunseverik Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, the Dark Hedges, and Killarney National Park.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Waterford Castle Hotel: A historic castle on a private island surrounded by woodland and river.
- Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa: An 18th-century castle by a lake with elegant grounds.
- Ashford Castle: An 800-year-old castle on a lake, full of historic charm and 5-star luxury.
- Adare Manor: A gothic-style manor with award-winning service, gardens, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.
8. French Alps
When most people think of France, our minds go to the streets and museums of a place like Paris. While Paris is deserving of all its acclaim, France also offers its relaxing and artistic culture in stunning outdoor scenery. The Alps reach into the east of France and deliver stunning mountain views as the Alps always do, but this time you have the added bonus of French culture.
For those who appreciate the arts and enjoy refined French cuisine, but also love to adventure through the mountains, the French Alps hold everything you love all in one place. So get married with an alpine view, hike through the snow-capped peaks, and finish your day with a Michelin star restaurant.
Some amazing places to take wedding photos in the French Alps include the famous Mont Blanc and it’s surrounding areas, Lake Annecy, and Écrins National Park.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Le Chalet Mont Blanc: A clifftop chalet with Mont Blanc and waterfall views.
- L’Alpaga: A luxury chalet-hotel with Mont Blanc panoramas and spa.
- L’Arboisie: A charming alpine hotel with terrace and mountain vistas.
9. Portugal (Madeira and Azores)
Portugal holds some of the most stunning secrets off its mainland coast. Madeira and the Azores are volcanic islands in the Atlantic showcasing lush, green cliffs and jaw-dropping coastal mountains. Madeira also holds an ethereal forest that feels like it’s on a different planet than the staggering ocean cliffs on the very same island.
If you want an island destination wedding that has nice weather but feels unique amidst all the others, be sure to consider Madeira or the Azores. The culture in the islands is laid-back and focused on slow-living amidst tight-knit communities, a beautiful and warm place for your destination wedding.
Here are some wonderful places to take destination wedding photos in Madeira: Ponta de São Lourenço, Pico do Arieiro, and Fanal Forest. For the Azores, be sure to explore Lagoa do Fogo, Sete Cidade, Algar do Carvão, and Salto do Cabrito Waterfall.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Savoy Palace: An ultra-luxurious ocean-view resort with rooftop and garden.
- Palheiro Nature Estate: A historic estate with botanical gardens, chapel, and clifftop views.
- Reid’s Palace: A clifftop luxury hotel with lawn overlooking the Atlantic.
- Terra Nostra Garden Hotel: A botanical-garden paradise with volcanic backdrops and thermal pools.
10. Greece
Greece is as adventurous as it is luxurious. There are so many incredible venues and locations in Santorini or Mykonos that give you the classic Greek island luxury aesthetic. At the same time those islands offer amazing nature to explore, with cliffside hikes and private boat rides around the islands. On the mainland you can explore other-worldy mountains in Meteora that house dramatic landscapes and remote monasteries.
Whether you’re looking to soak up the sun and swim in the Aegean sea, or explore a unique mountain location, Greece has so much in store for you.
Some great places to take wedding photos here include the White Buildings of Santorini, Oia Castle Ruins, Skaros Rock, Balos Lagoon, Psaropetra, and Roussanou Monastery Overlook.
If you’re looking for a venue:
- Le Ciel, Santorini: An amazing luxury venue cliffside terrace with panoramic caldera views.
- Santa Marina: A stylish resort with a private beach, sea-view chapels, and elevated reception terraces.
- Kalesma: A boutique luxury retreat with intimate villas, lush gardens, and design-forward spaces.
- Canaves Oia Suites & Spa: A luxurious cliffside resort in Oia, Santorini offering caldera-edge terraces and elegant wedding packages.
How to Choose the Best Adventure Wedding Location
Narrowing down between these incredible options is difficult. So to help you decide, we recommend sitting down with your partner, closing your eyes, and imagining your dream wedding. Don’t think about logistics or what’s reasonable, just imagine the wedding of your wildest dreams. Then write down everything you thought about! What was the venue, what was the scenery, what was the weather, etc.
That gives you a great starting point and should narrow down to a handful of options, then you can start to ask yourselves:
- Are you more drawn to the mountains or the coast? Or do you want a location that has both?
- Are you okay with cold or unpredictable weather, or would you prefer someplace a little more warm and consistent?
- Do you want to hike as a part of your wedding or is it important that everywhere be easily accessible?
- What is your budget? Certain locations cater better towards different-budgets.
- Do you want your guests to have a lot of things to do?
A fantastic resource at this stage is an experienced wedding expert who can guide you through your options, help you refine your vision, and then bring it to life. Whether it’s someone like Beyond Weddings who will connect you with the right venues and planners, or photographers that assist with the planning process like The Chaffins.
About the Authors: Destination Elopement Photographers The Chaffins
Hi! We’re Sammie & Micah, a husband and wife elopement photography team. We’re collaborating with Beyond Weddings to create this article because we’re passionate that your wedding day should feel like you. After having a destination elopement ourselves, we fell in love with helping couples ditch the pressure, slow down, and create a wedding experience that feels intentional from start to finish. And we think Europe is the perfect place to do it.
We photograph adventure elopements all over the world, but Europe definitely holds a special place in our heart, it’s where we went on our honeymoon, and where we photographed our first international elopement. We blend cinematic storytelling with an un-hurried approach to creating editorial beauty. Whether you’re hiking through the Dolomites, saying your vows on an ocean cliff in Northern Ireland, or having a micro-wedding at a venue in the Swiss Alps, we’re here to guide you, plan with you, and capture every real moment along the way.
Expert Tips for Planning an Adventurous Destination Wedding:
- Choose the location that feels like you. Don’t build your wedding experience based on what other people think is cool, create a wedding that’s true to who you are, the things you love, and your identity as a unique and beautiful human.
- Invite the people that will bring joy to the celebration. Weddings should be a time where your community surrounds you and celebrates your marriage, without drama or negativity. So be kind, but intentional, about who you choose to include in your celebration.
- Prepare for any weather. An adventurous destination wedding means you’ll be in the great outdoors, surrounded by wonderful scenery, and subject to whatever the weather brings. For locations that are more likely to have rain, we always recommend either preparing to embrace it with extra warm layers and clear umbrellas, or having a backup indoor plan.
- Book a photographer that will assist with your planning process, the earlier the better. Many adventurous destination wedding photographers (like us!) will help you with parts of the planning process, guiding you through, giving resources, and answering questions the come up along the way.
- Build an unhurried timeline. Far too often wedding days fly by in a blur because the timeline is crammed to the brim with too many things, and the couple getting married barely have a chance to catch their breath. When we help our couples create their destination wedding timelines, we always encourage them to have more time than they think they might need. That extra “buffer” time is where the magic happens, the slow moments where you can catch your breath and soak in the moment. The elderly couple on the hiking trail telling you the story of how they got married in the same national park decades ago (this really happened).
You’re ready to start planning your adventurous destination wedding in Europe, so reach out to Beyond Weddings to find the perfect destination for your dream wedding.