After getting engaged, Kelsey Row and Ali Reed felt reluctant about internet hosting an enormous marriage ceremony, so after they stumbled throughout a photographer who specialised in Alpine elopements, they jumped on the likelihood. The couple packed marriage ceremony outfits and mountaineering boots, invited their sisters, and set off for a weekend within the mountains…
DAY BEFORE WEDDING
Ali (left) and Kelsey
Kelsey: The day earlier than our marriage ceremony ceremony, we took an extended hike to 3 totally different alpine lakes. Our photographer Cat helped coordinate our elopement — she requested us what we envisioned, advisable hikes, and located a terrific bakery. It was good to be working with somebody who knew the terrain so properly.
Kelsey: We thought, Why not get married with our sisters by our sides? The 4 of us are across the identical age, fairly comparable in some ways, and really shut. It felt actually particular.
Kelsey: I felt lots of hesitancy to get within the glacial lake. It was freezing however tremendous enjoyable.
Ali: Then we had lunch at a restaurant on the mountain and saved mountaineering.
Ali: Earlier than we come to Austria, we figured there was no means it may very well be as stunning as it’s in footage. But it surely was much more stunning in individual.
WEDDING DAY
Kelsey: We stayed in an residence within the metropolis of Innsbruck, Austria. Considered one of my favourite components of the day was preparing collectively. We aren’t morning individuals, so we slept till 9, did one another’s hair and make-up, and had mimosas with our sisters. It was good to not have a good schedule and fear about lots of friends.
Ali: We completed preparing individually, so we might do a correct first look.
Ali: I discovered a jumpsuit with a cape for $98 and joked that I used to be yielding the remainder of our costume funds to Kelsey. She had me guess beforehand what I believed her costume would appear to be, and I used to be completely flawed. I used to be considering lacy and boho, and he or she had silk goddess vibes. It felt superior to show round and see her.
Kelsey: After our first look, we met up with our sisters and hiked to a lake for the marriage ceremony and a picnic.
Ali: Since our mother and father weren’t bodily there with us, we requested each units to put in writing one thing, after which our sisters learn their letters aloud. We laughed, then cried, after which laughed at the truth that we have been crying.
Kelsey: Then Ali and I mentioned our vows.
Ali: We took a number of lengthy pauses to simply soak within the second. It felt like the entire world stood nonetheless.
Kelsey: Hilariously, I forgot to carry water when packing for the picnic, so we solely had Champagne to drink.
Kelsey: Ali and I lined our sister’s bills, after which, after the marriage, all of us took trains collectively round Austria, Switzerland, and Italy. Two weeks with 4 individuals in Europe — a once-in-a-lifetime journey — was nonetheless less expensive than the quotes we have been getting for bigger weddings within the U.S.
Ali: Getting legally married in Austria was difficult, so we signed our marriage certificates with Kelsey’s sister at a random airport bar earlier than we flew overseas. Now, every time we’re on the airport, we’ll go the bar and be like, ‘That’s the place we formally obtained married!’
P.S. A marriage at residence, and the way would you make your marriage ceremony really feel true to you?
(Wedding ceremony pictures and planning by Wild Connections Pictures.)
