Are you searching for the perfect romantic backdrop for your pre-wedding, post-wedding or elopement photos? Here are two of Germany’s most beautiful castles for wedding photos!
Schloss Neuschwanstein is likely Germany’s most famous castle. Surprisingly, it is also one of its youngest. The castle’s construction began in 1869 under King Ludwig II of Bavaria, and was never officially finished at the time of his death in 1886. Currently, the castle sees over 1 million visitors a year, and more than 6,000 per day in the summer months.
The architecture is considered “romantic” in style (From Burgenromantik in German) and pays tribute to King Ludwig’s love of the German Composer Richard Wagner.
The castle is set in the Bavarian Pre-Alps near Schwangau and Füssen, and overlooks the Alpsee to the southwest, and Forggensee to the North.
There are multiple impressive views of the castle, including the famous Marienbrücke and the surrounding woods.
When you arrive in the main parking lot near Schloss Neuschwanstein (Google maps location here) you can walk up to the castle via a steep road. Unfortunately, cars are not allowed to drive directly to the castle. However, it is a paved road, and takes about 40 minutes to walk. You can opt for a shuttle, or a horse drawn carriage as an alternative, but no matter what, arrive early.
Sunrise is the only time I recommend photos at this location. By 8 am, the castle and Marienbrücke are full of people, and you won’t be able to get a good photo. Moreover, it is also quite stressful, as moving across the bridge is difficult with the amount of people, and you can wait in line as long as 2 hours in the high summer season.
Schloss Neuschwanstein is definitely top of Germany’s most beautiful castles for wedding photos, but it’s popularity could mean stress if you don’t plan accordingly.
Burg Eltz is an 800 year old castle nested in the sleepy forests near Koblenz, Germany. About 1.5 hours away from Frankfurt, the castle is a day trip from the city. Burg Eltz is a truly medieval work of architecture. Construction began in the 1200s and the building has been owned by the descendents of the Eltz family through over 30 generations.
It is one of the only castles in Germany which was never conquered by force, and has lived a largely peaceful life in this serene valley. It avoided Nazi conquest in WWII largely due to its unimportant location.
Considering the history of this castle, it’s a very iconic and apparently “lucky” place to venture for your elopement vows!
For a full look at Burg Eltz elopement photos, check out this blog here.
Arriving at Burg Eltz means driving a distance from Frankfurt, or Koblenz Germany. From Frankfurt, it is a 2 hour drive through the countryside, so it is in a way pretty remote from any other notable locations! If you travel to Burg Eltz, it is the only thing in the area. Unlike Schloss Neuschwanstein, Burg Eltz is not surrounded by mountains or other travel destinations, so you really must want to see THIS castle and this castle only in order to make the trip.
Parking at the castle is plentiful (here is the location on Google maps), and it’s only a 15 minute walk down a steep paved road to the castle bridge.
Just like Neuschwanstein, however, arrive before sunrise and on a weekday during the off season. Burg Eltz sees hundreds to thousands of visitors a day. By 9am, there is typically a line of cars on the road waiting to park, and you won’t be able to get a photo on the bridge without many other tourists in the background.
Hire local and get you a photographer who can “do both”! I’m Mariah, elopement photographer, trail athlete, and part mountain goat. I’m uncompromising in delivering the BEST elopement experience possible. I am dedicated to creating immersive spaces for my couples to be themselves on their elopement day. More than a photographer, I am an empath and storyteller who’s passionate about holding space for my couples to connect. I don’t pose you. I guide you through romantic connection, with the goal that you know each other even better, and feel even closer, at the end of your elopement day.
You should be able to feel your photos in your bones, and your elopement story should be like lightning in a bottle every time you revisit it.
Does this sound like the kind of “f*ck yes!” experience you want on your day? Then let’s talk.
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