I have to start off by stating the obvious: every Dolomites elopement cost is going to vary wildly. Mostly, it depends if you’re planning a true “just us” elopement, or if you’re inviting guests and going for more of a destination wedding type event.

This budget guide is for “just us” elopements and small destination weddings up to 10 people. Below, you’ll find a number of REAL past couples and their REAL elopement budgets. They shared all the details of their elopement budgeting with me via a questionnaire, and below are their answers.

Something to note: Dolomites elopement cost and budget for events with 10+ guests

As soon as you start including more than 5-7 guests, your budget will increase dramatically and your plans will become far less flexible. You’ll be limited to areas and spaces which are fit for entertaining that many people.

In my experience, it’s around the 10+ additional guests that things really start to become destination weddings in feel, cost, and logistics. More than 10 guests, and you’re definitely in the realm of needing a certified wedding planner, fixed venue space and activities focused around guest entertainment.

Consider that eloping outdoors for free saves you about 37% of your total wedding cost (according to TheKnot). That’s more than a third of a traditional budget you can use to splurge on your honeymoon in Europe!

If you are looking for a reason to keep your guest count down, or a specific cutoff, there it is.

Dolomites elopement cost and budget, “just us” or up to 10 guests

I make the distinction between elopement and destination wedding at around 5-7 guests. It really varies depending on who you ask, but for me, it’s at about this number where planning and activities start to look very different. With no more than 5 guests, your group is still in the range of “every day group size” that most hotels, hiking trails, and restaurants can accommodate without much fuss. More than 5 guests, plus the couple, plus a photographer, and the group starts to get unwieldy. For logistics purposes, you get the most flexibility with 0-5 additional guests.

So, here is the budget breakdown for current prices in the area:

• Transatlantic flights for 2: $1,500 – $3,000
• 3 nights accommodation for elopement: $800 – $3,000
• Dolomites based photographer: $7,000 – $10,000
• Bouquet and boutonniere: $150 – $400
• Hair and makeup artist: $400 – $600

YOU’LL ALSO LIKE: Ultimate guide to eloping in the Dolomites

Dolomites elopement cost and elopement budget FAQs answered by real past couples

All the below information is gathered from 3 of my previous couples. Their days and itineraries are varied, but the most popular among new clients. They’ve all filled out a questionnaire and provided their budgets so you could plan your elopement based on REAL past couples of mine!

How much time did you think you need, and how much time did you actually need?

Jackie & Ian started with a full day, and upgraded to a two day: “I thought 10 hours would be fine, but the max sunrise to sunset was necessary! Even before the sunrise, I didn’t account for many get ready pictures I’d miss but hindsight is 20/20!”

Aimee & Stephen started with a half day, and upgraded to a full day.

Jen & Dustin started with a full day, crammed a lot it, and wished they’d upgraded to a two day: “When we started planning, we thought it would be 8-10 hours. But we underestimated all the different shots, lighting, and other logistics. I think we needed 2 days of 6-9 hours to feel more present and relaxed in the experience.”

How much did your budget change while you were planning?

Jackie & Ian: “Hmm, well we decided to add a second day (absolutely worth it) we kind of flew by the seat of our pants and found what we liked, where we wanted to stay and booked as we went!”

Aimee & Stephen: “It had a lot more flexibility at the end – we realized it was truly a special day and that money would come back but nothing would beat memories (and great photos). We still tried to be mindful but didn’t stress the little costs.”

Jen & Dustin: “Our budget increased by about ~$5000-$7000 due to unexpected increases in car rental, flights, and miscellaneous fees. We also decided to treat ourselves to a nicer hotel so that we could feel more in our element in the days leading up to our elopement, comfort while getting ready, and convenience to Bolzano.”

What did you spend the most on for your elopement day, and why?

Jackie & Ian: “Photography, it was the most important piece, the entire reason for the trip and if I could go back and do it again I’d seriously add a third day to browse pics and see if we felt any shots were missing ie “ring pics” ” veil pics” etc.”

Aimee & Stephen: “Photography was what we spent the most on and that’s because it was super important for us to have the day captured to share with friends and family. Our elopement was a secret until we sent out announcements with our gorgeous photos.”

Jen & Dustin: Attire was their biggest regret. They acknowledged that they would have rather spent less on attire and used that for a two day elopement where they would be able to move at a slower pace and really enjoy things.

What was something you wish you spent more on?

Jackie & Ian: “More days of photography”

Aimee & Stephen: “Maybe splurging on a bigger room with an awesome view. The Dolomites are just so stunning I could stare at those views all day. But overall, we were happy with being able to spread out our budget to have a longer honeymoon/do more activities throughout our trip.”

Jen & Dustin: “We loved our day and photos, and we should’ve spent more on an extra day of photography. I (Jen) crammed too much in one day, so internally I felt a bit of anxiety. So spreading out the itinerary and possibly adding another location or a longer hike would’ve been ideal.”

CHECK OUT: 2 day Dolomites hiking elopement

What was something you wish you spent less on?

Jackie & Ian: “My dress alterations”

Aimee & Stephen: “Probably spend even less on the suit/dress knowing how dirty it gets in the end. Worth it but it really is something you likely will only wear on this day.”

Jen & Dustin: “I would’ve spent less on the dress. I loved my dress for its classic elegance. Originally, the dress was for the elopement and a potential American/Cambodian wedding celebration with family. I’ve realized how quickly wedding dress trends and my tastes change and its giving me feelings of buyers remorse. Instead of doing a 2 in 1 dress, I would’ve picked a less traditional dress or a quirky cocktail dress for the elopement or something more equipped for hiking about.”

Do you have any regrets about your elopement?

Jackie & Ian: “Being a crab over things completely out of everyone’s control, like being disappointed in the weather or water levels of a lake! And trying to pose for photos when I probably would have been happier with Mariah posing us/setting up the pictures.”

Aimee & Stephen: “Zero regrets. If I could go back and do it again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Jen & Dustin: “I wish I would’ve left the work laptop at home and completely logged out of work from my phone. =/ “

What is the biggest piece of advice you have for others budgeting a similar experience?

Jackie & Ian: “Save save save save save! Saving to add the extra day is worth it. Splurge on good Italian food and not a nice place to stay, skip taking in the dress a little more it’s going to look good no matter what. Splurge on food, snacks, a good bottle of wine and the photography package!”

Aimee & stephen: “Invest in the things that make you happy and are important to you. An elopement is already untraditional so forget about the things you think “must” be had for a wedding. Personally we didn’t need a officiant and could save that money and just say our vows to each other. Things like that are more flexible with an elopement. Leave a little bit of splurge room in your budget, when you’re actually there and in the moment it’s nice to be able to say yes to the extra bottle of champagne used just for pictures.”

Jen & Dustin: “Although I love crafting an aesthetic, the material and peripheral things aren’t as important. The beauty of the landscape makes up for it. The most savings is likely in the dress and props (flowers, miscellaneous), then possibly accommodation depending on how much comfort/aesthetics matters to you both. Ultimately, the most important thing is investing in the experiences that make you and your partner feel like this is ‘us’.”

ALSO READ: Eloping in a mountain hut

How many guests did you invite? Did you ever feel like you needed a planner?

Aimee & Stephen: “0 guests! Just the couple and Mariah. I love doing research and planning trips so I never felt the need to get a planner. Especially with all of Mariah’s recommendations, planning documents and check-ins.”

Jen & Dustin: “0. No.”

Jackie & Ian: “My best friend along with her soon to be fiance, so 4 of us total. Mariah planned everything and I couldn’t be more grateful. I’d highly recommend someone who knows the area well!”

MAJOR TAKEAWAYS FOR DOLOMITES ELOPEMENT COST:

✅ Do invest in more time (3/3 agreed on this)

✅ Do invest in photography (3/3 agreed on this)

✅ Do prioritize the things that make you smile

✅ Do splurge on your accommodation for more space and comfort

✅ Do stick to your budget, but plan for some unexpected increases

❌ Don’t overspend on your attire/dress (3/3 regretted this)

❌ Don’t stress about small aesthetic details

❌ Don’t cram too much into one day

❌ Don’t check your emails/social media on your elopement day

DREAMING OF A DOLOMITES ELOPEMENT OR DESTINATION WEDDING? LET’S DO IT!

I’m Mariah, an adventure elopement photographer based in Innsbruck, Austria. I moved from the United States to Germany/Austria in 2018 to chase my love of mountains, photography and a German guy who stole my heart.

I quickly learned I wasn’t the only one dreaming of a better way to get married…so I combined all those things!

I’m now a full time adventure elopement photographer. I help other travel and outdoor obsessed couples embrace a “just us” wedding day surrounded by nature.

Join me?

More Dolomites wedding planning blogs and elopement stories:

• How to plan a ski wedding in the Dolomites
• Eloping in a mountain hut
• 2 day Dolomites hiking elopement
• Ultimate guide to eloping in the Dolomites
• Guide to renting the boathouse at Lago di Braies for photos and ceremonies