What to expect for an October elopement in the Dolomites

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What to expect for an October elopement in the Dolomites

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A couple dance on a wooden dock during their elopement day in the Dolomites, with stunning fall colors behind them

An October elopement in the Dolomites is beautiful, but the month comes with important factors to consider. The month of October comes with fast changes to weather. If you’re planning an elopement for October, come prepared for a big range of temperatures!

What is the weather like for an October elopement in the Dolomites?

Early October to late October can vary wildly, and you’ll need to be prepared for a variety of conditions. It’s not uncommon for October to be a dry, clear month with chilly but comfortable weather. On a still, clear day, you may find yourself hiking in shorts and a tee shirt. It’s also not uncommon for snowfalls, below freezing temps and cold, blowing rain. You may also get both in the same day — so prepare your layers accordingly.

TEMPERATURES: on average, daily high temperatures will be 10-15°C (50-60°F) at lower elevations. At higher elevations (2,000 – 3,000m/6,500 – 9,800ft) expect much colder temperatures.

RAINFALL: it’s common for rain in October, but not as heavy as in the summer months. It tends to rain 11-12 days out of the month.

SNOWFALL: snowfall can happen in October, but the snowline tends to be above 2,000m (6,500ft). Lower altitudes will receive rain. By the end of October, however, the snowline creeps lower. If you plan to do any higher altitude hiking during your trip, try to keep it to early October.

When do the fall colors peak in the Dolomites?

Fall colors in the Dolomites tend to begin turning around late September, peak in mid October, and fade entirely by mid November. High winds, early snow falls and storms can drop leaves earlier. In my experience, the colors are most dramatic and full from mid to late October. The larches especially tend to peak a little later, in my experience.

What are the lakes in the Dolomites like in October?

If you want your October elopement in the Dolomites to be near a lake, keep in mind water levels vary a lot this time of year. Most lakes in the Dolomites are fed by run off winter snow. That means the highest water levels tend to be in the summer, and lakes will slowly empty over the year. Rainy summers will keep water levels high. On the other hand, a dry summer will leave lots of higher elevation lakes totally drained or very low by fall.

As a tip, you can check Google Maps “recent photos” to see what lakes currently look like, or go into Dolomites hiking groups on Facebook, where people regularly post photos of their day.

As an example, the photos below are taken in the same spot at Lago Sorapis, on the same date (October 11th) two years apart. In 2022, the lake was virtually empty. In 2024, it was the fullest I’ve ever seen it. The difference came down to how wet the summer was, and two massive early snowfalls in 2024 that filled the lake. The woman below on the left is standing directly next to the boulder which is behind the couple on the right. The water on the right is roughly to her shoulder height in the left photo, for comparison.

A bride in a white wedding dress poses for her elopement photos in the Italian Dolomites. There are dramatic October fall colors in the trees behind her.

How busy is the Dolomites in October?

By October, tourism does tend to fall off quickly, especially by the end of the month. That said, it’s still busy, just not unbearably so as is the case in from mid-June to mid-September. Popular places like Tre Cime and Lago di Braies will still be packed with visitors. You’ll notice the slowdown most on lesser known hiking trails and further into the parks vs. the tourist spots which are always busy.

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