I don’t think I’ll ever forget the message Daisy sent me when our Colorado elopement plans took a turn. Somewhere between location ideas and logistics, the conversation shifted to, “What if we just… went to Europe?” More specifically, what if this Dolomites elopement became the excuse to take the biggest trip of their lives?
That’s exactly the kind of decision I love seeing couples make. Because yes, getting married is a huge milestone. But if the two of you already love exploring together, why not let your wedding be part of that adventure instead of squeezing it into a single day and heading home? For Daisy and Riq, that one decision changed everything.
Sometimes the Best Wedding Plans Start With “Why Not?”
When Daisy first reached out after finding me on Instagram, they were planning to elope in Colorado. We spent months talking through ideas, dreaming up mountain locations, and figuring out what their day could look like. Then one conversation changed the entire plan. Instead of asking, “Where should we get married?” they started asking, “What’s the biggest adventure we could take together?” The answer turned out to be an Italian Dolomites elopement.
They pushed their wedding back a year, gave themselves time to plan the trip, and turned their elopement into something far more than a ceremony. And honestly… if you know these two, it made perfect sense. Their relationship has always been built around adventure. Within just a couple of months of dating, they road-tripped to Big Bend. They’ve hiked Half Dome, rappelled down mountains in Mexico, explored Mexico City by bike, run a half marathon together, and apparently aren’t opposed to getting matching tattoos after surviving a snowstorm. (I support the commitment.)
When I asked what their dream wedding day looked like, there wasn’t a single mention of a ballroom, guest count, or reception timeline. Instead, they imagined getting ready together at an Airbnb before sunrise, driving into the mountains, hiking to a beautiful spot, changing into wedding clothes in the trees, reading private vows, sharing champagne and a charcuterie board, and ending the day with cocktails at a cozy little bar.
A Sunrise at Lago di Braies That Didn’t Quite Go According to Plan
Like most adventure elopements, the day had one little plot twist. We arrived at Lago di Braies before sunrise, excited to start the morning on the iconic dock. Except… The boat attendant didn’t show up.
For a second, we all looked around, wondering what the plan was. Then Daisy and Riq did exactly what adventure-loving people tend to do. They laughed. They climbed onto the dock themselves. And they soaked in one of the quietest, most peaceful mornings imaginable while we waited.
I actually love this part of their story because it’s such a good reminder that elopements almost always involve a little unpredictability. You’re not inside a venue where every minute is scheduled months in advance. You’re working with nature, weather, mountain roads, and people.
Things happen. The best days aren’t the ones where everything goes perfectly. They’re the ones where you’re flexible enough to enjoy the unexpected anyway. Once everything got moving, they exchanged vows surrounded by turquoise water and towering mountain peaks before hopping into one of the famous wooden boats for portraits.
One of my favorite memories from this Dolomites elopement day wasn’t a specific location, though. It was watching Riq look at Daisy. Every few minutes, he’d glance over with this huge smile that somehow said two things at once: “I can’t believe you’re my wife,” and “I can’t believe this is where we’re getting married.”
More Than a Dolomites Elopement
One thing Daisy shared with me before the wedding has stuck with me ever since. She said she wanted a wedding that was truly focused on the two of them, without outside expectations or pressure. Riq shared that nature has always been where he feels the happiest and most at peace, and that experiencing those places with Daisy only made those moments even more meaningful.
After spending the day with them, I couldn’t imagine a better fit.
Once the ceremony was over, we didn’t rush off to a reception. We kept exploring. They wandered through the Dolomites together, hiked in wedding clothes (and hiking boots when necessary), stopped whenever a view caught their attention, and enjoyed being married.
That’s one of my favorite things about destination elopements. The ceremony is important, of course. But it’s also just one part of the story. The drive through winding mountain roads, the quiet moments over coffee before sunrise, the unexpected hiccups, the hikes, the laughter, and the feeling of looking around thinking, “We actually did this.” Those become part of your wedding day too.
If there’s one thing I hope couples take away from Daisy and Riq’s story, it’s this: If your dream wedding feels a little bigger than what’s practical today, don’t automatically cross it off the list. Maybe it’s worth waiting another year, saving a little longer, and asking yourselves the same question they did: “If we’re already doing something this special… why not make it the adventure of a lifetime?”
Judging by the smiles on their faces all day long, I’d say they found their answer.
See other elopements here!
