If you’re going to travel halfway around the world to exchange your wedding vows it had better be a pretty special location, right? Well, today’s couple are nature lovers who fell in love with the idea of a mountaintop wedding in the Austrian Alps and, spoiler alert, their panoramic wedding venue at 1,600m did not disappoint.
Finding a scenic wedding venue in Austria sounds simple enough. But I can speak from experience after planning my own vow renewal there a few years back, when you’re this spoilt for choice it can get very overwhelming, very fast. Austria is such a stunning destination and there are just so many different options to consider. Which region is best? Do you want a well-known location, or somewhere more intimate and secluded? Do you dream of a snow-capped winter affair or a backdrop of green mountains and wildflowers? And then there’s the minor issue of how you will actually get to the top of your chosen mountain on the wedding day … Walk? Drive? Ski lift? Horse and cart??
Finding a wedding professional who knows and understands the location is absolutely key. Luckily Emma and Adam worked with the lovely Nadia of Amulet Events, and what unfolded on the day was a little bit magical. The pair were married at the Rössl Alm in Gerlos, Zillertal, a traditional Austrian restaurant perched on a mountaintop in the spectacular Tyrol region of Austria. Their wedding ceremony took place on the panoramic outdoor terrace, quite literally among the clouds! I’m sure you’ll enjoy the view, courtesy of Cat from Wild Connections Photography.
As told to BWB by Nadia of Amulet Events.
The Couple
Emma and Adam are from Ann Arbor in Michigan, USA. They were high school sweethearts and had been dating for 8 years when they first contacted me to help them plan their destination wedding in Austria. They used to drive to high school along a particular route called the ‘Countryside Classic Car Cruise’, and it was on this route that Adam proposed one day!
With a love of nature and the outdoors, they were keen for a mountaintop wedding in the Austrian Alps and so we began their venue search here.
The Wedding Venue – The Rössl Alm, Gerlos, Zillertal in Tyrol, Austria
From their home in Michigan, they felt a magnetic pull towards the mountains, and after exploring various locations we were struck by the raw beauty of the Rössl Alm nestled at an altitude of 1,600m in the town of Gerlos.
We looked at various mountain venues as well as venues close to the lakes as this is what Emma and Adam were drawn to the most. After speaking to a number of mountain lodges and alms, they decided on the Rössl Alm in Gerlos, Zillertal in Tyrol due to its incredible views at 1,600m above sea level.
Time of Year
Emma and Adam’s Wedding took place in July, with lush green mountain tops and beautiful summer flowers across the valley.
Planning a Legal Wedding in Tyrol, Austria
I worked with Emma and Adam for a little over a year and we connected instantly. Despite the time difference, we were able to communicate effectively and make decisions quickly on the wedding suppliers.
They were legally married on the terrace of the Rössl Alm, one of only a few venues in Tirol that are legally licensed to conduct the ceremony on site. The process was not straightforward due to varying legal documents required and language challenges, but by working with our fantastic partner Esmeralda in Austria, we ensured that everything was official and all necessary translations were made for the registrar.
Emma & Adam’s Wedding Day at The Rössl Alm
Emma and her bridal party got ready in the quaint Hotterhof, a bed & breakfast at the bottom of the valley with incredible views across Gerlos. Lisa Pendl provided hair and make-up for the party whilst Adam and his groomsmen explored the area before traveling up to the Rössl Alm ready for the ceremony.
Emma and Adam said I do on the terrace of the Rössl Alm with a small group of their closest friends and family who traveled over from the US. After exchanging vows, cutting their wedding cake and having a quick aperitif, they were whisked off by Cat from Wild Connections Photography to explore Gerlos and the nearby Durlassboden Reservoir. Both being animal lovers, they were also thrilled to spot some local cows in the luscious meadow at the bottom of the mountain.
After their adventure, the couple returned to the Rössl Alm for a traditional Austrian wedding meal. Their wedding table was perfectly positioned by the windows of the Alm and decorated with large candles, soft ivory and pink rose arrangements and eucalyptus. The place names were hand-painted by Bewilderly Stationery and personalized menus were provided by Rössl Alm.
Advice for Others Planning a Wedding in Tyrol, Austria
The popular area of Tyrol is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise in summer or winter, boasting tranquillity in the form of rugged peaks and vast glaciers, as well as vibrant meadows and truly classical alpine charm. Packed with bustling ski resorts, including Kitzbühel with its accolade of being the only non-glacial ski resort open from October through to May, Tyrol is known for its traditional and fashionable winter vibe.
Nestled in a remote part of the Tyrol region, the Gerlos area has a surprising blend of tranquil mountain atmosphere and a great nightlife. The Rössl Alm, 1,600m above sea level, blends quality, experience and tradition – and I couldn’t fault a single one of those features. For your Austrian Alps wedding this venue has a large terrace with prime views of the surrounding mountains, perfect in summer or winter. During the winter, Rössl Alm has its own ski school and this comes along with the famous après-ski celebrations in Gerlos. The owners and staff at the Rössl Alm go above and beyond to look after their guests, it really is a dream venue!
Emma & Adam’s Tyrol Wedding Vendors
Wedding Planner: Nadia of Amulet Events
Wedding Photographer: Cat of Wild Connections Photography
Wedding Venue: The Rössl Alm – Gerlos, Zillertal in Tyrol, Austria
Bridal Hair & Makeup: Lisa Pendl Hair & Makeup
Wedding Cake and Floral Arrangements: The Rössl Alm
Wedding Stationery: Bewilderly
Further Reading
Find Your Wedding Vendors in Austria
2 comments
This was so breathtaking to see! Love it.
This is such a beautiful wedding. Amazing scenery and a fabulous venue and I particularly love the cabin.