Wedding Packages for Austria
Austria has long flown under the radar of most couples wanting to elope to Europe - but without reason! Find out how you can have an epic destination wedding in Austria - in an iconic baroque architecture or in a location with sceneries straight from your favorite fairytales.
Celebrate the big day your way
Whether it's a guest-less elopement or an intimate affair with a small group, you can celebrate your wedding in Austria the way you want to.
Small wedding
Have the intimate celebration of your dreams by bringing your friends and family to your unforgettable small wedding in Austria. You can invite up to 60 people, so start preparing the guest list!
Elopement
Elope with just the two of you or with up to 10 special people in your lives. Have them witness your once-in-a-lifetime elopement in the Austrian mountains, a lakeside villa, or a cozy mountain lodge.
Vow renewal
Rekindle your love and passion for each other or celebrate your 10th or 30th wedding anniversary by saying I do once again. Make it extra special by celebrating it in a breathtaking Austrian venue.
Your destination wedding planner in Austria
Let our passionate planner in Austria hold your hand as you navigate through the process of making your dream wedding come true. She will make everything smoother and stress-free so you can focus on enjoying every moment of your special day.
Meet Vanessza, your dedicated wedding planner in Austria. Having her on your side will be a great advantage as she can check the venues personally and inspect every nook and cranny to make sure the place is perfect for the wedding you envision.
Couples' reviews
Why couples choose Austria for their micro wedding
Authentic charm & unspoiled nature
The historic old-towns with castles, villas and palaces in the most picturesque places in Austria are carefully preserved to keep the charm and splendor of those past centuries alive. Austria also has very strict laws protecting its natural wealth and beauty so have an elopement in Austria amidst its unspoiled nature!
Capital of classical music
Austria is where European classical music is most at home! Famous classical superstars such as Mozart, Haydn, Strauss and Schubert have all lived, worked and thrived in Vienna and Salzburg. Our favourite wedding venues in Austria are those inspired by classical music so you can have an Austrian destination wedding with classical pianos and instruments in the background!
Winter wonderland & summer paradise
In the cold winter months, Austria turns into a true ski paradise with 150 peaks and some of the finest European ski resorts. Let the snow-covered mountain peaks be the backdrop to your winter wedding ceremony and say your vows outside with the most breathtaking Alpine background. Once the snow begins to melt and sun peaks through the clouds, it’s time to pack your hiking boots and venture into the wild.
When to get married in Austria
Spring
The weather in Austria is highly influenced by its Alpine landscape. The Alps make up almost two thirds of the country’s landmass and divide Austria into four regions. After the snowy winters, it usually starts to get warmer around the end of April. This is when temperatures will slowly begin transitioning to spring and summer and nature starts to really come alive for your destination wedding in Austria.
Summer
End of May and June is when Austria starts to transform into the beautiful outdoor paradise that it is! The weather is generally warm yet not too hot, but you should be prepared for some rain. For an outdoor wedding, we recommend the summer months between June and September. June is also the time of the Mid-Summer Night festivities in Austria.
Autumn
Every season has its own perks and can be your ideal time to elope to Austria - provided that you are properly prepared! Towards the end of September, autumn starts to change the colors of nature into an array of gold, red and bronze tones. The temperatures are often still warm enough for an outdoor wedding ceremony though some rain should be expected.
Winter
Winters in Austria can be harsh in some Alpine areas, but this season has its undeniable perks. When the snow covers the mountains and villages, Austria turns into a beautiful winter wonderland perfect for a winter wedding in Europe. The coziest time of the year is the Christmas season when markets pop up in every village welcoming you with hot drinks and a warm atmosphere.
Where to have your elopement or wedding in Austria?
Outdoor mountain weddings
When a place is as defined by its Alpine landscapes as Austria is, an outdoor ceremony location in the mountains is probably the first thing that comes to mind! If you are eloping with just the two of you or a handful of very close guests, you can just choose a favourite place in nature and let the serene landscapes be the backdrop to your wedding ceremony. After saying your vows, enjoy an intimate dinner or how about a romantic picnic in the meadow or by the lake! Should you be sharing your day with more guests, we recommend booking a venue with a suitable outdoor ceremony space that lets you enjoy the same impressive views while also providing comforts such as seating for your guests and can also offer drinks, music and excellent food. Tell us about your dream and your wedding planner will be happy to advise!
Urban châteaux and fairytale castles
Wake up with the late morning sun shining through the curtains of your castle suite in Austria. Have breakfast with your loved ones on the marble terrace and enjoy the view of the lake and the ever present mountain panorama in the background. Get ready in comfort and style for your elegant and intimate castle wedding in Austria and say your vows to each in a gorgeous castle venue of your choosing! At night, dance away in the halls or salons decorated with rich tapestries and filled with history. It comes as no surprise that Austria’s cities and countryside are scattered with beautiful castles and châteaux in all forms and styles. Ranging from strong medieval fortresses to more delicate residential castles and castle hotels - in Austria, you are absolutely sure to find the right castle for your micro wedding!
Mountain resorts
With the Alps covering a large part of Austria, mountain resorts and luxury chalets have been long established in all regions of the country. Luxurious mountain resorts can spoil you with an amazing choice of restaurants, spa treatments and elegant suites. These resorts often have different locations for different group sizes. This way, they can accommodate smaller groups as well as larger wedding parties without losing the intimacy of a destination wedding. For a more intimate setting, choose a boutique hotel in the mountains or a traditional Gasthaus. While the choices of menus and spa treatments might be limited here , the view will be just as breathtaking! For more privacy, we recommend booking a chalet just for the two of you or for your immediate family and friends.
Tyrol wedding venues
Tyrol is the picture perfect image that you probably have in mind when you think of Austria. Imagine clear blue lakes propped up to a backdrop of towering Alpine mountain peaks. Wooden chalets that just call for a cosy winter evening at the fireplace...and in the midst of it all, your wedding day. Boutique hotels and private châteaux can accommodate your guests for your intimate wedding in Austria. Let us know if you are celebrating with just the two of you or if you will be bringing guests to share the day and we will recommend the best venues for you! Not to mention the countless outdoor ceremony locations for a micro wedding in Austria that the Tyrol region has to offer!
Lakeside villas
With more than 300 lakes, Austria certainly does not have a shortage of gorgeous lakeside wedding venues to choose from. These ceremony locations can come in the form of beautiful spots at the shore of an Alpine lake where you and your loved one can say your wedding vows with no one but the impressive landscape as your witness. But if you’d like to celebrate with some more guests and enjoy the luxury and comfort of a beautiful wedding venue in Austria, we recommend booking a lakeside venue to guarantee privacy and a good time for you and your guests. One of the lakeside villas with their gardens or terraces or a luxurious lakeview hotel might be just the place!
Types of ceremonies
Civil
A legally-binding wedding ceremony in Austria is performed by an official registrar, takes place at the “Standesamt” or another officially certified location, and it must be in the German language. You can't just pick a nice spot in the mountains for a legal ceremony, and you have to choose from the list of official marriage locations. An English interpreter is obligatory if you two and your witnesses do not speak German. A legal wedding in Austria will be recognized as such in most countries.
Religious
A religious wedding ceremony in Austria is not legally-binding and can not be recognized as such in other countries. Though it won't be a legal wedding, you can still tie the knot in one of Austria’s beautiful churches or chapels with religious traditions and blessings observed during the ceremony. We recommend choosing a privately owned chapel since this allows you more freedom when it comes to schedule, decor and choice of celebrant or minister.
Symbolic
Whenever possible, a symbolic wedding in Austria is our personal recommendation because it takes away the burden of fulfilling any legal requirement. You can just focus on the two of you and your special day. Many of our couples choose to get the legal paperwork done in their home country to have the “real” symbolic wedding in their dream Austrian venue. They had the freedom to choose any place and time for the ceremony and to include highly personal, bespoke wording.
Legal requirements
A legal wedding in Austria needs to be performed by an officiant at the Standesamt or another approved location. The ceremony has to be in the German language to be recognized as legally binding. If neither you nor your partner speak German, a translator may be present. A marriage application has to be filed up to 6 months before your wedding day. While residency in Austria is not necessary, both partners are required to be present in person when filing the application. Here's a detailed info about legal weddings in Austria
Austrian Food
Apfelstrudel
A more delicate equivalent of the American apple pie, the Apfelstrudel is made out of light and crispy dough with apples, nuts and spices. Served warm and spiced with sweet cinnamon, it is the perfect finish of your Austrian wedding menu.
Sacher torte
One of the most famous cakes in the world, the original Sacher Torte has been a trademark of Austrian pastries since it was introduced in the early 19th-century. The Sacher Torte was created by the 16-year old Franz Sacher on instruction of the Prince of Metternich. The original recipe is a well-kept family secret but the main ingredients are chocolate, apricot jam and whipped cream.
Austrian goulash
Originally, Goulash traces its roots back to Hungary. But the Austrians have adopted the dish and given it their very own twist that is now immensely popular in Vienna and other parts of the country. A hearty, warming beef stew with onions, tomatoes and sweet paprika - it is the perfect food for a cold winter evening.
Wiener schnitzel
The most famous of Austria’s culinary creations! The Wiener Schnitzel is prepared from a cutlet of veal in a breaded crust. Traditionally it is served with lemon and an Austrian style potato salad on the side. The great thing about the Wiener Schnitzel is that it is universally loved and can be prepared as a casual meal or served as a fine dining dish.
Wedding traditions in Austria
Waking the bride
In some of the upper regions of Austria it is customary to wake the bride in the very early hours of the morning. At dawn, friends, neighbors and guests will fire gunshots outside of the bride’s house or set off firecrackers to make absolutely sure the bride wakes up in time for her big day and doesn’t miss her wedding. Once the bride is awake, the shooters are invited into the house by her for an early breakfast.
Last stitches
A bride should never make her own dress if she wants to avoid bad luck in her marriage. It is also said that the wedding dress should only be finished on the actual day of the wedding. This is why some brides still leave their wedding dress slightly unfinished. That way, their maid of honour or mother can make the last stitches on the morning of the wedding and add a little bit of extra luck to the bride's marriage.
Kidnapping the bride
This wedding tradition is popular in many countries, including Austria! Today it is still often practiced, although in a slightly more modern version: some time after the wedding ceremony, the bride will be “kidnapped” by the groomsmen or other guests. They take her to a bar and keep her busy while the groom searches for his new wife. Once he has found her, a bribe is required to convince the groomsmen to return the bride to her new husband - like picking up their bar tab!
Getting to and around Austria
Flying
The Vienna Airport will be the major hub in Austria if you are flying in from overseas. Most American airlines and European airlines offer direct flights to Vienna so there is no hassle getting here. If your wedding venue in Austria is in the west of the country, it might make sense to fly to Innsbruck instead. You can either transfer in Vienna and take a domestic flight to Innsbruck or take the train from Vienna airport. A good alternative is also to fly to Munich instead where you can ride a shuttle bus and reach western Austria in just a little over three hours.
Car
Renting a car comes with the obvious perks of more independence and personal control over your travel schedule. However, the public transportation network in Austria is extremely well developed, so it makes sense to just take the train or bus. Renting a car only makes sense If your wedding venue is in a secluded Austrian location like a mountain resort or chalet. A valid driver’s license is sufficient to rent a car in Austria and an international driver’s license is not required. We recommend renting a car in town or making arrangements ahead of your arrival to avoid the hefty prices at the airport. Toll stickers are a must for using the highway and winter tires are mandatory for driving in the winter months.
Train & bus
Traveling by train is by far the best - and incidentally also the most budget-friendly way - to travel through Austria. Since the country is fairly small, you can get to almost anywhere by train in a relatively short amount of time. Austrian trains are known to be reliable and very comfortable with free wifi, comfy seats and on-board service. A nice perk is that you get to see the lush landscape out of your window and travel in peace without worrying about traffic or parking spaces. A bus offers similar advantages as the train with the added bonus of reaching more remote places. Every major city has a bus station with regular scheduled buses going to most cities and villages in Austria and its neighbors.
Boat
Probably the most beautiful way to travel through Austria! The Danube River stretches through 10 European countries and also flows through Austria. When taking a cruise ship on the river, you will pass authentic medieval villages, local wineries, river-side castles and abbeys. Many cruises offer combined tours where you can take a bike and cycle parts of the way to explore more of the country at your own pace.
Cost of a destination wedding in Austria
The price for a micro wedding in Austria will usually lie somewhere in the middle between Germany and Switzerland. Although Austria is not the cheapest European country to get married in, especially if you are looking at a weekend date in the peak summer season which is when many local couples choose to get married. A good way to avoid unnecessary costs is to have your wedding on a weekday between Sunday and Thursday. Many venues offer special pricing and reduces costs for weekday events and weddings during off peak seasons. Why not use our quotation tool for an instant price estimate for your Austrian wedding package?
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