Matt and Hannah’s incredible wedding in the snowy Swiss Alps is proof that not all destination nuptials have to be cut from the same cloth! In fact, this adventurous couple took their plans to the next level to honor the way they met – skiing.

“When I started university, I signed up for the Ski Team to help me meet new people,” Hannah says. “There was a group trip to the local dry slope and I got on the coach feeling pretty nervous. My friend had pointed Matt out to me as someone she knew so I decided to bite the bullet and sit next to him. I’m pretty sure he was terrified by the crazy girl who wouldn’t leave him alone but from that point onwards, we were pretty inseparable.”

Considering the mountains are the place they feel most at home in, it seemed only natural that Hannah and Matt would get married with white-capped peaks as a backdrop. Upon searching for the best destinations easily accessible from the UK with stellar skiing, Wengen in the Swiss Alps immediately emerged as a top contender.

“We chose Wengen because it is world-famous for its skiing and the backdrop to the village is just breathtaking,” the bride says.

Taking on the wedding planning herself, Hannah and her mom took a four-day trip to scope out venues and vendors. Being such a remote location (the only way in is by train) the couple knew they’d need to source vendors from out of town.

“Finding vendors was a real challenge because weddings very rarely happen in Wengen, and if they do, they are a much smaller, local affair,” Hannah explains. “We had to bring in an English-speaking vicar, a cake from Interlaken, and flowers from Thun. It was a bit of a military operation to make sure everything made it up the mountain in one piece and on time!”

Amidst this challenge, selecting the ceremony and reception locations proved to be a breeze. Hannah had actually eyed the Kirche Evangelische Reformierte during one of her and Matt’s ski trips to Wengen, while Hotel Schonegg offered the ideal accommodations for a reception space and group boarding with a friendly staff to help.

“The views from [the church] were just incredible,” the bride mentions. “The hotel is stunning, with magnificent views over the valley and just the right mix of traditional alpine style with a more modern twist.”

Special decor elements included in the wedding day consisted of a myriad of DIY projects and purchased goods. For example, Hannah bought the couple’s piste map table plan from Trailbound Studio via Etsy. Additionally, the couple’s card box was made from old piste maps that the bride had kept from all of her and Matt’s ski vacations together, while vintage skis replaced a traditional guest book.

The day of the wedding couldn’t have been more majestic, beginning with a beautiful religious ceremony featuring the couple’s two dogs as ring bearers.

“Our dogs, Molly and Luna, are our entire worlds and it was crucial to me that they were involved in the ceremony,” Hannah says. “We had a wonderful dog sitter, Lisa, from Lauterbrunnen Adventures who looked after them while we got ready and then delivered them to the church for the rings and some photos, before whisking them off for a big long walk and a sleepover.”

After the ceremony, Hannah, Matt and their guests rode up to the top of the mountain on a chair lift for an epic photo opp and, of course, some skiing! The reception in the cozy hotel followed as they capped off a truly unforgettable day.

When asked to share some insight for couples aspiring toward an out-of-country destination wedding (perhaps in the Swiss Alps), this is what the couple had to say:

“Many people told us we were crazy and that it was a terrible idea to get married abroad, but I just couldn’t imagine us doing it any other way. In the end, it turned out exactly how we wanted it to be and I wouldn’t change a single thing.”

Vendors: Photographer: Creek & Country Photography & Film; Ceremony/Reception Site: Kirche Evangelische Reformierte Wengen and Hotel Schonegg; Florist: Atelier Trix; Stationery: Printed.com; Cake: Traumtorte; Hair: Gaby Lanz; Makeup: Ramona Jost; Gown Designer: Stella York; Gown Store: Laura May Bridal; Men’s Clothing Designer: Ted Baker; Bridesmaids Dresses: Ever-Pretty; Musician: Lee Gordon; Dog-Sitting: Lauterbrunnen Adventure