| March 21, 2018

A Lesbian Elopement in the Italian Dolomites with Rachael & Emily

Table of Contents

RACHAEL & EMILY

I have known Rachael for almost 10 years now, so when she told me that she was engaged to her girlfriend Emily and planning to elope — I was absolutely thrilled out of my mind. I got to know these two through their long-running tradition of “Adventure Tuesdays.” They both had Tuesdays off due to their work schedule, and would each week plan a new hike, road trip, or place to explore. I joined along whenever I could, and they inspired me to make this a tradition in my own relationship. So when they got engaged, it was only perfectly fitting that Rachael & Emily chose to have an adventurous destination elopement in a new place they hadn’t explored before — the Dolomites (Italian Alps) — their most adventurous Tuesday ever. 

One of the most fun parts of the process of working with couples planning destination elopements is assisting in the dreaming & exploring process and giving all of my best suggestions for locations for their ceremony & portraits. I spent countless hours scouring all of my favorite resources of maps, forums, and software to find the absolute most gorgeous views in South Tryol — which in my opinion is the most beautiful part of the Dolomites. I found a series of mountain passes that we could explore as well as the beautiful & iconic Lago Di Braies as a perfect place to say their vows in a bit of a warmer place than on top of a snowy mountain pass.

We started the day with a first look at sunrise right outside of their amazing AirBnB, which had the most incredible views — we could have happily stayed there all day, but we hit the road and headed on our journey through the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen in my life. The Dolomites in May were very cold, with brutal winds at the top of these vistas and still plenty of snow — but these two kept each other warm — and when it came time to say their vows, I had a hard time looking through my viewfinder through all the tears. The scenery that we saw that day was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The Alps are truly world-class, and as a die-hard mountain lover, I was in absolute heaven and I can’t wait to go back. 

Landscape of town and Italian Alps in South Tyrol.
Flat lat of both bride's rings.
Bride putting on her dress in Airbnb in Italy.
Bride standing next to window at Airbnb in a white dress.
Bride approaching other bride for a first look during their elopement day in South Tyrol, Italy.
Landscape of mountains and houses in South Tyrol, Italy.
Landscape of the Italian Dolomites.
Landscape of the Italian Dolomites.
Two brides hold hands and walk together, with the Italian Dolomites in the background.
Two brides kiss in front of the snow-covered Italian Dolomites.
Two brides embrace, both smiling.
Two brides embrace in front of the snow-covered Italian Dolomites.
Two bride's walking through the Italian Dolomites.
Bride holding bouquet, with snow-covered Italian Dolomites in the background.
Bride smiles and is wearing a white dress with a brown fur shawl, with snow-cover Italian Dolomites in the background.
Close-up of bouquet with white, pink, and blue flowers.
Landscape of the snow-covered Italian Dolomites
Two brides walking towards the Italian Dolomites.
Landscape of the snow-covered Italian Dolomites.
Brides embrace, with the Italian Dolomites behind them.
Landscape of snow-covered Italian Dolomites.
Two brides hold hands, while standing next to the shore at Lago De Braies in Italy.
Bride places ring on other brides finger.
Two brides kiss during intimate elopement ceremony at Lago De Braies in Italy.
Two brides embrace at Lago De Braies in Italy.
Landscape of Lago De Braies in Italy.
Two brides embrace, while standing on the shore at Lago De Braies in Italy.
two brides embrace while standing on the shore at Lago De Braies in Italy.
Two brides embrace while standing on the shore at Lago De Braies in Italy.
two brides run on the shore together, while holding hands, at Lago De Braies in Italy.
Landscape of snow-covered Italian Dolomites.
Two brides pop champagne on their elopement day in Italy.
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Maddie Mae

Elopement Photographer

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Adventure Instead

Your Elopement Photographers & Planning Consultants. We are Maddie Mae, Amber, and Tori. We're your photographers, your elopement consultants, your cheerleaders, and your go-to adventure buddy on the day you say your vows.

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