Locations Archive - Awika Weddings

SCHLOSS ELMAU· WEDDING WEEKEND IN THE ALPS

Angelika Wichan — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:09:42 +0000

The Schloss Elmau Experience

Exclusive Weddings in the Bavarian Alps

Weddings at Schloss Elmau – Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway

A wedding weekend in the Bavarian Alps that goes far beyond a traditional celebration.

Nestled in a sheltered high valley at an altitude of 1,000 meters, against the imposing Wettersteinwand and just a short distance from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, lies a place known worldwide for its unmistakable combination of nature, tranquility, and international sophistication.

It ranks among the most unique and exclusive wedding venues in Germany and offers a resort experience rarely found elsewhere.

As a host of international summits and a retreat for figures from politics, culture, and business, Schloss Elmau stands for discretion, quality, and an extraordinary form of luxury.

It is not about a single celebration, but rather a thoughtfully curated wedding weekend where every moment is part of a greater whole.

For international couples planning a luxury wedding in the Alps or a destination wedding in Germany, Schloss Elmau offers an extraordinary blend of nature, privacy, and a clear commitment to quality and excellence.

The Region as Part of the Experience

One of the most impressive landscapes in the Bavarian Alps unfolds around Schloss Elmau.

Mittenwald, with its historic facades, is just a few minutes away. The striking silhouette of the Wettersteinwand dominates the horizon, while the Karwendel Mountains rise in a clear line behind it.

Hiking trails, mountain lakes, alpine meadows, and small chapels lend the region a quiet, natural elegance.

Especially for international couples planning a destination wedding in the Bavarian Alps, Schloss Elmau offers a setting that goes far beyond classic wedding venues.

Two houses, one resort, a wedding concept all its own

Schloss Elmau consists of two distinct buildings that together form a single resort, yet can each be booked exclusively.

The Retreat is the resort’s more modern building. With around 47 spacious suites and junior suites, it offers an ideal setting for wedding parties of up to approximately 90 guests.

When booked exclusively, the entire building – including all rooms, restaurants, and spa areas – is reserved solely for your party. This level of privacy is exceptional even within the luxury segment and lends the weekend a particularly intimate atmosphere.

The Hideaway forms the historic heart of the resort, offering around 115 rooms and suites. It provides an exceptional setting for larger weddings with up to 200 guests.

With its concert hall, refined dining spaces, and expansive lounges, it allows for a wide range of individually curated wedding concepts. The Hideaway can also be booked exclusively, creating a truly private and immersive experience.

At Schloss Elmau, weddings are intentionally designed as multi day celebrations.A minimum stay of two nights ensures that couples and their guests can fully arrive, connect, and experience the setting beyond the wedding day itself.

In the case of an exclusive booking, the entire room allocation is reserved for the wedding party, offering complete privacy within this unique alpine retreat.

During my consultation, I clarify these general conditions with you early on. Not to create obstacles, but to ensure that your vision and the philosophy of the venue truly align. Choosing Schloss Elmau is a deliberate decision, and the planning should reflect that.

It is precisely this clear structure that creates predictability, privacy, and a level of excellence that goes far beyond a traditional wedding venue.

Wedding ceremony with a stunning view of the mountains

Civil ceremonies take place in the Retreat’s pavilion, one of the most beautiful ceremony venues within the resort. Here, the mountains are not merely a backdrop, but a quiet companion to your ceremony.

Alternatively, church or civil weddings are possible in Mittenwald and the surrounding region, which blend harmoniously into the wedding weekend.

The Elmauer Alm as a special highlight

The Elmauer Alm, situated above the resort, has a character all its own. With an open fireplace and sweeping panoramic views from the Zugspitze to the Karwendel, this location is ideal for a welcome dinner or a relaxed evening before the wedding. The combination of alpine authenticity and upscale service creates a setting that deliberately contrasts with the festive atmosphere of the wedding day.

The Elmauer Alm seats around 40 guests and is ideal for a welcome dinner or a relaxed evening before the wedding

Retreats that are more than just rooms

What sets Schloss Elmau apart from many other wedding venues is the sense of space. At the retreat, you’ll find spacious suites featuring clean architecture, natural materials, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountain landscape. The rooms are not designed as classic hotel rooms, but as private retreats where your guests will feel at home from the very first moment.

If the Retreat is booked exclusively, not only the house but also the entire spa area belongs exclusively to your party. Several pools, saunas, and relaxation areas are then available for your private use. This level of privacy is exceptional in the alpine luxury segment and lends the wedding weekend an intimate atmosphere, even though you are celebrating at an international resort.

The Hideaway also impresses with its spacious room categories, which combine historical elements with modern design. This creates a harmonious setting for larger groups without losing the sense of exclusivity.

It is precisely the combination of high-quality accommodations and a holistic spa experience that makes Schloss Elmau a destination that goes far beyond a classic celebration venue.

Cuisine of the highest quality

Schloss Elmau is not only a venue for extraordinary celebrations but also an internationally renowned gourmet resort. Here, cuisine is not just an item on the agenda but part of the identity.

Several restaurants define the property, including the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Ikigai, which blends French and Japanese influences with Alpine clarity. The other restaurant concepts also follow a precise, creative signature, where product quality, craftsmanship, and presentation are executed with the utmost precision.

For weddings, this means that menus are not selected from a standard menu but can be individually tailored. Whether a sit-down dinner in the concert hall, an elegant reception on the terrace, or a deliberately understated fine dining experience on a smaller scale, every culinary decision fits harmoniously into the overall concept.

Especially for international couples who have high expectations for cuisine and service, this aspect is often a decisive factor. Schloss Elmau combines an alpine setting with cosmopolitan cuisine, creating a combination that is rarely found in this form in Germany.

How a wedding weekend can feel like

Schloss Elmau doesn’t create a single highlight.
It creates an entire chapter.

The Beginning

A weekend at Schloss Elmau does not begin with the first glass of champagne, but with a mindful arrival. Guests settle into their spacious suites, meet on the terrace overlooking the valley, or wind down from their journey at the spa. Slowly, that special feeling of retreat and anticipation takes hold.

In the evening, the group can gather at the Elmauer Alm. Mountain air, warm lighting, perhaps a formal dinner or a relaxed get-together by the fireplace. Conversations linger, and the atmosphere grows more intimate.

The Wedding Day

The morning begins quietly. Perhaps with a shared breakfast, perhaps with a spa session or a walk through the valley. Meanwhile, the bride and groom get ready in their suites.

The outdoor wedding ceremony in the pavilion blends harmoniously into the landscape. The mountains don’t feel like a backdrop, but rather part of the moment.

In the evening, the celebration continues seamlessly. Culinary delights of the highest caliber, music in the concert hall, elegant conversations in the lounges. Everything feels natural, nothing staged.

The Finale

The next morning, there is still time. For a late breakfast, a final visit to the spa, or a cup of coffee together with a view of the mountains.

My personal assessment

Schloss Elmau is one of the most exclusive wedding venues in the Alps and undoubtedly in Germany as well. It’s not just about an impressive setting, but about a clear concept. A resort that consciously prioritizes privacy, quality, and structure.

The exclusive booking of the entire estate, the full occupancy of the rooms, the multi-day celebration—none of these are minor details, but rather part of the philosophy. That is precisely why a wedding at Schloss Elmau requires strategic planning, experience in managing room allocations, and a keen sense of logistics at the highest level.

For couples who wish to create a wedding weekend that is cohesive and extends far beyond a single day of celebration, Schloss Elmau is an exceptional choice. It is not a place for spontaneous decisions. It is a place for deliberate ones. This is precisely where the importance of experienced and structured planning becomes clear—planning that not only coordinates the individual elements but conceives the entire weekend as a seamless experience.

Do you dream of a wedding at one of the most exclusive venues in Germany?

If you’re looking for a multi-day wedding weekend that goes far beyond a single celebration and immerses your guests in an extraordinary alpine world, I’ll guide you through the entire planning process with experience, structure, and a clear focus on what matters most.

Let’s plan your wedding at Schloss Elmau together.

Photo Credits:

Aneta Lehotska
Schloss Elmau

Many thanks for the beautiful visuals

Der Beitrag SCHLOSS ELMAU· WEDDING WEEKEND IN THE ALPS erschien zuerst auf Awika Weddings.

KREUZJOCHHAUS · LUXURY RETREAT IN THE ALPS

Angelika Wichan — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:19:50 +0000

Kreuzjochhaus Garmisch-Partenkirchen

A Winter Wedding as a Luxury Retreat in the Mountains

Many couples dream of mountains, winter, and a wedding that feels like a true experience rather than a classic event. That is precisely what the Kreuzjochhaus offers. It is not a typical venue, but a mountain lodge that becomes entirely private for your weekend. What emerges is not just a wedding day, but a shared weekend in the mountains with a retreat atmosphere, a natural flow, and a sense of arrival you feel from the very beginning.

Yet this place is not only special for winter sports lovers. In summer, the surrounding mountain landscape feels calm, vast, and deeply impressive. This is exactly what makes the Kreuzjochhaus such an extraordinary wedding location in the Alps, at any time of year.

Who the Kreuzjochhaus is perfect for

The Kreuzjochhaus is not a hotel where you simply reserve a section. It is a house you experience entirely for your weekend, together with your guests, privately and exclusively.

This level of exclusivity naturally changes the dynamic. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed, encounters feel more personal, and everything feels closer and easier.

It does not feel like a classic event, but like a private mountain retreat where your wedding is effortlessly woven into the experience.

The first moment begins with the gondola

Arriving here is not simply a journey uphill, it is already part of the experience.

Taking the gondola instantly shifts the mood. From the moment you step out at the top, you can feel that this weekend will be different. No passing visitors, no outside guests, no quick drop-ins.

You are up in the mountains, together with your guests, fully present. This arrival creates exactly what many couples are looking for: calm, presence, and the feeling of truly being away for the weekend.

And then there is the panorama, something that does not need explanation because you simply experience it.

Exclusivity you truly feel

The Kreuzjochhaus is not a hotel where you only use part of the property. It is a house you experience as a whole, together with your guests and entirely to yourselves.

This form of exclusivity changes everything. The atmosphere becomes more relaxed, encounters more personal, and the entire weekend feels naturally connected.

What emerges is not a classic event, but a private retreat in the mountains where your wedding feels completely at home.

Sleeping like in a mountain lodge and that is exactly the magic

Yes, the rooms are intentionally designed in a traditional mountain lodge style. There are shared rooms and bunk beds.

What might sound unusual at first often becomes one of the most memorable elements of the weekend. Because it creates a wedding atmosphere that traditional hotels rarely achieve.

Guests naturally meet one another. Barefoot in the hallway in the morning, over the first coffee, or later outside the sauna. Connections happen organically, and from these moments a real sense of community grows.

This is what makes such wedding weekends so special and unforgettable.

I often tell my couples: if you want your guests not only to attend but truly connect, this sleeping concept offers its own kind of luxury. Not through perfection, but through shared experience.

Panorama, terrace, and outdoor ceremony

The terrace is one of the most impressive areas of the house. The view across the mountains and towards the Alpspitze panorama creates a naturally breathtaking setting for your ceremony.

Whether it is a crisp winter landscape with warm textures or a light summer setting with subtle décor, this place feels special in every season.

Here, your ceremony can become a true statement. Clear mountain air, wide alpine views, perhaps warm materials like furs or natural fabrics paired with a refined minimalist design. Elegant, authentic, and truly unique.

Cuisine as a true highlight

Here, cuisine is more than just food. It becomes an essential part of the entire experience.

If you ask me what truly defines a winter wedding, it is often the atmosphere during dinner. This is where the Kreuzjochhaus truly shines.

The kitchen feels personal and high quality, with a style that conveys warmth. It is the kind of dinner where guests linger, conversations flow, and the evening unfolds naturally.

And if you would like to add an authentic Bavarian moment to your weekend, the best way is in a way that truly suits the setting. Kaiserschmarrn served from a large pan, a shared schnapps as a small ritual, or regional specialties that create atmosphere without feeling cliché.

Especially during a wedding weekend, these moments shape the evening, encourage connection, and create memories your guests will carry with them.

Spa and quiet retreats as a special luxury moment

Winter weddings do not need extensive entertainment programs. They thrive on warmth, calm, and shared moments.

The spa area at the Kreuzjochhaus provides exactly this kind of quiet luxury. A jacuzzi, a spacious sauna with mountain views, and relaxing lounge areas create the retreat feeling often associated with exclusive mountain hotels.

What makes it special is how naturally it influences the entire weekend. Guests slow down, conversations unfold organically, and the atmosphere becomes more personal and intimate.

This creates exactly what many couples hope for: a wedding weekend where everyone truly arrives and experiences the moment fully.

Resort character with real mountain experiences

The Kreuzjochhaus is ideal for couples who want to offer their guests more than just a wedding day.

Here, a full weekend in the mountains unfolds.

In winter, guests can ski or enjoy winter hikes. In summer, there are hiking trails, panoramic walks, or simply time to relax on the sunny terrace. Everything is right outside the door and can easily become part of the weekend.

It is this combination that makes the place so special. It does not feel like separate program points, but like one shared experience that grows naturally and stays in memory for years to come.

How I would curate a possible wedding weekend as a planner

A wedding weekend at the Kreuzjochhaus could feel like this:

Friday – Arrival and welcome
Shared gondola ride up the mountain, welcome drinks, a relaxed first dinner together, and for early arrivals perhaps sauna or jacuzzi in the evening.

Saturday – Ceremony and celebration
An outdoor ceremony on the terrace overlooking the mountains, followed by relaxed time outside by the fire. In the evening, dinner becomes the centrepiece, followed by a warm and atmospheric celebration inside the house.

Sunday – Slow morning
A long shared breakfast, quiet final moments in the spa, and a farewell without rush.

This is how a single wedding day becomes a full weekend in the mountains, one that feels like a shared retreat.

My Conclusion: A mountain lodge with a luxury retreat character

The Kreuzjochhaus is perfect for couples who dream of a wedding in the mountains and value personality, exclusivity, and real shared time.

This is not about staging, but about shared experiences, genuine encounters, and being surrounded by the people who truly matter.

And in the end, that is exactly what remains:
Not just a celebration, but a shared weekend in the mountains you will never forget.

Planning your winter wedding in the Alps

If you can imagine celebrating your wedding at the Kreuzjochhaus and would like to explore whether this location fits your vision, I would be happy to guide you through the next steps.

In a relaxed, non binding conversation, we can explore together how your mountain wedding weekend should feel and whether the Kreuzjochhaus is the right place for it.

Photos: Aneta Lehotska

Thank you very much for the wonderful pictures.

Der Beitrag KREUZJOCHHAUS · LUXURY RETREAT IN THE ALPS erschien zuerst auf Awika Weddings.