Cheryl and Merrill’s wedding day began with a quiet ceremony by the icy waters of Lago di Braies, one of the Dolomites’ most photographed lakes. They had booked a boathouse for the morning, a rare privilege that lent their elopement an intimate feel amid the chilly autumn air. The landscape did the work here: golden larches coloring the slopes, rugged peaks surrounding them, and the still lake mirroring it all. No elaborate decorations crowded the scene—just the couple, the season, and the quiet solemnity of their private vows.
After exchanging promises, Cheryl and Merrill didn’t rush off for photos. Instead, they stepped into a wooden boat and drifted across the lake’s glassy surface. This simple boat ride turned an iconic Dolomites moment into part of their wedding, not just a backdrop for the day. The slow glide on the water gave them a rare moment to be alone together, soaking in the significance of their vows.
They chose autumn deliberately. The larches were just turning, their needles a warm amber that contrasted with the gray-green pines and jagged cliffs. The colors set the palette for the day, so they kept everything else minimal. No floral arches or styled signage, just the natural drama of the mountains and soft, shifting light.
After a midday break, the couple set out for the second chapter of their elopement. This time, the adventure was a hike up to Cadini di Misurina, a rugged peak offering panoramic views above the treeline. Cheryl and Merrill carried a pop-up tent with them—a practical but clever touch allowing a quick outfit change right on the mountaintop. This eliminated the need to find shelter elsewhere or hike back down to switch looks.
The change of clothes marked a shift from the calm waters to the vast, open heights. The couple spent the late afternoon watching the sun sink behind the Dolomites, the mountains bathing first in golden light before softening to shades of pink. They lingered long enough to soak in the moment, rather than rushing through portraits. Eventually, they began their descent with lanterns lighting the way, closing out a day that had spanned from lake level to cloud level.
Cheryl and Merrill’s elopement made clear that a spectacular setting doesn’t always call for complicated styling. The changing larches, the wooden boat, the handwritten vows, the mountain hike, and the sunset’s slow fade carried the day. The details they chose were thoughtful but simple, leaving space for the experience itself to breathe. For anyone considering a wedding in the Dolomites or anywhere similarly scenic, this approach offers a reminder: sometimes the best backdrop is the one nature already provides.
If you’re thinking of saying “I do” somewhere wild and remote, a pop-up tent for outfit changes might just be your best friend. And don’t underestimate the power of a slow boat ride after vows—it’s a quiet moment that turns a photo op into something you’ll actually remember. Cheryl and Merrill’s day was about the two of them, the landscape, and a few well-chosen moments that felt just right.
According to Wedding Chicks.
