Olivia and Garett’s romantic two-day elopement in Switzerland beautifully reflected their intentional approach to love and celebration. They began their journey together in the heart of Zurich, strolling through cobblestone streets in elegant attire, and continued into the breathtaking stillness of the Swiss Alps for their vows in Wengen. The couple opted for a deeply personal experience—no guests, no distractions—just two days of connection, adventure, and timeless beauty.
With stunning style choices and a storybook setting, this elopement felt cinematic in every sense. But beyond the fashion and the views, what stood out most was the evident joy between Olivia and Garett as they focused entirely on each other. Every detail was chosen with care—from heirloom jewelry to a custom suit jacket named after Olivia’s late grandmother—creating an experience as meaningful as it was beautiful.
“Home isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling… it’s the quiet certainty, the warmth of unconditional acceptance.”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met working at a cosmetic and personal care manufacturer in Vermont. We were asked to co-lead a project and when the project wrapped up, Garett asked me on a date. He planned a day for us in Stowe taking in the fall foliage, exploring the breweries (specifically Von Trapp Brewery) and getting to know one another outside of work. Little did he know, fall in Vermont is my favorite time of year, and he couldn’t have planned a more perfect first date.
For our second date, I planned an afternoon of apple picking in Grand Isle, followed by making a warm apple crisp to enjoy afterwards. Can you tell I’m a huge fan of fall activities? I always say after this date, I knew we would get married.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
When you think of elopements, there’s not much that can go wrong on the big day. With no guests, caterers, or DJ’s to worry about, there’s no need to stress over linens, silverware, or cake cutting. For us, stress was non-existent because we both knew the day would unfold as it would, and we were determined to enjoy it as it came.
That said, during the getting-ready process, Garett began to put on his bow tie and soon realized it was not going to be a simple feat. After many (many) tries, I took matters into my own hands and ran around the lobby of Hotel Regina asking guests and employees to help, but alas, no one knew how to tie a bow tie!
Enter our photographer, Brianna Voegeli, who saved the day. After watching multiple Youtube tutorials, along with some trial and error, she finally got it tied perfectly! It was the only “hiccup” of the day, and we always laugh about it now. Brianna didn’t know what she was getting herself into with us!
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
Our biggest hurdle was living in the United States and planning an elopement in Switzerland. The distance made things tricky, especially when it came to ensuring our vision was communicated clearly. Since we couldn’t meet with the florist, makeup & hair stylist, and photographer in person, or view the elopement spot beforehand, we had to rely heavily on research, communication and trust. It was nerve-wracking at times, hoping that all the elements we had carefully chosen from afar would come together seamlessly. Thankfully, the vendors we handpicked were truly amazing and everything turned out even better than either of us could have imagined.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
My beloved Grandmother, Agnes, was incorporated into the day with a charm featuring a photo of her on her wedding day in 1951 delicately wrapped around my calla lily bouquet. She and my grandfather Norman were married for 66 years, a demonstration of a timeless bond and unwavering devotion that has always inspired me. Having this charm symbolized their lifelong commitment to one another and made me feel as though she was right there with us on such a meaningful day.
Another unexpected way of incorporating my grandmother into our elopement also fell into my lap. While in Zurich for the first part of our celebration, I knew that I wanted to wear a suit. While searching for the right pant suit, which took longer than I would like to admit, I stumbled upon a jacket called “The Agnes”. When I saw the name of the jacket, it felt like it was a sign from her, a reassurance that this was the one meant for me. I ordered it straight away and the rest is history!
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
Saying our vows and having our first dance while overlooking the Swiss Alps is a moment we will cherish forever. Once we got off the train, we trekked about 15 minutes to a spot nestled in the mountains where we said “I Do”. We felt like we were on the top of the world, with panoramic views of the alps, no one in site, fresh air in our lungs, and the faint sound of cow bells in the distance. After our vows, we both looked out to take in the view, and it felt like at that moment time stopped – the mountains stood still, and we did too.
We had our first dance shortly after to Adele’s version of “Lovesong”. Twirling through the mountains, hand in hand, husband and wife, at that moment it was like we were the only people in existence.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
Together, we have discovered that our greatest strength is each other. Our relationship thrives because we each bring unique attributes to the table that complement each other. I’m the host, and Garett the Chef. I dream up the vision, and he brings it to life. We strike a natural balance – a true partnership.
Individually, one of the most valuable things I have learned from Garett is that it’s okay to be uncomfortable. He constantly encourages me to step outside of my comfort zone, whether it be to try new foods, start a new hobby, travel somewhere unfamiliar, or take steps to grow professionally.
The best thing I’ve learned from Olivia is that each day can be individually special, and a memory can be made even through the smallest of details. Olivia commissioned a wedding crest to capture a theme of our union. This crest features mountains representing both Switzerland and where we had our first date in Vermont; Swans which pair for life and that we saw throughout our travels in Bavaria, and a fountain to symbolize both where we got engaged, and a focal point of our hotel in Wengen, where we exchanged our vows. This crest was a motif throughout our celebration with friends and family in Vermont and on our special day in the Alps.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
My favorite thing about Garett is that he makes me feel like anything is possible. He is a constant force of encouragement, always believing in me even in the moments when I struggle to believe in myself. His unwavering support has helped me see my own strength more clearly and has truly reshaped the way I view myself.
My favorite thing about Olivia is that she brings the light into our lives and always inspires me to be a better person. Her compassion for others and desire to help those in need is truly admirable. She is my textbook definition of a woman – beautiful, smart, and passionate, with plenty of love to share with her family and friends.
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
Our favorite part about planning our wedding was that we were planning it entirely for us, no one else. In embracing that mindset, we threw the so called “rule book” out the window and focused on making every part of the journey intentional and meaningful to us. Every decision, from big to small, reflected who we are as a couple and our wants for the celebration.
For instance, instead of a traditional one-day elopement, we decided to extend our celebration over two days. Since we didn’t take engagement photos, we used the day before our wedding in Zurich to capture additional portraits around the city. This allowed us to have varied images in the city and mountains and twice the number of memories preserved in photos. This turned out to be such an amazing decision, as we were stopped by so many people offering congratulations in a multitude of languages. We will never forget the love we received from many while on the streets of Zurich!
Another meaningful, non-traditional, and distinctly “us” choice was adding color into my wedding band and designing a complementary ring for Garett. My band was custom-made by our favorite local jeweler, and we worked with her to not only select Garett’s wedding band, but also to create an heirloom signet ring for him to mark the occasion. His ring features emerald gemstones, cut identically to mine, and we love the connection they share. Who says men can’t have two rings too? We hope these pieces will be cherished heirlooms for generations to come.
Another way we went off script was making a conscious decision to have no family or friends present at the wedding. While this may go against tradition or societal expectations, it was something we remained steadfast on. We wanted to start our marriage off in an intimate way, with the moment centering around our connection and taking this next step together. At its core, marriage is a bond between two people, and for us, it felt important that this moment reflect exactly that.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
When it comes to the wedding, decide as a couple what you want this momentous occasion to look like and build your day around that. Whether you choose to elope, host a destination wedding, opt for an intimate gathering, or a large celebration, what matters is that it’s a shared vision. You won’t regret staying true to yourselves and honoring your love in a way that feels truly genuine.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
When you’re with someone who truly sees and accepts you, vulnerabilities and all, it creates a sense of home. Home isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling. It’s the quiet certainty, the warmth of unconditional acceptance and the peace of knowing that as long as you have each other, everything will be alright. Find that person that feels like home.
Day One – Zurich City
Photography: Brianna Vögeli Photography / @briannavoegeliphotography
Bride’s Suit: Sézane / @sezane
Bride’s Shoes: Chanel / @chanelofficial
Groom’s Suit: Indochino / @indochino
Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan / @colehaan
Hair & Makeup: Julia Dittrich / @julia__dittrich
Flowers: Marsano / @marsano.loewenstrasse
Veil: Twigs & Honey / @twigsandhoney
Day Two – Wengen, Swiss Alps
Photography: Brianna Vögeli Photography / @briannavoegeliphotography
Bride’s Dress: Watters Designs / @watters
Dress Boutique: Madeleine’s Daughter / @madeleinesdaughter
Bride’s Shoes: Dolce Vita / @dolcevita
Rings: Perrywinkle’s / @perrywinkles_jewelry
Groom’s Suit: Indochino / @indochino
Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan / @colehaan
Hair & Makeup: Beauteria / @beauteria_weddingstyling_
Flowers: Blumenwerkstatt Interlaken / @blumenwerkstatt_interlaken
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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