The 5 Most Beautiful Switzerland Wedding Venues in Appenzell

Are you planning a wedding or elopement in Appenzell and searching for the most beautiful Switzerland wedding venues to say ‘I do’? As a local wedding photographer in Switzerland, I’ll show you the most stunning locations.

ALPSTEIN BLOG


Getting There & Overview

Our recommendation for easy access

  • Best to travel with SBB and the Appenzell Railways
  • approx. 1 hour and 45 minutes from Zurich
  • Limited parking available
Switzerland Wedding venues

Getting to the most beautiful wedding Venues in Appenzell

Arrival from Zürich or Germany

Getting to Appenzellerland is surprisingly easy – especially by public transport. From Zurich, you can reach your wedding location in Appenzell in just around 1 hour and 45 minutes: Take the SBB to St. Gallen or Gossau and from there directly with the Appenzellerbahnen to the village center.

Appenzell is also easily accessible from Germany: From Lindau, the train connection via St. Margrethen and St. Gallen leads directly to Appenzell. Or take the ferry from Friedrichshafen to Romanshorn – a wonderful way to make the journey to your wedding location in Appenzell a small experience.

If you prefer to arrive by car, you should know that public parking spaces are limited in the village center and quickly occupied on sunny days. For a relaxed arrival, we therefore recommend traveling by public transport.

Five mountain railways and many hiking trails

With five mountain cable cars and a widely branched network of hiking trails, Appenzell not only offers easy accessibility, but also countless opportunities to combine your wedding with a small adventure. It is precisely this diversity that makes every wedding location in Appenzell so special.

  • Ideal for your elopement or engagement
  • Steep road, only accessible on foot (approx. 1.5 hours)
  • Open chapel
Hochzeit Seealpsee

Lake Seealpsee – Perfect wedding location for your elopement

Picture-book landscape from a fairy tale book

Lake Seealpsee is a crystal-clear mountain lake, nestled in the imposing rock faces of the Alpstein massif. Idyllically located at an altitude of 1,143 meters, it is only accessible on foot: either via a wide, steep road (approx. 1.5 hours from the parking lot in Wasserauen) or via a longer, shaded forest path.

At your destination, a picturesque landscape awaits you. Directly on the shore are the guesthouses Forelle and Seealpsee, which offer space for you and your guests. A culinary highlight is one of the best Cordon Bleu in all of Appenzell.

Chapel directly on the lake and rowboat trip

Also by the water is the open Bruder Klaus Chapel, surrounded by fir trees and with benches for up to 48 guests – perfect for an intimate ceremony with lake views.

A special highlight is a ride in one of the small rowing boats across the lake – ideal for romantic moments, after-wedding shoots, or an engagement shoot. As wedding photographers in Appenzell, we love this backdrop because it is perfectly suited for authentic, emotional pictures.

⚠️ Attention – Only accessible on foot

Important: The Seealpsee is only suitable for fit, weatherproof wedding parties, as all guests have to master the steep ascent on foot. In case of rain, it is recommended to bring umbrellas, as the chapel is open.

However, if you are looking for an extraordinary location for an elopement, an engagement shoot, or a small, intimate wedding in Appenzell, you will find one of Switzerland’s most beautiful lakes here.

2

Schwägalp – The Hotel Säntis

Säntis – the Hotel,
9107 Schwägalp

  • Easily accessible year-round
  • Connected mountain cable car to Säntis
  • Beautiful sunsets on the Alp
Wedding Location Appenzell Schwägalp

Schwägalp – Dreamlike wedding location Appenzell with Säntis view

In winter, the Schwägalp becomes a winter wonderland

Just 30 minutes from Appenzell lies the Schwägalp, one of the most impressive wedding locations in Appenzell. With the Hotel Säntis, you will find a place that combines elegance and nature. A special highlight: When the sun disappears behind the peaks, it bathes the Säntis massif in warm orange – a spectacular backdrop for unforgettable wedding photos.

The hotel offers high-quality facilities, excellent cuisine, and direct access to the mountain cable car to Säntis. If you want to relax between the festivities, you will find peace and relaxation in the modern wellness area.

Accessible all year round by car

Schwägalp is easily accessible all year round – whether by car or PostBus. Even in winter, the road is reliably cleared and remains easily passable. Especially in the cold season, the landscape unfolds its special magic: The famous Laternliweg, a circular path through the snowy winter forest illuminated by numerous oil lanterns in the evening, creates a magical atmosphere.

We know the Schwägalp – at any time of the year

As wedding photographers in Appenzell, we know that Schwägalp offers fantastic opportunities for natural and emotional pictures in every season. Whether you are planning a festive banquet or an intimate celebration in the snow – this location will make your wedding in Appenzell unforgettable.

3

Säntis the Mountain – Summit

Säntis – the Hotel,
9107 Schwägalp

  • Easily accessible
  • Panoramic view of the Swiss Alps
  • Sunrise on the summit
Wedding Location Appenzell Säntis

Get married on the Säntis summit, above the clouds

Your wedding on the Säntis

A wedding with a view! Getting married on the summit of the Säntis is an experience that can hardly be put into words. The mountain cable car takes you and your guests comfortably to 2,502 m above sea level. Once at the top, a panorama opens up over the entire Alpstein, Lake Constance, the Swiss Alps, the Black Forest and the Austrian Alps – one of the most spectacular wedding locations in Appenzell.

Modern mountain station

The modern mountain station offers a festive hall with a terrace for up to 100 guests – perfect for an unforgettable ceremony at lofty heights. Particularly practical: This location can be ideally combined with Schwägalp, from where the mountain railway starts.

A unique experience are the sunrise rides of the Säntis cable car: In summer, a train goes to the summit on Sunday mornings. When the first rays of sun bathe the rock faces in golden light and the valley slowly awakens, one of the most magical backdrops for your wedding photos in Appenzell is created.

Full moon ride – An experience

Equally impressive are the full moon rides of the Säntis cable car: On every full moon evening, you can go up between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM and return to the valley from 9:00 PM – the perfect opportunity to combine your celebration with a special highlight.

What does an elopement & wedding photographer in Switzerland cost?

Full Day Elopement – Äscher

A Full Day of Adventure – from Sunrise to Dinner in the Mountains.

What we offer you:

  • Location scouting & expertise throughout Switzerland
    (Zermatt, Lauterbrunnen, Engadin, Appenzell, Lucerne)
  • 8–10 hours of photography in the Alps
  • Recommendations from service providers from the region
  • Online gallery + 15 Fine Art Postcards
Alpstein Fotograf Blog 2 Bild 3 scaled
Hochzeit Schwaegalp 20

Half Day Elopement – Säntis

Your elopement moment – also bookable as an engagement or couple shoot.

What we offer you:

  • Location scouting & expertise throughout Switzerland
    (Zermatt, Lauterbrunnen, Engadin, Appenzell, Lucerne)
  • 4–5 hours of photography in the mountains
  • Online gallery + 10 Fine Art Postcards

Classic wedding in pictures

We accompany you classically, on your big day, at your wedding location in Appenzell.

What we offer you:

Hochzeit Schwaegalp 1
4

Resort Hotel Hof Weissbad

Im Park 1, 9057 Weissbad

  • Good location – directly at the Weissbad stop
  • Excellent service and cuisine
  • Beautiful rooms with a view of the Alpstein
Wedding Location Appenzell Hotel Hof Weissbad

Classy Swiss wedding location – Hof Weissbad in Appenzell

Dreamlike wedding in the middle of Appenzell

The Resort Hof Weissbad is located just a few minutes from the village center and is directly connected to the Appenzellerbahn stop “Weissbad”. The location is ideal for your wedding in Appenzell: Your guests can easily reach the location by public transport and can confidently leave their car at home. From here, excursions to the Seealpsee, Hohen Kasten or the picturesque village of Appenzell are perfectly possible.

Wellness and excellent service

The spacious resort impresses with excellent service and a lovingly maintained garden – a fantastic backdrop for romantic wedding photos in Appenzell. An in-house flower shop provides the appropriate decoration, while the excellent cuisine, with a total of 16 Gault & Millau points, spoils your guests culinarily. Particularly popular: the breakfast buffet after the celebration, which is praised for its variety and quality.

A spacious wellness area with saunas, steam bath, massage offers, natural pool, and relaxation zones invites you to relax – perfect before or after the big day. The high-quality rooms with a view of the Alpstein are also perfectly suited for Getting Ready.

No wishes remain unfulfilled at the Hof Weissbad in Appenzell

As wedding photographers in Appenzell, we particularly appreciate Resort Hof Weissbad because it combines elegance and nature. Here you can let yourselves be pampered with your loved ones and make your wedding in Appenzell a stylish and unforgettable experience.

5

Schäfler Mountain Restaurant

Schäfler, 9057 Schwende

  • No wedding party
  • Only elopement or engagement possible
  • Breathtaking view
Wedding Location Appenzell Schäfler

Elopement in Appenzell with Mountain Panorama

Schäfler in Appenzell – Spectacular wedding in the Alps

Are you dreaming of an intimate elopement in the Swiss mountains or an engagement shoot with breathtaking views? Then the Berggasthaus Schäfler is one of the most extraordinary places for a wedding in Appenzell.
At 1,925 m above sea level, the Schäfler towers high above the Alpstein and offers one of the most spectacular views in Switzerland – from the striking rock formations to Lake Constance.

How to reach the Berggasthaus Schäfler

You can only reach this paradise on foot. The easiest way is to take the mountain cable car from Wasserauen to Ebenalp (1,590 m above sea level) and hike from there for about two hours, gaining 335 meters in altitude, up to Schäfler. In summer, it can get very hot – sufficient water, sun protection, and sturdy footwear are mandatory here.

Once at the top, you will find true tranquility, clear mountain air, and an unforgettable starry sky. The Berggasthaus Schäfler offers simple, cozy rooms and a sun terrace with regional specialties – perfect for celebrating your elopement in Appenzell in an authentic mountain atmosphere.

Only for elopements, no wedding parties

Since the journey is demanding and space is limited, Schäfler is exclusively suitable for elopements or engagement shoots – not for large wedding parties. Early reservations are important, as rooms are quickly booked out in summer. Spring and autumn are also particularly beautiful: fewer hikers, softer light, and a very special atmosphere.

As wedding photographers in Appenzell, we love Schäfler because it is one of those places that are perfectly suited for pure emotions and unforgettable photos.

Conclusion: Wedding in Appenzell – Unforgettable & Unique

A Wedding in Appenzell Means Immersing Yourselves in a World Full of Tradition, Nature, and Warm Hospitality. With the Right Preparations and Good Planning, your Celebration in this Picturesque Region Will not Only Run Smoothly but also Become an Unforgettable Experience.

The 5 most beautiful wedding locations in Appenzell show how versatile the Appenzellerland is – from the Seealpsee to the Schwägalp up to the Säntis. Let Yourselves be Enchanted by the Beauty and Charm of this Region and Create a Day that You and your Guests Will Remember Forever.

If You Still Have Questions or are Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Appenzell who Knows the Region Inside out and Captures your Celebration Authentically and Atmospherically, Feel Free to Contact Us. We Accompany You with Passion, Experience, and an Eye for Genuine Moments.

Switzerland Wedding Venues

Do you have any questions?

01.

The costs depend heavily on the location, number of guests and program. A small elopement wedding in the Alpstein is possible from approx. CHF 5,000–10,000. For classic weddings in hotels or resorts, you should expect to pay CHF 20,000–40,000

02.

Yes, there is the open Bruder-Klaus-Kapelle directly on the Seealpsee. However, the location is only accessible on foot (approx. 1.5 hours ascent). It is therefore more suitable for small, fit groups or an elopement.

03.

Summer: Perfect for Seealpsee or Schäfler – warm, long days, blooming alpine meadows.
Autumn: Fewer tourists, golden light and clear views – very popular for photos.
Winter: Magical on the Schwägalp or on the Säntis with snow & Laternliweg.
Spring: Fresh green, but sometimes still snow in higher altitudes.

04.

The Resort Hotel Hof Weissbad and the Hotel Säntis on the Schwägalp offer space, gastronomy and accommodation for larger celebrations.

For more information, please write to us 🙂

05.

Yes! We accompany you step by step in planning your elopement in Switzerland. From the selection of the perfect location in Alpstein, Zermatt or Lauterbrunnen to recommendations for floristry, styling and ceremonies to photographic support – we are at your side with experience and passion. Together we create a day that feels real and stress-free and suits you perfectly.

06.

The combination of tranquility, tradition, warm hospitality, unique mountain scenery and proximity to Zurich makes Appenzell so special. Here you can experience pure nature and at the same time enjoy first-class service.

a woman helps a groom with the flowers

Wedding location Appenzell

Are you looking for a Swiss wedding photographer?

You now know our selection of the 5 most beautiful wedding locations in Appenzell. If we were able to convince you and you are still looking for an experienced wedding photographer in Appenzell, we would be very happy to hear from you.

We Know the Region, the most Beautiful Places. Let’s Talk about your Plans without Obligation – We Look Forward to Getting to Know You and Accompanying You on your Special Day.

References & PARTNERS
Alpstein Fotograf Startseite Logo Saentis
Alpstein Fotograf Startseite Logo Hofweissbad Kopie
Alpstein Fotograf Startseite Logo Toggenburg Kopie
Melanie BleischLogo
Alpstein Fotograf Startseite Logo Wildchruut
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