A Dream Wedding in the Salzburg Alps

A wedding should suit the bride and groom and reflect their personalities. The dream wedding that Sandra Lahnsteiner and Gernot Wagner celebrated in the heart of the Salzburg Alps shows what such a personalized wedding concept can look like.

The bride and groom have a close connection to the mountains. Sandra is a professional freerider, an ÖSV fitness trainer, and the producer of the freeride documentary “Shades of Winter: Between,” which she also directed and starred in. Gernot is the athletic director of the ski tourism school in Bad Gastein. No wonder the two were drawn to the mountains for their wedding vows—specifically to the summit of the Kreuzkogel (Sportgastein), where Gernot got his first glimpse of his bride and her beautiful backless wedding dress.

Following the first look, the wedding ceremony took place at the mid-station, outdoors and surrounded by a breathtaking Alpine panorama. The couple took off their sturdy shoes and stepped up to the antique skis, which had been repurposed as a wedding arch. Modern versions of the downhill skis were later used during the reception. Finally, the wedding cake was also tailored to the newlyweds’ love of the mountains and designed in the shape of a winter sports paradise—complete with the bride and groom skiing.

Whether or not you share Sandra and Gernot’s passion for skiing, this wedding inspiration will show you how to tailor your big day to reflect who you are and your personalities. Whether you’re passionate about another sport, music, literature, or even Dungeons & Dragons—don’t be afraid to customize your wedding to suit your own wishes and interests.