A summer wedding in Austria: Tradition, scenery & unexpected adventures

In June, I had the chance to attend a wedding of school friends in the Austrian Alps in Kaprun, Austria. It was a beautiful blend of breathtaking scenery and joyful celebration. Having never been to a wedding in Austria before, I really enjoyed the opportunity to experience one.

We flew into Salzburg and, in true road trip fashion, made an impromptu detour through Germany (in error) before crossing back into Austria. Our base for the weekend was nestled right at the foot of the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier in the High Tauern mountains- it felt almost too beautiful to be real.

The festivities kicked off on Friday evening with a casual Prost (cheers!) at the bar. I’d been up super early for a 6am flight, so I was running on fumes- but somehow, the fresh mountain air (and a few slices of pizza) worked wonders. The pace of life in Kaprun was blissfully relaxed, a nice contrast to the buzz of the celebration ahead.

Kaprun in summer: A hidden gem

Though it’s a winter hotspot, Kaprun in the off-season has a quiet magic. Without the crowds, we were free to explore the peaceful countryside at our own pace. On Saturday, after grabbing a Leberkäse Semmel (a delicious Austrian sandwich made with meatloaf-style sausage), we set off on a walk through meadows and mountain paths. Honestly, I could do that every Saturday and never get bored.

Later that day, the groom took part in a traditional Austrian beer-tapping ceremony- the official start to the wedding celebrations. From there, it was an evening of flowing beer, Prosecco, and plenty of fun. The wedding dinner featured hearty Austrian dishes, and in a slightly mysterious twist, we were served soup at midnight. I’m still not entirely sure if that’s an official tradition or just a brilliant idea after hours of dancing.

Quirky and fascinating Austrian wedding traditions

One of the most memorable parts of the wedding was witnessing the bride kidnapping tradition. It’s exactly what it sounds like- during the reception, the bride was “kidnapped” by friends, whisked away and the groom is tasked with tracking down his bride. It’s believed to date back to the Middle Ages and adds a playful (and slightly chaotic) element to the celebration.

Curious about more of these customs, I did some digging into Austrian wedding traditions. One that stood out was the pre-wedding night: traditionally, the couple sleeps apart, and on the wedding morning, the bride is often woken with a three-shot gun salute or loud music- both to scare away evil spirits and to mark the start of her new life chapter.

There’s also the Agape– a post-ceremony gathering that includes bread, salt, and wine. It’s a quiet moment for the newlyweds to connect with guests who may not be invited to the full reception. This feels so intentional and meaningful.

Final Thoughts

We had a few hours before going to the airport, so decided to spend some time in Salzburg. I had been before many years ago, but had forgotten how lovely Salzburg was.

Attending a wedding in Austria wasn’t just a celebration-it was a cultural deep dive. The setting, the traditions, the food, the friendliness- it all came together in the most memorable way. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding, dreaming of a European summer trip, or simply curious about different cultural customs, I can’t recommend Kaprun (and Austria in general) enough.

And if you ever get the chance to attend an Austrian wedding – don’t miss it. Just don’t be surprised if someone runs off with the bride.