Wedding at Kreuzjochhaus

“Oh! it’s such a perfect day, I’m glad I spent it with you.” These lines by Lou Reed describe Annalena and Benedikt’s wedding better than I ever could. It was one of those days where everything just fits. Quiet, real, full of closeness, and carried by that unique mountain energy.

I first got to know Annalena and Benedikt back in early 2020. Two people who, from the very beginning, radiated calm, depth, and connection. When they told me about their wedding plans, one thing was immediately clear: this wouldn’t be a classic wedding. And that was exactly what they wanted. As true mountain people, they wanted to get married where they genuinely feel at home, in the mountains, at Kreuzjochhaus.

Kreuzjochhaus, a deliberate choice for closeness and freedom

A big, traditional wedding was never the right fit for them. Too loud, too much, not them. Instead, they wanted a celebration with their favorite people, far from convention. Kreuzjochhaus was the perfect place for that. Perched high up in the Garmisch mountains, surrounded by wide open views, quiet, and nature.

The day’s flow was as uncomplicated as it was intentional. After their civil ceremony in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, everyone met at the Kreuzeck parking lot. From there, guests took the gondola up, and a few adventurous friends even hiked. Once at the top, a short group walk led straight to the wedding location: Kreuzjochhaus.

That’s where what mattered most to Annalena and Benedikt truly began: time. Time together, time for conversations, laughter, and shared experiences. No packed schedule, no pressure. A mountain wedding that felt like a long weekend with the people they love most, including an overnight stay, breakfast the next morning, and a hot tub with mountain views.

When life pauses for a moment, and suddenly anything is possible

And then Covid happened. For a long time, it wasn’t clear whether this wedding could happen at all. Still, deep down I always had the feeling it would work out. Maybe it was optimism, maybe it was trust, maybe it was simply the calm confidence Annalena and Benedikt carried.

We stayed in close contact, weighing options, waiting, hoping. They didn’t want to cancel too early, because what if it did become possible? And that choice was rewarded. Their wedding at Kreuzjochhaus was able to happen. With only a few restrictions. Almost exactly the way they had dreamed it.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen registry office, a morning full of emotion

I arrived at the registry office in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in gorgeous weather. The first guests were already there, and from the very beginning the vibe felt warm and familiar. Even as the photographer, I instantly felt like I was part of it, not an outsider.

The most emotional moment of the day started in the simplest way, in the parking lot in front of city hall. The first look. Annalena walked toward Benedikt, glowing, calm, fully present. For me, it was one of those moments that burns itself into your memory. Annalena looked like a Greek goddess, and Benedikt could hardly believe his luck. The guests’ reactions said it all. Pure love, pure awe.

Inside the registry office, the two of them said “I do” surrounded by their closest people. A few friends had to wait outside because of the guest limit, but they created an even warmer welcome out there. The emotion of that moment shows in every single photo. A storybook kind of day.

Up the mountain by gondola

After the champagne toast in front of city hall, the car parade took off. Destination: the Kreuzeck cable car. We rode the gondola up into the mountains, into a completely different world. Once at the top, we all hiked together to Kreuzjochhaus.

This was my first wedding at Kreuzjochhaus, and I was hooked from the very first moment. The location, the quiet, the closeness to nature. The terrace with its mountain views was perfect for a champagne toast, coffee, and cake. The wedding cake by Hannes from Kuchenmanufaktur Max wasn’t just a visual highlight, it tasted incredible too.

Inside, we found cozy rooms, lots of wood, warmth, and an unbelievably kind team. Everything felt cohesive. Exactly how a mountain wedding should feel.

A day that stays with you

Up on Kreuzeck, my photographer heart was in its element. The backdrop, the light, the mood, it all creates images you can’t plan. They simply happen when everything aligns.

Even months later, I’m still deeply moved by this wedding. By the lightness, the honesty, and the love that carried the day. Annalena and Benedikt, thank you for letting me share this experience with you. Your wedding at Kreuzjochhaus will always have a special place in my heart, just like your photos, the kind that make the sun come up every time you look at them.