The Wedding Atlas · Switzerland · Interlaken & Bernese Oberland
Getting Married in Interlaken & Bernese Oberland
A valley town between two lakes, below the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. Interlaken lies on the flat valley floor between the Thunersee and the Brienzersee, the two lakes that drain the Bernese Oberland toward the Aare. The name means between the lakes. To the south stand the Eiger (3,967 metres), the Mönch (4,107 metres) and the Jungfrau (4,158 metres), a wall of snow and rock above the green floor.
Part of the Interlaken & Bernese Oberland destination guide.
- Best months
- June, July, September
Where to marry
Where to Get Married in Interlaken & Bernese Oberland
Interlaken town
The valley-floor hub, anchored by the grand hotel, whose south garden faces the Jungfrau directly on flat ground. The Höheweg promenade runs through the town gardens, and restaurants and transport links make it the most practical base for a large party.
Grindelwald
A village at 1,034 metres directly below the Eiger's north face, which looms overhead. It suits couples who want the mountains immediate rather than merely visible.
Wengen
A car-free village at 1,274 metres, reached by cog railway from Lauterbrunnen. The valley below is lined with 72 waterfalls, including the Staubbachfall that Goethe wrote about.
Schynige Platte and high-alpine settings
At 1,987 metres, the Alpine Garden looks over the three peaks and down to both lakes. A private evening ceremony is reached by the historic rack railway from Wilderswil.
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Interlaken & Bernese Oberland
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A Wedding in Interlaken & Bernese Oberland
A valley town between two lakes, below the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau
A grand hotel in the centre of town has defined the destination for over 150 years. Built in 1865, it has a ballroom with mountain views, extensive grounds and an alpine spa. A ceremony on its garden with all three peaks behind the couple is the defining image of an Interlaken wedding.
The Bernese Oberland reaches into well-known mountain villages. Grindelwald lies below the north face of the Eiger, and Wengen and Mürren are car-free villages above the Lauterbrunnen valley. For couples ready to manage altitude logistics, they offer what the valley floor cannot.
Choosing a setting
Choosing a wedding setting in Interlaken & Bernese Oberland
Grand hotel and mountain garden
A ceremony on the south garden, with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau behind the couple, needs no extra dressing because the scale of the mountains does the work.
Mountain village ceremony
Hotel terraces in Grindelwald and Wengen put the mountains closer than at valley level, with the Eiger's north face overhead or the Lauterbrunnen valley falling away below.
High-alpine event
The Jungfraujoch at 3,454 metres, the highest railway station in Europe, has a viewing terrace and a basic hotel, with the Aletsch Glacier below. Guests need a careful briefing on temperature, altitude and the long train journey.
Lake Thun and Brienz events
The lakes offer boat charters and castles. Schloss Oberhofen on Lake Thun, a 13th-century castle, is available for event hire, and Schloss Spiez is a further castle on the same lake.
The season
When to get married
Outdoor ceremonies suit May to September, with July the warmest and sunniest month. Measurable rain falls on 10 to 14 days a month in summer, so a covered option is sensible. These ratings describe Interlaken on the valley floor; the mountain villages above it are cooler.
The word shows how well the weather suits a wedding. The dots show estimated visitor busyness on Interlaken & Bernese Oberland, based on tourism data rather than wedding bookings.
In Interlaken the average afternoon high is 24 to 25°C in July and August, with about 220 hours of sunshine in July (MeteoSwiss, 1991 to 2020). Measurable rain falls on 13 or 14 days in June, July and August and on 10 days in September. Hotel stays peak in July and August and stay within about 15 per cent of that level in June and September (Swiss Federal Statistical Office).
Getting there
How guests arrive
Bern Airport has limited international routes. Zurich Airport is the main gateway, with a direct scenic train through the Swiss midlands.
Zurich Airport (ZRH). Direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Interlaken Ost station is the arrival point for connections to Grindelwald, Wengen and the Jungfrau railway.
Geneva Airport (GVA). Direct flights from all major UK airports. The Golden Pass Panoramic Express from Montreux is a slower, scenic alternative.
Bern Airport (BRN). International routes are limited and some UK services are seasonal, so Bern is not the main gateway for most groups.
Where guests stay
Under one roof, or nearby
Valley floor hotels are the most accessible. Mountain village hotels need the cog railway but give an immersive mountain stay.
Grand hotel in Interlaken
The flagship property stands on the Höheweg with south-facing mountain views and the fullest wedding infrastructure in the region.
Lakeside hotel on the Brienzersee
A more intimate scale than the flagship, useful for overflow and for couples who want a lakeside setting.
Grindelwald hotel
For parties whose programme centres on Grindelwald, with the north face as the defining view.
Wengen hotel
Reached only by cog railway, with Jungfrau views. It needs a careful logistics briefing.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking in Interlaken & Bernese Oberland
Bernese cooking is hearty and cheese-forward
The valley floor has the widest range of restaurants, and the mountain villages have fewer but often excellent options.
Rösti and Bernese Platte
Rösti, crisp outside and tender inside, appears at almost every restaurant. The Berner Platte of smoked meats, sausages, sauerkraut and beans is the classic winter dish.
Grand hotel dining
The grand hotel's restaurant has a serious wine list and develops wedding menus with the couple. Its bakery makes bread daily on site.
Cheese and the Emmental connection
The Emmental valley is the origin of Emmental cheese, and specialist dairies supply other Bernese cheeses for a dinner presentation.
Good to know
Before you book
Currency: Swiss Franc
Card payment is universal, and euros are accepted at many tourist venues.
Mountain logistics for guests
Wengen and Mürren need a cog railway transfer from the valley. Large suitcases can be forwarded by the goods service, so guests should pack day bags. A missed connection is quickly corrected by the next service.
Altitude considerations
Interlaken at 567 metres has no altitude effects, and Grindelwald and Wengen bring none for most guests. At the Jungfraujoch altitude sickness affects some visitors, and guests with heart or respiratory conditions should consult a doctor.
Questions couples ask
Before you decide
Which hotel suits a wedding in Grindelwald?
The grand hotel in Grindelwald is smaller and more intimate than the Interlaken flagship. For couples who want the Eiger overhead rather than a Jungfrau panorama at a distance, Grindelwald is the answer.
How hard is it to bring guests to Wengen?
Guests arrive at Lauterbrunnen and ride the cog railway up, with no further transfers. Large luggage travels on the goods wagon, and guests tend to appreciate the car-free setting.
What can guests do in the Bernese Oberland during a wedding weekend?
Options include the Jungfraujoch train, the First mountain above Grindelwald, the Lauterbrunnen waterfall walk, paddleboarding on Lake Brienz, paragliding from Beatenberg and the Harder Kulm with its Two-Lakes Bridge.
When is the best time of year for a wedding in Interlaken?
The valley floor is reliably good from May to October, and the mountain villages have a longer viable outdoor season because of their elevation. July and August are busiest, and September is often the most settled. In winter the mountain villages are busy with skiing, while Interlaken town is quieter and suits indoor wedding weekends.
Which airport is best for guests flying to Interlaken?
Zurich Airport is the main gateway, with direct flights from London Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Birmingham. Interlaken Ost station is the arrival point for connections to Grindelwald, Wengen and the Jungfrau railway. Geneva Airport also has direct flights from all major UK airports.
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This guide draws on the venues' own published details, official sources and the knowledge of our editors. Entry and legal information can change, so confirm it with the authority that will marry you before you book.