Bride skis down the aisle in her wedding dress during magical mountain ceremony

A Snowy Mountain Wedding: Bride Skis Down the Aisle

In a unique destination wedding, a bride embraced her love for the slopes by skiing down the aisle in her wedding gown and exchanging vows high atop a snowy mountain. The breathtaking mountain wedding took place 8,000 feet in the air, offering an unforgettable setting for the adventurous couple.

Intimate Ceremony in the French Alps

Jess and Ladis Hoefkens, both 36, celebrated their ski wedding on March 28. They chose the summit of Mont Brévant, located in Chamonix, France, for their nuptials. The intimate ceremony hosted just 20 guests, who mingled in formal wear alongside others in ski attire.

• Location: Mont Brévant, Chamonix, France
• Date: March 28
• Guests: 20

Father of the Bride’s Ski Escort

Jon, the 70-year-old father of the bride, accompanied his daughter on skis for the 60-meter journey to meet Ladis. Against the stunning backdrop of the French Alps, the couple exchanged their heartfelt vows, creating a truly memorable moment at their alpine wedding.

Champagne and Skiing: Celebrating in Style

Following the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed canapés and champagne. Fifteen members of the wedding party, along with the photographer, joined Jess and Ladis as they skied down the mountain, marking the start of their married life with an exhilarating descent.

Bride’s Perspective on the Unique Wedding

Jess, a fitness coach from Weymouth, Dorset, shared her thoughts on the unconventional celebration. “It’s quite a lot of pressure, which is why we kept it to small numbers,” she mentioned, adding that while her family is accustomed to mountain adventures, Ladis’ family is not. Despite this, the day was “just beautiful,” she recalled.

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Family Involvement and Breathtaking Views

Jess recounted the journey to the summit with her mother, Barbara Ayling, 70, her father, Jon, and her sister, Nicki Affleck, 38. “My dad was delighted to be skiing down the aisle,” she noted. The ascent involved two lifts, the second of which emerged through the clouds, revealing an incredible view.

“Coming down the aisle, obviously I’ve never skied in a dress before,” Jess remarked. “We only had a short distance, so I thought ‘I hope this goes well.'” She added that everyone continues to talk about how amazing and special the mountain top wedding was.

How the Couple Met and Planned Their Dream Wedding

The couple’s love story began in 2019 on Tinder, where their shared interest in skiing sparked a connection. After Ladis proposed during a sunset walk in September 2022, Jess expressed her desire for a mountain wedding theme. Ladis recalled that Jess had envisioned a similar event during their initial skiing trips.

The wedding, while “a bit more expensive” than a typical event, was made special by accommodating family and friends in chalets provided by Marmotte Mountain. Jess’s prior experience as a chalet host in Chamonix allowed them to leverage her friendship with the owner.

Groom’s Admiration for the Bride’s Skiing Skills

Ladis, an ROV offshore worker, said, “We did know [that Jess was going to ski down the aisle] but obviously I had not seen her dress.” He added, “Her mum made her dress for her, and she didn’t know if she’d be able to ski in it, she just winged it.” He praised Jess’s effortless skiing, stating, “It’s pretty incredible, she made it look effortless.” Ladis humorously shared that he had watched the video numerous times, captivated by the moment.

Après-Ski Reception and Celebrations

Following their descent, the newlyweds and their guests gathered at the chalets for a reception. “We had the most amazing, cute reception back at the chalet, it was après basically, and we had a really great band, Revolverlites, playing too,” Jess said. She fondly remembered the day as “really awesome, but also casual and low-key.”