We're so excited to celebrate with you in Bavaria. Below is everything you need to know to make your trip smooth and enjoyable. For flights, trains, and where to stay, head over to the Travel page.
Travel Documents
Passports
- A valid passport is required for entry into Germany. If you don't have one, allow at least two months, and ideally three, to apply.
- Your passport needs to be valid for at least three months beyond your return date and issued within the last ten years. If yours expires anywhere near the wedding, renew it now rather than cutting it close.
ETIAS travel authorization
This one is new, and it matters
Europe is rolling out ETIAS, an online travel authorization for Americans and other visa-exempt travelers. It is not a visa, just a quick online form linked to your passport. It costs €20, lasts three years, and is usually approved within minutes. Travelers under 18 or over 70 pay no fee.
Based on the current rollout schedule, it is expected to be required by the time of our wedding. Airlines check it before you board, so without one you may not be allowed on the plane.
Nothing to do yet. Apply only through the official EU site at travel-europe.europa.eu, and be wary of third-party sites charging extra.
Dress Code
Welcome Party
Casual, or Oktoberfest themed if you want to have fun with it. Dirndls and lederhosen are very much encouraged.
Ceremony & Reception
Formal evening attire. We are planning to be outside for the ceremony and cocktails, with dinner and dancing indoors.
Two practical notes for the ceremony. We will be on grass and gravel, so stiletto heels are going to have a hard time; block heels, wedges, or flats will serve you much better. And September evenings in the Alps turn cold quickly, so bring a wrap or overcoat you are happy to be photographed in.
If you would like to wear traditional Bavarian dress to the Welcome Party, buy it before you arrive rather than planning to pick something up here. Füssen is a small town with a limited selection, mid-September is peak Oktoberfest season across Bavaria so stock thins out and prices climb, and you will not have time for alterations the day before. Ordering online from home gives you the widest choice and time to get the fit right. If you are coming through Munich a few days early, the shops there carry a deep range at every budget.
What to Pack
Don't forget
- Comfortable walking shoes. There are cobblestones and more walking than you expect.
- Layers. September evenings in the Alps get cool quickly once the sun drops.
- A swimsuit. The hotel spa and pool are included with your room.
- A light rain jacket or compact umbrella.
Practical bits
- Plug adapters, and check the rating on them. Not all adapters are built to carry much current, and a cheap one can overheat under something like a hair dryer or curling iron even when the appliance itself is fine. Make sure the adapter is rated for the wattage of whatever you are plugging into it.
- While you are at it, check the appliance too. Europe runs 230 volts to our 120, and an adapter only changes the plug shape. Phone and laptop chargers handle both automatically, but hair tools often do not. Look for "100 to 240V" printed on the device; if it is not there, leave it home or bring a proper voltage converter.
- Any prescriptions in their original containers, with enough for the whole trip.
- Some euros in cash. Germany is more cash-friendly than the U.S., and small shops and buses may not take cards.
Kids & Family
Our wedding ceremony and reception will be adults only. That said, kids are warmly invited to the Welcome Party the day before, and we would love to see them there.
If you need childcare during the wedding day events, our wedding planner Sandra can help you arrange it. Please reach out to her before February 2027 so there is time to line something up properly. Her contact details are at the bottom of this page.
Once You're Here
Everything for our weekend is within walking distance of the hotel, so there is no transportation to sort out between events.
Füssen is the nearest proper town, about ten minutes away by bus or taxi, with restaurants, shops, a pharmacy, and an ATM.
Castle tickets sell out weeks in advance
If you want to tour Neuschwanstein or Hohenschwangau while you are here, book online at hohenschwangau.de as early as you can. Tours are timed and guided, and the walk uphill from the ticket center takes 30 to 40 minutes.
Do not plan a castle tour for the wedding day itself. Between the uphill walk and the fixed tour time, it is more of a squeeze than it sounds.
Weather in September
Expect mild days, roughly 60 to 70°F (15 to 21°C), and cooler evenings that can dip into the 40s. Rain is always possible in the mountains, so a light jacket or compact umbrella is smart. The short version: pack layers and assume the evening will be colder than the afternoon suggested.
Questions?
Our wedding planner, Sandra Wimmer, is the best first stop for questions about the weekend, the venue, or logistics once you arrive. She knows every detail and can usually answer faster than we can.
Email: hello@sandra-wimmer.com
WhatsApp, emergencies only: +43 699 17206917
Sandra is based in Europe, so her number is an international one. WhatsApp is the best way to reach her in an emergency, since it works over WiFi and avoids international calling charges on both ends. For anything that is not urgent, please email instead and she will get back to you.
And of course, you can always just ask us. We're happy to help.