WEDDING AT GRAND HOTEL DOLDER, ZÜRICH
Some weddings feel like stepping into a movie for a day.
Sabrina & Andy’s celebration at The Dolder Grand in Zürich was one of those: elegant, intimate, emotional – and full of joy.
A warm September afternoon that felt like summer, a civil ceremony surrounded only by their closest family, a sunset in the gardens overlooking Zürich, and a party where everyone truly celebrated with them. Here you can step into their day through natural photographs and a cinematic wedding film.
A luxurious, intimate wedding at The Dolder Grand
Sabrina & Andy chose The Dolder Grand for their wedding – a place that matches their vision perfectly: elegant, luxurious and timeless. With around 40 guests, their day felt both exclusive and deeply personal.
From the first messages, I could feel how important this day was for them: not just as a celebration of their love, but also as a way to share it with their daughter and their closest family members. Throughout the day you could see it in their eyes, their smiles, the way they held each other and their little girl.
GETTING READY
The day began in one of the hotel rooms at The Dolder Grand. Sabrina got ready surrounded by soft light and elegant details – a perfect setting for both photos and film.
One of the most touching parts of the morning was the presence of their daughter. She stayed with Sabrina the whole time:
sitting on her lap while the hairstylist worked, curiously exploring the makeup tools, and simply enjoying being close to her mum on such a special day.
There was also a beautiful moment with Sabrina’s sister, who helped her with jewellery and final details. These little scenes – hands fixing a necklace, shared smiles in the mirror – are the kind of memories that become priceless over time.
Couple session at The Dolder Grand – before the ceremony
Before the ceremony, we took some time for a couple session in different corners of the hotel – first with Sabrina & Andy alone, and then including their daughter.
The Dolder Grand offers many locations that are perfect for photography and film:
– The grand staircase, with light pouring in through the windows.
– A stylish lounge with green and red tones, wooden beams and an intimate, cosy atmosphere.
– Outdoor spots with the hotel’s façade as a backdrop.
We had one of the lounges entirely to ourselves, which created a calm, private feeling. Sabrina & Andy could breathe, be close, and simply enjoy a few moments together before everything began.
These images became a central part of their story: the elegance of the hotel, the tenderness between them, and the presence of their daughter, already part of this family chapter.
An emotional civil ceremony with their closest family
The ceremony took place in a beautiful room at The Dolder Grand. It was a civil ceremony, intimate and full of emotion. Only their parents, siblings and children were present – the people who are closest to their hearts.
It began with a very sweet moment: their daughter and Sabrina’s sister’s daughter walking ahead, scattering flower petals on the floor. From there, the ceremony flowed in a very personal way: heartfelt words, emotional vows, eyes filled with tears and smiles.
You could feel how meaningful this moment was for them – something they had been waiting for and dreaming of. As a photographer and filmmaker, being allowed into such a private ceremony is always an honour.
A warm welcome – Spalier and aperitif with views of Zürich
After the ceremony, we moved to another part of the hotel where all the guests were already waiting. They formed a Spalier – a celebratory aisle – for Sabrina & Andy to walk through.
It was a powerful moment:
applause, cheering, big smiles, and hugs as the couple crossed the room and joined everyone.
From there, the reception and aperitif continued in the area close to the garden, with views over Zürich. Friends and family shared drinks, conversations and laughter, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
Live music played a key role here: the singer Nyna Dubois performed throughout the reception, filling the space with beautiful sound and giving everything an even more elegant, warm feeling.
sunset photoshoot
Towards sunset, we stepped outside again for a short session with Sabrina & Andy in the garden.
The light at this time of day was perfect – soft, golden, gently touching the gardens and the façade of The Dolder Grand. We took some portraits of just the two of them.
group moments
We did as a few group moments with their parents and closest family.
One of my favourite parts was a group photo in the garden at sunset: everyone together, the sky glowing, the hotel behind them. From above – with drone images – you can see the entire scene: the group, the sunset light, and The Dolder Grand watching over everything. It’s a beautiful way to remember who was there and how it felt to share that moment.
party
Later, as the evening continued, the focus moved fully to the celebration, where you could feel the energy on the dancefloor: everyone dancing, laughing, and enjoying themselves together. The music, the lights, the elegance of the space and the happiness of the guests created a party that felt both stylish and full of heart.
For the wedding film, these scenes gave a wonderful contrast to the intimate ceremony: movement, rhythm, smiles and the feeling of a night that nobody wanted to end.
sabrina & andy – a couple deeply connected
Sabrina & Andy are a couple whose connection is easy to feel: tender, emotional, and very present with each other and with their daughter.
Throughout the day, you could see how much this wedding meant to them: in the way they looked at each other during the vows, how they included their daughter in many moments, and how they embraced their families.
After delivering their film, they sent me a message that truly touched me. They wrote:
For me, this is exactly why I do this work: to move people again when they revisit their day, to give them a way to feel everything once more.
why grand hotel dolder is a beautiful place to get married
From a photographer and filmmaker’s perspective, The Dolder Grand is an exceptional wedding location in Switzerland:
It combines luxury and elegance with warm, intimate spaces.
There are many different corners to use throughout the day:
– Private rooms for getting ready
– Stylish lounges with rich colours and character
– Impressive staircases with beautiful natural light
– Gardens and terraces with views over Zürich and the hotel façade
Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration like Sabrina & Andy’s or a larger event, The Dolder Grand offers a lot of flexibility – both indoors and outdoors.
My advice for couples would be to plan different moments in different areas of the hotel:
getting ready in one of the rooms, a couple session in the lounges and on the staircase, portraits and group photos outside with the façade in the background, and a few sunset images in the garden. This creates a very rich visual story that truly reflects the uniqueness of the venue!
how i like to tell wedding stories
For Sabrina & Andy, I documented the entire day – from getting ready to the party – in both photography and film.
My approach is always to blend:
– Natural, candid moments: The way your child sits on your lap while you’re getting ready, the look your parents give you during the vows, the spontaneous laughter with your siblings and friends…
– Gently guided moments: Couple sessions and group photos where I give you direction, but always in a way that feels relaxed and true to who you are.
What matters most to me is that, when you look back at your photos and your film, you can feel the day again – not just see how it looked. The atmosphere, the energy, the emotions, the love that surrounded you.
Wedding team — vendors who made this day possible
– VENUE, CATERING & FLORALS
Grand Hotel Dolder
https://www.thedoldergrand.com/
info@thedoldergrand.com
+41 44 456 60 00
– BRIDAL DRESS & GROOM´S SUIT
The Queen (Closed)
– JEWELLERY
Piaget, Zürich
+41 44 583 08 89
– HAIR & MAKEUP
Tamara Rodrigues Ares
info@roar-makeupartist.com
– SINGER & DJ
Nyna Dubois
nyna@gmx.ch
Thinking of getting married at The Dolder Grand?
If you’re planning your wedding at The Dolder Grand (or a similar luxury venue in Switzerland) and you’re looking for natural photos and a cinematic film that capture both the elegance and the emotion of your day, I would love to hear from you.
Together, we can create a visual story that feels like you:
your love, your families, your celebration – and a treasure you’ll keep for the rest of your lives.
GET IN TOUCH
I am looking forward to hearing from you!
I’d love to hear more about your plans.
Tell me about your day, your families and what matters most to you, and together we’ll create photos and a film that let you relive those moments for the rest of your lives.
