The Rufana Alp in Vorarlberg is a wedding venue at 1,233m above sea level that is suitable for both summer and winter weddings. In this article, you will find out which rooms are available, how many guests the location is suitable for and what you need to consider when planning a wedding. Mountain wedding on the Rufana Alp should consider. We clarify questions about travel, accommodation, minimum spend and exclusivity - so that you can decide whether this location is right for your wedding.
Rufana Alp as a wedding location: overview of the special mountain wedding in Vorarlberg
Location, altitude and atmosphere of the Rufana Alp
The Rufana Alp lies at an altitude of 1,233m in the Vorarlberg mountains. If you are looking for a wedding location that combines genuine mountain atmosphere with TOP service, is in the right place here. The Alm is not a typical party location in the ski area, but rather quiet and relaxed. No après-ski hustle and bustle. Instead: Panoramic views, clear mountain air and people who know what they're doing.
The modern alpine style runs through all the rooms. Cozy, but still elegant. For couples who want an authentic Mountain wedding this is a good combination: natural backdrop and sophisticated service. The rooms are bright, the materials high-quality and the ambience inviting without to appear artificial.
What number of guests is the location suitable for?
The Rufana Alp works for different wedding sizes. The Bruderherzstube fits up to 100 people. As a wedding planner, however, I recommend with about 50 to 70 guests, in order to Achieve a minimum turnover of 9,000 euros at the weekend.
Smaller weddings, so-called Tiny Weddings, also work. The Chat room offers space for 60 guests who Snuggle room is designed for very intimate celebrations with up to 25 people. That's handy if you're looking for Wedding planning don't want to decide yet how big the company will be.
Important: Unlike many other locations, you don't pay a flat rate per person here. Instead, you are charged a minimum turnover. The food is calculated according to your choice - whether menu, canapés or midnight snack. Drinks are charged according to actual consumption. This gives you more leeway in your budget planning. Nevertheless, plan with a realistic buffer so that you are sure to achieve the minimum turnover.
If you are unsure how the number of guests, menu selection and drinks calculation will affect your minimum turnover, it is worth planning a realistic budget in advance. In a free consultation we will look at your figures together and check whether the Rufana Alp makes economic sense for your wedding size.
Summer or winter: Which season suits your wedding planning?
The Rufana Alp can be booked all year round. In summer you have a green mountain landscape and blooming alpine meadows. Plus the newly designed wedding meadow with a direct view of the mountain panorama. The shuttle takes you directly to the door, your guests don't have to walk.
Winter weddings also work really well here. Snow reliability is in the medium to higher range for the region. In other words, you'll most likely have a snowy backdrop. Special highlight: the ski slope runs right past the location. As the bride and groom, you can actually ski to your own wedding. A performance that not only creates extraordinary pictures, but also makes your day special right from the start.
Because winter locations are generally rare, the Rufana Alp is really attractive for a winter wedding. At the free wedding ceremony you have the choice: either indoors in the conservatory or in future all year round on the wedding lawn.
The rooms of the Rufana Alp: from intimate dinners to large celebrations
Bruderherzstube: modern alpine style for up to 100 guests
The Bruderherzstube is the main room for larger weddings. Large panoramic windows with a view of the mountains. Modern alpine look, high-quality design with natural materials. Up to 100 guests can fit in here. Even when fully occupied it doesn't feel overcrowded. The room height and lighting concept create a pleasant sense of space.
Plauderstube: rustic setting for smaller parties
The Plauderstube is a little more rustic and is suitable for around 60 guests. Here is the Alpine coziness more directly perceptible, without sacrificing comfort. The room works well for couples who want a warm, familiar atmosphere and like to be close to their guests.
Kuschelstube: intimate mountain weddings in a small circle
For very intimate weddings there is the Kuschelstube. Up to 25 people. Designed for couples who only want to celebrate with their closest people. The cozy atmosphere ensures closeness.
Wedding meadow and conservatory: dream locations for your wedding ceremony
The newly designed wedding meadow is can be used all year round in future. Direct view of the mountain panorama for your free wedding ceremony. In winter or in bad weather in summer there are the conservatory as an alternative. Both locations provide the perfect backdrop for the most emotional moment of your wedding.
Bar area and dance floor for band or DJ
The large bar area with its own dance floor has enough space for a band or DJ. You can party until the official closing time at 2 a.m., with a possible extension until 4 o'clock. Because the area is spatially separated from the dining area, you can create different moods during your wedding. A quiet dinner here, a lively party there.
Arrival, procedure and special features: what couples should consider when planning their wedding
Shuttle service and arrival in summer
In summer, the journey to the Rufana Alp is uncomplicated. A Shuttle service brings you and your guests directly to the location at an altitude of 1,233 meters. This is practical for older guests or anyone who is not so good on foot. There are only three to four parking spaces directly at the Alm, The organized shuttle is therefore the best solution for most people.
The journey leads through the Vorarlberg mountain landscape. Some couples deliberately organize the journey with small details or music. One Professional wedding planning can Coordinate the logistics in advance, so that everyone arrives on time.
Winter wedding: guaranteed snow, valley station and footpath
Winter weddings have their charm on the Rufana Alp. The location is in a Area with good snow reliability in the medium to higher range for Vorarlberg. This makes it one of the few real winter locations that can be reliably planned. In winter, your guests drive to the valley station or are shuttled there. From there, it is around ten to twenty minutes on foot to the Alm.
The path is not particularly steep and is doable for most people. However, you should tell your guests that sturdy shoes are necessary. There is the option for older guests or guests with restricted mobility, to be picked up with a skidoo. So everyone can really be there.
Many couples find the a short winter walk through the snowy landscape as a nice prelude. It's a different feeling when you walk to the location together. That's a point that Mountain weddings in winter from classic weddings.
Skiing on your wedding day: a special highlight for winter weddings
The ski slope leads right past the Rufana Alp. Sporty bridal couples can ski to their own wedding in their wedding dress or suit. While your guests stand at the top of the terrace and keep an eye out, you glide down the slope and suddenly appear in front of the alpine pasture - a start that no one will forget in a hurry.
Even if you don't arrive on skis, the piste is a great backdrop for your bridal couple shoot or group photos during the reception. The Combination of elegant bridal outfit and snowy mountain scenery is simply an unbeatable mountain backdrop. Some couples also use the ski slope the day after the wedding and spend a relaxing time in the snow with their guests.
Exclusivity, day guests and spatial separation
Important when planning: The Rufana Alp offers no full exclusive rent until 5 p.m., because the restaurant is also open to hikers and skiers. But that doesn't mean you have no privacy. The day guests are accommodated in completely separate rooms, you are among yourselves in your booked areas.
It is not an après-ski location and not a typical party location in the ski area. The Rufana Alp is located quiet and has a relaxed, upscale setting without mass tourism. This is appreciated by many couples who are looking for an authentic mountain wedding in Vorarlberg without compromising on quality and service.
Accommodation, costs and practical conditions for your wedding on the Rufana Alp
The suite directly in the mountain pasture and accommodation in the valley
Directly in the Alm there's a Spacious suite with around 160 square meters and four double bedrooms. This is ideal for the bride and groom and their closest companions, such as witnesses or family. Here you can start the day together or Spend the wedding night with a mountain panorama.
For your other guests two apartment buildings in the valley about fifteen minutes away from the location. They offer Space for up to 55 people and can be booked flexibly for one or two nights. This is practical because you are not tied to longer minimum stays. There are other hotels in the valley, although some - especially in winter - require longer minimum stays.
By the way: it's worth checking the accommodation situation early on, especially for winter weddings. In a free consultation we clarify how you can accommodate your guests sensibly and which options suit the season and number of guests.
Rufana Alp: Minimum turnover and cost structure
Unlike many other locations, the Rufana Alp not with a fixed flat rate per person, but with a minimum turnover. On Saturdays and Sundays, the 9,000 euros. The amount is easily achievable with around 50 to 70 guests if you value good food, high-quality drinks and a well thought-out process.
The model gives you Flexibility in menu design. Your wedding planner can calculate exactly and show you transparently how to divide the minimum turnover sensibly.
Closing time and extension options
The The official closing time is 2 a.m.. For all those who want to celebrate even longer, there's the option, to extend until 4 o'clock. This gives you enough time for dancing and a relaxed end to your wedding in the mountains.
By the way: This was a bridal couple that I accompanied for a wedding in the Rufana Alp:
Frequently asked questions about the Rufana Alp wedding location
What is the maximum number of guests that can fit in the Rufana Alp?
The Bruderherzstube holds up to 100 people and is the largest room. For smaller weddings, there is the Plauderstube with space for around 60 guests. And if you want to celebrate in a smaller circle, you can book the Kuschelstube for up to 25 people. The rooms can also be combined, so you are pretty flexible when it comes to the number of guests. Depending on the constellation, you can use several areas for different parts of the program, such as the smaller room for the wedding ceremony and the large room for the party.
Is the location easily accessible in winter?
In winter, you start at the valley station and then walk about 10 to 15 minutes up to the alp. It lies at 1,200 to 1,235 meters. The path is not particularly steep and most people can manage it without any problems. For older guests or those who are not so good on foot, there are a skidoo that can pick people up. The region is snowy, which is why Winter weddings here reliably. Special feature: As a bridal couple in winter you can ski to the mountain pasture, because the ski slope passes right by. Of course, it also looks good in photos. My tip as a wedding planner: Plan some buffer time for your guests and give them precise information on how to get there beforehand.
Can we rent the Rufana Alp exclusively?
Normal restaurant operations continue until 5 pm, hikers and skiers pass by. So it's not possible to rent completely exclusively during this time. But the day guests are out and about in other rooms, you are among yourselves in your booked areas. The Rufana Alp is deliberately not an après-ski hut or a typical mountain party location. The location is quiet, without the usual ski resort hustle and bustle. This is just right for an upscale mountain wedding and creates a relaxed atmosphere.
What accommodation is available for our guests?
Directly in the Alm there are a large suite with around 160 square meters and four double bedrooms. This is great for the bride and groom and their closest friends. In the valley, about 15 minutes away, there are Two apartment buildings with space for up to 55 people in total. These are part of the location and can be booked flexibly, even for just one or two nights. There are of course other hotels in the valley, but they often require longer minimum stays in winter. It is best to clarify the accommodation issue early on and let your guests know in good time.
For whom is the Rufana Alp the right wedding location?
The location fits well if you are Mountain weddings with modern alpine style and attaches importance to proper service. The Rufana Alp is particularly interesting for winter weddings because there are generally not that many of them. If you love nature and mountain panoramas and want to incorporate them into your wedding ceremony, this is the place for you. The newly created wedding meadow with direct mountain views will be available all year round in future. As a wedding planner, I recommend this location if you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere without mass tourism and plans for around 50 to 70 guests. With this number of guests, the minimum turnover of 9,000 euros at the weekend is realistically achievable.
Do we need a wedding planner for a mountain wedding in Vorarlberg?
Professional support for your mountain wedding can make things a lot easier. Especially at special locations like this one, where you have to worry about arrival in winter, shuttle services in summer or overnight stays for guests experience pays off. A wedding planner knows the ins and outs of mountain weddings, can build realistic schedules and knows, which service providers work well in the region. It also helps you to allocate the minimum spend sensibly between food, drinks and any extras.
Conclusion: the Rufana Alp as a wedding location for your mountain wedding in Vorarlberg
The Rufana Alp connects modern alpine style with a mountain atmosphere and can be booked all year round. Whether you are planning a large celebration with up to 100 guests in the Bruderherzstube or a small ceremony in a smaller circle, the different rooms work for different wedding sizes. Winter weddings benefit from the good snow conditions and the option of skiing to the location. In the large bar area with dance floor, you can party until closing time at 2 am, with an extension until 4 am. The combination of upscale facilities, flexible accommodation options and the special location makes the Rufana Alp an absolute dream location for your mountain wedding in Vorarlberg.
If you are thinking about getting married here and are unsure whether the budget, number of guests and schedule are a realistic match for you, it is best if we clarify this in person. In a free consultation we will see together whether the Rufana Alp fits your ideas and how you can implement the concept in a coherent way.
By the way: If you are interested in other wedding venues, then read this blog post on „The most beautiful alpine huts for your wedding on the mountain“!
Your Ronja
Photographer: @nicaelaemilyphotography,
