Magical Pico do Arieiro Elopement Above the Clouds in Madeira, Portugal
There is something so special about an elopement that unfolds over more than one day. It gives time to experience not only the big moments, but also the quieter, in-between ones that end up meaning just as much. That is exactly what Myla and Siarhei’s Pico do Arieiro elopement felt like. It was a core memory: emotional, cinematic, peaceful, and thrilling all at once.
The Couple and Their Decision to Plan a Pico do Arieiro Elopement in Madeira, PortuGal
When Myla & Siarhei first inquired about eloping with us, they were not sure about where to elope in Europe. They were torn between eloping in Madeira and having a hiking elopement adventure in the Dolomites.
But before that, it was an even harder choice that they had faced. Originally, they were considering a traditional wedding with a small guest list. But as they moved deeper into the planning process, they realized that trying to make it all happen was bringing them more stress than joy. That was the turning point for them (and we heard this too many times). And this is when they decided to elope and do it intentionally and privately.
There was a bit of sadness in that decision. Myla & Siarhei knew they would miss having their loved ones physically there. But in the end, they found something beautiful in the simplicity of it all. “We truly enjoyed just being together,” they said. And now, through their photos and elopement film, they have a way to share those memories with those who matter most.
When it came to choosing the location, Madeira already held a special place in their hearts. They had visited the island in 2022 and had completely fallen in love with the Fanal forest, lush nature, and its incredible variety of landscapes. Madeira felt magical and enchanting, yet deeply comforting. That feeling made it the perfect place for an unreal elopement experience, and we, as their Madeira elopement photographer and videographer, were more than happy to help them make it happen.
Myla and Siarhei’s TWO-DAY Madeira Elopement in Portugal
Because Madeira has so much variety, and because Myla and Siarhei wanted their experience to feel unrushed and full, we decided to plan their celebration as a two-day elopement. This gave them some breathing space to experience two very different moods of the gorgeous Madeira, and gave us two completely different kinds of weather conditions and moods. One day felt cinematic, moody, and almost like a Twilight Saga. The other felt expansive, surreal, and almost dreamlike above the clouds.
Day One: Getting Ready at Savoy Monumentalis, Vows in the Forest, and a Strawberry Sunset in Caniçal
We started the first day of their Madeira elopement at Savoy Monumentalis in Funchal, where Myla and Siarhei had a slow morning together. There was something really beautiful about the calmness of those early hours. Before getting into their wedding attire, they had a cozy morning sipping coffee, eating the famous Portuguese Pastel de Nata dessert, and chatting about the upcoming adventures. They put on their wedding attire and had their first look right in their luxury apartment, because why not?! It was such a beautiful moment and place.
From there, we headed into one of the most magical parts of Madeira for their vow ceremony. Hidden among ancient trees, moss-covered ground, and a magical forest wrapped in misty fog, sometimes backed by the hazy sunlight…the whole place gave us Twilight Saga vibes: cinematic, moody, and surreal. It was the otherworldly private location, where they exchanged vows and rings. As the couple shared with us, it was their most vivid and unforgettable moment of the whole elopement experience: so emotional, even more than they expected.
We ended the first day in Caniçal, where Madeira gave us one of those sunsets that feel almost impossible to describe in words. The sky turned pink and purple in the most incredible strawberry tones, and the whole coastline glowed with that soft evening light that disappears far too quickly. It was one of those sunsets that make all those weeks of thorough planning so worth it.
Day Two: Hiking Above the Clouds for Their Pico do Arieiro Elopement
The second day was wildly different. This was the hiking part of their elopement, the part we’d had high hopes for, constantly checking the weather forecast. We drove to Pico do Arieiro trailhead with high hopes for sunset, and Madeira delivered. What we saw there was one of the most incredible sunsets we have ever experienced as destination elopement photographers. We stood above the clouds, soaking in every last bit of golden light in our lenses. The atmosphere shifted minute by minute, from golden sunlight to that purple afterglow. And in this incredible setting, we photographed and filmed so much tenderness, joy, and love between Myla and Siarhei.
This was also the part of the day that gave them one of their most unforgettable memories. They shared that standing on the cliff after sunset and looking out at the horizon and endless sea of clouds, “it felt as though we were the only two people left in the world.”
That feeling is exactly what makes an elopement at Pico do Arieiro in Madeira so unique. The scale of the landscape is huge, but somehow it brings you closer to each other. Everything else seems so unimportant. It is just the two of you, the sky, the mountain peaks, and that quiet sense that this moment is yours alone. If they could relive one part of the day again, Myla & Siarhei shared, that it would be “Us standing on the top of Madeira and partridges were taking sand baths near us 🙂”
Jane & Tony’s Elopement Tip: What You Should Know About Planning an Elopement in Madeira, Portugal
Madeira is an incredible place to elope because it offers so much variety. You can go from dramatic mountain peaks above the clouds to lush forests, rugged cliffs, and ocean views all within one experience. That is what makes the island feel so special and why it works so beautifully for couples who want an elopement that feels adventurous and cinematic.
One thing to keep in mind is that even though Madeira is comparably small, getting around can take longer than expected. Roads are winding, the weather can shift quickly (remember, it’s the middle of the Atlantic), and some of the most beautiful places require a bit of walking. This is why we always recommend creating an itinerary of your elopement day that feels spacious and not too packed. If you want to experience different parts of the island without rushing, a two-day elopement can be a beautiful option for you. It gives so much more variety, better chances for good weather and incredible light, and more breathing space to enjoy your love celebration.
And if you have never been to Madeira before, that is completely okay. As your Madeira elopement photographer and videographer, we’re ready to help with much more than just photographs and videos. We help shape the timeline, suggest locations based on your vision, and make sure the whole experience feels natural, intentional, and stress-free.
Kind words from the Couple
Jane and Tony are absolutely the best at what they do, and we are so happy and grateful that we came across their work and trusted them with our elopement photos and video! They have the perfect combo of being easy-going and sweet, which made us feel like we known them for a long time. And at the same time they are enthusiastic, creative, and incredibly professional. They helped plan everything in such detail, gave us tons of advice before and during the day that we would never have thought of ourselves, and even tracked the weather at the photoshoot locations. And the walkie-talkie was by far our favorite part 😁 We expected the results to be great, but our jaws still dropped when we saw them. They were just unreal! They brought back a whole wave of emotions and immersed us in the day. It is sentimental, personal, sometimes funny, and for sure absolutely stunning!
Myla & Siarhei
eloped in Madeira, Portugal
Meet the couple and their Magical Pico do arieiro Elopement
Madeira Elopement Videography by ISKRA
Sometimes photographs don’t reflect as much, as videos, especially if that’s an elopement video from such a stunning elopement destination as Madeira. But not this time! We’ve created a highlight cinematic film of this Pico do Arieiro elopement above the clouds, so you can not only see how stunning and magical the elopement experience was, but also feel and hear it all in its dimensions.
MEET THE BEST MADEIRA ELOPEMENT VENDORS
Elopement Photographers | Jane & Tony ISKRA of ISKRA Photography
Madeira Elopement Videography by ISKRA
Elopement Venue | Savoy Monumentalis
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Together with Tony Iskra, they are ISKRA Photography - a husband & wife duo shooting in Iceland and beyond.
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