- Jess Hoefkens skied down the aisle in her wedding dress during a stunning ceremony atop Mont Brévant in Chamonix, France. Many were amazed, referring to her as the ‘bride who skis’.
- The intimate wedding included 20 guests, champagne, and a group ski descent after the vows with family and friends. The bride skis joyfully along with them.
- The couple celebrated afterward with a cozy après-ski reception at chalets, featuring live music and a relaxed party atmosphere.
Jess Hoefkens stunned her guests by skiing down the aisle in her wedding dress at the top of Mont Brévant in Chamonix, France. The incredible wedding took place on March 28, 8,000 feet up the snowy mountain. Jess, 36, married her groom, Ladis Hoefkens, also 36, in front of 20 close family and friends. While the bride and groom wore formal clothes, all the guests dressed in skiwear. Jess’s father, Jon, 70, skied with his daughter across a 60-meter stretch to reach Ladis. With the beautiful French Alps as a backdrop, the couple exchanged vows and created memories they will never forget.
Bride’s family joins her for an unforgettable trip to the summit
Jess’s wedding day started with a magical journey up the mountain. She traveled to the top with her mother, Barbara Ayling, 70, her father Jon, and her sister Nicki Affleck, 38. To reach the summit, they took two lifts. Jess said the second lift was breathtaking because it “punched through the clouds.” The whole experience felt like something out of a dream. Jess had never skied in a dress before. She admitted she felt a little nervous but kept the distance short to be safe. As she skied down the aisle, the bride skis with elegance, and the moment turned out to be even better than she had imagined.
Couple keeps ceremony small for a stress-free and joyful day
Jess and Ladis decided to keep their wedding small to avoid pressure. Jess comes from a family who loves mountains and skiing. However, Ladis’s family members are not skiers. Even so, everyone embraced the unique experience. Jess described the ceremony as “just beautiful” and said she still hears from guests about how special it felt. She felt lucky to share such an important moment with people she loves in such a magical place.
A love story that began on Tinder and led to a dream wedding
The couple first met on Tinder in 2019. They connected over their shared passion for skiing and adventure. Ladis proposed to Jess during a sunset walk in September 2022. After the proposal, they quickly decided a mountain wedding was the perfect choice. Jess had once seen a mountain wedding while skiing and had always dreamed of having one herself. Ladis supported the idea right away, even though it meant a bit more planning and a bigger budget.
Bride’s handmade dress adds a personal and daring touch
Jess wore a stunning dress made by her own mother. They were unsure if it would hold up during skiing, but Jess pulled it off beautifully. Ladis said he knew Jess planned to ski down the aisle but had never seen the dress before the big moment. He called it “pretty incredible” and praised Jess for making it look so easy. After the ceremony, Ladis admitted he watched their wedding video over and over because he could not get enough of seeing his bride ski effortlessly.
Newlyweds celebrate with an adventurous ski down the mountain
After exchanging vows and enjoying champagne and canapés, the wedding party headed back down the mountain in style. Jess and Ladis led a group of 15 family members, friends, and their photographer as they skied together. Everyone shared laughter, excitement, and pure joy as they descended the snowy slopes. The bride skis with her loved ones, creating unforgettable memories. The combination of love, adventure, and natural beauty made the experience unforgettable for everyone involved.
