When you’re so excited to marry the love of your life, nothing can stop you from having the best elopement day – not food poisoning or wildfire smoke. Determined to not let anything get in the way of the best day of their lives, Holly and John decided to fully embrace the adventure. If you’re nervous about weather or other uncontrollable events ruining your day, Holly and John’s story should give you some reassurance.
Meeting in the Dark & Finding a Ceremony Spot
Starting their mountain elopement adventure, we met in the parking lot around 4am. On minimal sleep but maximum excitement, we geared up with head lamps and lanterns to find a private ceremony spot. Under the red moonlight we found the perfect setting for their ceremony.
Rosy Sunrise Ceremony
After a moment to get situated, they started their ceremony completely alone in the mountains. They said their vows as the sun rose and the smoke turned the air pink.
A Truly Private Ceremony
Privacy was very important to Holly and John, so I made sure to give them plenty of space during their ceremony and used my long lens to capture intimate moments. Along with the sunrise timing, the smoke also caused people to stay home, so Holly and John were able to have the private ceremony of their dreams.
Post-Ceremony Portraits & Details
After the ceremony, I gave them time to watch the sun fully rise while I captured some details that were important to them, like their wooden floral bouquet (which is a great Leave-No-Trace friendly alternative to real flowers).
After a few portraits and POV polaroids, we hiked back to the car and drove down to the lake, stopping along the way to admire the solitude and views.
A Lake-Side Picnic
Down by the lake we found witnesses and signed their paperwork. Holly and John are self-described coffee snobs, so they brought specific beans, a grinder and a drip coffee set up for their picnic. Coupled with gluten-free pastries from a bakery in Bellingham, they enjoyed the golden views of the meadow surrounding the lake.
Letters from Home
While they sipped their superior coffee, they read letters from friends and family. It’s a great way to include loved ones on your day if they’re not physically there. I made sure to give them privacy here too, pulling out that long lens to capture their emotions from afar.
Adventuring into the Woods
After a few portraits at the lake for their “we eloped” announcements, we caravanned back to their Airbnb for a few more portraits, charcuterie, cake and a very well-deserved nap.
A Relaxed Elopement Day
If you’re looking for ultimate privacy in a stunning backdrop, being willing to adventure in the outdoors when others aren’t might be the way to make your dreams come true. If you enjoyed this relaxed elopement day example, you might also like this heartfelt Mt. Rainier elopement.
When you’re so excited to marry the love of your life, nothing can stop you from having the best elopement day – not food poisoning or wildfire smoke. Determined to not let anything get in the way of the best day of their lives, Holly and John decided to fully embrace the adventure. If you’re nervous about weather or other uncontrollable events ruining your day, Holly and John’s story should give you some reassurance.
Meeting in the Dark & Finding a Ceremony Spot
Starting their mountain elopement adventure, we met in the parking lot around 4am. On minimal sleep but maximum excitement, we geared up with head lamps and lanterns to find a private ceremony spot. Under the red moonlight we found the perfect setting for their ceremony.
Rosy Sunrise Ceremony
After a moment to get situated, they started their ceremony completely alone in the mountains. They said their vows as the sun rose and the smoke turned the air pink.
A Truly Private Ceremony
Privacy was very important to Holly and John, so I made sure to give them plenty of space during their ceremony and used my long lens to capture intimate moments. Along with the sunrise timing, the smoke also caused people to stay home, so Holly and John were able to have the private ceremony of their dreams.
Post-Ceremony Portraits & Details
After the ceremony, I gave them time to watch the sun fully rise while I captured some details that were important to them, like their wooden floral bouquet (which is a great Leave-No-Trace friendly alternative to real flowers).
After a few portraits and POV polaroids, we hiked back to the car and drove down to the lake, stopping along the way to admire the solitude and views.
A Lake-Side Picnic
Down by the lake we found witnesses and signed their paperwork. Holly and John are self-described coffee snobs, so they brought specific beans, a grinder and a drip coffee set up for their picnic. Coupled with gluten-free pastries from a bakery in Bellingham, they enjoyed the golden views of the meadow surrounding the lake.
Letters from Home
While they sipped their superior coffee, they read letters from friends and family. It’s a great way to include loved ones on your day if they’re not physically there. I made sure to give them privacy here too, pulling out that long lens to capture their emotions from afar.
Adventuring into the Woods
After a few portraits at the lake for their “we eloped” announcements, we caravanned back to their Airbnb for a few more portraits, charcuterie, cake and a very well-deserved nap.
A Relaxed Elopement Day
If you’re looking for ultimate privacy in a stunning backdrop, being willing to adventure in the outdoors when others aren’t might be the way to make your dreams come true. If you enjoyed this relaxed elopement day example, you might also like this heartfelt Mt. Rainier elopement.
