Mountain Elopements
Married in Pink at Moraine Lake
Isis & Nick | Alberta, Canada
From the bride…
We hadn’t really even considered a traditional wedding. We were planning a trip to Canada and thought about how epic it would be if we just eloped while we were there and then had a party to celebrate with our loved ones back home. A beautiful lady that I work with had shown me photos from her recent trip to Moraine Lake and told me about how it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. When I told Nick about it, it was almost decided instantly that it was exactly the kind of scenery we were looking for.
THE FLOWERS
I knew from the get-go that I wanted a flower crown and a HUGE bouquet of florals in dusty pink and maroon.
THE VISION
We wanted our day to be really relaxed and stress-free and it couldn’t have been more perfect! Our ceremony was planned for 6 pm so we slept in, had a nice breakfast, went for a hike and even had a nap before we had to get ready. So many of our friends had told us how stressed they felt on their wedding day and how they felt as though they couldn’t really enjoy it or that they wished they had eloped and we didn’t want to look back on such a special memory wishing that we had changed things or spent less money or whatever. I think we nailed it!
THE DRESS
I just really didn’t want to wear white! I had always pictured a pink dress, but not too Barbie-like and not too pale. As much as I love dressing up and being girly, I also LOVE being comfortable. I knew I was going to be scrambling over rocks so I couldn’t really have a long train, and I didn’t want a veil but wanted something flowy that was also removable, so we decided on a cape instead and I chose a pair of black and white Vans with some pink ribbon.
THE DAY OF
It was so surreal standing at that lake the morning of our wedding, taking it all in and realizing we made it! We traveled for 21 hours and were so tired but we did it! We only told our family and close friends, and it made our announcement feel even more special and made us feel like our wedding was ours, and that we were doing it for us and not for anyone else. I was a pretty lazy bride and all I cared about was marrying the man of my dreams. I thought that planning our wedding from Australia would be difficult but it was actually such a breeze.
THE VOWS
I couldn’t wait to hear Nick’s vows and to call him my husband and Nick says his favorite part was seeing me in my dress for the first time which I think is pretty cute!
LOOKING BACK
Everything was so easy and went so smooth, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat. Eloping definitely took a lot of the guesswork out of planning, we didn’t have to think about decorations and we also didn’t have to worry about impressing other people, we could focus on just us and that was the main thing for the both of us when we were planning our day. Luckily, Mother Nature put on a show with the most spectacular weather. It had been raining pretty much since we landed in Canada and cleared up right before our ceremony began.
ADVICE
Do what you want to do! Don’t let other people make it about them or change your mind, or make you feel like what you want doesn’t matter. I mean this with my whole heart – you don’t get to get to marry the love of your life every day!
Before we left for Canada, we had a sign made that read, “We Eloped – Moraine Lake, Canada, 13th August 2019.” This date is my G’ma’s birthday, and although she is no longer with us, I wanted her to be part of our special day. She would have loved Nick.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: ENV Photography
Floral Designer: Willow Flower Co.
A North Cascades Mountain Elopement with a Pretty Floral Dress
From the photographer, Suzanne Rothmeyer Photography
Stephanie and Justin rolled up to the Thunder Knob Trail trailhead with their little trailer they had been camping in for the last week as they traveled through the Cascade Mountains. We did their first look overlooking Diablo Lake with stunning weather and views. I gasped when Stephanie stepped out of the loo in her dress…I adore brides who go with something other than the traditional and really embrace their personality when choosing their wedding dress!
One of the sweetest things about this elopement was their sharing of memories of their 10 years of knowing each other, first as friends, on the climb up to the summit, and then sharing their hopes, dreams, and plans for the future on the way down.
They read their vows against the backdrop of a layered mountain landscape, with the sun disappearing with a twinkle over the tallest peak as they embraced. Then wrapping up the moment toasting with cider before we headed back down. It was truly the perfect day – and not another soul at the top.
Snowy Glacier National Park Elopement
Kaytlin & Nick | Glacier National Park
From the bride…
Nick and I had our first date in Glacier a few years ago. We hiked to Iceberg Lake and then had dinner at the restaurant in the Many Glacier Hotel. After that, we had many adventures in Glacier National Park, including getting engaged! We knew that we wanted to also get married in Glacier, so Many Glacier seemed like the perfect idea to bring our story full circle! Nick and I decided that we wanted our ceremony to be intimate, so we decided to elope with only our immediate families in attendance. Nick is one of seven children, so we still had a decently large group!
THE ATTIRE
I went home to Missouri to visit my parents shortly after getting engaged and on a whim, decided to go to a bridal shop to see if I could get an idea of what I generally wanted to wear on my wedding day. I fell in love with a high neck, gorgeous lace gown and bought it that same day! I also wore a fur shawl that I borrowed from my grandmother. Thank goodness for this since it was so cold (40 degrees in June!).
Nick was more deliberate than I in his wedding day attire planning. He got his gray wool suit custom made in Montana. The lining was a light blue and brown print with his monogram inside.
THE VENUE
We thought that the deck of the Many Glacier Hotel would be the perfect venue for our big day, but the weather that day had other ideas. It was hailing and the wind was so strong that the hail was going sideways! Thankfully, we have a great family who was willing to hike a little bit into the woods where we found a quiet spot by the lake that was protected from the weather.
THE CEREMONY
It was very special to have Nick’s brother, Ethan be both the best man and officiant because he was able to personalize our ceremony just for us! My brother, Kayne, and his friend, Anthony, played their guitars and sung during our ceremony. A recording of this is on our wedding video, so we can completely relive the day anytime we want!
The most anticipated moment of our wedding day was hearing each other read our vows. We decided to write our own and didn’t let each other know anything about them beforehand. Our vows are now framed in our bedroom so we can remind ourselves of them every day!
BOAT RIDE
After the ceremony, we chartered a boat and cruised around the lake for an hour while we enjoyed everyone’s company, popped champagne, and ate snacks.
LOOKING BACK
One of my favorite parts of our wedding was everyone being so flexible with us because of the weather. Our families were down to go anywhere we asked them to–even a mile into the woods in dresses and heels in 40-degree weather!
ADVICE
Pick one or two things that are important to each of you and focus on those things. Let the other details work themselves out and don’t stress. Your best memories won’t be your decor or makeup, but enjoying the time with your new spouse and celebrating with friends and family! Be sure to take a few intimate moments with just your spouse and soak up the day.
CREDITS:
Photographer: Marianne Wiest Photography
Location: Glacier National Park
Mountaintop Elopement in Vancouver
Sara & Isaac | Vancouver, Canada | Photographer: Karizma Photography
Isaac and Sara’s romance started at a New Year’s Eve party. After failing to get her number, Isaac asked 7 people to help him find a way to reach her. Once he finally got her number, he asked her on a date and Sara just couldn’t say no.
THE PROPOSAL
While walking in a snowy park near their apartment, Sara was mesmerized by the small lights decorating a gazebo nearby. Isaac then got down on one knee and popped the question, offering her a wooden ring he had made himself.
WHY ELOPE
Initially from Pittsburg, USA, the two decided to elope in Vancouver. They both have a love of the outdoors and were struck by the beautiful scenery easily available around Vancouver. Their decision to elope came after trying to plan a traditional wedding with a guest list of over 100. They began to wonder if it was really worth the expense. When Isaac’s mom suggested eloping, they never looked back.
THE DAY OF
On the day of their mountain elopement, Sara’s hair and make-up by AX Art Makeup began at 3 am. Then, the drive on a bumpy forest service road to the beginning of the trail. They hiked to the spot where they wanted to say their vows. They changed into their wedding attire and said “I DO” on a picturesque rock overlooking the valley with jaw-dropping views of the mountains.
Boho Bliss on a Mountaintop in North Carolina
Ashley & David | October 9th
From the photographer: It was the perfect evening at Max Patch, we (almost) had the entire area to ourselves which always makes the ceremonies super special. The privacy allows for the couple to truly be themselves, which is always a blast to witness. Ashley had an AMAZING dress from BHLDN. It was all things fabulous and boho, and everything an eloping bride could ask for. We highly recommend this company for elopement dresses. As always, Flourish Flower Farms came through with a stunning lush flower crown and bouquet, as bright as her spirit. And that’s saying something!
After we got to talking I was interested in hearing what drew them to our little corner of paradise.
From the bride: “We wanted somewhere new to us that we could both explore with fresh eyes together. We love the idea of having ‘our city’ to visit. All we really knew was we wanted our day to be outdoors and, on a mountaintop,… so here we are! We are looking forward to it just being the two of us (the privacy and sacredness of having it just be about us, without distractions and complications- stripped down, simple, free & easy sort of like our love and us (together and separate), the excitement of building a family (like, right away!), the secrecy and surprise to friends and family… so much to be thankful and excited for.”
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THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: Meghan Rolfe Photography | Dress Designer: BHLDN | Event Planner: Elope Outdoors | Floral Designer: Flourish Flower Farm | Location: Max Patch, Asheville, NC
View more North Carolina weddings >>
A Winter Elopement in Breckenridge
Snowball fights, ski lift rides, and a mountaintop elopement ceremony- does a wedding get more fun than that? We certainly don’t think so. Breeann and Andy celebrated their love with an intimate ceremony atop a snowy mountain at Sapphire Point Overlook in Breckenridge, Colorado. However, the mountaintop exchange wasn’t even the most magical part of the day. Filled with love, laughter, and pure happiness, Breeann and Andy’s big day is one that won’t soon be forgotten.
We love her weather appropriate boots!
Breeann radiated pure joy as she shared an intimate first look with her husband to be.
All smiles, the outdoorsy pair headed to Breckenridge for some whimsical shots on the ski lift and in the snow. Not even a little bit afraid of the cold, Breeann and her beau threw snowballs and collapsed in laughter in the snow. The soulful laughs these two share represent the kind of love that comes once in a lifetime, and we love the way that this fun-loving couple look at each other with nothing but adoration.
By the time they reached Sapphire Point, Breeann and Andy were more than ready to say “I Do” and they proudly displayed their “We Eloped” sign among the snow and trees.
Finally feeling a little bit of a chill, the newlyweds donned a flannel and beanie, respectively, for a few more shots before heading inside for some well-deserved champagne and celebration. It truly doesn’t get more beautiful than a mountaintop elopement!
THE ELOPEMENT TEAM
Photographer: From the Hip Photo | Ceremony Location: Sapphire Point | Reception Venue: Ember
Epic Mountain Helicopter Elopement
Colleen & Brice | Squamish, BC, CA
From the bride… We are avid outdoor adventurers (rock climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, mountain biking) so wanted to get married in the mountains. We wanted sunset pictures, and our color palette was based on sunset colors and my pink hair.
THE ADVENTURE ATTIRE
I wanted something simple and classy, and not mass-produced. I chose a lace long sleeve dress from an Etsy designer. I also wanted the most whimsical shoes I could find that would still be comfortable. I chose metallic pink marabou slippers decorated with pink ostrich feathers. Brice wanted something more suited to his personality than a tux. He wore a long-sleeve flannel shirt from Patagonia, his favorite black pants, and sturdy yet dressy Timberland boots.
ADVICE
Don’t be afraid to admit to yourselves that a big, elaborate wedding might not be for you. To us, it was more important to have a special moment to ourselves than to have the pomp and circumstance associated with a formal wedding. Also, once we decided we wanted to be married, we didn’t want to wait!
After we returned from our elopement trip, we invited our friends and family over to our house and hosted a brunch complete with champagne, cake, and a traditional Hawaii-style Banzai toast!
THE ADVENTURE TEAM
Photographer: Jelger & Tanja Photography // Location: Tantalus hut at Lake Lovely Water // Transportation: Blackcomb Helicopters // Floral Designer: Senka Florist // Officiant:Whistler Wedding Pastor
A Colorado Elopement in the Snow
Laura & Adam | Breckenidge, Colorado
From the bride: We started planning a big wedding here in Houston but found it so stressful that we decided to elope. We already had a trip planned to Breckenridge, Colorado with friends so we said why not?!
We rented a 10-passenger van so all our friends could stay together throughout the day.
I decided to wear pink snow boots because traditional wedding shoes didn’t seem practical.
My favorite part of the day was everything our friends did to make it so special. They planned lots of little touches that I never would have thought of.
THE WEDDING TEAM
Photographer: We, The Light Photography | Hair & Make-up: First Impressions Salon & Spa | Flowers: Garden of Eden | Location: Sapphire Point