Wedding of the Week


An Adventure Elopement Atop Mount Baker

July 27, 2020

By Jacqueline Tobin

Trang and Uriah’s special day on Mount Baker in Washington State was nothing short of perfect, says adventure elopement photographer Kathleen Castaneda of Kathleen Elizabeth Photography. “The couple met working at a local Italian restaurant where Uriah began to slowly try winning Trang over. They started having small conversations while working and quickly became friends. Then one night, they went out to grab some dessert after work and the rest is history.”

[Read: What Does it Really Take to Photograph Adventure Elopements?]

Hiking to an adventure elopement up Mount Baker.
All Photos © Kathleen Elizabeth Photography

Being avid hikers and often hitting the trails across the Pacific Northwest, the couple’s love for the outdoors—along with the wish for an intimate, stress-free wedding—resulted in their decision to have an adventurous elopement in a gorgeous location.

[Read: A Guide to Elopement Photography When Couples Downsize Weddings]

“They wanted to get married somewhere where they could be in the mountains, they could take their dog, and that offered privacy and intimacy. We found the perfect location in the Mount Baker wilderness in Washington,” says Castaneda.

Dog hiking up Mount Baker in Washington state.

Before COVID-19 hit, the photographer adds, a lot of couples didn’t know that eloping was even an option, or didn’t know what an elopement day could truly be. 

“I believe that elopements are the best type of wedding days because they strip all the stress and ‘stuff’ away, leaving what truly matters—two people exchanging vows and dedicating their lives to one another,” she explains. “Elopements are so much more than one to two hours of a ceremony and some quick portraits. It’s an entire experience. There is so much more time in the day for spontaneity, fun, genuine moments and for the couple to spend time together.”

On Trang and Uriah’s elopement day, for example, the trio met up in the morning, coffee in hand, and after a really rough road up the mountain, Castaneda says they finally made it to the trail head. “We gathered our gear and began the hike up the mountain. Trang’s best friend and Uriah’s brother joined us to witness the start of their marriage and adventure with them on their wedding day. Of course, Trang and Uriah couldn’t imagine their wedding day without their dog, Mazzakine, so they brought him along, too.”

Bride Trang without a jacket for adventure elopement on Mount Baker.
The bride wore hiking boots under her dress for her adventure elopement,

No day is without its challenges, and while Castaneda says they had endless views hiking up the mountain, fog quickly rolled in and obstructed all the scenery. But it didn’t matter to Trang and Uriah. “All they wanted to do was go and get married already,” she says. “After five years of being together, they were ready to commit their lives to one another. So we braved the freezing cold and went back out onto the mountaintop. Trang was a champ, she looked absolutely stunning in her dress and even went without a jacket.”

Adventure elopement atop Mount Baker

Castaneda says that being one of the few people to witness and hear two people exchanging their vows on top of a mountain, in the middle of nowhere, was extra powerful. “Trang and Uriah’s ceremony was intimate, intentional and so unbelievably special. Hearing them say their vows to one another made me tear up behind my camera!”

Right before the first kiss, on Mount baker

After the ceremony, they went to warm up back in the fire lookout where they had first gotten ready, and to wait for the fog to clear up. “Luckily, we didn’t have to wait long. While waiting, we happily signed their marriage license and made it official,” says Castaneda. “We started talking to some fellow hikers who were also warming up inside, so Trang invited them to join in on popping the champagne on the mountainside to celebrate.”

A celebration after I Dos on Mount Baker during adventure elopement.

At the end of the day, Castaneda says that being an elopement photographer is so much more than just showing up on the day of and taking photos. “With my couples, I am very involved in helping them in the planning process. There aren’t a whole ton of resources out there for people looking to elope (like there are for traditional weddings), so I take on a lot of that myself.”

If you’re looking to become an elopement photographer, make sure to do a lot of research, Castaneda advises. She suggests knowing how to location scout and find amazing spots for couples to exchange vows at.

“You should also research Leave No Trace principles and permit requirements. If you want to shoot hiking elopements, be an experienced adventurer by getting out there in your free time and hiking yourself. Help couples with their timelines and create an experience that is truly their perfect day,” the photographer sums up. “Elopements are a lot more unpredictable than traditional weddings, so be ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that your couple has an amazing experience.”

GEAR OF THE DAY

Camera: Nikon D3500
Lenses: Tamron 24-70mm f/2.8 and a 35mm f/1.8

Check out more Weddings of the Week, and email Jacqueline Tobin with submissions.