Matthew + Katrina
Matthew + Katrina wanted to have the best of both worlds when it came to eloping in the Pacific Northwest. These two wanted to be able to celebrate their marriage with family and friends at their home in Seattle, Washington, but also include their love of the outdoors in the form of exchanging private vows amongst the trees in an elopement at Mount Rainier National Park.
Katrina + Matthew settled on a fire lookout elopement — hiking with myself and my second shooter on the Tolmie Peak trail of Mount Rainier National Park for their ceremony. A fire lookout elopement is perfect for those who value solitude, the great outdoors, and meaningful experiences over formalities.
Nestled in the heart of Washington, these rustic lookout towers offer panoramic vistas of Mount Rainier's snow-capped peak, alpine meadows, and the surrounding Cascades; creating a naturally stunning backdrop for a truly intimate elopement.
During their Washington elopement hike, we found ourselves peering at mushrooms, ducking underneath tall tree branches, being greeted by deer, and on the banks of a gorgeous alpine lake. Unlike traditional weddings, an elopement at Mount Rainier allows couples to focus entirely on their love and commitment, far from the stress and pressure of larger events.
Washington Elopement Photographer
Whether you choose an elopement in Oregon, to elope in Washington, or a California elopement (Joshua Tree, anyone?), so many locations on the West Coast can offer a plethora of diversity! When chatting with my couples, I love hearing if there are any specific backdrops that resonate with them. Maybe you dream of eloping at a waterfall in Oregon, having a Big Sur elopement, or getting married at Redwoods National Park. No matter where you are wanting to elope, chances are, the states of Oregon, Washington, and California have just the landscape you are looking for!
After Matthew + Katrina explored around Eunice Lake, it was time to begin the steep ascent to the fire lookout that promised us views of Mount Rainier National Park. Matthew is a film photography buff, so naturally he brought a pinhole camera to capture photos of their elopement day through his eyes! If there is something that is really reflective of your relationship, I urge you to think of ways that you can incorporate that into your elopement! Katrina is Matthew’s favorite photography subject, so it was truly special to see him take photos of her during their Washington elopement.
Once we reached the fire lookout, Katrina + Matthew were able to bask in the sunset and moments with each other. The hike back may have been pitch black, but it was totally worth it for these two to have the Mt Rainier fire lookout elopement that they had always wanted.
If you’re looking to elope on a mountain top in Washington, Oregon, or California, we'd love to help! From the best places to stay during your Mount Rainier elopement, to the most picturesque locations for your elopement ceremony atop a mountain, and help with vendor recommendations, your vision for an elopement on a mountain can come together for the most memorable day.
If you’re looking to elope on a mountain top in Washingiton, Oregon, or California, we'd love to help! From the best places to stay during your Mount Rainier elopement, to the most picturesque locations for your elopement ceremony atop a mountain, and help with vendor recommendations, your vision for an elopement on a mountain can come together for the most memorable day.