Elopements

Backpacking Elopement With Friends Along Pacific Crest Trail

Kim and Joe wanted to get married where they felt most comfortable, safe, and alive — deep in the wilderness. They particularly love the North Cascades where they met so it was no surprise that the spot they chose to get married was 10 miles into the mountains along the Pacific Crest Trail. After, they got together with more family and friends to celebrate their marriage with a post-elopement celebration!

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About This Elopement With Friends Along Pacific Crest Trail

Photography by M. Laine Photography

“Kim, Joe, and a few friends started at one end of the trail, bagging peaks along the way and I at another. We met in the middle the night before their ceremony where they had everyone break out wigs and cocktails for a combined bachelor/bachelorette party.

The following day they got ready slowly, and wrote their vows, before watching videos with well wishes sent from loved ones and having an intimate ceremony. Everyone hiked out the next day, greeted by their families at the trailhead before making our way back to town for a grand reception.” [Meghann, the photographer]

Permits and LNT Information For This North Cascades Adventure

“We made sure they married/camped outside of the North Cascades National Park and instead stayed in the Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest which has a bit looser regulation for couples getting married and allows dogs.

Their group was rather large at the campsite, but everyone had split up into smaller groups and hiked separately (the max hiking group size is 12 throughout most of Washington). Some hiked with the couple from day one (shuttling from one trailhead to another to start their hike at a different location), others arrived at camp the day before their ceremony as I did, and more arrived the day of. It was an incredible feat of organization!

The bride and groom backpacked there a few weekends before their elopement just to make sure the area could hold their entire group setting up camp in the same area.

Lastly, we made sure to follow LNT guidelines for their photos and ceremony — avoiding trampling vegetation, and staying on paths and hard surfaces.” [Meghann, the photographer]

Explore more places to elope in Washington.

Top Tips When Eloping Along The Pacific Crest Trail

“Be prepared! Kim and Joe brought everything they could possibly need while backpacking, including a pop-up tent for everyone to sit under while sharing meals together. The night of the wigs and whiskey bachelor/bachelorette party, the skies looked menacingly dark, and although we only got sprinkled on for a few minutes, having the shelter for everyone to be able to hang out in as planned gave us peace of mind.” [Meghann, the photographer]

Memorable Moments During This Elopement

From the photographer:

“My favorite detail about this trip was that EVERYONE hiking the Pacific Crest Trail knew there was a wedding going on! The wigs and whiskey party started the rumors at nearby campsites and by the time we hiked out two days later, everyone, even the new, incoming, PCT hikers were asking our group if we were with the wedding they’d heard about!

I loved that Kim and Joe included so many more people who could make it to their reception by asking their loved ones to submit 60-second videos with well wishes to them. They took a break before their ceremony and shared many laughs and happy tears with one another. It was a great way to include others in their day while staying true to their wishes to have an intimate ceremony.”

Final Words of Advice From the Photographer

“Since Kim and Joe didn’t have cell service or a way to get in touch with their family or vendors in the days leading up to their reception, Kim created detailed Excel sheets. They included contact information and responsibilities for everyone involved, timelines, and detailed plans for decorations and flowers.

Regardless of how complicated your plans are, having information readily available to everyone is helpful. Take it one step further and delegate, or hire a planner, that can be the point person to step in whenever there are any missteps throughout your day as well.” [Meghann, the photographer]

Learn how to elope.

Vendors

Photography | M. Laine Photography

Ceremony venue | Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Reception venue | Freestone Inn

Florals | Twisted Willow Floral

Rentals: Methow Moments

DJ: Black Magic DJ

Ceremony dress: A&BÉ

Reception outfit: BHLDN

Hat: IvoryBrides

Suits: Indochino