As my husband and my one year anniversary is quickly approaching, I figured it was finally time to share all about our elopement weekend. Back in March, I released a podcast episode with my dear friend to recap both of our elopements (and you can check that out HERE). But if you’re not a Ready to Wander Podcast listener, or you’d like some more in-depth details on my elopement, you are in for a treat. This one will be a lengthy one, so let’s just get into my North Cascades Elopement Weekend Recap! 

Believe it or not, as a Montana elopement photographer and full-service planner, I felt a lot of pressure leading up to my elopement. Just like many other brides, I had spent so long envisioning my wedding day. Because my husband (Ethan) and I are high school sweethearts, I feel like I’ve had ideas mulling about for years.

Leading up to our engagement, I felt like we both already had a pretty solid idea of what we were envisioning for our nuptials; we already knew an elopement felt more “us” than a traditional wedding. While some folks might think I had an easier time executing my elopement because of my profession, I’m here to tell you that it was just as overwhelming (if not more) as a non-wedding professional. But before we dive into all that, I’d love to just give a breakdown of our elopement weekend. 

North Cascades Elopement Weekend 

Ethan and I got married in early August 2023 in the North Cascades, near Mount Baker. It’s no secret that we are big mountain people, but we are also big “let’s explore a new place” kinda people. If you didn’t know, Ethan and I grew up in Southern Minnesota, but currently live in Northwest Montana. We couldn’t possibly love Montana more and always love showing our favorite people around our home! However, Ethan and I knew that we wanted to find a place completely new to us for our nuptials. The idea of having a place so sacred to us that we can return to and remember the day we said “I do” is just something really special. 

Early on in our elopement planning phase, we sat down to brainstorm what our dream elopement looked like. As we listed out our non-negotiables (wanting to fish, exchange vows, have epic photos, etc.) we knew that we would have a multi-day event. Not only were we traveling to a new destination, but so were so many of our loved ones. There would simply be too much to pack into one day! So we rented out a beautiful, spacious cabin to allow all 18 of our guests to hangout for the weekend. It truly was the most magical weekend.

Day 1: Our “Just Us” Day

Splitting our elopement into two “parts” allowed us to have the best of both worlds. While we absolutely wanted to soak up quality time with our people, it was also important for us to just spend time as a couple. We dedicated day 1 for just the 2 of us. Before we got ready for the day, Ethan and I went for the sweetest little stroll; no photographer, just us. Spending that little bit of time together before getting ready separately will forever be such a core memory. I loved every little bit of getting glam on day 1; the anticipation of seeing Ethan in his suit for the first time, and him seeing me for the first time in my dress had me feeling so dang giddy. Once we were both ready, we spent some time reading the journals that we had been writing in throughout our engagement season. So, yes – the water works were already in motion.

Ethan and I shared a first look beneath the most dramatic, mossy, lush greenery that I have ever laid eyes on. As soon as Ethan turned around as I tapped his shoulder, his jaw fell open and I couldn’t control the smile on my face. After sharing that special moment together, we packed up my car and headed up a 4×4 road to the trailhead, which had a lake to do some obligatory packrafting. We literally bring our packrafts (and fishing gear) wherever we go, so it was only fitting that we hit the water for a little adventure. Rafting around the vibrant blue water was truly a dream, only made better by breaking out our flyfishing gear! As luck would have it, Ethan snagged a cute little fish to commence the rest of our elopement activities. 

Private Vow Exchange | Washington State Elopement

Once we wrapped up on the water, it was time to begin our 1,500+ feet ascent to our private vow location. When we got to the top, we stopped for a ceremonial PB&J overlooking the most picturesque landscape. As soon as we were fueled up again, we enjoyed some portraits with our photographer. As true Northerners at heart, we even found some snow to frolic in, which was a sweet nod to our Minnesota souls. After basking in the most incredible alpenglow, we finally made our way to our ceremony spot. At this point, the sun had already dipped below the horizon as we tearfully exchanged vows. Between the wiping of the tears and our signature pinky promise, that moment couldn’t have been more perfect. 

Before heading back down the mountain, we adventured by the glow of our lanterns until we were ready for a whiskey toast. Day one was wrapped up with hiking down to the trailhead lead by headlamps and some stargazing overlooking an alpine lake. It truly was the most ‘Sydney and Ethan’ day there ever was… but our elopement weekend wasn’t even over yet!

Day 2: Our Intimate Wedding Celebration in Northern Washington

Day 2 arrived with a feeling of lightness and just as much excitement as day 1. I fondly reminisce on Day 2 with a feeling of “wholesomeness”. Ethan and I began our day with breakfast surrounded by our guests. While the gals got ready, the guys hung out playing yard games. The morning was carefree and just felt effortless. Once everyone was ready, we caravanned up to Artist Point at Mount Baker for a family ceremony. Our ceremony was officiated by our best friend which was such a special touch! 

The views at Artist Point were endless. Standing in front of our people in such a beautiful place is hard to even conceptualize, but it was everything that we had ever dreamed of. After the ceremony, we took portraits atop the mountain before heading back to the Airbnb for a magical candlelit dinner beneath the mossy covered trees. I designed the tablescape and even thrifted the majority of the decor! As an elopement planner, it was my moment to shine. The rest of the evening was spent eating, drinking, and dancing. And it was absolutely perfect. 

I can confidently say that Ethan and I had the most magical, us day. While I’d be lying if I didn’t say there were some things I would do differently (because hindsight is always 20/20), I’ve put together a list of things we did that made our day so unique and intentional.

Things I Loved About Our Elopement Weekend:

1. We bought journals when we got engaged and wrote in them until our wedding day.
2. Had friends included in important moments – beauty, officiating our ceremony, taking film photos on my grandpa’s old camera, etc.
3. Drove on a 4×4 road to the trailhead.
4. Spent one whole day adventuring as a couple. We fly fished, pack rafted, had a whiskey toast, shared a PB&J picnic, stargazed, and hiked. All in one day!
5. Got married on public land.
6. Rather than having a bridal party, my closets gals wore sage green to signify how important they are in my life. When we sent our invitations, we also included a color palette card to help guests choose what to wear!
7. Most greenery in my bouquet was a local or native plant.
8. In lieu of a veil, I had a cape (which I will never be over).
9. Paid attention to detail – included fishing lures, maps, unique whiskey flasks, etc.
10. I had 2 wedding bands to commemorate both days of our elopement weekend.

Unique Elements from Our North Cascades Elopement Weekend

1. Gave space for anyone to give a speech if they wanted. 
2. Had all of our guests stay in the vacation rental with us.
3. We thrifted all the goblets and dessert cups for our dinner party.
4. Opted for two days of photo and video coverage. 
5. Had handwritten notes waiting for each guest waiting on their assigned beds – it felt like a little summer camp!
6. Apple pie for dessert in lieu of cake. 
7. Disposable cameras GALORE!
8. We had a custom first dance song
9. Utilized one of our packrafts as a cooler. 

Because I am in the wedding and elopement industry, I found myself searching high and low for unique touches to include in our North Cascades elopement weekend. I knew I wanted an incredible flatlay, which I absolutely loved sourcing all the little bits and bobs to include. Additionally, I was probably Etsy’s top customer during our elopement planning season.

What I Bought from Etsy for My Elopement:

• Ethan’s engraved tie clip
• National Park postcards for custom notes to guests
• Mini dried floral bouquets for tablescape
• Signature cocktails signage
• Sage Crew (gals) PJs
• Vintage stamps for the invites
• Custom vow books
• Velvet ring box
• National Park adventure sign

As a very Type A person and wedding professional, I simply could not have survived the elopement planning process without my wedding binder. Staying organized kept me sane! I also really relied on my people throughout the weekend to help make sure everything went off without a hitch. Between gathering our details to making sure each person knew where they were sleeping, it made the weekend so smooth!

Alright, now what you’ve all been waiting for! I gotta wrap up my North Cascades Elopement Weekend Recap with a little list of things I hated planning as a wedding professional. I firmly believe that I struggled with these aspects of elopement planning solely because I am a wedding professional. But also, I know so many brides struggle with these same things, so who knows!

Hardest Parts of Elopement Planning as an Elopement Photographer

• Picking a location. You’d think this would be the easiest decision, but nope! We love the mountains, but narrowing it down to just one location proved to be a tough feat. 
• Pressure to have a unique wedding. Literally as I listed out what made our elopement uniquely us, I remember feeling pressure to curate a day unlike any other wedding day. Just wedding vendor things, I tell ya.
• Getting married during busy season. I’m not even going to try to explain my travel schedule before and after we said “I do”. But just know: it was tragic. 

Hardest Parts of Elopement Planning (Period)

• Wedding dress shopping. Ladies, I know you hear me on this one! I had a vision of what I wanted, but finding it was another thing. However, I would go through that over and over if it meant finding this same dress (and cape). 
• Booking vendors. Hear me out: I knew early on that I absolutely had to have Maddie Mae photograph my wedding. I also knew that my good friend Hunter would be the videographer. So those two were a breeze to book! But seeking other vendors was tougher than I anticipated. Our location was pretty remote, so it was hard to find vendors, let alone communicate with them. 

There we have it, folks. Recapping my North Cascades elopement weekend still fills my heart with the utmost gratitude. I couldn’t be more thankful to have finally married my best friend, surrounded by our favorite people. I couldn’t be more thankful for our vendor team for helping make our day just so dang special. One year later, Ethan and I are still living in Northwest Montana, but with a sweet puppy in tow! Cheers to one year of marriage, and a lifetime of adventures ahead, Mr. Evans. 

Vendor Team of Our Dreams: 

Photographer – Adventure Instead (Maddie Mae)
Videographer – White Spruce Films (formerly Chear Media)
Lodging – Baker Haus Lodge
Florals – Olio Flowers and Plants
Catering – Double Barrel BBQ
Apple Pies – Icing on the Cake Bellingham
Dress – Fringe and Lace by Brittany
Shoes – Blundstone
Suit – Studio Suits
Jewelry – J. Crew and Aloha Love
Paper Suite – Canva