An Altimeter Cabins Wedding with 5 Outfit Changes and a Karaoke Reception

Amber & Michael

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Amber and Michael didn’t want a traditional wedding. In fact, in their initial inquiry email, they mentioned that they wanted a less traditional wedding and a more fun, engaging celebration in the mountains (with for sure some red elements to honor Amber’s Chinese heritage). 

So, we got to work planning a custom Altimeter Cabins wedding near Mount Rainier with not just one, but five outfit changes, a Chinese tea ceremony, and a karaoke reception where all the guests sang. From alpenglow at 5am to karaoke under the stars, Amber and Michael’s wedding proved that you don’t have to choose between adventure and celebration or between family tradition and personal style. Sometimes you can have it all.

The Couple and Their Decision to Plan an Altimeter Cabins Wedding

Amber and Michael are outdoorsy people. They go hiking and camping with their dog, and they even asked for contributions toward an Antarctica trip as their wedding registry. When we started planning their cabin wedding at Mt. Rainier, they told me that they wanted nature woven into every part of their celebration.

But they didn’t want to elope with just the two of them. They also wanted their loved ones there – family who would experience a Chinese tea ceremony for the first time and friends who would stay up late singing karaoke with them.

They needed a venue surrounded by nature, but with enough space to host about 30 guests. Altimeter Cabins ended up being the best wedding venue to fit their needs. This Mt. Rainier cabin wedding venue offered the mountain views and forest setting they wanted, with enough space to host everyone they loved. And because the cabins are tucked away right near Mt. Rainier National Park, they could start their day with a sunrise adventure before the official celebration even began.

Amber & Michael’s Full-Day Cabin Wedding at Mt. Rainier

Starting the Day Like an Elopement: Sunrise at Mt. Rainier

Amber and Michael wanted to make the most of their wedding day, so we started early. Amber got her hair and makeup done, and we started driving to the mountains at 3am. We drove to the Sunrise Visitor Center – the highest point you can reach by car in Mt. Rainier National Park – then hiked the rest of the way in. 

When we got to the top, Amber and Michael changed into their first wedding outfits, but not the typical wedding outfits you’d expect. Amber wore a short wedding dress with a long train, and Michael wore shorts and boots instead of a suit. Their style was so unique and fashion-forward, and it was just the beginning of what made their day uniquely theirs. 

As the sun rose above the horizon, we witnessed the most beautiful alpenglow. But this sunrise session wasn’t just about beautiful photos in an epic location – it was about honoring the adventurous side of their relationship before heading into the family celebration. Because Amber and Michael love hiking together and exploring the outdoors, they wanted their cabin wedding to include that, even if it meant starting before dawn and going until midnight.

After photographing them in the most incredible light, we headed back to the cabins. The couple took a few hours to rest before the full wedding celebration began that afternoon.

A Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony at Altimeter Cabins

After their nap, Amber got her hair and makeup done while Michael got ready with his brothers. Then came outfit change number two – Amber wore an all-black dress to greet their guests as they arrived.

For the ceremony itself, she changed again into outfit number three: loose black pants and a veil with a silver top. Michael wore a black dress coat and white pants. Even their guests had gotten the memo – everyone showed up in black and white, making the red florals the only pop of color in sight.

The ceremony happened outside at Altimeter Cabins with Mt. Rainier rising in the distance. After the vows and unity candle ceremony, they held a Chinese tea ceremony. For Michael’s family and a lot of their guests, this was their first time experiencing this tradition. Watching Amber’s parents participate and seeing how naturally this cultural element wove into their mountain cabin wedding reminded me that the best celebrations make room for both where you come from and where you’re going.

Outfit Four: Honoring Heritage in Red

After the ceremony, Amber changed into a traditional Chinese qipao, but with her own twist.  She had chosen a classic red color and silhouette, but with flowy sleeves and an open back detailed with pearls. It wasn’t the exact traditional style you’d find online, but then again, they hadn’t wanted their wedding to follow tradition. 

Instead, Amber and Michael were intentional about weaving in the moments and details that mattered, then making them their own.

The Karaoke Wedding Reception Where Everyone Was a Star

For the reception, Amber changed back into her black dress, and everyone headed to the backyard for games. These weren’t just any wedding games, though. They were interactive, competitive ones that included cultural elements woven in. With each game, their guests laughed, mingled, and connected with each other. It was the kind of reception energy that makes a wedding feel less like a formal event and more like a celebration.

Then came the sit-down dinner and toasts from loved ones.

And finally, one last outfit change.

Between speeches, Amber slipped into a silver sequin dress, and Michael put on a matching sequin suit jacket. After the last toast, the two of them walked out to the dance floor where the party was just getting started.

They began with first dances with their parents, but then, instead of a traditional first dance with each other, they opened up the floor and invited their guests to sing karaoke. A lot of people get shy with karaoke, but not Amber and Michael’s guests. Everyone signed up for a song, and the rest of the night was a mix of American and Chinese duets and solos. 

Earlier in the planning process, Amber and Michael had mentioned that they wanted sparklers for their exit. But, with it being fire season in Washington, I suggested fiber optic light wands instead – basically those LED toys that create trails of light when you wave them. They loved the idea, and we ended the night with everyone swirling light against the dark forest backdrop, creating magic without the fire risk.

The 5 Outfits That Helped to Tell Their Story

Creating Your Own Wedding Traditions

Amber and Michael’s wedding reminded me of what I love most about weddings and elopements and documenting celebrations that break the rules.

From the beginning, Amber told me she wanted photos that felt like a moving story, not just still figures. She wanted fun, exaggerated, emotional. She wanted film-like texture and techniques like double exposure and interesting angles. She wanted to create something that felt like them.

And that’s exactly what we did.

Their Altimeter Cabins wedding wasn’t about following tradition – it was about creating their own. Sunrise sessions in shorts and skirts. Five outfit changes. Cultural ceremonies followed by karaoke. A day that started at 3am and didn’t end until after midnight.

This is what I want to document more of – weddings where couples infuse their personal style into every detail. Where you can honor your heritage and your adventurous spirit in the same celebration. Where cabin weddings feel both intimate and epic, both family-focused and deeply personal.

Amber and Michael, it was an honor to document every part of your wedding day, from that incredible alpenglow at sunrise to the last karaoke song under the stars. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your celebration and story. 

Meet The Best Altimeter Cabins Wedding Vendors:

Photographer: Henry Tieu Photography

Venue: Altimeter Cabins

Planner: Prologe Events

Florist: Capital Blooms

Hair Stylist: Hanna

Makeup Artist: Beauty by O’Shade

Wedding Dress Designer: JIEMO

Suit Designer: MAO HOUSE

Vow Books & Stationery: YUSHAN

Catering: Miere Catering

Jewelry: SHUSHU/TONG

Ready to plan your Altimeter Cabins wedding?

Cabin weddings near Mt. Rainier offer the intimacy of a forest setting with enough space to gather everyone you love. Whether you’re dreaming of sunrise sessions before your ceremony, cultural traditions woven into mountain celebrations, or karaoke under the stars instead of traditional dances, venues like Altimeter Cabins give you the flexibility to create something completely your own. 

If you’re looking for similar wedding venues in Washington, check out these small wedding venues in the state and across the U.S. that give you the space to celebrate exactly how you want. 

Or, if you’re ready to start planning your cabin wedding at Altimeter Cabins, contact us. We’d love to hear your wedding vision and help you plan a day that’s as non-traditional as you want.

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