Family Elopement at Artist Point with the Most Magical Light

Janelle & Cody

The Couple and Their Decision to Plan a Family Elopement at Artist Point

It can be hard to decide how you want your elopement day to look. Do you want a family elopement with your closest loved ones or do you want to elope with just the two of you? 

For Janelle and Cody, it was both, so we hopped on the phone together and found a way that allowed them to have a little bit of both. 

On the day of their elopement, we woke up super early for their morning first look and private vows at Artist Point. I still remember the nervousness we all felt when I first arrived at the couple’s cabin and met them in person for the first time. I drove Janelle and Cody drove himself so the couple could experience a true first look.

One of the things the couple shared with me was that they really wanted to experience alpenglow on their elopement day. We carefully planned in the months leading up to their elopement and crossed our fingers and hoped for the best. 

When their elopement day rolled around, we had wildfires all over Washington. We could smell the smoke as we drove up the mountain and I didn’t know for sure if I could get an alpenglow or if the smoke would have covered it all. Sometimes you can plan for the best but Mother Nature has her own mind. All we can do is take it one step at a time. Thankfully, she was on our side and we got to experience the most beautiful alpenglow while Janelle and Cody exchanged private vows. 

After our sunrise adventure, we headed to their ceremony site where met up with their loved ones so they could witness Janelle and Cody’s love too. After the ceremony, we took a midday break for some cute portraits indoors before heading out for an evening hike on one of the most beautiful trails in the Pacific Northwest.

As the sun went down, Janelle and Cody shared their first dance and closed out their elopement day, the same way it had started – just the two of them experiencing these moments together. 

Janelle and Cody, congratulations on your beautiful wedding day and marriage. I’m grateful to have met you both 🙂 

– Henry

How To Plan a Family Elopement

If you want to include loved ones in your elopement, here are a few ways you can plan your day.

Split Your Day To Include a Little Bit of Both

Just like Janelle and Cody, you can carve out moments in your elopement for just the two of you. Whether it’s a sunrise first look or a sunset adventure where you share your personal vows, carving out moments for just the two of you is one of the best ways to truly connect and keep the focus on what the day is all about.

Plan a Multi-Day Elopement

If the idea of splitting your elopement day feels like too much, you can plan a multi-day elopement. The first day can be spent celebrating with loved ones and the second day can be all about the adventure with the two of you. 

Read Letters / FaceTime

Sometimes family cannot be with you on your wedding day. Whether it’s because of distance, accessibility, or any other reason, you can still find ways to make them a part of your day. Some couples read letters from their loved ones or FaceTime them before their ceremony to show off their outfits and receive well wishes.  

Hold an Elopement Celebration or Reception

You can always hold a post-elopement celebration after your wedding day. Rent out a restaurant or plan a reception meal at an Airbnb cabin or other venue so your loved ones can celebrate with you in person. This is also a great time to share sneak photos from your elopement so guests can relive the experience of your wedding day with you. 

Meet the couple & the best Artist Point Family Elopement Photographer everrrr!!! 🙂😘

Meet The Best Artist Point Family Elopement Vendors:

Photographer: Henry Tieu Photography (aka Henry)

Florist: Fluerae Floral Design

Cake: Sift and Gather