Ken & Adel
It was 4:45am when we left their cabin.
Still dark. Still quiet. The kind of morning where you question everything until you see what you came for.
As morning light reflected off the mountains and Ken and Adel stood pinning flowers onto each other’s barongs (traditional Filipino formal wear), we forgot all about the early wake-up call. What we saw was one of the most incredible sunrises I’ve ever witnessed as an elopement photographer.
This wasn’t just a wedding day. It was a 12-hour fire lookout elopement in Washington’s North Cascades. It was a journey from this sunrise moment to dancing under stars in a fire lookout, from intimate portraits to a ceremony with family who’d flown in from the Philippines, from cultural traditions to mountain adventures.
Why This Fire Lookout Elopement in Washington Was About More Than Location
Beautiful weddings are never just about the destination. They’re about the journey and everything in between.
What many couples don’t realize about fire lookout elopements in Washington (or elopements anywhere in the world, for that matter) is that you could return to the same mountain a hundred times, and each celebration would be completely unique. What makes each one different isn’t the location—it’s the couple and their story.
To us, elopement photography is about the untouched emotions, the unfolded feelings, the unlearned story unfolding in a place that is awe-inspiring. Those are what make each celebration unique, regardless of where we go.
When Ken and Adel first reached out, they knew they wanted to get married in Washington. Ken had been here for over 10 years, and Adel (who was originally from the Philippines) later moved here to be with him. Washington had become their shared home—the place where their long-distance love story had space to take root.
They were drawn to mountaintops and water, so we decided on a location in the North Cascades that offered both. We started the day at sunrise at Artist Point and ended at a mountain fire lookout for sunset.
All in all, we spent 12 hours together that day, hiking and dancing as the last light disappeared behind the peaks. But this day was never just about the views or reaching a fire lookout. It was about documenting Ken and Adel’s celebration with not just the location in mind, but also what makes them feel like they’ve just arrived home: loved, safe, and at ease.
How Ken & Adel Planned Their 12-Hour Washington Fire Lookout Elopement
Part One: Sunrise at Artist Point
We arrived at Artist Point early with stars still hanging above us in the sky. As the sun rose, Ken and Adel had their first look, just the two of them and surrounded by mountains. Culture was important to them, so they wore their barongs the entire day—no changing into Western suits or compromising their heritage for the sake of convention.
At 7am, their family and friends arrived for the ceremony. Adel’s aunt had flown in from the Philippines to be there, and one of my favorite photos from the entire day was the moment Adel held her hand and brought it to his forehead—a traditional Filipino gesture of respect called “mano po.”
It’s the elopement photographs and moments like this that often matter the most. Not just the epic landscapes, but the quiet cultural traditions that connect loved ones and span generations.
After family portraits, everyone drove back to their cabin for a break to rest after the early morning.
Part Two: Private Chef Lunch and Dancing in a Fire Lookout Cabin in Twilight
At midday, I met back up with the couple at the cabin for the afternoon portion of their day.
Ken and Adel had hired a private chef who had prepared a meal at their Airbnb. For the next couple of hours, the grooms and their guests enjoyed an intentional gathering where family could sit together, share toasts, and simply be present.
By mid-afternoon, we were ready for the second adventure: their private fire lookout elopement. We hiked for a couple of hours, and when we reached the top, the grooms changed back into their barongs just as the sun was starting to go down.
We spent some time taking sunset portraits, then Ken and Adel decided they wanted their first dance inside the fire lookout rather than out on the mountain trail. Some previous hikers had left string lights in the cabin, and as the grooms danced, the soft glow mixed with blue hour light filtering through the windows created an intimate atmosphere that was somehow more beautiful than anything we could have imagined.
We hiked down by headlamp under a sky full of stars and stopped for a few final photos of them silhouetted against the Milky Way—an ending that felt just as magical as how their day began.
What Made This Fire Lookout Elopement in Washington So Special
I spent more than 12 hours with Ken and Adel on their wedding day, but our journey together started months before when they first inquired. Through phone calls and planning sessions, I learned their story: Ken born and raised in Massachusetts, Adel moving to the United States from the Philippines. They met online. Ken drove to Montana where Adel was living. One thing led to another, and Adel moved to Washington to build a life together.
For Ken and Adel, their wedding wasn’t just about celebrating their marriage—it was about showing their families what they’d built. They invited them into the world they’d created: one that honored Filipino heritage while embracing the mountains that had become their home.
What made this PNW fire lookout elopement so meaningful was how Ken and Adel refused to choose between tradition and adventure. They kept the Filipino elements they valued (the barongs, the mano po gesture) and they paired them with the outdoor landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. They hiked to mountaintops in formal wear not because it’s what is typically done, but because that’s what felt right to them.
Witnessing their sunrise to sunset elopement reminded me what wedding days are all about. It’s not just about epic locations or beautiful details. It’s about couples being brave enough to design a day that truly reflects who they are.
Beyond his undeniable talent and professional acumen, Henry’s personal touch truly set him apart.
From the moment we met Henry on our 1st Zoom meeting, it was clear that we hadn’t just found a photographer but a genuine individual who was deeply passionate about his craft and forming real connections with the people he works with.
Choosing a wedding photographer can be an intimidating task. It’s not about discovering somebody who can bring fine images but someone who can truly capture the essence of one of the most memorable days in your life. Henry surpassed all our expectations in this regard.
As a gay couple, finding someone with whom we can be our authentic selves can sometimes be challenging. However, we felt an immediate sense of comfort and acceptance with Henry. His open-mindedness and genuine warmth made our experience both unforgettable and affirming.
He had aided us with selecting where our ceremony portraits would take place to painstakingly crafting a timeline that ensured every magical moment was captured; Henry demonstrated a level of commitment and professionalism that was nothing short of inspiring. He wasn’t just another vendor providing a service but a trusted confidant who became an integral part of our wedding journey. His constant reminders to contact him with any queries or concerns, no matter how minor, emphasized his dedication to making our day as seamless and memorable as possible. He also presented various vendor options for us, including florists, pastry chefs, wedding coordinators, and many others. His expertise extended beyond just recommendations, as he educated us on the differences between traditional and GIF videos.
His professionalism shone through during our photo session from sunrise to sunset, making us feel at ease. We truly appreciated his guidance and the comfortable atmosphere he created when capturing our moments. His photo sessions were marked by a remarkable spontaneity, bringing forth fresh and innovative ideas on the spot. This spontaneous creativity added a unique flair to our photos and kept the experience engaging and unexpected. His photos are astounding, reflecting the pinnacle of quality and craftsmanship, captivating the beauty surrounding us (i.e., nature, family, friends, table and floral set-up, cake). Each image captures a juncture with precision, showcasing his commitment to excellence in photography. Even now, we frequently revisit the sneak peeks he shared with us, and we’ve proudly showcased his exceptional work to our family and friends.
But beyond his undeniable talent and professional acumen, Henry’s personal touch truly set him apart. He has this innate attitude that is warm and effortlessly genuine. It was extremely easy to connect with him, creating an environment of trust and understanding. During our sunset photo hike, he ensured we were comfortable and encouraged us to take as many breaks as needed. We found in him not just a photographer but a friend. He shared in our joy and laughed with us; even in the most chaotic moments, his calming presence was a beacon of reassurance.
Our connection with Henry was refreshingly personal and honest in a world where professional relationships are often fleeting and transactional. We didn’t just receive beautiful photos but memories crafted with love, care, and an understanding of who we are as a couple.
Henry, thank you for being more than just our photographer. Your work is a testament to your immense skill and beautiful heart. We are incredibly grateful and hope that many more couples have the privilege of experiencing your magic. We cannot speak highly enough of Henry and his incredible talent. We wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone seeking a professional with a genuine touch and outstanding skills.
Meet the couple & the best PNW fire lookout elopement photographer everrrr!!! 🙂😘
Meet The Best Washington Fire Lookout Elopement Vendors:
Photographer: Henry Tieu Photography
Florist: Tangled Roots Florals
Catering: Gingko Fine Dining
Cake: Antler Bakery
Attire: Noicam
Ready to Plan Your Fire Lookout Elopement in Washington?
Inspired by Ken and Adel’s fire lookout elopement in the Cascades? Read our North Cascades elopement guide to learn how to elope in these magical mountains and learn our top location recommendations and tips for creating an unforgettable mountaintop experience.
And, if you’re ready to start planning your fire lookout elopement in Washington, click on the link below to contact us!
More North Cascades Elopement Inspiration
Meet Your Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographers
We’re Henry, Sergio, and Nick, the faces behind these honest, meaningful, and artful photographs of couples eloping in the most beautiful places. Since 2018, we’ve photographed more than 200+ intimate weddings and elopements all over the world and on 6 different continents. Our work has been published on Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, Brides, Dancing With Her, etc…We’ve won international awards for best wedding photos but what’s most important to us is actually winning our clients’ hearts with our art.
With 15 years of combined photography experience, we’ve learned that the only way to a beautiful wedding experience & photos is through intentionality.
We’re here for you and with you from “let’s do this” to “I do”, one step at a time, each step of the way. We’re in this together
