Washington Adventure Waterfall and Snow Mountain Elopement | PNW Adventure Elopement Photographer
The thing about eloping in the Pacific Northwest is that you never know what kind of weather you’ll get and that was exactly what happened on Cheyanne and Daniel’s elopement. Started from a rainy waterfall elopement, we ended up on top of the mountain with an ice cold snow storm. It was truly one of the best days ever
Cheyanne and Daniel inquired me on the second day of 2019. Their inquiry was quite short and to me, short inquires could mean two things: Either they are super chill and open for any adventures or they are just testing the water and might not be committing to eloping just yet.
Being an adventure elopement photographer, I see both end of the spectrum when it comes to elopement. I see people who know for sure elopements are for them and I see that people sent me inquiries just because they saw an epic photo on the internet. Both of which are fine, it’s part of my job to educate the couples and to share with them the real image of what an elopement is.
From our initial phone call, I could tell the couple was super excited and was open to my suggestions on how to plan for their elopement day. From the initial plan of Mt. Hood in Oregon, we completely changed the initial plan and moved to Washington for an epic waterfall adventure. From the initial plan of a 4-hour elopement, we changed it to a whole day of adventures.
PNW Elopement: It Might Rain, It Might Snow, Prepare For It All
On the day of their elopement, I drove for 3 hours to meet up with the couple. I remember how the weather kept changing on me every 15 mins and I could not really tell how everything would look. It went from sunny to cloudy to raining and the it kept on changing. When I arrived to their cabin in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, it was drizzling just a bit.
I met up with the couple for the first time ever but we all felt like we’ve been friends for a while. We just knew. That’s all. We just knew because we all trusted each other.
After getting read and first look, we drove together around Gifford Pinchot National Forest and hiked down the waterfall for their elopement ceremony. Their ceremony was intimate, private, and full of love.
After exchanging their vows in front of this beautiful waterfall, the couple and I went on our adventure and did more hiking for the rest of the day. We drove together to another trail. We shared stories and snacks. We shared a day full of experience and adventures.
By the time we got to the trail head, we were just a bit late so we started hiking quickly. The trail was supposed to be 1 mile up and 1 mile down but that 1 mile up seemed like it was way more than that. By the time we got closer to the top, it started snowing like crazy. We all looked at each other with the attitude of “fuck it, let’s do this” and started photographing.
By the time we finished, it was already dark. We put on our head lamps and started hiking back down. But not, this isn’t the end of it all. I started a new project and Cheyanne and Daniel were the first couple who appeared on my podcast From The Heart.
We got back to their cabin, quickly changed into something a bit more comfortable and the couple shared their feelings and thoughts on their elopement day and marriage.
I am excited to share their beautiful elopement with you guys for when you have a chance, head over to From The Heart to listen to their story
And before I forget, Cheyanne is an incredible artist. After a day full of adventures, the couple handed me a gift. I opened it and was so surprised. Check it out below and check out her Etsy store Strokes of Sunshine if you want some beautiful artwork for your own home 🙂 She’s incredible
The Best PNW Elopement Vendors You’ll Ever Need 😍
PNW Elopement Photographer: Henry Tieu (me 😘)
Officiant: Jimmie
Florals: Brier and Ivy
Hair and Make Up Artist: Sandra Kafka
Dress: Casa Blanca Bridal
Ring Box: The Northern Forest
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
