When you’re searching for epic spots to get married in the mountains, consider an elopement in Washington state! With some of the most accessible alpine views, locations like Mount Baker, Mount Rainier, and others are hard to beat, even if you’re on the Canadian side of the border. That’s why Hannah and Cody packed their formal wedding attire, hopped in their car, and went right across the border for an adventure session at Artist Point!

A married couple kissing in the mountains of washington with mount baker in the background

About this Artist Point Elopement:

Hannah and Cody are both big mountain lovers and fans of exploring the outdoors. As much as they wanted to do an adventure elopement, they also have a big, loving community they wanted to be a part of their day. So to get the best of both worlds, we planned an adventure elopement session apart from their wedding day.

If you’re someone who just wants to relax and spend as much time as you can with your partner and guests on your wedding day, I can’t recommend a separate portrait session more. It takes the pressure off of the photos from your day, letting you create memories while your photographer captures candid moments of love and celebration. And like Hannah and Cody, it allows you to get a change in scenery that might feel a little more you. These can be booked entirely separate from your wedding, as a day-after session, or whatever makes the most sense to you.

For our trip to Artist Point, Hannah and Cody brought their exact wedding day attire. This made it feel as if it was an elopement in Washington State and giving them the eloping in the mountains photos they were dreaming of. This wasn’t my first time photographing these two love birds, as I took their engagement photos before, so I knew it would be a blast! One of their engagement photos even won a Junebug Award!! If you want to see them as soon-to-be-wed hand models, check it out here!

As for how our day went, it was an easy drive from the Vancouver area, just about 2.5 hours! We went on a weekday, of course, and while there were other people there, it wasn’t too difficult to find some space for privacy! We bopped around, picking blueberries that were growing wild everywhere, and talking about everything under the sun. Speaking of the sun, as it dipped lower in the sky, we caught some of the best glow on the mountains and captured incredible photos with reflection on the lake. These are some of my favourite photos, so you’re going to want to scroll through to see them for yourself!

For my fellow mountain lovers, an elopement in Washington state really can’t be beat! The entire region has magical spots that are extremely accessible if you're looking to bring along a few loved ones, too. For example, at Artist Point, where Hannah and Cody spent their day, we were able to just drive up and bam, we were in the alpine! While places in British Columbia offer sweeping views, but often require hiking or a little more work to reach!

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Yeah I thought so. You’re ready to plan an elopement in Washington state and I’m dying to photograph it! So if you’re thinking about heading to this incredible spot near Mount Baker, I’ve got some tips for you!

Tips for an Artist Point elopement in Washington State:

These views require virtually no hiking! Some areas may need a bit of a mini hike, but Washington state is rather accessible for sweeping mountain views. I’d always recommend keeping your group small, but you could totally bring along some loved ones for an elopement day here! There were several places not too far from parking for a small, intimate wedding.
The biggest con is that the season is very short. The wintertime allows for some skiing and snowshoeing, but the region gets a lot of snow. Most of which does not melt until late July or even August. The best time of year for an elopement in the area is probably late August. September is nice, with less crowds, and if you’re looking for a dusting of snow, October is for you. Outside of those three months, the roads to Artist Point will probably not be cleared. Wanna see what I mean? Just look at this! You’ll want to keep updated on road conditions which you can find here.
You must go on a weekday! This goes for many outdoor elopement locations, but it’s true! Weekends are way too busy to create an elopement experience that you will actually enjoy. Bonus tip: plan a sunset elopement! You’ll avoid the big rush of hikers mid-morning and afternoon as most will be clearing out by sunset.
Even if you’re Canadian, this is a great spot! Assuming you can cross the border, it can be actually closer than other epic mountain areas like Whistler or Manning Park. From my house in Coquitlam, it took only about 2.5 hours! If you are in Langley or Abbotsford, it will be even closer so it’s a no-brainer!
Check your permits! There are permits required for photography and for weddings. All of the information for permits can be found here! Additionally, you’ll need a pass to enter the park!
Abide by Leave No Trace principles! You know the drill, don’t be a jerk. Pack it in, pack it out. Stay on marked trails. Leave the area as you’d want it to be left for you and respect other visitors while you’re there! Let’s keep these beautiful areas as they should be, yeah?