When Anisa + Marty told me they wanted to take me hiking up the Chief in Squamish to photograph them in their wedding attire, I was ecstatic! While it’s not for the faint of heart, the Stawamus Chief Mountain has incredible views that make for some epic couples photos. After their intimate backyard ceremony back home in Ontario, these two lovers came back home to Squamish looking to add a little more adventure into their wedding portraits! I think we did just that.

Towering 700 meters over the lovely Howe Sound and the town of Squamish, the Chief is a rugged granite monolith! Actually one of the largest in the world. It also happens to be a frequent hiking spot for Anisa + Marty.

They are both from Ontario, but live in Squamish with their pup. Squamish is where they met each other and the town itself holds so much value for them as a couple. Due to their original plans falling through due to C*VID, they opted for a small wedding back home with close friends and family. Another photographer beautifully captured their day, as I couldn’t travel during that time, so when the time came to use their session with me, I was so happy to head to the mountains!

Honestly not many couples, even the most adventurous, want to hike up several kilometres for their wedding day. An after-wedding adventure session for portraits is a great compromise! It’s also a great chance for you to express the adventurous part of your relationship through some epic photos without leaving your guests or asking them to hike along with you. And if you ever leave your wedding feeling like there were one or two photos you just didn’t get, an after-wedding session is a great chance to recreate them! Plus, it’s a chance to wear your wedding attire again!

On a surprisingly chilly day in May, we set off for their adventure session hiking the Chief in Squamish! Anisa + Marty threw their wedding attire in their backpacks and hiked up in regular clothes. Nina, a talented hair and make-up artist, met us for the first part of our journey, too! We aimed for sunset, but the timing was tricky as the hike is a bit of a challenge and they had dinner reservations in Whistler!! But it helps when your couple is just going with the flow, so we shot with what light we had and it was such a fun day!

I got lucky, too, as I hadn’t been to Stawamus Chief Provincial Park in a couple of years, but Anisa + Marty were experts. On this hike, there are three summits to choose from, all with different views. They recommended the second peak because it had a wide variety of views, fewer people and wildly beautiful views. Their advice did not disappoint!

If you are thinking about hiking the chief in Squamish for an adventure couples session, here are some tips to help you plan your day!

Tips for an adventure session hiking the Chief in Squamish:

It’s a great option for when other mountains are closed, as the Chief is can be doable almost all year-round due to lack of snowfall. Anisa + Marty’s adventure session was in May! While many other hikes aren’t snow-free until mid to late July.
This hike is not a walk in the park. It is not particularly long, but it is difficult. Make sure you are up for the adventure and understand the difficulty of the summit before hopping on the trails.
If you are a hiker, I can’t recommend this enough!! It’s a fun hike and the views make the challenge of the climb so much sweeter.
If you go between October 1-March 31, the road to Squamish (highway 99) does require snow tires.
If you are looking for more stunning views, Shannon Falls Provincial Park is nearby and worth a visit!
In the past, you did need a pass to enter Stawamus Chief Provincial Park. At the time of writing this blog, no day-pass was required. Always do your research and plan ahead! You can find more information on the rules of this park here!

Make sure to scroll through Anisa + Marty’s hiking adventure session! If you are loving their photos and are looking for more hiking elopement inspiration, check out this Mount Cheam hiking elopement or even this Rocky Mountain Vow Renewal!!