Mount Spokane Elopement
I’m one of those people that actually genuinely enjoys a long road trip to a magical new place (or an old time favorite). Long hours in the car do not bother me as long as I know the payoff will be amazing. The snacks, listening to books/music/podcasts, and enjoying some amazing scenery passing me by. But sometimes nothing beats driving to the tippy top of your local mountain for a small elopement ceremony for a sweet couple saying I do to forever.
As the late summer sun dipped behind a blanket of clouds, casting a soft, diffused light over the green landscape, Nikko and Matt stood hand in hand atop Mount Spokane, ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. They exchanged vows in a quiet, intimate ceremony, among their closest family and friends, sealed with the promise of forever.
Their decision to elope atop a mountain was a testament to their adventurous spirits and their love for the great outdoors. And on this cloudy evening, with the world spread out before them in shades of blue, green and gray, they felt a sense of peace and serenity wash over them, knowing that they were exactly where they were meant to be.
We showed up in the afternoon for their ceremony and the first thing I noticed right off the bat is the lack of wind at the summit. If you’ve spent any time at the summit of Mount Spokane in the summer (or honestly the winter probably) you can pretty much guarantee it’s going to be super windy. Not a breath of wind, which was great considering they were having some people present for the ceremony!
While we waited for family and friends to show up I helped them pick a spot for their ceremony and we decided on the west facing side of the mountain. It was fairly cloudy so we didn’t have to worry about being blinded by sunset and they liked having the ski lift in the background as both Nikko and Matt participate in a lot of outdoor activities like skiing/snowboarding! We set up a spot and circled all their loved ones around as they said their vows and promised forever. Both their kids were there as well which was so sweet.
Despite the clouds overhead, there was a warmth and radiance to the evening that seemed to emanate from Nikko and Matt. Their laughter echoed through the trees, mingling with the sound of dry grasses and rustling leaves. And as we wandered around taking photos against the ever-changing sky, they radiated joy and contentment, their love for each other true and strong.
As the evening wore on and the light began to fade, Nikko and Matt wrapped themselves in each other's arms, savoring the last moments of their elopement day. We captured one final set of photos, the cloudy sky above serving as a fitting backdrop for their love story.
As they made their way back to the parking area, hand in hand, Nikko and Matt carried with them not just memories, but tangible reminders of the day they had shared—these photographs that are going to serve as a lasting memento of their Mount Spokane elopement day, a testament to the love that had brought them to this moment, high above the world below.
In the end, it wasn't just about the vows they had exchanged or the rings they now wore—it was about the journey they had undertaken together, the highs and lows, the peaks and valleys, that had led them to this mountaintop, where their love would continue to grow and flourish, like the wildflowers that bloomed earlier in the summer. And I hope with each photograph, when they look back on this day, they will be reminded of the beauty and the magic of that cloudy late summer evening, when two souls became one amidst the majesty of the mountains.
Some things to keep in mind when looking at eloping on Mount Spokane:
Your photographer does need a permit, you can find info here. Bonus of this permit for local photographers is that it also covers a few other state parks in the area so you aren’t limited to just Mount Spokane! I get one of these permits every year just to be covered and make sure my clients and myself will not be caught off guard if we are approached by a ranger.
Leave No Trace Principles are still in place even though you aren’t in a national park. I know it’s easy to get carried away when dealing with less restrictions than the national parks but we still need to be respectful of mother nature and other people enjoying the outdoors. This is a great article from the Leave No Trace website going over LNT principles (soon I will have one of my own up but for now the education is more important) . LNT is something that is very close to my heart and that I take very seriously in my own business!
Depending on the size of your elopement you may or may not need a permit for the ceremony. Usually if it’s just you and your partner everything is fine but if you decide to invite some guests or have a small bridal party it’s best to check with the office of the park your planning to visit and ask what permitting you might need to hold an event (yes even such a small one) there. Here is Mount Spokane’s info: (509) 570-2763 ; mount.spokane@parks.wa.gov.
Weather can be tricky, as with any outdoor venue space. I’ve been stuck in crazy fog clouds on the summit but also met with sunsets that last for ages and warm your face. The summit road usually opens by the beginning of July depending on that years snow pack and closes mid October. Summer storms can still be dangerous, especially on the exposed hillside of a mountain so make sure to keep an eye on your weather app leading up to your elopement day!
If you’d want to book your elopement with me on Mount Spokane fill out my inquiry form below and let’s chat!
