This adventurous elopement was one of my favorite wedding celebrations. There’s nothing quite like working to reach an incredible nature wedding venue at the base of the Enchantments. While Colchuck Lake isn’t quite the same as the slog up Aasgard Pass, it’s still it’s own adventure getting up to the turquoise lake at the base of the pass. Truly, it took my breath away (not just due to the elevation gain).
D&T had plans for a beautiful wedding in the San Juan Islands, but Covid changed their original vision to a new one that included an elopement in the mountains outside of Leavenworth. While they can’t wait to celebrate with their friends in the future, D&T felt like being able to elope with just their family, and hike up into the mountains to say their personal vows, added such much more to their wedding experience than they could imagine. Most folks don’t go into a traditional wedding with a plan B, but working with adventure elopements in the Pacific Northwest prepares you for creating Plan Bs that are equally as incredible. While 2020 and 2021 aren’t easy on those who have been planning larger traditional weddings, if you’re flexible, there are incredible options that suit any restrictions and safety needs while still creating an amazing experience.
We wanted to get up to the lake to catch sunrise and solitude before the crowds, so we began our ascent up the trail starting at 2:30am. The first bit of the hike is pretty flat and relaxed, but after around 2 miles it begins to climb and cross various terrain challenges. We got to the base of the lake right when the sun began to rise and soon we got to experience the true awe of the emerald waters of Colchuck Lake through the trees.
After we spent a little time taking in the view, it was time to get dressed! Aside from those camping, we had the whole area to ourselves. I helped D get her hair styled, and these two got dressed together beside the lake.
We made sure to stay on the rock in the area. Even though it’s a very commonly used spot, it’s still incredibly important to maintain Leave No Trace principles in hopes that even just a little less damage can help protect fragile and incredible natural locations.
After getting their wedding clothing on, we decided to hike around the lake to find a more intimate spot for D&T to say their vows. We found the most lovely point for these two to say their vows beneath Dragontail peak. There were campers there (with the most perfect spot) but they were very friendly and happy to let D&T pass by their site. I decided to let them say their vows in full privacy, so put on my long lens and found a spot far enough away so that D&T could be completely together with no one else hearing them.
After saying their vows, it was time to enjoy some hard-earned coffee and a breakfast of granola bars. My partner and I brought up our pocket rocket MRS stove and camping french press and made some delicious coffee to drink while we sat and talked. For elopements it’s good to build in time to relax and enjoy the moments as well. We also gave D&T a little time together to just sit and take in the beauty of the area. After coffee, the sun came out and completely transformed the scenery and bringing out the color of the lake in a new way. D and I are both water people and were absolutely into the idea of swimming in the alpine lake. After convincing T, they both jumped in to celebrate! After T got out, I joined D in the water and we swam around. D actually has professional mermaid on her resume and finished off the adventure showcases some of her talents.
After drying off in the sun, it was time to head back. We actually split off at this point and they headed home from the trail. Can’t wait for this next year to celebrate further with these two!
Overall, this was an incredible elopement in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness and at the base of the Enchantments. I continue to fall in love with photographing elopements in the Pacific Northwest, and creating beautiful plans and documentation of people’s stories in beautiful places.
