Rebekah and Kyle are celebrating the one-year anniversary of their PNW elopement! To mark their very first year as a married couple we scheduled a photoshoot at Snoqualmie Pass. Rebekah put on her wedding dress & veil and Kyle wore his navy blue suit. We knew that we wanted to get adventurous with their photos so they kept the footwear comfortable. And, because the PNW is renowned for being possibly the rainiest place on earth, we brought along a clear umbrella. Umbrellas can be a fabulous wedding day prop, but a clear umbrella will allow us to keep shooting and having fun, even when it’s raining!
PNW Elopement Photographer
As an elopement photographer in the PNW, I know all too well what the terrain brings. The rain is really only just the beginning. Most wedding photographers will chase natural sunlight wherever they can, but we don’t always have that luxury in the PNW. As an elopement photographer in the PNW, I have to work with whatever the weather gives me that day and be flexible and ready for whatever comes my way.
Which also means preparing my couples to do the same. Luckily for me, Rebekah and Kyle were open to sloshing through the wet ground and “dancing in the rain” so to speak. The bottom of Rebekah’s dress got muddy, but she took it all in stride, smiling, having fun, and focusing on Kyle the entire time! We captured their PWW elopement anniversary photos at Snoqualmie Pass, surrounded by the trees, rocks, peaks, and forest. The views were insanely gorgeous. But I know that this location is just one of many to plan an elopement in the area! If you’re thinking about an elopement at Snoqualmie Falls, I’ve put together the top 5 locations to choose from, below.
Snoqualmie Falls Elopement
Want to plan your own adventurous elopement in the PNW at Snoqualmie Falls? Here are my top five picks for a wedding packed with adventure, including the permits needed to make your dream wedding day a reality.
1. Snoqualmie Falls
Get married next to one of the most scenic waterfalls in the US! Snoqualmie Falls is a 268 ft waterfall with epic views. The hike is just over a mile so this is definitely a PNW elopement location for the couples who are adventurous at heart.
Requirements | To say I do at the Snoqualmie Falls, you need a membership to the Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater. This membership will provide you with access to the hike down to the base for waterfall wedding day photos. The total cost of the membership is $125/per year plus a one-time gate card fee of $25.
2. Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Picture an idyllic forest with towering pine trees that reach the sky, snow caps, and vibrant wildflowers that grow when the seasons change. What you’re picturing is basically Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Gorgeous doesn’t even begin to describe the scenery, making it an epic location for an elopement in the PNW.
Requirements | If you want to get hitched at Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest you’ll need what’s called a Discovery Pass. This day pass will allow you to park at any trailhead within the Forest. The total cost of the pass is $10/per car, per day.
3. Rattlesnake Lake/Ledge
Don’t let the name scare you away! There aren’t any actual snakes at Rattlesnake Lake or Rattlesnake Ledge. Both of these locations are stunning whether you want to get married near the lake with ridgeline views in the backdrop; or at the ledge that overlooks the lake!
Requirements | If you want to make Rattlesnake Lake or Rattlesnake Ledge your elopement location, you’ll also need a Discover Pass for parking. The total cost of the pass is $10/per car, per day.
4. TreeHouse Point
Yes, it’s an actual treehouse! I’m not sure about you, but I can’t think of a more fun, legendary place to plan an elopement in the PNW near Snoqualmie Falls. Treehouse Point has a dedicated space on-site to plan your elopement so everything is conveniently all rolled up into one location. It’s also a great option if you want a PNW elopement with all the amazing views but without the hassle of a hike on your wedding day.
Requirements | If you plan on staying in one of these amazing tree houses overnight, you will have to reserve your chosen treehouse in advance, at this link. The total cost of your elopement at TreeHouse Point will vary and depend upon time of year and availability when booking.
5. Garfield Ledges
This stunner of a PNW elopement location has to be one of the most rigorous of all on the list! It requires hiking, steep hiking, to get to the overlook. But the view from the top is sprawling and goes on for miles. So it’s definitely worth the trip if you want to elope at this breathtaking location.
Requirements | For an elopement at Garfield Ledges, you’ll need to pick up a Northwest Forest Pass. This annual pass will provide you with access to all Forest Service-operated recreation sites in Washington & Oregon. The total cost of an annual Northwest Forest Pass is currently $30.
Searching for an elopement photographer who can capture your fun & adventurous wedding day?
You can find all the details about the experience I provide as a PNW elopement photographer, here.
