Mt Baker Elopement

The North Cascades National Park is home to so many of my favorite trails and mountain peaks, including the places we adventured for this Mt Baker elopement! Katie and Max reached out to me over a year before their wedding date, so I had the honor of getting to photograph their engagement photos and their wedding (they are what I affectionately refer to as a full-circle couple). Click here to see Katie, Max and their miniature goldendoodle, Moe, adventure at Diablo Lake in North Cascades National Park during their engagement session.

Did you see Moe’s paw resting on Katie and Max’s hands? That’s my favorite photo, too! One of my favorite things about posting my couples adventures on my blog is how the nature surrounding them helps narrate their story. In the blog about Katie and Max’s North Cascades engagement photos, I had written, “I feel like every time I go on a hike, go camping, or even just go on a run outside, there is something that nature does to me! There’s a stillness, a patience, and a calmness that our cities and culture quite honestly lack. By escaping the traffic and cell phone signal, we have an opportunity to slow down, breathe some fresh air, and actually look at the view in front of us. I mean, how cool is that?!” 

Woof. I needed to hear that! Over the past month, Drew and I have both been traveling for our jobs, Drew competed in a half-Ironman (yes, I am married to an absolute stud), we’ve had dear people come visit us in our little mountain town, and Drew had a bike accident that landed him on an operating table for a broken collar bone (yep, still a stud!). I am so thankful I wrote those words about the stillness and calmness that nature offers us! So, let this serve as my check-in with you: have you made time for you recently? No? Me either. So, let’s do this together. Pull up your calendar right now and schedule a weekend hike (maybe at Mt Baker?), camping trip, s’mores night, evening walk at a city park, or wine night-in with your favorite sweatpants. For me, this week Drew and I went to Rio Bravo, got some burritos, and drove away on mountain roads until we didn’t have cell phone service anymore. It was so refreshing, so rejuvenating, and so needed! Make the time; you won’t regret it! I’m proud of us! Now that we’ve established some self-TLC time, let’s get back to this Mt Baker elopement! 

Best Time of Year to Elope at Mt Baker

Summer and Autumn

I love summertime and autumn at Mt Baker! In the summer, the temperature at Mt Baker averages just above 60 and peaks below 80 degrees. In the fall, the average dips to the 50s, and peaks around 60 degrees. These seasons are perfect for camping and hiking during your Mt Baker elopement. Also, the colors of the fall foliage at Mt Baker are absolutely stunning! 

Winter

Mt Baker is most known in the winter for its ski resort! Katie and Max had sweet memories of skiing together at Mt Baker during the winters, which made this elopement location special. Mt Baker is a great place to elope if you love winter sports like skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing. And, because of the popular ski resort, the roads at Mt Baker are well maintained during the winter season. 

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What to Pack for Your Mt Baker Elopement

1. Snacks

   Who’s surprised that snacks is number-one on my list? Yeah, I figured you wouldn’t be. I’ll pack all your favorite snacks, and maybe even some chocolate chip cookies! There are also some great food and drink spots in a mountain town about an hour and a half drive from Mt Baker that I love, so I’ve linked those below:

   Coffee and Brunch:

   Camber Flagship Cafe in Bellingham, WA

   Brews:

   Aslan Brewing Company in Bellingham, WA

   Wander Brewing in Bellingham, WA

   (these would be super fun spots for a post-Mt Baker elopement party!)

2. National Park Pass

   The America the Beautiful annual national park pass costs $80 and will last you for an entire year’s worth of adventures. It’s so worth the investment!

3. Headlamp

   This is super important if you’re wanting to catch sunrise during your adventure elopement because most of your hike to the mountain views will be completed prior to sunrise. I use this Black Diamond headlamp and love it!

4. Layers of clothes

   The temperature can drastically change at Mt Baker depending on the time of day, so I always recommend bringing plenty of layers that you can shed throughout the morning. Throw in a long sleeve, sweatshirt, down jacket and rain jacket and you’ll be set!

5. Bear Spray

   It is always a good idea to be over prepared. You just never know what furry friend you could meet along a trail in the forest!

6. Your Marriage License

   You’ve got your incredible partner, the stunning dress, the dreamy flowers and the epic a-frame cabin. But, you cannot forget one of the most important witnesses to your adventure-packed vows: your marriage license! Read about all the information you need to know about getting a marriage license for your Washington elopement or wedding by clicking here. Also, you’ll need to have someone ordained to officiate your elopement ceremony and two witnesses present (and yes, I’m happy to be a witness, if needed!).

I’ll take care of the rest! I love being over-prepared, so I will make sure you’re fully covered! I will always have these things on me during a Mt Baker elopement:

• First aid kit

• Bluetooth speaker (there’s always a reason for a dance break; keep scrolling to see what I mean!)

• Cameras (lol, duh)

Eloping at Mount Baker: Where to Stay

You can’t plan an epic adventure without securing a place to stay! Whether that’s a campsite or a cozy cabin, below are my top recommendations for where to stay for your Mt Baker elopement. When choosing your Airbnb, it’s important to read through all the details listed about the home or cabin. The last thing you’d want is to put a deposit down on an Airbnb that does not allow gatherings to take place on the property (if you’re including family at your elopement). If you have doubts on whether the hosts allows gatherings, you can always contact the host and read through the reviews on the listing.

Mount Baker Airbnbs:

• Rustic 70s A-frame Cabin

• Snowglobe Chalet

• Tree House with a Hot Tub

• The Foregetaway Cabin

Mount Baker Campsites:

• Colonial Creek South Campground

• Silver Fir Campground

• Douglas Fir Campground

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From the Couple: Their Mt Baker Elopement

What did Katie and Max have to say about their full-circle North Cascades and Mt Baker adventure with Between the Pine?

“Mollie was the first vendor we booked for our wedding. We knew that photography was the MOST important investment we could make in capturing our day forever. Mollie was always there for us, always exceeding our expectations and a creative sounding board for our ideas. She was so supportive and encouraging. I always felt like myself and so beautiful in front of her camera. The photos from our wedding make me so beyond happy. Mollie captures joy in every single one. Every time I look at them I smile and remember the day like it’s happening, they are so organic and beautiful. If you’re thinking about booking Mollie I cannot give a higher recommendation your big day. You will be truly grateful for that choice.”

 

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Between the Pine is an adventure elopement and wedding photography brand created by Mollie Adams. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Mollie travels with her camera in hand to document “I dos” in epic landscapes including Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii.