Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Do you know the saying “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.”? Well, we experienced exactly that for Erin and Chris’ LGBTQ elopement in the Washington mountains. After the rainclouds rolled away, we were met with the most incredible rainbow! We seriously could not have asked for a more perfect moment (especially since their elopement took place during pride month!!). But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Keep reading to meet Erin and Chris and learn a few things to consider when planning an LGBTQ wedding.
Meet Erin & Chris: The Couple of This LGBTQ Elopement
From our initial call, I (Mollie) knew that Erin and Chris were incredible humans and that their elopement day was going to be amazing (spoiler alert, it was!).
On the morning of their LGBTQ elopement, we realized that the weather was going to be quite rainy. In fact, this day turned out to have some of the most intense rain I have ever photographed in. Erin and Chris were troopers about the weather and said, “Cool, let’s do it anyway! It is what it is.”
So, we met for sunrise (rain and all) at an alpine lake and kicked off the day with photos of the couple wearing matching Nike sweatsuits. Erin and Chris are both very athletic and enjoy sports, so this was SO fitting for them!
After our sunrise session, we headed back to their cabin where the couple got hair and makeup done. They changed into their wedding attire and spent a few minutes cuddling with their pup, Piper. From there we ventured back out into the rain to their ceremony location in Snoqualmie. We lucked out and the rain stopped part way through their ceremony, allowing us to get photos without umbrellas.
In the afternoon we headed back to the cabin for a short break. During that time, I got to chat with the couple and get to know them even more. Once we had all dried off and rested, Erin and Chris changed back into their wedding attire and we headed out for their sunset hike.
The amazing thing about Snoqualmie elopements is that you get two weather climates. The west side gives more of the classic, moody PNW vibes, whereas the east gives high desert, mountain scenery. I had been watching the webcams and following the weather all day so we could pivot if needed. Sure enough though, once we got up near the mountains, it was rain-free and sunny! Not only that, but on our way there we even saw a rainbow in the sky. You better believe that we pulled over and grabbed a few photos to document the moment (rainbow + pride month = best LGBTQ elopement ever)!
Kind words from the couple:
“If I could give Mollie more stars, I would. Our elopement experience was everything we could have dreamed of, all thanks to her! The unpredictable weather in early June was no match for Mollie’s enthusiasm and adaptability. It would have been easy to feel bummed out by the rain, but Mollie was ready with options, willing to pivot if needed, and an unflappable sense that everything was going to be perfect, no matter what. And it was. She not only helped us be comfortable in front of the camera, she also laughed and joked with us all day, making it feel more like 3 friends just hanging out and having a great adventure. At the end of the day, she still had enough energy to literally run to the top of a peak to make sure we got the sunset pictures of our dreams. If you’re thinking about booking BTP, just do it (and do it early)! I promise you won’t regret it.”
Three Things to Consider When Planning an LGBTQ Wedding
Guestlist
To invite guests or not to invite guests? That is the question almost all couples face when they decide to elope. For LGBTQ weddings and elopements, though, this question can have a few added layers.
Our advice is to sit down with your partner and talk about what you want your day to look like. How do you want to feel? Do you want to include guests? Do you want to have a just-us experience? Who do you want to invite and who do you not want to invite? These aren’t always easy decisions and there is not a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all way to elope. What matters most is how you and your love want to get married.
P.S. – If you decide to invite guests, we suggest surrounding yourself with those who love and support you both, no matter what!
Wedding Attire
One of the most fun aspects of planning an elopement is choosing your wedding attire! Today especially, there are so many unique wedding outfit options available. When choosing what to wear, we recommend choosing something that feels authentic to you! Whether it’s a bright-colored suit, a floral dress, or a sleek jumpsuit, this is your time to shine. Choose something that you’ll be comfortable in and that shows off your personality so that you can feel your best on your best day ever!
LGBTQ Wedding Vendors
Wedding vendors can help bring your day to life! Here at Between the Pine, we know how important it is for LGBTQ couples to find vendors that they feel safe and celebrated with. That’s why one of our core values is that all people are welcome, all ways! Finding vendors for your LGBTQ wedding can feel overwhelming, but thankfully it doesn’t have to be. We provide all of our couples with a list of LGBTQ wedding vendors that can help support you on your best day ever!
Meet Your LGBTQ Wedding Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your LGBTQ wedding photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018 and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and continue to hire even more incredible photographers!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your best day ever. We know the Pacific Northwest like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the mountains, forest, and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your LGBTQ elopement photographers!
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