Epic Rock Climbing Elopement in the North Cascades

Elopement

10/11/24

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Epic Rock Climbing Elopement in the North Cascades

Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy

It doesn’t get much more adventurous than a rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades! But, when that elopement also involves your real-life friends, it truly makes for the most epic day ever! Keep scrolling to meet Sarah and Grant and learn all about the adventures they included in their climbing, hiking, biking, (aka best day ever) elopement. 

Couple holds white and green coffee mugs while getting ready for their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Couple hikes with friends to a mountain summit in the North Cascades
Rock climbers scaling a peak in the North Cascades
Bride and groom hug during their rock climbing elopement at Liberty Bell in the North Cascades
Groom throws a line during his rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Groom gets ready for his elopement ceremony on top of Liberty Bell in the North Cascades
Bride and groom hug during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Bride and groom laugh during their elopement first look in the North Cascades
Bride reads private vows and groom gets emotional during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Bride reads private vows during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Groom reads private vows and bride laughs during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Bride and groom kiss after reading private vows in the North Cascades
Bride and groom slow dance on top of a mountain peak during their elopement in North Cascades National Park
Groom dips bride for a kiss during their North Cascades climbing elopement

Meet Sarah & Grant: The Couple of This Rock Climbing Elopement

The story of how I (Mollie) met Sarah and Grant truly is one for the books! Back in 2022, I was photographing an elopement in Snoqualmie Pass when two trail runners ran by, cheering the couple on and giving high fives. A week later, I was at Base Point Fitness and met a new friend, Grant. As we were walking out of the gym, he turned to me and said, “Were you photographing an elopement last week?” Sure enough, it was Sarah and Grant who were the trail runners, and from that moment on I knew I had two new friends in the mountain town we call home. 

The next Spring, Sarah and Grant got engaged and I was so stoked for them! The couple messaged me a few months later asking to talk about what it might look like to plan their elopement with Between the Pine. Over coffee, Sarah and Grant shared their dream of climbing Liberty Bell in the North Cascades. This peak had been Sarah’s first mountain climb and also the place where the couple had celebrated their one year anniversary! Of course, we all agreed that this was the perfect place for them to say “I Do”.

Planning a rock climbing elopement involves a different approach than a typical hiking adventure elopement. As luck would have it, I had just hired Devin to be on the Between the Pine team and, not only is she an amazing photographer, but she’s also a skilled rock climber. Right away, I knew she was the perfect person to document Sarah and Grant’s rock climbing elopement! 

The day of their wedding, Sarah, Grant, and Devin geared up and headed out for their climb. At the top, the couple exchanged vows and Sarah surprised Grant with a first dance (talk about a magical way to kick off the day!).

After completing the climb, they met back up with family and friends for a celebratory dinner at Apres Cabin (one of our favorite Washington micro wedding venues). Once everyone had finished their meal (and Sarah and Grant ducked away for a quick bike ride), they loaded their friends onto a school bus and headed to the location for their sunset ceremony. 

To say this rock climbing was epic is a big understatement! From a chance encounter to witnessing these two share their love with each other it was the greatest honor for us to document their special day.

Want to see more photos from Sarah and Grant’s rock climbing elopement? Check out our Instagram posts here and here!

Bride and groom climb down a mountain trail during their North Cascades rock climbing elopement
Bride and groom kiss surrounded by jagged peaks in the North Cascades
Bride and groom stand on a mountain trail in the North Cascades during their rock climbing elopement
Bride and groom walk along a mountain trail in the North Cascades during their rock climbing elopement
Bride and groom hold hands while standing forehead to forehead during their North Cascades National Park elopement
Bride and groom hold climbing gear in their wedding attire on top of a mountain peak in the North Cascades
Bride and groom cheer with their friends during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Bride and groom wear climbing gear with their wedding attire while standing on a mountain peak in the North Cascades
Bride and groom climb a mountain wall during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Bride and groom climb a mountain wall during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades

Best Time of Year for a Rock Climbing Elopement in the North Cascades

If you are thinking about planning a rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades (or any elopement for that matter), time of year matters. The best time to visit the North Cascades is late summer or early fall. Because of the higher elevation, snow in the mountains takes longer to melt. Usually by July though, most of the roads and trails are snow-free, allowing for easy access to almost any location. 

Bride and groom stand at the head of their reception dinner table at Apres Cabin
Bride and groom share a celebratory meal at Apres Cabin with their friends
Bride and groom ride mountain bikes through the road during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Bride and groom ride mountain bikes through the road during their rock climbing elopement in the North Cascades
Bride and groom walk their dog through a forest trail during their elopement in North Cascades National Park
Guests carry equipment to the elopement ceremony location in the North Cascades
Bride hugs guest during her elopement ceremony in North Cascades National Park
Bride and groom hold hands during their elopement ceremony with guests in North Cascades National Park
Bride and groom hold hands during their elopement ceremony with guests in North Cascades National Park
Groom reads personal vows during his elopement ceremony in North Cascades National Park
Bride and groom kiss during their elopement ceremony in North Cascades National Park
Bride and groom cheer after their North Cascades National Park elopement ceremony with friends

5 Activities to Add To Your Rock Climbing Elopement

Planning a rock climbing elopement is a peak (see what we did there) elopement experience! However, if you’re looking for more ways to take your adventure elopement to the next level, here are a few of our favorite ideas:

  • Enjoy a private meal at a nearby cabin
  • Canoe around an alpine lake
  • Hit the trails on a mountain bike
  • Go fly fishing
  • Play group games with your loved ones
Bride and groom kiss their pup after their elopement ceremony in the North Cascades
Dog wears a floral collar during a North Cascades elopement
Groom runs and gives high fives to guests after his elopement ceremony in the North Cascades
Guests cheer with bride and groom after their elopement ceremony in the North Cascades
Guests cheer with bride and groom after their elopement ceremony in the North Cascades
Bride and groom stand on a mountain trail at sunset during their North Cascades elopement
Bride and groom stand forehead to forehead on a mountain trail after their rock climbing elopement
Bride and groom kiss on a mountain trail after their rock climbing elopement

Meet Your Rock Climbing Elopement Photographers

We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your rock climbing elopement 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 rock climbing elopement photographers!


Meet the Other Incredible Vendors From This Rock Climbing Elopement

Photographer: Between the Pine

Florals: Honest Pollen Studio

Catering: Paellaworks

Day-Of Coordinator: Haley Zetterberg

Cabin: Apres Cabin

Rentals: Cascades Event Rentals

Dress: BHLDN

Suit: Indochino

Summit Baguettes: Mazama Store

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