Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
When we say this Snoqualmie Valley elopement was unique, we mean it in the absolute best way possible! Ailin and Niraj packed so much adventure, culture, and personality into their two-day celebration that we still get excited thinking about it. From an epic sunrise hike to a surprise thunderstorm (seriously, when does that happen in the PNW?!), traditional Indian ceremony moments, henna art, and the sweetest reception moment between Ailin and her mom, this two-day celebration had it all! Keep scrolling to read all about Ailin and Niraj’s story and three of our favorite unique elopement ideas to give you inspiration for your own best day ever.
Meet Ailin & Niraj: The Couple of This Unique Elopement in Snoqualmie Valley
Ailin and Niraj live in the PNW, so when it came time to plan their elopement, it wasn’t as much about discovering new places as it was about showing their family all the magic this region has to offer (and we mean ALL of it)! They dreamed of an adventure where they could experience both snow-capped peaks and snow-free forest trails in a single celebration. Luckily, we have a two-day Snoqualmie elopement package that checked all the boxes of what they were looking for.
What made this elopement so incredibly special wasn’t just the stunning locations (though trust us, the views were jaw-dropping). It was how intentionally Ailin and Niraj included their personalities, heritage, and families into every single moment. From Ailin’s intricate henna designs to Niraj’s mom bringing traditional Indian ceremony elements, the details they included created space for meaningful moments while celebrating in the landscapes they call home.
As for the weather…well, let’s just say Mother Nature decided to throw us every single weather element possible (we’re talking sun, rain, overcast skies, snow, and even a rare PNW thunderstorm!). But, like the adventurers they are, Ailin and Niraj rolled with every change, allowing their elopement to unfold exactly how it was meant to.
Day 1 of this Unique Elopement in Snoqualmie
We kicked off this two-day elopement with one of the most epic sunrise hikes I (Mollie) have ever experienced (seriously, the light was absolutely magical)! In the afternoon, a rare PNW thunderstorm rolled in, but thanks to their two-day package, we simply shifted the sunset portion to day two. This is one of the reasons we love multi-day weddings because they allow for flexibility for your plans to shift as needed. Thinking of planning a wedding weekend? Check out our planning guide below!
Day 2 of this Unique PNW Elopement
Day two brought even more adventure for Ailin and Niraj! We started the morning hiking around the snow-covered mountains, before heading back down to the lush forest where Ailin and Niraj exchanged vows, surrounded by their families. The couple even gave space for Niraj’s mom to incorporate some beautiful traditional elements that made their ceremony even more personalized and meaningful.
After vows, the celebration continued with a private chef dinner at their Airbnb cabin. Leading up to their elopement, Ailin and Niraj had worked with the chef to create a custom menu that reflected their tastes and cultural heritage. The attention to detail was incredible, right down to a custom mocktail recipe that they had discovered and wanted to share with their families.
One of the most memorable moments of the day was when Ailin surprised her mom by changing into her mom’s wedding dress for the reception. Her mom’s reaction was really sweet, and there may or may not have been a few tears shed.
Three Things to Three Unique Elopement Ideas to Consider
Include Cultural, Religious, or Family Elements
One of the things that made Ailin and Niraj’s unique elopement so special was how they created space for tradition. Even though they don’t actively practice, Niraj’s mom was able to incorporate meaningful Indian ceremony traditions that honored their heritage and added personality to their forest elopement ceremony.
How to make this unique elopement idea your own: Think about cultural traditions, family customs, or meaningful rituals that resonate with you and your partner. Maybe it’s a handfasting ceremony, jumping the broom, breaking glass, or incorporating elements from your grandparents’ wedding traditions. The beauty of eloping is that you get to choose exactly which traditions you want to include in your love story and skip the rest!
Plan a Wardrobe Change
Why wear just one elopement outfit when you can wear two? In all seriousness, though, when Ailin surprised her mom by changing into her mom’s wedding dress for the reception, there wasn’t a dry eye in sight! This moment wasn’t just a cute detail, though; it was a beautiful way to honor Ailin’s family history (not to mention the photos of her mom’s reaction are absolutely priceless).
How to make this unique elopement idea your own: Consider including outfit changes that reflect different aspects of your personality or honor important people in your life. Maybe you start in adventurous wedding attire for a sunrise hike, change into your dream wedding dress for your ceremony and family photos, then switch to your mother’s vintage dress for dinner, like Ailin did. Or perhaps you incorporate cultural attire, band t-shirts from your first date, or colors that hold special meaning.
Insider Tip: If you’re planning multiple outfit changes, be sure to include extra time in your elopement timeline and factor in location logistics like where to get changed.
Take Advantage of the Off-Season
Ailin and Niraj eloped in early spring, which was honestly perfect timing for their Snoqualmie elopement! They got to experience snow-covered mountains AND snow-free forest trails, all while having these incredible locations completely to themselves.
How to make this your own: Consider eloping during the shoulder season. Here in Washington, spring and fall often offer the best of both worlds as temperatures can be mild, but the crowds haven’t peaked like they do in the summer months. Plus, off-season timing can often mean better rates on accommodations, allowing you to invest more of your elopement budget in the experiences that matter most.
Insider Tip: Off-season adventures require a bit more weather flexibility, but that’s where having an experienced local photographer becomes invaluable. We know which locations work best in different conditions and always have backup plans ready!
One of the things we loved most about Ailin and Niraj’s unique elopement in Snoqualmie Valley was how they took inspiration from other elopements they’d seen but made every single decision their own. Instead of following examples of what others had done, they asked themselves, “What’s a priority to us? What do we want this day to feel like?” And the result was an elopement celebration that really allowed their personalities to shine through!
If you’re dreaming of your own unique elopement experience in the Pacific Northwest, we would love to help you plan something just as epic and personal. The Snoqualmie area (and all of Washington) offers so many possibilities for couples who want to think outside the traditional wedding box.
Ready to start planning your Snoqualmie adventure? Check out our complete Snoqualmie elopement planning guide for everything you need to know about eloping in this incredible area, from the best locations and accommodations to our vendor recommendations, timeline tips, and more.
Meet Your Elopement Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your adventure 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!
Meet the Other Incredible Vendors From This Unique Snoqualmie Elopement
Photographer: Between the Pine
Hair and Makeup: Ann Timss
Henna: Purvi Henna Creations
Private Chef – Wilde Roots Provisions
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