Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Where else other than the PNW could you get larch-filled forests and a snowy surprise all in the same day? Alex and Brian’s got both of these incredible views during their Washington fall wedding (which was a dream come true for Alex). Keep scrolling to see all the magic these two got to experience on their best day ever, plus learn 3 things to keep in mind when planning a fall wedding in Washington State.
Meet Alex & Brian: The Couple of This Washington Fall Wedding
When Alex and Brian first reached out to Between the Pine about their fall wedding, our team’s calendar was completely booked. But after our initial call, I (Mollie) couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to document their day. Whether it was their sweet pup Yukon, the family cabin steeped in history, or their kindness and how they were down for whatever weather Mother Nature brought them, I knew we had to make it work. And I’m so glad I did because this Washington fall wedding turned out to be one of the most magical elopements of the year.
An Intimate Fall Wedding Ceremony with Family
Alex and Brian’s fall wedding in Washington started during the early morning hours at Alex’s family’s cabin in White Pass. This wasn’t just any cabin – this cabin was filled with family history! From skis hanging on the walls that were over 100 years old to ski passes from 20 years ago that were stuck to the fridge, every corner was filled with memories.
After sharing a cup of coffee and writing their personal vows, Alex and Brian loaded up their camper van. From their cabin, we drove down to their ceremony spot, a location they had scouted the day before.
There, surrounded by larch trees and their loved ones, Alex and Brian exchanged vows. After the couple said “I do” the clouds broke just enough for a rainbow to appear (a literal sign of how perfect their day was!).
We headed back to the cabin for a cozy family brunch (complete with homemade scones) then laced up our hiking boots again for another adventure.
Cribbage, Hot Chocolate, and More Fall Wedding Views
Location #2 for Alex and Brian’s Washington fall wedding ended up being one of my favorite parts of the day! We stopped at a forested area filled with (even more) larch trees. Alex and Brian broke out their custom-made cribbage board and enjoyed a picnic with hot chocolate (and zero chill from any of us because of how incredible the views were!).
A Snowy Surprise at Tipsoo Lake
After resting a bit, we packed up their picnic and headed into Mt Rainier National Park. As we started driving through the park, it began to rain. The rain did not bum us out one bit though. Instead, we started to get our hopes up that maybe (just maybe) we would get snow at our last stop of the day!
As we drove the switchbacks up to Tipsoo Lake, the fog started to roll in thicker. Then, we turned the last corner and saw what we had been waiting for – SNOW! And not just a dusting either. It was dumping snow! Alex’s last elopement wish had come true!! I’ll never forget her looking at us and saying, “I don’t even want to wear a jacket. It is perfect…I wanted snow so badly on this day but if I knew if I had said that out loud it wouldn’t come true. This is the best day ever!”
It’s hard to believe that this fall wedding day ended in a snow globe, but Alex and Brian seriously got the best of both worlds, not to mention, a beautiful day filled with love!
To see more from this fall wedding in Washington, check out this post on Instagram!
3 Things to Keep in Mind When Planning a Fall Wedding in Washington
Embrace the Weather
You’ve probably heard us mention it before, but the weather in the PNW is unpredictable. We’ve seen sun, rain, and even snow all on the same day! During the planning process, we’ll talk through backup plans and how to prepare for your autumn wedding, but we always like to tell couples to go into your elopement day with an open mind. While we can’t control the weather, we can (almost) guarantee that if you embrace whatever comes with an open mind, you’ll be well on your way to having the best day ever!
Pack Extra Layers
Speaking of the weather, we always recommend packing extra layers no matter what time of year you are eloping. The thing about eloping in nature is that higher elevation places (like the mountains) can experience much cooler temperatures. Just like Alex and Brian experienced, the farther we went up the mountain, the more snow (and also colder temperatures) we experienced.
Plan, then Trust the Process
We LOVE larch season in Washington! There is truly nothing like seeing the golden yellow and orange leaves set against the backdrop of a lake or mountain. Larch season in Washington tends to arrive from late-September to early-October, however, this season is very short and the exact timing can change from year to year. If you want the best fall wedding colors, we recommend eloping during these weeks, however, just be prepared for anything and remember that the unplanned moments are often the ones that create the best memories.
Other Fall Wedding and Elopement Inspiration
Rain or shine, a Pacific Northwest elopement in Snoqualmie pretty much guarantees an incredible experience. Visit the blog to learn why we love Snoqualmie for Pacific Northwest elopements.
There’s nothing quite like a romantic forest elopement. Visit the blog to see Joanie and Brent’s woodsy wedding and learn our top 3 places to elope in the forest!
This rainy North Cascades wedding was full of mother nature’s gifts! Visit the blog to see more and learn 3 things to know when planning a wedding with guests.
Do you dream of dramatic colors like reds, oranges and yellows during your best day? Well then a fall elopement is for you! Picture yourself standing at the edge of an alpine lake, taking in the larches and all the fall colors, as the sun sets behind you. You exchange vows during golden hour, and explore the most stunning mountain overlook your eyes will ever see. Ashley and Clay experienced just that during their fall elopement!
Planning a Mt Rainier elopement doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! We are sharing everything to help you know how to elope at Mt Rainier, from a checklist, to our rental recommendations, and even an all-star list of vendors. Read this guide to eloping at Mt Rainier, and let’s adventure!
What You Need to Know About Packages For Your Fall Wedding
When choosing to have a fall wedding, there are SO many different ways your day can look. This is why we offer packages ranging from full day, sunrise to sunset, and even two-day elopements. No two elopements are the same, but here are some things you can expect when choosing your fall wedding package.
If you are considering a fall wedding in Washington, we highly recommend our sunrise-to-sunset elopement package. During the fall months, both sunrise and sunset are not very early/late in the day like they are in the summertime. Typically, we can hike up to an overlook and watch the sunrise around 7 am or catch the sunset around 6:30 pm. Plus, this package gives you the best light TWICE during your elopement day and allows for more options in case Mother Nature has something else in store (win-win, all around!).
If you have other plans in mind for your autumn wedding, we also offer full-day and two-day elopement packages. Our full-day elopement package includes first-look photos at your cabin in the early afternoon. We will then head out to two unique locations for you and your partner to explore. After, we will head to your ceremony location, where you will elope in the mountains with the most stunning backdrop at sunset!
Our two-day elopement package is the perfect choice for couples who want to plan a micro wedding with guests, or adventure around to even more locations! To learn more about our fall wedding packages, click here.
Meet Your Washington Fall Wedding Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your fall 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 Washington fall wedding photographers!
Meet the Other Incredible Vendors From This Washington Fall Wedding
Photographer: Between the Pine
Hair and Makeup: Anne Timss
Florals: Honest Pollen
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