Pacific Crest Trail Backpacking Elopement

Sep 22

News on the PCT travels fast! We were five miles from our campsite in the North Cascades when Zach and I were asked if we were with the wedding party. It was shocking that even new, incoming PCT thru-hikers knew of the elopement.

It all started with the wigs and whiskey celebration two evenings prior. Officially a joint bachelor/bachelorette party for Kim and Joe, the wigs naturally drew a lot of attention.

Roughly 15 of their adventurous friends joined them in the backcountry for this celebration. Some had been with them from the start of their trek, bagging peaks along the way, and others arrived for the celebration and ceremony.

The night of the party, everyone watched the sunset over the mountains and shared their favorite stories about Kim and Joe.

The next morning — the day of the ceremony — had a slow and relaxing start. Zach and I started photographing the elopement details early in the day to avoid what we thought was going to be a hot day.

Kim and Joe strung up their wedding attire with branches, climbing knots, and Mount Hardy in the background. The rings were photographed with larch branches (just about every Washingtonian hiker's favorite tree), and the jewelry contrasted beautifully against the rough slabs of granite.

When we made it back to camp, we found Kim and Joe writing their vows in their tent, and the officiant steaming the wrinkles out of his shirt with a Jetboil.

Later that afternoon, they got ready in separate tents and saw each other at the lower lake for the first time in their wedding attire.

We wandered the ridgelines for various mountain views and made our way back to camp where they had video messages from loved ones around the world waiting on their phones (an idea Kim got from this blog).

After lots of laughter and many videos later, they were ready to head up a nearby ridge for their ceremony. With only an officiant and two witnesses present, it was so intimate and meaningful.

As Kim put it, they created a space for their ceremony that felt safe and like them. It was gorgeous and unexpectedly stormy looking. Afterward, they donned puffy jackets and we made our way back to camp.

Halfway there, their friends met them with hoots and hollers and a tunnel made from trekking poles. One giant group hug and a few funny photos later and we were back at camp with everyone making their dinners and sharing drinks.

The next morning, everyone hit the trail by 8:00 am to meet Kim and Joe’s families at the trailhead at 1:00 pm. Kim and Joe were greeted by their dog Zola and were surprised by everyone waving flags and their truck having been decorated.

On our way back to the Freestone Inn where they held their reception, we stopped for a few photos at the overlook where Kim and Joe met while “dirtbag camping”. From there, we drove back to Winthrop and took a break before the reception.

Later that evening, I met up with Kim and Joe at the Inn for a few more portraits in fresh outfits before the reception started. In the short amount of time, we were wandering the property, Twisted Willow Florals and Methow Moments transformed the barn into the most gorgeous space.

I loved the deep colors of Kim’s bouquet, the beautiful tones of the table settings, and every detail in between. They had set up a “viewing room” for guests to watch the videos their loved ones had sent and featured a slideshow of photos I sent them that afternoon so that their family could experience their elopement. It made more than one parent tear up to see.

Dinner was smoked on the spot by 1908, toasts and pies were shared, and the dance floor never died down. It was a whirlwind of three days!

Congrats again, Kim and Joe!