North Cascades Fire Lookout Ceremony at Sunset
If you’ve never spent any time in the North Cascades, this elopement gallery is definitely going to make you wish you were there like, ASAP. If you haven’t been there, it’s okay- most people haven’t been because it’s one of the least visited National Parks in the country! Even though this spot isn’t technically within the National Park Boundary, so many trails fly under the radar (or are incredibly difficult to get to, like this one).
These two are as tough as they come - they weathered one of the worst roads to a trailhead in Washington, a warm afternoon hike, and still managed to look flawless the entire time. No complaints from them!! When I asked them what their ideal elopement day looks like, their answer was amazing:
“Hopefully a stress free day! I am a high stress person and I hope I am relaxed. Overall, our vision includes waking up in a cute cabin (or tiny home or some type lodging like that), having a nice breakfast, heading out to a moderate hike, finding a nice location to say our vows, doing a first look after we put on our fancy wedding clothes in the middle of the woods, holding our own ceremony with vows and exchanging rings and then more hiking and chocolate cake! Somehow I'm bringing chocolate cake or cupcakes into the woods.”
We accomplished ALL of those things and more. They actually hiked with 6 chocolate cupcakes in their pack that were (mostly) un-smooshed by the time we got there, AND they were vegan! Getting to join in on the celebration is so special to me because the hype is so, so real at elopements.
To start their day, we met up at their AirBNB in Glacier, WA to take some getting ready photos, followed by a caravan up to this historic fire lookout that’s on the National Historic Lookout Registrar! I’m not joking when I say my RAV4 was on two wheels at one point. A Jeep would have been useful on this road, but instead I would just back up a few feet and gun it over some seriously rocky spots. Not a scratch on my car in the end!!
The views on this hike are incredible from the moment you hit the trail. Two lakes at the base of the mountain are behind you the entire trail, and sweeping views of the North Cascades are everywhere. Once you reach the summit, you’re rewarded with a fire lookout that you can stay overnight in if you’re the first one there! Coincidentally we WERE the first people up there that evening, but we had no plans to stay the night. Just to have an elopement ceremony!
K+M each got ready separately in the fire lookout, shared a first look (with the cute dog included, of course), and got right into their ceremony. The sun was starting to set and the golden light spilled on to every surface around us. What better time or place to say your vows to your fave person?
We spent time after the vows wandering around the summit, as there’s a little bit of room to wander (and some room to camp if you’re not able to snatch the fire lookout first!) and 360 degree views all around. It was an active fire lookout, after all!
Couldn’t have asked for a better first visit to this fire lookout, or a better couple to spend the afternoon and evening with.
Vendors:
Venue - Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
Photographer - Van Gachnang Photography
Dress - Brides for a Cause
Hair and Makeup - Elizabeth White Artistry
Rings - Green Lake Jewelry
Want to say your vows at a fire lookout in Washington? You know I’ve got you. I’ll help you find the perfect fire lookout (hiking is not always required!) to say your vows and tie the knot 🤘🏻
