This perfect trip was a huge highlight of 2023. It’s always an honor to photograph weddings, but when it’s your friends, it’s extra special to be able to witness and document the full experience. Sarah and Mark picked Picture Lake in the Mt. Baker wilderness for an unforgettable backdrop. They only wanted to celebrate with their immediate family to keep things intimate. We kicked off the trip with a hike on the Ptarmigan Ridge Trail and spent the rest of the day prepping. One of my favorite parts of the trip was watching Sarah and the whole family make bouquets and boutonnieres for everyone the night before showtime.
Sarah wore her mom’s veil and both brothers led the wedding ceremony. After some cake and bubbly, we explored the area for bride and groom portraits, which are definitely some of my favorite shots of all time! I love the energy and silliness Sarah and Mark’s relationship has, it made it easy to get some genuine laugh and connection from them. The night ended in Bellingham with oysters, a gorgeous sunset, and some truly heartfelt speeches from parents.
I love that these two picked an area of wilderness that is quieter than other tourist destinations, and may be something to consider if you want to elope. It felt truly private and intimate, which is rare for national park and forest elopements sometimes. Deming, Washington is a cozy little spot with the cutest cabins and a-frames. I’m SO grateful to be part of this celebration, and experience and new location I’ll most definitely be returning to!
