Mary and Cameron eloped in early summer in Leavenworth, Washington—a Bavarian mountain town tucked into the Cascades. They invited Mary’s parents out to the PNW to celebrate, with Mary’s dad leading them through their ceremony. Cameron was especially close with him, and having him officiate felt like the right way to bring everyone together.
They started their day on a moody morning at one of my favorite lakes in the area—sweeping mountain views, surrounded by evergreens. Mary and Cameron had their first look along the shoreline, where Cameron surprised Mary with a gift. Her reaction said everything.
We set up for their ceremony along the beach. Mary’s dad walked her down to the water where Cameron was waiting. Cameron got emotional the moment Mary started walking toward them. The ceremony was intimate and unhurried—exactly what it should feel like with just the people who matter most.
The rain came and went throughout the morning. When it picked up mid-ceremony, we ducked under the trees together. Mary and Cameron huddled close, and somehow the rain made it feel even more theirs. After the ceremony, they signed their marriage license at a nearby picnic table, followed by a group hug looking out across the lake. Mary’s parents gave them space for a private picnic, where they shared favorite memories of hiking and picnicking together back on the East Coast.
The afternoon was theirs—exploring Leavenworth with family, reading by the river at their cabin, slowing down. We met up again at sunset for a short hike overlooking town. Wildflowers were starting to bloom along the trail, and we had it to ourselves. They had their first dance with mountains in the distance, the evening still and quiet. After a lot of dancing (and a lot of laughing), we made our way back down the trail in the dark.
A moody, unhurried day in the mountains—exactly the kind of elopement that feels like them.
