Etienne & Sarah’s Mt. Baker Airbnb elopement was so stunning with gorgeous weather, a beautiful couple, and perfect autumn colors! I’ve never seen Mt. Baker with such colorful fall foliage, and we seriously lucked out with a bright and sunny day at the beginning of October. It was a day full of adventure with a gorgeous ceremony at the group Airbnb, portraits at Artist Point, a bit of lounging around, and an incredible dinner with a bonus private candlelit dessert—and trust me, you’ll want to stick around to see those photos.
Etienne & Sarah’s Mt. Baker Airbnb Elopement
A glorious fall day in the mountains
Fall in the Pacific Northwest can be a bit of an unpredictable beast—one moment it’s pouring rain and the skies are filled with dark clouds, and the next thing you know, they’ve opened up to the most beautiful blue skies. Etienne and Sarah were aware that planning a Mt. Baker elopement in the height of Washington’s fall season would mean they had to be prepared for anything, letting me know early on that they were ready to simply trust that it would turn out well. And turn out well it did!
The clear weather we enjoyed on their elopement day was a thrilling surprise considering it was supposed to be raining all day. As ready as they were to roll with the punches, they were delighted when the sun came out & made for a pleasantly bright October day—after all, who wouldn’t be? Seeing the mountains of Washington in all their autumnal glory is a magical experience that anyone is lucky to have, especially considering that all the colors perfectly matched Etienne & Sarah’s color palette of deep greens, rich oranges, and vibrant reds. They said “give us your best fall scenery & foliage,” and Mt. Baker said “say less.”
A slow morning getting ready
I love a slow getting ready moment, and so did these two! We really took our time preparing for the big day, vibing with Anne as she did Sarah’s hair & makeup, and enjoying time with their sweet puppies. The Airbnb they booked for their group was absolutely gorgeous, offering a cozy lodge setting with a bit of an industrial-chic feel; the enchanting forest scenery and tranquil atmosphere were to die for.
Some of my favorite photos from the morning have to be the ones of Etienne and Sarah taking a private moment out on the balcony, where I was able to stay out of sight and simply capture them sharing this moment together. The secret to getting candids like this on your wedding day involves time, trust, and most importantly, hiring the right photographer. Time for moments like this to come naturally, trust when I suggest you take a few minutes to stay on the balcony after your smoke break, and of course, a photographer with an eye for these kinds of things.
When I saw these windows at the cabin, I knew I wanted to shoot through them to try and capture something special. I framed my shot and patiently waited for the right moment, knowing it would come and the time spent would pay off. I love a killer shot of a tiny couple in a vast landscape as much as the next elopement photographer, but I think it’s moments like these that really make your gallery something special and turn your wedding album into art.
Stunning elopement portraits at Artist Point
The mountains are practically begging to be explored on a day like this, so off we went into the alpine wilderness of Mt. Baker for a private, pre-ceremony adventure. Etienne and Sarah let me know that while they aren’t the biggest hikers, it was important to them to find breathtaking scenery and be able to admire the mountains in all their autumnal glory. One of the reasons I love the Artist Point and Heather Meadows areas so much is that they’re super easy to access when the highway is open, only requiring an uphill drive and a short walk at minimum! There’s also plenty of wilderness to explore if you’d like to hit the trails and take a longer trek, but we kept it easy and effortless with brief walks to a few spectacular viewpoints. I loved all the accessories Sarah added on throughout the day, a favorite being the dreamy cape she threw on when we arrived at Heather Meadows! Mother Nature reallyyy did her thing for these two, illuminating the trails in sunshine and bathing the wildflowers in the most striking fall colors we could’ve asked for.
An intimate backyard ceremony at the Airbnb
Eventually we made our way back to the group Airbnb, where Etienne and Sarah would have their small backyard ceremony. It was simple, sweet, and silly—especially with the help of their officiant Jimmie, who had everybody laughing throughout the personalized ceremony and giving him hugs afterward. This is such a beautiful example of how your ceremony doesn’t need to be intricate or complex; all you need is a group of your most loved people, a little bit of standing room, and a quiet spot to exchange your vows—and you’re golden.
An incredible group dinner + private candlelit dessert
The newlyweds made time to just chill with loved ones before dinner, which I so support; who wouldn’t want a little quality time to lounge around on the couch, pass around gifts, and enjoy celebratory drinks? We couldn’t wait too long, though, as the most delicious scents began to fill the house, Miere Catering hard at work in the kitchen. I love love love that they hired Miere and put that effort into having an incredible dining experience for them and their guests—it elevated the entire day, and the food was bomb! Etienne and Sarah wrapped up the evening with a romantic, private candlelit dessert out in the backyard once the sun had set, and it was pure magic. I highly recommend doing something like this for a unique experience on your elopement day, especially if you want to eat with your loved ones but still have a special moment for the two of you 🙂 Be still my heart!
Want to plan an elopement dinner that’s just as incredible as Etienne & Sarah’s? Check out my guide to Planning an Epic Post-Elopement Reception, as well as my list of 10 Creative Elopement Food & Meal Ideas!
Mt. Baker elopement vendors
Makeup: Anne Timss
Catering: Miere Catering
Officiant: Officiant Jimmie
Custom Rings: Green Lake Jewelry
Mt. Baker Airbnb Elopement Photographer
Craving your own expertly-cooked meal, private dessert, and quality time with loved ones at a charming cabin in the mountains? We can make it all happen for you, friend! Reach out now about your Mt. Baker Airbnb elopement or wedding, and we’ll dream up the perfect post-elopement reception that you and your loved ones will never forget.
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