Eloping in the Canadian Mountains
Picture this: You wake up in your tent, your eyes brightened by the soft sun peeking through the trees. Birds are chirping and it's looking like a beautiful day. Just yesterday you made the trek to camp, carrying your tent, food, and wedding attire on your back. It was relaxing going to bed under the stars with the sounds of the trees softly blowing together, allowing your body to succumb to it’s natural rhythms. Today your pack is much lighter as you fill your water in the nearby creek and set out to find the elopement spot of your dreams.
Weddings can look different in every conceivable way, and in these differences we find what makes each couples’ story unique. This is what makes weddings so beautiful. Some weddings are blanketed in tradition, carrying historical significance to the couple, celebrating the heritage of them and their families. For others, it’s a blending of two cultures, different family values, and a coming together to celebrate the love of two humans. For some, it’s about simplicity, it’s about nature, and it’s just about the love and shared experiences of a couple.
For M & V, their love has carried them across the world. From Germany, to the USA, with roots in Canada and friends from all over, these two truly are special. M & V decided to embark on an adventure with us the involved a 3-day hike, camping under the stars, a mountaintop ceremony, and swimming in a chilly lake on the ridge!
On day 1 we embarked to find our campsite. This particular area of BC is called Manning Park, and is well known for light-to-medium effort hikes with stunning vistas along the way. The trailhead is accessible by any car, and starts at about 1900m, which is wonderful news for our legs as we would save a lot of effort from climbing any significant distance with our packs! We began down towards Buckhorn campground, which descends about 200m into a shallow Valley over 4.5km.
After a late start, the mountains began to look gorgeous in the evening summer glow and we couldn’t help but stop and take several pictures. We arrived at camp just after dark and so picking the best campsite was a bit of a challenge, but we managed to get two sites right next to each other so that we wouldn’t be too far from our lovely couple.
The following morning we were greeted with gorgeous sunshine coming through the trees, and a cool breeze that lingered in the shade. One of the best things about backpacking is filling up water from the chilly mountain streams (please still filter your water), it is so fresh and cold, YUM!
A slow breakfast would soon give way to us tossing on our packs and heading out to our objective; Three Brothers Mountain. Today would be about 12km of distance, and an elevation gain of 500m, which is not too crazy for experienced hikers like M & V. We geared up and we hit the trail. Along the way we found laughter amongst the trees as the path worked it’s way up the hillside, winding through the meadows, forest pockets, and boulders. It was hot and buggy, but it was peaceful.
Otto enjoying a swim to stay cool!
There is a certain majesty in being one with nature, especially in the mountains. It’s a feeling of oneness with the Earth, and the scale comparison of how tiny we are compared to the looming Cascade Mountains really puts life into perspective. We weren’t just hiking, or performing an elopement, we were experiencing life together; living in the moment. This was exemplified when we neared the top of the ridge and stumbled on a large tarn. With warm wedding clothes waiting for them in their bag, M & V knew that the opportunity to jump in the water was just too sweet, so they stripped down and they ran straight in! (pictures for their eyes only).
The cool breeze after a mountain-lake dip is absolutely something to be experienced! Especially without another soul in sight for kilometres. After suiting back up, we continued our ascent towards the peak; throwing snowballs for Otto to chase, and taking in the sights and sounds all around us.
As sunset continued to draw closer, we crested the top of the ridge and the peak was in sight. A little dirty, a little sweaty, and a little hungry, we found the spot that would be perfect for our ceremony. M & V dropped their packs and began to change into their wedding attire. A little handheld mirror would provide the reflections for some touchups, and give us some adorable photos!
Once we were all ready, we performed a short ceremony in which we discussed the history of wedding traditions, followed by M & V trading vows in German that brought them both to tears. Their smiles were contagious, and the love they have for each other was endlessly obvious. The warm sun enveloped these two as the sun dipped lower into the sky, even the bugs must have been feeling the radiance of these two because they were all fighting to get closer to us!
Once the ceremony was complete, I ran across the entire ridge to the peak with my big lens to get the long shot of the trip; bringing M & V into focus with the Cascade Mountains looming in the background. It was one of the most beautiful pictures I have ever taken, and it was a beautiful way to end the excursion. It was a trip to remember, one built around a foundation of love, nature, and being present in every single moment.
Elopements like these feel so uniquely special; they are a reminder of what weddings are all about at their core. No matter the size or scale of a wedding day, it always comes back to the couple, their story, and their care for each other. It is a special thing to witness the union of two humans, and even more special to witness with no one else around.
Below is the video of everything we described, sometimes it’s more impactful to not just see the photos of everything, but the video as well. If you are looking for adventure, or feel the call of a nature elopement and would like to discuss booking an with us please feel free to reach out :)
