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Sunset Elopement Hike near Spokane Washington

This post summarizes how a couple created a wedding experience that perfectly blended a private and public celebration.

Part one of their experience consisted of hiking to a lookout tower Air BnB they rented on the Washington/Idaho border. We spent an afternoon hiking to the tower where the couple got ready for the most beautiful mountaintop first look. Their pup, Koda, followed along for the hike as well. After reaching the Lookout Tower, W + A prepared for their first look. We captured a few portraits and began part two of our hike. We knew there was an overlook about a mile away and decided it was worth the extra steps.

A bride and groom standing on a rocky mountainside overlooking a scenic view of rolling hills and forests on the Washington Idaho border, exchanging vows during an intimate ceremony.

Here is a peek at their hike, first look, and mountaintop vow exchange. This was a vow exchange that brought tears to my eyes as I was photographing it. They chose to do things their way. Sunset vows with their pup underfoot. Does it get any better?

A couple hiking along a dirt path in a forested area, with their dog following behind. The person in front carries a large backpack, while the other person has a smaller backpack adorned with flowers.
A young man wearing a black suit and tie smiles while standing on a mountainside, surrounded by tall pine trees and rolling hills in the background.
Exterior view of a wooden lookout tower with a garage door and balcony, surrounded by rocks and sparse vegetation.
A bride in a white lace dress kneels to pet her black dog in a forested area, surrounded by autumn foliage.
A bride and groom walking hand in hand through a grassy field with a mountainous landscape in the background.
A bride and groom share a moment at a mountaintop during their first look, surrounded by nature and overlooking a scenic landscape.
A bride and groom share a kiss on a grassy mountaintop, surrounded by trees and a scenic view in the background.
Bride and groom embracing during their mountaintop wedding celebration, with the landscape visible in the background, capturing a moment of intimacy and joy.
Bride standing in a picturesque mountain setting holding a bouquet of flowers, wearing a lace wedding dress.
A wooden lookout tower cabin situated on a hillside with rocky terrain, featuring a balcony and large windows beneath a cloudy sky.
Black dog lying on the ground with a colorful collar, surrounded by rocky terrain and fall foliage.
A bride in a white dress walks along a hiking path with her partner and their black dog, surrounded by tall grass and trees.
A couple stands on a mountaintop exchanging vows, with a picturesque landscape in the background and their dog sitting nearby.
A couple stands on a mountaintop during their vow exchange, surrounded by nature and a peaceful landscape. The groom is dressed in a black suit, while the bride wears a white lace gown. Their dog sits nearby, and the sun casts a warm light over the scene.
A bride and groom stand on a rocky, mountaintop surface, with the bride wearing a white lace wedding dress and the groom in formal attire. Their black dog, Koda, is lying beside them, partially hidden by the bride's dress.
A couple exchanging vows on a mountaintop, with a scenic view in the background and their dog sitting nearby.
A couple standing on a rocky outcrop at a mountaintop, exchanging vows with a panoramic view of forested mountains in the background.
A couple stands on a mountaintop exchanging vows amidst scenic background mountains and rocky terrain, capturing a moment of intimacy during their wedding ceremony.
A couple exchanges vows during their mountaintop first look amidst scenic greenery and distant mountains.
A couple sharing a kiss on a mountaintop during their intimate vow exchange, with a dog seated next to them and a scenic view of trees and mountains in the background.
A close-up of a bride in a lace dress and a groom exchanging rings during their mountaintop vow exchange.
A bride and groom share a kiss on a mountaintop during their first look, with a scenic view of mountains and a lake in the background, accompanied by their dog.
A couple in wedding attire stands on a mountaintop, holding hands and raising their arms triumphantly, with a scenic view of mountains and a lake in the background.
A close-up of a green wedding journal adorned with flowers and a ring, set against a scenic mountain backdrop.
A bride and groom dance together atop a mountain overlook, surrounded by picturesque landscapes and blue skies during sunset.
A couple in wedding attire walks hand in hand along a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast mountainous landscape, with a lake visible in the distance under a bright sun.
A couple sits together on a rocky ledge overlooking a vast mountain range, with their dog lying peacefully in the foreground under the sun.
Couple standing hand in hand on a mountaintop, surrounded by mountains, with their dog sitting beside them.

part two: including family & friends

The next weekend, they invited friends and family to join them for an intimate backyard ceremony. I admire their commitment to creating an experience that checked all of their boxes. Rather than compromising, they got creative.

A bride and groom exchanging vows during an intimate backyard wedding ceremony, surrounded by friends and family. The bride is wearing a lace dress with a ribbon in her hair, while the groom is in a black suit. There are two women, one holding flowers, and a man smiling in the background.
A bride and groom exchanging vows during an intimate backyard wedding ceremony, with a woman officiating in the background.
A vibrant flower arrangement featuring various blooms, including sunflowers and dahlias, placed on a small round table next to glass vases, with a notepad on top, set against a grassy backdrop.
Guests prepare tables for an intimate backyard wedding ceremony, with people mingling and socializing in the background.
A joyful moment at an intimate backyard wedding ceremony, as guests greet each other amidst lush greenery and warm lighting.
A beautifully set dining table featuring gold plates, rolled napkins, silver cutlery, and a small glass vase with purple flowers.
A backyard wedding setup with tables and chairs arranged around a green lawn, surrounded by trees and flowers, as guests prepare for the ceremony.
A couple stands with their family in a backyard, surrounded by trees and a sunny atmosphere. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a white dress, while the groom is dressed in a black suit. Family members are smiling, showcasing a joyous wedding celebration.
A man joyfully holds a baby girl in a navy blue dress with a matching headband, both smiling amidst a blurred green background.
Group of joyful friends and family celebrating in a backyard after a wedding ceremony, featuring smiles and raised arms, with lush greenery and a shed in the background.
An intimate outdoor wedding gathering with guests mingling around elegantly set tables, surrounded by trees and soft sunlight.
String lights hanging above green foliage in a dimly lit setting, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
A couple seated at a table during an intimate backyard wedding ceremony, smiling and enjoying the moment with a friend seated nearby.
A man in a green floral shirt giving a speech at a backyard gathering, with guests seated at a table in front of him.
A man in a suit stands smiling while speaking during a backyard wedding ceremony, with greenery in the background and guests seated in the foreground.
A couple laughing together during an intimate backyard wedding ceremony, with guests seated nearby on a grassy area.
A couple shares a tender moment during their intimate backyard wedding ceremony, surrounded by guests seated at tables in the background.
A woman in a flowing white dress throws a bean bag towards a colorful cornhole board during a backyard celebration, surrounded by greenery.
An intimate backyard wedding ceremony with guests gathered around tables, surrounded by trees and outdoor lights, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere.
A table setting featuring two decorated wedding cakes, one chocolate and one white, adorned with flowers, alongside a pie and stacked plates on a floral tablecloth.
A person slices a white wedding cake with a knife while another chocolate cake is visible in the foreground, all set on a floral tablecloth at an outdoor celebration.
Couple feeding each other cake during their backyard wedding reception, surrounded by guests in a cozy, illuminated setting.
A couple stands close together outdoors under string lights, surrounded by trees at night, exuding an intimate atmosphere.

I truly wish that more couples would realize that their wedding doesn’t have to be a one day experience. You can mix and match events as much as you want. By doing their vow exchange the weekend prior, they were allowed to soak in the commitment they were making. I feel that with larger weddings, the bride and groom often say they felt separated on their wedding day. They sometimes feel like they didn’t even see each other. My goal is to help you feel like you had enough time to soak in every aspect of the day. However, it will still feel like it blew past you.

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