Mount Rainier Elopement

Washington Adventure Elopement

RAQUEL & JUSTIN’S

Washington Adventure Elopement

Raquel and Justin’s Washington Elopement was indeed a memorable and adventurous experience, a true reflection of their personalities. The couple opted for a wedding day that incorporated their love for the outdoors and hiking. Continue below to read about the two magical moments of their day: the intimate ceremony by the lake and their private elopement by Mount Rainier.

Part 1: Intimate Wedding Ceremony by the Lake

The wedding day commenced with preparations at a charming little black cabin tucked in the woods near Mount Rainier National Park. While Raquel’s sister-in-law worked her hair magic, I gave Raquel a natural wedding glam makeup look. The morning could not be more perfect– picture a peaceful mountain morning, where you could snuggle up with a cozy coffee cup, inhale the frosty mountain breeze, and savor the picturesque sunrise peeking through the trees.

Following the preparations, the group headed towards the ceremony site. Raquel, Justin, and their relatives organized their hiking gear and assigned specific wedding items to each member. After securing the babies in their hiking packs, they embarked on the trail, which was adorned with berries and occasional glimpses of Mount Rainier behind evergreens. The family trekked together, relishing in this unique wedding day activity.

Upon arriving at the ceremony site, everyone was awestruck by the picturesque lake, which glistened like turquoise gemstones, nestled among tall evergreens, with majestic mountains in the background. After Raquel changed into her wedding dress behind a tree, they proceeded with the ceremony by the lake. It was a magical moment, and I was lucky enough to capture it all on camera. They celebrated by popping champagne and Raquel’s father and brother-in-law took a celebratory dip in the chilly yet refreshing lake.

Part 2: Elopement by Mount Rainier

Following the ceremony, the family meticulously packed up all belongings, ensuring to leave the area pristine, and descended with the newlyweds. Upon arriving at the cabin, Raquel and Justin rested for a short while before setting off with myself towards Mount Rainier National Park. The couple sought a more private moment together amidst the serene wilderness. We were concerned about reaching the peak before sunset, so we hastened up the trail, stopping occasionally to catch our breath. The breathtaking view of Mount Rainier from our location made it all worthwhile. The couple exchanged their vows once again at this picturesque spot and shared their first dance as the sun cast a stunning array of pink, orange, and purple hues in the sky.

Following the sunset, we waited until it was dark enough to take some stunning photographs with lanterns. Raquel and Justin hand-in-hand, frolicked around with their two lanterns, creating a mystical ambiance. Upon completing the photoshoot, we sat together, taking in the awe-inspiring silhouette of Mount Rainier, appreciating the moment’s beauty. As we descended, we paused several times to gaze up at the starry night sky, culminating in a perfect end to a magical and unforgettable wedding day.

Note from me

Raquel and Justin’s elopement at Mount Rainier National Park was one of the most beautiful intimate weddings I’ve ever witnessed and left a lasting impression. I was reminded of why I gravitate toward adventure elopements and intimate weddings most as a Destination Wedding Photographer. On wedding days like these, my couples are able to focus all their attention on each other and what they love doing most together. Observing Raquel and Justin’s elopement served as a reminder that weddings need not be opulent to be beautiful. At its core, love is the most crucial aspect, and their devotion to each other was evident throughout the day. I feel grateful to have been a part of their special day and to have captured their love story through my lens. It’s moments like these that make my job as a destination wedding and elopement photographer so fulfilling.

Huge thank you to our amazing vendors!

Dress: Sisters Bridal Boutique in Wenatchee

Cabin: Little Black Cabin Airbnb

Photographer: Sheryl Anne Photography

HUGE THANK YOU WANDERING WEDDINGS FOR THE FEATURE!

Check out Raquel & Justin’s Washington Elopement featured in Wandering Weddings by clicking here!

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Beyond her incredible work, she is truly a wonderful human being inside and out. What made the experience even more special was how she made every step of the planning feel custom and tailored just for us as a couple. She is thoughtful and intentional—not only with what she captures through her lens but also behind the scenes in ways you might not even realize.  On top of it all, Sheryl goes above and beyond. She is professional, reliable, and trustworthy—qualities that made us feel completely confident and at ease every step of the way. Her kindness, professionalism, and genuine care made the whole journey effortless and joyful. We are grateful for the beautiful memories she captured. These photos are not just pictures—they’re a timeless treasure we will cherish forever. 

uyen & aaron,
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From our first call, I could feel Sheryl’s excitement and passion for what she did. As a type A girly, I loved how organized and detailed Sheryl was. From her intake form to our Zoom calls to texts and emails back-and-forth, I knew Sheryl would carry out our day exactly how we envisioned it. And she did just that! We are over the moon at how our photos turned out. Sheryl was our biggest hype man, kept us (mainly me) calm and collected when things didn’t pan out the way we expected, and weathered every storm with grace.  She captured our day perfectly.

tracy & Carlos, switzerland multi-day elopement

From planning out our adventures, and even scouting the day before at each location, she helped with everything. She was always in constant communication from the first day we reached out to her, till the day that our gallery was sent to us. Our photos truly captured the pure bliss and love that we felt in each moment, and we will cherish them forever. We were so comfortable with traveling with Sheryl throughout our multi-day elopement, and had so much fun as well! We truly don't know what magic Sheryl has in her, as well as those cameras of hers, but every picture was so magically beautiful, and we love her so much (I mean, she even slept in an igloo for us, how could we not?!).