3 Tips For An Awesome PNW Adventure Wedding

So you are that cool couple who is ditching traditions and choosing to get married with an epic PNW Adventure Wedding. I have to say I’m a fan!! What next though? Here are 3 Tips For An Awesome PNW Adventure Wedding. From the gorgeous mountain top wedding I photographed, I learned a few things that need to be considered. An adventure wedding is not for everyone, but for those who see this as their dream, it can be breathtaking. The PNW offers great beauty in the outdoors. All the diversity we have from the forest to the ocean, to the tops of mountains, there is a lot to be considered.

Tip #1 Decide who is actually attending and consider their individual capabilities for adventure

Knowing who the most crucial people are to you (your ride or die), will allow you to set the most basic guideline for selecting your location. You need to make sure that all these people can physically make the potential trek for your stunning adventure wedding. If you find a location that is doable for all the VIP guests, you can then think about if you want to extend the invite to more guests. Choose a location that can accommodate all guests invited. This can even involve considering parking areas if the guest must park at a trailhead to hike/walk into the ceremony.

After all, this is done and you feel like you have found the most epic location for your adventure wedding, you need to inquire about permits and permission for your event. This step cannot be skipped! You want your wedding to be as smooth as possible, even if it is in the Cascade Mountains.

Quick Breakdown:

Create a list of the loved ones you must have present on your special day.
Get out and physically test out locations that you are interested in. See what the hike or walk in is like, what parking is available etc. and consider the above list you created and if these people could enjoyably make the adventure.
Decide if you want to open the invitation up to more people and how many.
Make sure the location is suitable to the above number of guests invited.
Check into and inquire on any permits necessary for the location and learn about any rules that may exist.

Tip #2 Consider time of year and weather

Let’s be real, as awesome as the PNW is the weather can be unpredictable, wet, foggy, and grey. Time of year will make such a difference for outdoor weddings in the PNW, and adventure weddings are no different. My suggestion here is to visit the location you have chosen a handful of times around the date of your wedding. Get a good idea of what it may look like. Research into the past weather results from recent years or the average for that time of year. This gives you the best-educated decision for what time of year you have your PNW Adventure Wedding. After that is said and done take a breath, pour a glass of wine, and put all the good vibes into the universe that your day will be perfect!!

Quick Breakdown:

Accept that PNW weather is its own thing.
Visit your location at the same time of year as the wedding date.
Research into the average weather temps and predications for that time of year.
Relax and have a drink!

Tip #3 Understand that an adventure wedding is going to look different than a traditional wedding

If you are having your adventure wedding ceremony on top of a mountain most likely you will not have chairs for guests to sit on. You may not even have decor. This is because if you do a hike in/out of the location then anything you bring must be carried. Often these wedding ceremonies are simple and let the surrounding of nature and the views be what is the focus. If you can hire a venue or wedding planner, there are options for more traditional ceremonies even with being in a remote and gorgeous setting. This all comes down to what a PNW Adventure Wedding is to you, and of course budget. Knowing your budget is going to let you know what can be done.

Quick Breakdown:

Define what an adventure wedding means to you? Is it rugged and involving hiking?
Are chairs and alter or decor important to you?
Do you plan to have a reception to follow elsewhere?
What is the budget? Can you afford a wedding planner or remote venue to fit all your dreams?

My experience with a PNW Adventure Wedding took place in October on a mountain top in the Cascades. The views were stunning, the hike was steep! The drive to the trailhead took about 25 minutes on a narrow and rough dirt mountain road, but there was ample parking space. My couple had already hiked the trail and knew that their guests would be okay. They had all their immediate family members and a few friends who were up to the adventure to witness their love. A rookie move on my part… I looked into the weather for the area but not for the exact location, so the altitude change in the weather was not something I thought of. It was very cold! We saw some snowflakes on the way up. Needless to say, I was not dressed warm enough but obviously survived.

A PNW Adventure Wedding can be stunning. If you can, time your ceremony around the best lighting for the most amazing photographs. This means not the middle of the day! If you want those dreamy golden hues, shining rays or warm-colored sunsets than plan on having photos done just before sunset. Another way to go if you want these photos but don’t think that an adventure wedding is right for you. Book an adventure location for a bridal portrait session and get those gorgeous photos in an amazing spot.

If you are planning a PNW Adventure Wedding and still need a photographer who is up for the fun, let’s chat!