SO WHAT IS an "Adventure Elopement", and what does it look like in real life?  Heather and Willie’s decision was straight out of the active adventure wedding playbook! A rock climbing wedding! Honoring their commitment to each other by taking part in the very activity that had helped them cement their love for each other. 

WITH A FEW close family members & friends as witnesses, this lovingly chosen group of guests was excited to go to great heights (literally!) to help marry them :-)

OPTING OUT of the traditional confines, their intimate elopement weekend in Washington state featured a cozy lakeside cottage as home-base for the adventure. 

HEATHER & WILLIE wanted a rehearsal dinner on the ceremony eve, although, theirs was an evening of climbing, a gorgeous sunset on fire, and a low-key grill out with music and games with their family and friends.  That's the beauty of an elopement - you  and your partner keep the "traditions" you love, and ditch the ones you don't!

STAYING TRUE to their passions, the route to the clifftop overlook for the ceremony required climbing for their guests, themselves, and, me as the photographer :-) 

AS I MOVED up and down the rope, capturing images of Heather & Willie climbing up the face of the cliff, and their guests climbing up to the ceremony ledge, it was clear that this was the perfect celebration for them.

THE GOLDEN GLOW of the setting sun lit the ceremony with an incredible warmth, and silhouetted them atop the ledge as the festivities ended with a rappel at dusk back down to the trail.

TO BE WITHOUT images of this - or any other adventurous elopement celebration! - would be a massive miss, as they're what allow others to experience the beauty and joy of your adventurous story, and, for you relive the memories of your day.  Whatever location is right for your intimate ceremony, photography matters.