Artist Point Hybrid Elopement: A North Cascades Ceremony & Bellingham Basecamp Celebration

Sep 25

Alison and Mark wanted their wedding to reflect everything they love most: their friends and family, the North Cascades, their pup, and Bellingham’s local singletrack.

It was a lot to fit into one timeline—so much, in fact, that we couldn’t do it all in a single day. Instead, they opted for a multi-day hybrid elopement.

They kicked things off with an accessible ceremony at Artist Point with family, followed by a post-wedding brewery reception in Bellingham with their friends. Then, a few weeks later, we met up again for a mountain biking elopement session on Galbraith Mountain.

Starting the Day with a Backyard First Look

Alison and Mark’s wedding day started right at their home in Bellingham. Instead of rushing up the Mount Baker Highway at dawn, they opted for a relaxed morning together that perfectly set the tone for the day.

Their parents, siblings, and grandparents had flown in from around the country, and the house was packed and buzzing with morning-of-a-wedding energy when I arrived. Between corralling family and hiding from one another in their attire, they squeezed in a quiet backyard first look while their closest loved ones looked on.

Photo of a first look in a forested backyard with the bride walking up behind the groom and reaching out to touch his shoulder. The bride is holding a bouquet and the groom is in a dark suit.

A photo of a bride and groom kissing after their first look ceremony. The bride is wearing a white wedding dress and holding a bouquet and there's a lust PNW forest in the background.

A photo of a backyard first look captured as the groom turns and sees the bride in her wedding dress for the first time.

An Accessible North Cascades Ceremony at Artist Point

After the first look, everyone piled into cars for the scenic drive up Highway 542 to Artist Point. As one of the most accessible elopement locations in the North Cascades, Artist Point offers immediate, panoramic views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker, making it the perfect compromise for a mountain elopement with family involved.

Because Alison’s grandparents were joining, we kept the hike short. But moving just a small distance up the trail was all it took to leave the crowds and arrive at our ceremony spot, which featuring a natural rocky pedestal and a small alpine lake.

Mark took his place on the rocks while Alison’s parents walked her through the meadow. They exchanged vows surrounded by their family and sweeping views of the North Cascades.

Photo of a bride helping her grandmother down the trail to an alpine meadow at Artist Point for a hybrid elopement ceremony.

Photo of a bride and her parents walking across an alpine meadow at Artist Point as part of a wedding ceremony, with a small lake in the foreground and Table Mountain in the background.

Photo of a bride smiling and walking with her parents towards her wedding ceremony at Artist Point.

A father hugging his daughter during an elopement ceremony at Artist Point. The groom and officiant are standing to the side watching.

Photo of a wedding ceremony in an alpine meadow at Artist Point with family looking on. The photo is taken from behind the officiant, with the bride and groom visible and their family looking on.

Photo of a groom reading his vows and smiling at his bride during an elopement ceremony at Artist Point, Washington. The photo is taken from behind the bride and alpine meadows and mountains are visible in the background.

Photo of a bride, groom, and their officiant during an elopement ceremony at Artist Point, with Mt. Shuksan visible behind them in a cloud.

Photo of several couples including the bride and groom's parents and siblings watching their wedding ceremony at Artist Point, Washington.

A photo of a bride and groom standing in a rocky alpine basin at Artist Point and celebrating their new marriage by popping champagne. The bride looks concerned as the cork flies out.

A photo of a just-married bride and groom and their dog in a tuxedo standing together at Artist Point, with Mt. Shuksan visible behind them. The bride is holding her bouquet in the air with a tattoo visible on her arm and the groom is holding the dog

A Champagne Toast & Alpine Portraits

Immediately after their vows, Alison and Mark popped open a bottle of champagne for a mountainside toast right on the trail. It was a moment to celebrate together with their family before they headed back down to Bellingham.

Meanwhile, Alison, Mark, their dog (who was decked out in a doggie tuxedo to celebrate his parents’ big day!) and I hiked further up the trail to Huntoon Point to take some photos of the newly married couple. They spent an hour posing, laughing, and taking in the views of Mount Shuksan to capture the dramatic North Cascades adventure photos Alison and Mark had dreamed of.

Photo of a bride and groom eloping at Artist Point, with the North Cascades behind them. The couple is in wedding attire and they are holding each other with their foreheads pressed together.

A bride holding her hands over her groom's shoulder so that her wedding ring is clearly visible during an Artist Point hybrid elopement photoshoot.

A photo of a bride and groom walking on a trail at Artist Point after eloping. The couple is holding hands and laughing as they walk towards the camera.

Photo of a bride and groom kissing during their Artist Point elopement. The bride and groom are standing together with their hands overlapping on a bouquet and Mount Shuksan is visible behind them.

Celebrating with Friends at Structures Brewing in Bellingham

Before long, it was time for us to head back to town as well for the day’s grand finale: a brewery reception with friends at Structures Brewing in Bellingham.

It was the perfect way to end the day, giving Alison and Mark a chance to celebrate their elopement with a bigger crowd — without having to get dozens of people onto a mountaintop.

A sign that says 'We tied the Knot' welcoming guests to a post-elopement reception at Structures Brewing in Bellingham.

A group photo of a bride, groom, and their family and friends during a post-elopement reception at Structures Brewing in Bellingham, Washington.

Planning Your Own North Cascades Hybrid Elopement

Bellingham serves as the ultimate basecamp for a North Cascades wedding. Whether you want to include family for a short hike at Artist Point or host a post-elopement reception in town, a hybrid timeline lets you build a day that feels completely yours. Get in touch to start planning your North Cascades elopement.

Next Up: Want to see how we brought Alison and Mark’s love for mountain biking into the mix? Read Part 2: Alison & Mark’s Mountain Biking Elopement on Galbraith Mountain