Emily called me one day and told me about an idea she had. A trip to the PNW to visit us and the kids was already in place, and Julia & Emily were coming to Washington from New York for the very first time. Emily had presented an idea to propose to Julia while they were visiting, and she wanted to do it somewhere really fun and special. After some careful deliberation, we had suggested a road trip to Leavenworth, a magical and romantic town nestled in the mountains. The town itself is like it was ripped from Bavaria, and placed right here in Washington. The whole idea of this had us buzzing, and we were so excited to be a part of this special moment in their lives. So, of course, we had to document it all. We started our adventure early one morning and took two cars to Leavenworth. It was a gorgeous drive there, and there was so much anticipation for what lie ahead.

Julia & Emily had expressed that they wanted a location that was quintessentially Pacific Northwest for their engagement photography. Well, we can’t think of many places that have so much to offer in one location like Nisqually does. It has rustic vibes with two huge white barns, boggy marshes, mountain views, and tons of wildlife. We think it played out well, and the setting was perfect for their whimsical and quirky personalities.

When planning their elopement, and asking us for some advice, we wanted to make sure to plan an itinerary that allowed for all of us to take in all that Olympic National Park has to offer. The days prior included some amazing hikes to see some gorgeous waterfalls, lush greenery, dense forest, and reflective lakes. We planned all of this as a family, and made sure to leave enough time to enjoy each others company. After working ourselves out on the trails, we made our way back to the house and enjoyed some delicious treats from a local hamburger joint. It was so great to have all of this time together, and make it more than just the day of the elopement.

The Hoh Rainforest is a really magical place, and is called one of the quietest environments on the planet. Well, not this day, it was as loud as the love that was shared amongst it’s trees, and amidst the rain. Despite the rain (duh), we laced up our hiking shoes, put on our best, and hiked to the most beautiful spot we could find in the trails. The Hall of Mosses proved to be the most magical setting for their ceremony. However, nothing is more magical than the love these two amazing humans share. We were so delighted and honored to be a part of this special day together. It was an even bigger honor to be asked to officiate their ceremony. It was my very first official duty as an officiant, and I am sure it will not be my last, but it will likely be the most memorable and most important one.

We were all involved in a big way. Alexis and I both photographed throughout the day. I officiated, and when I did, Alexis had sole photography duties. Alexis did a beautiful speech, and when she did, I picked the camera back up. Then the kids both had their own responsibilities, Ellis was the flower girl, and Ansel was the ring bearer.

Julia & Emily are our family, they are our friends, they are so important to our children, and one day, we will all be so much closer than we are today. We can not wait to put less distance between us, and have our hearts closer together and spend more time together. We know the kids are looking forward to that day as well.

If you would like some help or guidance in planning and executing a story like Julia & Emily, you do not need to be our kids babysitters, we are happy to help in any way that we can. Adventure elopements are some of our favorite to capture, and we love the journey. We would be honored to be a part of your love story and to document the love you share for one another.

We are currently working on an elopement guide that will be posted on our website in the coming months.