Sunset Adventure Elopement in Vermont's Green Mountains

Rachel & Ryan’s Sunset Adventure in Vermont Mountains

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / VERMONT & BEYOND

Rachel & Ryan’s day two of their beautiful elopement style wedding in the incredible Green Mountains of Vermont was not short of spectacular. Click HERE to see day one of their wedding in Rhode Island. We had pretty much the nicest day on the mountain that I can remember. Most of the time it’s really windy on the ridge line and summit, and cold even in August sometimes. It was October and there was only a slight breeze and it was 70 degrees, even on the ridge line. Rachel choose her day two dress expecting chilly temps and instead was greeted with warm weather and beautiful views. We began the hike and it was clear that sweating too much was going to be the issue, not hiking fast to stay warm!

They brought their jeep up the road and the fall foliage was so incredible everywhere that we stopped multiple times to play in the leaves and take in all the colors of the trees. The had a blast throwing leaves and running around like little kids. Because we spent so much time doing that we were a little worried we might miss sunset, but started the hike with well over an hour before the sun went down. The incredible thing about this spot is that you have 360 degree views pretty much the whole way. We watched the sun sink over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks and we reached the summit just before sunset. Rachel and Ryan danced and took in the views from the summit as color lit the sky. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets in recent memory and was made even better by the fact that we could hang out comfortably on the summit while it was happening. I’ve been on this peak over 25 times in the last several years and every single time there is a different type of weather to contend with. Normally, we are either racing fog to the summit, fighting snow, or battling high winds and chilly temps in wedding attire. This was one of the first times we could just sit and take it all in!

It was so nice up top that the hike out, even though it was in partial darkness, was really nice. So nice that I suggested we hang out a few more minutes to watch the stars come out. They were happy to, and we got some amazing milky way and night sky photos. I took one more shot of them and then they were able to head down the mountain while I laid in the meadow with my camera time lapsing for the next hour so I could create the star trail image (the one with the stars in a circle) that you see above. It was a very satisfying end to a beautiful day on the mountain.

Cape Cod National Seashore Elopement with Kids | Cape Cod Elopement Packages

Denise & George’s Magical Cape Cod Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / MASSACHUSETTS & BEYOND

Denise and George’s Cape Cod elopement, which included their two kids, was such a heartfelt and adventurous day. When Denise first called and mentioned they’d love to adventure on the Cape, my first thought was this remote and secluded lighthouse that was only accessible via a 4x4 vehicle and a permit. They were completely game and even went a couple of days early to make sure they could secure the permit and test drive the route to see if their vehicle could make it! Needless to say, they accomplished it, and what followed was an incredibly beautiful and adventurous day with their two kids along for the ride.

At this point in their relationship, Denise and George had been together for over a decade and had known one another even longer. They wanted a day to truly celebrate their “little love pack” and include parts of the adventure that everyone would enjoy while keeping the focus on their union with one another. They visit the Cape every year, so this year they thought they would go one extra time and include a special day for celebrating their love.

The kids were totally game to enjoy the day with them and had an absolute blast the entire time. From running around in the sand to seeing a seal to eating lobster rolls it was their idea of a great day too. The fog rolled in during the evening ceremony, and although we didn’t get a dreamy sunset we did get a really cool misty aura that surrounded us. I like to tell my couples that every type of weather is truly special and memorable if you go into it with the right attitude. In fact, it’s some of the “bad weather” days that make for the best days in my opinion, and some of the perfectly sunny days that make for the toughest lighting conditions as a photographer. They had a great attitude and even managed to sneak in an outfit change in the middle of the day.

The drive out on the 4x4 road wasn’t too bad, just a little soft and deep in a few places. But George kept his speed through those spots and managed it perfectly. We found a little spot on the dunes with both views of the lighthouse and the ocean for the ceremony spot. The couple exchanged heartfelt vows and the kids looked away when their parents shared their first kiss as married people. Everyone ran down the dune after, ready for some celebration dinner, and spotted several seals bobbing in the water checking out what was going on. There was only one other car way down the beach and almost out of sight. It truly felt like they had a private beach completely to themselves for their day.

We laid out a picnic blanket and watched it get dark while enjoying the sounds of the ocean and the food. Then we started the drive back, making a stop at the lighthouse for some photos, before doing the rest of the 4x4 drive. Luckily, we didn’t get stuck, as digging out in formalwear would have been a unique challenge. All in all Denise and George created a day that they will remember for a lifetime, and their kids will as well, no doubt.

Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding at Lincoln Woods State Park | RI Wedding Photographer

Rachel & Ryan’s Stunning Intimate Wedding at RI State Park

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Rachel and Ryan’s small outdoor wedding at Lincoln Woods State Park in Rhode Island was the epitome of the perfect micro wedding. Not only did they have a stunningly beautiful and perfect day, but they chose the perfect time and place to celebrate their love as well. The leaves were still super green with hints of fall sneaking in, the weather was warm, and they shared a special and lovely sunset together. They did celebrate a DAY TWO portion of their wedding by hiking the highest peak in Vermont. But the Rhode Island section of their wedding was so lovely it deserved its own post.

Here’s the thing- so many couples ask me if it is possible to have the friends and family attend their wedding, but still have that special elopement experience that makes it feel like it’s all for them. And the answer is something along the lines of how Rachel & Ryan celebrated. They shared one special day with their friends and family and had a second day all to themselves for the purpose of sharing the adventure and creating new memories together. Their Rhode Island day was so freaking beautiful that I’m sure they would have been satisfied with that celebration, but the Vermont portion (where they planned their honeymoon) was their version of having their cake and eating it too. You can have everything you want for your day(s), sometimes it just takes a little creativity and vision.

Rachel got ready with her sisters and mom and then headed over to Lincoln Woods State Park to share a special and private first look with Ryan. We walked over to the ceremony site that they had picked out and set up earlier in the day. In fact, that’s what Ryan was doing while Rachel was getting ready. Friends and family arrived and the couple shared special vows, celebratory jigs, and lots of hugs. After the formal part of the ceremony was done we took portraits and then friends and family headed to the reception site while we caught the sunset at some of the most picturesque spots in the park. It was special to take some quiet moments after all the excitement of the day to sit and reflect with one another and just to enjoy the beauty of the place that surrounded them. We made one last stop at the iconic Lincoln Woods covered bridge before heading to the reception ourselves.

At the celebration, the couple enjoyed many toasts, a first dance, cake, and a lot more fun and celebration with family and friends in attendance. The perfect end to a perfect day of committing their lives to one another.

Tiverton Boathouse Small Outdoor Wedding | Rhode Island Wedding Packages

Maddie & Mike’s Tiverton, Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Maddie and Mike’s small outdoor wedding at The Boathouse in Tiverton, RI was nothing short of magical even though they got married during a literal hurricane. I was super fortunate to shoot their elopement exactly a year before on Block Island, where we saw seals, ran around the dunes, up and down a million stairs, and ate cake under the stars.

This time was a little different. They had invited 25 of their closest friends and family to celebrate with them and planned their ceremony on the dock. But the weather had other plans, so last minute the ceremony was moved to the reception area. They still walked out on the dock in the pouring rain, and later in the night they even danced under an umbrella for a little bit.

The thing that made their wedding day so incredibly special is that not for a single second did they let the rain or the weather put a damper on their enthusiasm. Everyone in attendance had an unbelievable time and their love and joy radiated enough to warm everyone up.

The spot Maddie chose to get ready at with her mom and bridesmaids was adorable and right on the water. The ladies enjoyed their time with leisure and Mike’s day started with feeding and playing with their adorable bunnies, and then smoking a joint with his brother and dad. He came over to the spot Maddie was getting ready at a little bit later for the first look. From there we made our way to the ceremony site to assess what would be possible in the weather. Luckily, the staff at The Boathouse was extremely helpful and organized and already had both ceremony locations set up so the couple could easily choose either. It literally rained the entire day, non-stop. So while Maddie and Mike felt comfortable venturing into the rain for photos, they didn’t want to make their guests sit on soaking wet chairs under umbrellas for the ceremony.

Having been fortunate to experience both sets of vows I can say that the second was as sweet as the first, although this time Maddie cried more, and during their elopement, Mike had a harder time keeping it together. It was so sweet to see them support each other. I mean it when I say these two really are some of the most laid-back and happy, joyful people ever. Both of them have a smile perpetually glued to their faces and love having a good time. It was my privilege and honor to be chosen not once, but twice to tell the visual story of their day!

From the couple…

“We absolutely love the pictures!! Thank you for capturing our special day for us for the second time! We really could not be happier with how they came out. Thank you again, you made both days so enjoyable and stress-free for us!”

— Maddie & Mike

Couple Elope Along Breathtaking Kancamagus Highway, NH | Elope in NH

Maddy & Chris’s New Hampshire Waterfall & Mountain Elopement

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / NEW HAMPSHIRE & BEYOND

Maddy and Chris eloped along the Kancamagus Highway in New Hampshire and in some little-known mountains in the region. They enjoyed a perfectly adventurous day full of both mountain and waterfall views. There were views and laughs and all-around they both exuded joy the entire day.

They began by getting ready at an adorable Airbnb, and after their first looked they video called their parents so they could share part of the day and excitement with them. They are both private people and saying their vows in front of a ton of people sounded more like a nightmare than their dream day. So when they reached out we concocted a plan where they could say their vows, just to the two of them (and me lurking in the distance photographing behind some bushes). The plan went off without a hitch, and end the end they were hitched!

After the first look, we first visited a stunning waterfall along the Kancamagus Highway which is known as one of the most scenic areas in all of New Hampshire and New England. When they walked up to the falls they were blown away by the color of the water want the incredible pool at the bottom. When we made our way further up the pathway their jaws dropped at the beauty of the multi-tiered waterfall itself. I love when couples haven’t been to or seen their chosen elopement location until their big day. It adds a different level of exploration and wonder and only helps to solidify this new and exciting adventure they are taking together. I can’t thank them enough each time they trust me to help them build their dream day. Putting together a magical day full of adventure and joy is part of what I do- along with capturing the genuine story and emotions of the day as they unfold.

They had so much fun hiking to a 360 mountain view later in the day. Chris hiked with the cake in hand the entire way! At the top the views are overwhelming, you aren’t really sure which was to look. They had fun popping champagne, sharing their cake, and climbing boulders. We waited for the sun to go down, but the clouds were a bit too thick, so on our way back we stopped at a beach and they celebrated their first dance during the blue hour. It was the perfect end to a perfect day and one in which Maddy and Chris got married in exactly the way they’d hoped for, with just the two of them!

From the couple…

“We had the most amazing elopement experience with Kat from Swell and Stone! She was incredibly helpful throughout the planning process. She helped us find the perfect location based on the vision we had for our day and gave recommendations for lodging. She helped us put together all the details and made the entire process stress-free!

On our elopement day, she made us both feel comfortable being in front of a camera. We especially loved the Polaroid pictures she took throughout the day that we were able to bring home with us that day. All of our photos were amazing and captured our day perfectly. Once we got our photos, it was incredibly easy to view them through the gallery online and share them with family and friends. We can’t recommend Kat enough! She was incredibly thoughtful and made our day feel easy and adventurous!!”

— Maddy & Chris

Splendid Sunrise Elopement in Narragansett Rhode Island

Rebecca & Sam Elope in Enchanting Rhode Island

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Rebecca and Sam were up before the sun and ready to elope in Narragansett, Rhode Island. They picked an area that had a special meaning to them, but they had actually not been to the exact spot of their elopement before I suggested it as a perfect, more secluded spot for their vows than the busy nearby beaches. They were very excited for the day and it was somewhat overcast as we hiked to the spot. But as the day started to lighten up the prospect of seeing the sunrise was getting better. They said their vows in the dawn hours, and just as they finished this big orange ball made its way above the horizon. Both the couple and their guests remarked how it had been such a long time since they’d seen the sunrise over the ocean, and what a special treat it was.

The area was mostly free of people expect a fisherman here and there. They enjoyed exploring the area and tide pools, and then we walked down the beach to some nearby ruins. A small crew was setting up their celebration picnic further down the beach, so they wrote their names in the sand and we flew the drone and watched the kite surfers dance on the waves. Another little walk down the beach lead us to their magical picnic celebration that looked like it had appeared out of thin air. Their favorite drinks, muffins, scones, and breakfast sandwiches were waiting for them, and while they celebrated, ate and drank, they enjoyed the sound of the waves, and the warm sun as it rose higher in the air. It was a particularly windy day, but they didn’t let any of that bother them. The let their hair and clothes blow in the wind and took each moment as it came.

On of the coolest things about having a custom picnic set up for you is that when you are done, you just walk away from it, and it magically gets cleaned up by the crew that is hiding across the street. I love that they operate like that. It makes it feel like you stumbled on their wonderful oasis and you can just frolic away again without a care and no responsibility, because after all, it is your wedding day. We took a different route back to the parking lot, and it was through lush greenery with super fragrant flowers. They made a joke acting like they were hitch hiking back to their car which was only a few hundred meters away, but I love that photo because it showcases how carefree and playful their day was.

We met up again later in the evening at a lighthouse and explored the grounds of Beavertail State Park. I have a few favorite spots there, so when we wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of other sunset watchers I took them to my favorite rocky alcove to relax and take in the final moments of their elopement day. If I had to describe the themes of their day it would be: fun, relaxed, and magical. There were so many wonderful moments that as you see from the number of images below it was hard to choose favorites.

From the couple…

“Our day was captured so beautifully! Kat made the whole experience amazing, and helped bring our vision to life. I’d give her 10 stars if I could!”

— Rebecca & Sam

Colorful Rhode Island Small Outdoor Wedding at Beavertail State Park | RI Small Wedding Packages

Claire & Zack’s Beautiful Small Wedding at a RI State Park

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

Claire and Zack’s small outdoor wedding at Beavertail State Park on the cliffy coast of Rhode Island was the stuff dreams are made of. Claire happens to be one of my good friends and when she reached out I knew her incredible boho style would shine in a gorgeous small wedding. She and Zack are also surfers who my husband and I have surfed with many times, so of course, they had to paddle out in their wedding gear!

Their day began with getting ready and the first look at Beavertail State Park. It’s the perfect spot to have an intimate, yet easily accessible outdoor wedding with unreal views. Seriously, this place has 5-star views for days and is one of the most serene spots in the Ocean State. They practiced their wedding song as the waves crashed nearby, and for the pair of surfers smelling the salty ocean air was exactly what they wanted on their day.

Soon friends and family began to arrive and the ceremony went by in a whirlwind. Speaking of wind, coastal RI is known for its breezy shores, so be prepared for a windblown look if you choose this spot for your special day! After the ceremony, we walked around the park to a couple of my other favorite spots and then we headed back to Claire’s mom and stepdad’s house for the celebration. They have an unbelievably beautiful back and side yard that was decorated to absolute perfection. Little details from Zack and Claire’s relationship were all over, and Claire’s mom is an expert gardener, so the whole thing had secret garden vibes. It could not have been more beautiful.

Toasts were made and tears shed. The couple shared a very special first dance as Claire’s stepdad sang to them. to me, their wedding was the perfect combination of friends and family putting unique and meaningful touches on the day while still maintaining an overall feel of beautiful and unique luxury that looks like it was completely professionally done.

The next day we hit the beach and they paddled out in their formalwear. The waves weren’t exactly cooperating and it was mostly windy and flat, but the images still turned out pretty cool and they had a great time. I love to recommend that even if you are having a small outdoor wedding with friends and family they either keep a part of the day or they schedule part of the day before or day after for adventurous photos with just the two of them. It’s important to include things that you love doing together on your wedding day(s), so carve out a time to make memories that are entirely your own and for just the two of you.

Spectacular Martha's Vineyard Elopement off the Coast of Cape Cod

Selina & Rob’s Cape Cod Elopement Was Made for Magazines

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / CAPE COD, MASSACHUSETTS & BEYOND

How do I count the ways in which Selina and Rob’s Martha’s Vineyard elopement was one of the most incredible weddings I have shot…ever? I had an absolute blast exploring Martha’s Vineyard with them, I teared up during their ceremony, and I laughed with and celebrated with their friends. By the end of their unreal two-day wedding experience, I walked away feeling like a close friend of theirs. I love all the couples I work with for such a wide variety of reasons, but I never expect them to make me feel like I’ve known them for years. For these two, it was effortless, and I know this isn’t about me, but I can’t tell you how special and lucky it made me feel to be the one chosen to tell the visual story of their day. So to Selina and Rob, THANK YOU! You deserve all the happiness in the world.

Their two-day adventure started with alpacas! Rob organized a special surprise for Selina, who loves animals. They enjoyed their own private alpaca walk and we pet and enjoyed these incredible animals. Such a fun and light-hearted way to start off the day. After the alpacas, we made our way to the famous “Jaws” bridge for some more goofing around, before heading to Edgartown Lighthouse Beach, one of the most scenic lighthouse spots I’ve seen. The flowers were in bloom and everything smelled like roses. It was so fun to explore this area with these two. After a quick game of “who can skip the rock the farthest” (Spoiler: Selina) we started our hike back so we could stop in and check out the ceremony site for the next day- Lambert’s Cove Beach. A little exploration and planning where the ceremony would be the next day and we made our way to our final spot for the day, the incredible Aquinnah Beach and Cliffs. They were up for a looooong walk and the tide was right so we walked on the beach all the way to the lighthouse. The further you get from the trail down to the beach here the more seclusion you find. Just be careful because there are a couple of spots that if the tide comes in while you are walking can trap you there until the tide goes back out as the water reaches the cliffs. There is seriously every color of cliff you could imagine here- from gold, orange, red, yellow, purple, place, white, and light blue. Aquinnah is known for its beautiful clay cliffs and natural serenity, as well as its historical importance to the native Wampanoag people. They danced and romped and even galavanted through the water and along the beach. We watched the sunset from above the cliffs and had a beautiful view of Gay Head Light and wrapped up our first evening together. They were covered in sand and couldn’t be happier as we ate lobster rolls and watched all the light fade from the sky.

The next day was their actual ceremony day and friends and family came in from the mainland in order to celebrate their union. They got ready at the same location their celebration would later take place. A gorgeous rented house with a stunning backyard surrounded by trees and fields. After the “first look” we headed out Lambert’s Cove. Family and friends enjoyed about a half-mile stroll through the sand to get to their ceremony spot. It was a warm day, but the breeze coming off the water felt nice and comfortable. One of my favorite moments of the ceremony aside from their vows was after Selina walked down the sand “aisle” and took her place beside Rob. Their pup, Brembo, saw his parents and took his rightful place directly on Selina’s train. This garnered laughs and applause from all attendees and he stayed there for the remainder of the ceremony until Selina had to walk back down the “aisle” and officiant/best friend Kate had to urge him off of her gown.

We all headed back to the house for formal photos, cocktails, and appetizers while the catering team got to work on the main courses. Lawn games and sparklers kept the kids entertained and the atmosphere was joyful and relaxed. As the sun sank low in the sky toasts were made, more joy shared, and more love felt by everyone in attendance. We ended the evening with the cake cutting and the stars coming out. It was the perfect end to a perfect summer day and the most beautiful wedding on Martha’s Vineyard.

From the couple…

“My now husband and I used Kat from Swell and Stone as our photographer for our small wedding. What an amazing experience we had with her. We can’t recommend her enough. You don’t realize how important it is to be comfortable with your photographer because it shows in your photos!!!

If I could give people any advice from our experience it would be to consider taking photos over two days or more. The reason why is because the whole actual wedding day can be very stiff and more traditional. We spent the first day exploring Martha’s Vineyard island. We took photos all over the island which is what my husband and I are more about. We are the outdoors and adventurer type. This also allowed us to get more comfortable with having photos taken and act like ourselves in front of the camera.

We planned our second day (wedding ceremony) to be more traditional. We had family and friends join us for the ceremony. By day two I was used to Kat being around but I also knew how to pose and move better for the camera. On your wedding day you want a really easy breezy experience. That is what Kat gave us.

In the end my photos are amazing - Better than I could have ever envisioned. Kat is a gem in the wedding photographer world.”

— Selina & Rob

Picture Perfect Block Island Elopement

Ari & Dave’s Epic Block Island Elopement Adventure

SWELL & STONE / ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER / RHODE ISLAND & BEYOND

When Ari and Dave gave me a call and started planning their Block Island elopement they were clear on a few things- They wanted to be married at the end of it, and they wanted to explore Block Island. Sometimes that’s all the info you need to plan the most magical elopement day, even if it rains on you. And magical is a great way to describe their day. The rain held off on our ferry ride over from the mainland, and it continued to hold off during their ceremony at Mohegan Bluffs. But it started sprinkling as we explored the beaches, no worries we had some lovely umbrellas in tow.

By the time we arrived at our sunset portion of the evening, it was pouring on us. We stood in the parking lot in the warm summer rain as the wind whipped around us. Ari tossed her umbrella aside and Dave gave her an “are we seriously doing this?” smile. We hiked out to the lighthouse and they were both soaked when we got there. They cut some cake, walked down to the water, played in the water and the rain, and some very cute onlookers joined us. Seals poked their heads up out of the water to see what was going on. There was not another person for miles and they watched the seals and enjoyed the peace and quiet and gentle rainfall that capped off an incredible and adventurous day full of everything they ever wanted and nothing they didn’t.

Earlier in the day at the beach, their vows induced a few tears of joy. This was a place they had been to before and one they would keep coming back to over the years. We saw lighthouses and beach volleyball courts. Fun fact: Ari was an amazing Division I collegiate volleyball player, so it was fun to get some shots of them on the sand volleyball court. Their day just goes to show that everything doesn’t have to go exactly according to plan and it can still be everything you ever hoped for and more. Sometimes welcoming the unexpected on your elopement day is the most rewarding thing you can do.

Throughout the day their love radiated through the landscape. They reminisced on their previous trips to the island and they were really looking forward to spending a few more days on it after their elopement. They embraced their feet in the sand, the rain on their faces, and at the end of it, all thought it was perfectly them, getting married in that way.

So, at the end of the day, don’t sweat the small stuff. Do welcome the rain on your face with arms wide open and at the end of the day you’ll be married and maybe see some seals too.

Epic New Hampshire Elopement on Mt. Washington

Julia & Jeff’s Incredible Two-Day New Hampshire Mountain Wedding

Swell & Stone / Adventure Wedding Photographer / New Hampshire & Beyond

Julia and Jeff had an epic two-day New Hampshire elopement on Mt. Washington and in Jeff’s parents’ backyard. From endless mountain views to lush waterfalls, and private forests, their elopement day had everything. The two-day experience started in the beautiful and forested backyard of the groom’s parents’ place. Jeff, an engineer by trade, but also a very talented woodworker created an arbor for the backyard and it was beautifully decorated with floral arrangements. The setting was quiet and idyllic and absolutely the perfect place to hold a ceremony that both of their families and some close friends could attend. I couldn’t get over how tall the trees in the backyard were and how perfectly they created privacy barriers around the perimeter of the yard. It was also summer, so the flowers were in full bloom, making the perfect backdrop for formal photos.

After the ceremony toasts were in order and then dinner and the couple’s first dance soon followed. A tent was set up and it was a very warm but comfortable evening. Having the entire ceremony and celebration portion all in one place made it easy on everyone and grandparents did not have to walk far to enjoy every aspect of the celebration. Julia and Jeff’s vows were beautiful and heartfelt, tears were shed, and during the best man and maid of honor speeches many laughs were shared.

Julia said, “If I had to describe Jeff in one word, it's caring. No matter if I'm having a good day or a bad day, Jeff is always there to listen and ask if I need anything or if there's something he could do to help. The love he shows me in constantly trying to improve our relationship, be a better person for our family, and in raising our dog is really indescribable.

Jeff followed with, “How do I pick one (word)? I love how she's always looking out for me, how she's a five star chef, how good of a mother she is to our four-legged child, and the way she giggles to herself when she makes herself laugh.”

For day two of their celebration Julia and Jeff choose adventure. Originally, Julia wanted to just elope in the mountains with just the two of them in a very private way as neither like being the center of attention. But eventually they decided they wanted family to be there for the actual ceremony and they opted to say different private vows in the mountains the next day. It was the best of both worlds, and the weather made for an enjoyable experience, well… as enjoyable as can be expected on top of the tallest mountain in New Hampshire and the a peak with some of the most extreme weather conditions in the world. You see, it is ALWAYS windy on top of Mt. Washington, and their day was no exception. But temps on the summit were unusually warm for June, reaching almost 70 degrees.

We drove to the summit and began the hike down to Lake of the Clouds in order to get away from some of the crowds. If you’ve ever hiked any of the trails in this area you know how rocky they are. Julia did an amazing job of navigating the wind and the rocks all in her beautiful gown. There’s one thing I’ve learned about most wedding dresses- the bustle is never strong enough to handle what we put them through! Julia’s loops started ripping out one by one and one the hike back up she was just holding her train in her hands. We were sweating getting back to the top as the hike is only a couple miles but gains over 1200 feet in elevation in that time. Certainly not for the everyone, but these two are incredibly athletic and capable of anything.

After driving back down the mountain we headed to a nearby waterfall and then we did even more hiking up to a steep viewpoint where we caught the sunset over the mountains. At the end of the day, sitting and taking in the view, they were able to reminisce about the past two days and all the amazing time they spent with family and each other. After sunset we headed down and had one last stop at the very bottom of the hike for night sky photos before calling it a night. Julia mentioned that she would be sore the next day and couldn’t wait to find a swimming hole or waterfall to jump into! It was the perfect ending to a stunning and memorable two days.

From the Couple…

“Kat is AMAZING, period. From the beginning, she was so responsiveness and incredibly timely. For me and my husband, we wanted to make a point about making the wedding planning process and the wedding day itself not stressful and fun. So we opted for a small wedding with 13 guests on one day and an adventure day on Mount Washington to exchange personal vows the following Monday.

Kat helped us with every detail along the way and made it easy on us to make choices. She scouted locations based on what our idea of an ideal wedding day was, she gave us list of local vendors, and she finalized a schedule for us. She was basically like our wedding planner and we found that so valuable since we didn’t know what we were doing or exactly what we wanted! If we had a lot of questions, she was very willing to schedule a call to go over them with us. I’ve had friends tell me about their horror stories with photographers not responding to them or never getting their photos back, but I 100% never had to worry about that with Kat. She even got our photos back earlier than promised. She was truly so fun to be around that it made the days that much more enjoyable.

I also wanted to compliment the website our gallery was posted through. It’s super intuitive to use and I love that it’s categorized, that I can favorite photos, and that I can see which photos my husband has favorited on his own account. I can also send out links to our guests and they can send me back links of their favorites, it’s super cool and convenient.

Kat also gave us some polaroid photos and some GIFS she curated, which I did not expect and absolutely loved. I knew the photos were going to be great from looking at her portfolio but they were better than I could imagine. I was also super stoked about a starry night photo and she made that happen. So if you couldn’t tell from my review, Kat goes above and beyond and you will absolutely not regret working with her!”

— Julia & Jeff