THE BLOG
the ultimate guide to YOUR artist point ELOPEMENT
LOCATIONS, PERMITS, CHECKLISTS, + PACKAGES
Hi! I'm Natasha! Your intimate wedding and elopement photographer, dog petter and donut eater. While photography is my first love, connecting with people is my love language. You'll find me lovin' on the big moments, the quiet moments, the silly moments – but especially the in between moments. The moments that are unadulterated and unfiltered. The ones where you are the real you. Here on the blog you'll find all of my favorite tips, tricks and resources for planning a wedding that's all about those moments.
NATASHA CARDINAL
INTIMATE WEDDING +
ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
It's no secret that we love an Artist Point elopement over here. In fact, Brian and I love Mt. Baker so much that we eloped there ourselves. So we truly think having your elopement there is one of the best decisions you'll make!
There's no shortage of amazing locations in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and right at Mount Baker itself for your magical elopement. With everything from insane glacier views, to alpine lakes, volcano vistas and rugged alpine forest, they don't call it the American Alps for no reason. If alpine beauty is what you've been dreaming of for your big day, then look no further. In this blog we'll cover everything you need to know about planning your Artist Point elopement.
Still need a little more convincing? Check out my blog on amazing Airbnb's for your Mt. Baker elopement that would make for a perfect home base or venue!
IN THIS GUIDE
How to Elope at Artist Point: Your Checklist
The Best Time of Year to Elope at Artist Point
The Best Elopement Locations at Artist Point
Where to Stay for Your Artist Point Elopement
How to Get There
How to Know If You Need a Permit for Your Elopement
How to Elope at Artist Point with Your Dog
What's In the Area: Towns + Where to Get Supplies
Creating Your Backup Plan
How to Get Married in Washington: Getting Your Marriage License
What to Pack for Your Artist Point Elopement
The Best Vendors for Your Artist Point Elopement
HOW DO I GET TO ARTIST POINT / MT BAKER?
FLYING – If you're flying, there are three options to get here for your Artist Point elopement.
- SeaTac / Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – 3.5 hours from Artist Point
This will be your cheapest option as it's the main airport in Western Washington. You'll have the most options as far as rental cars and amenities once you get off your flight here. - Bellingham International Airport – 1.5 hours from Artist Point
This airport is the closest you'll get to Mt Baker! It's a small regional airport so you won't have as many options as you would at SeaTac, but it's super convenient if you want to be closer. - Vancouver International Airport – 2.5 hours from Artist Point
An unconventional option, but just over the Canadian border is another major airport. If you have your passport and enhanced drivers license you'll be able to come down through Canada and visit Vancouver on the way!
DRIVING – If you're driving from Seattle it's super easy to get to Mt Baker! You'll go North on I-5 and drive just under 2 hours to Bellingham (where we live!) and then hop on the Mt Baker Highway – Highway 542 and go right to the very end of the road! The drive takes about 3.5 hours today.
WHAT'S THE CLOSEST TOWN?
When you're looking for what towns to stya in, the closest towns where you'll be able to get basics are Glacier, WA and Maple Falls, WA. Glacier is 40 minutes from Artist Point. Maple Falls is about 45 minutes to Artist Point. Both are VERY small, with literally just the basics but if you're in a pinch, here are some options! If you want to do a good shopping haul or get anything you might need besides the essentials your main city will be Bellingham, WA.
Graham's Convenience Store - some last minute snacks, ATM, beer and beverages, a variety of miscellaneous convenience items if you forgot something at home
Wake n' Bakery - best breakfast around! I highly recommend their strawberry scones, peach crumble muffins, and chorizo breakfast burritos
Chair 9 Pizza and Bar - great pizza, great beer, some of the best food in the area!
Crossroads Grocery, Deming, WA - your closest grocery store option if you're looking to pick up some ingredients for a BBQ dinner, some lunch or hiking snacks
Maple Fuels Chevron Gas Station - gas station option in Maple Falls, closest to the mountain but is $$$$
Mobile Gas Station - cheaper gas option on your way in from Bellingham
THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO ELOPE AT MT. BAKER / ARTIST POINT
First things first, you need to decide what time of year you want to get married! Artist Point can look really different depending on the time of the year so it's essential that you nail down what look and feel you're going for! Are you looking for fall leaves and moody foggy vibes? Are you snow obsessed winter athletes? Do you want wildflowers and mountain views?
Summer is by far the most popular season to elope at Mt. Baker because of it's easy accessibility to tons of different locations, it's mild weather, and for the most part clear skies. July, August, September, and October are typically the best months to elope here. You'll have access to tons of breathtaking locations. The road to Artist Point usually opens in July but depends on when the snow melts. Brian and I got married here in early August so we could time it right to avoid the snow, and try to beat some of the late summer smoke and it was perfect!
MOUNT BAKER WEATHER MONTH BY MONTH
| January | Lots of heavy snow, most locations require snowshoes except Bagley Lakes. It's very likely that you won't have any mountain views, but even with heavy snow you'll be in alpine country and have perfect skiing weather! Average Temps: High 42° / Low 31° degrees |
| February | Heavy snow, rain and wind most days, expect few mountain views, February can be brutally cold and wet, so we typically don't recommend this month. Average Temps: High 50° / Low 35° degrees |
| March | Very wet and cold, most days with rain. We do not recommend eloping here in March. Average Temps: High 54° / Low 36° degrees |
| April | Things are warming up! Relatively warm and sunny for a little over half the days of the month. There's still plenty of snow on the ground, but white out days will be unlikely. Average Temps: High 61° / Low 40° degrees |
| May | Half of the days you'll have rain. Trails can be quite slushy and the fluffy snow turns icy. Average Temps: High 67° / Low 46° degrees |
| June | Trails start to open up! Days are warm and sunny. The road to Artist Point is still closed, but locations like Heather Meadows, Bagley Lakes, and Picture Lake are open. Average Temps: High 71° / Low 50° degrees |
| July | Warm, sunny days. The most beautiful time of year in the mountains! The road to Artist Point typically opens mid/late July and things are starting to green up. Average Temps: High 77° / Low 54° degrees |
| August | The peak time to visit! Wildflowers line the trails, days are dry and sunny. All trails will be accessible. Late August may have some smoke from nearby wildfires. Average Temps: High 78° / Low 53° degrees |
| September | One of the most beautiful times of year to visit! Temperatures are perfect, flowers are still blooming, trails are dry. However, there's a risk of wildfire smoke this time of year. Average Temps: High 73° / Low 48° degrees |
| October | An underrated time to visit and in our opinion, one of the best times! Wild blueberry and huckleberry bushes turn fiery red, snow starts to accumulate in the mountains, temperatures are cool and dry. In late October snow starts. Average Temps: High 42° / Low 58° degrees |
| November | The road to Artist Point closes in November, and heavy snow starts to fall. You'll have access to Bagley Lakes and Picture Lake, and potentially a few other trails. Average Temps: High 51° / Low 37° degrees |
| December | Lots of heavy snow, most locations require snowshoes except Bagley Lakes. It's very likely that you won't have any mountain views, but even with heavy snow you'll be in alpine country and have perfect skiing weather! Average Temps: High 31° / Low 42° degrees |
THE BEST ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS AT MT. BAKER
There's definitely no shortage of amazing locations for your Artist Point elopement! You have the majestic Mt. Baker volcano, views of Mt. Shuksan, glaciers, roaring waterfalls, stunning alpine lakes. Let's compare some of the locations that are my most recommended for couples wanting to elope.
Artist Point Elopement Locations
- Heather Meadows
- Picture Lake
- Bagley Lakes
- Chain Lakes Loop
- Ptarmigan Ridge Trail
- Huntoon Point/Artist Point
Heather Meadows
The Heather Meadows area of the Mt. Baker area is one of the most beautiful areas of the park. In the summer it's carpeted by beautiful white and pink heather blossoms, but also has one of the most spectacular and ADA accessible spots!
Best Time to Elope Here: June, July, August, September, October
**Note: November through early June there's often still feet of snow on the ground, so this would be a beautiful location in the winter if you want to snowshoe a little less than a mile.
Hiking Required: None! The Fire and Ice Trail is a short paved trail that leads to a stunning view of Iceberg Lake and Table Mountain.
Picture Lake
If you're looking for the best view of Mt. Shuksan then Picture Lake is IT. With plenty of gorgeous wildflower blooms in the summer, surrounded by lush forest. As one of the most photographed lakes in America, it's no secret why. The reflections off the lake make for the most stunning photos.
Best Time of Year to Visit: June, July, August, September, October, early November
Hiking Required: There's a short paved walkway (0.6 miles) to the viewpoint where you have Mt. Shuksan reflecting in the lake.
Bagley Lakes
For those that still want a bit of a hike on their wedding day but without it being too strenuous, the Bagley Lakes Loop is the perfect in between. If you're a lake lover like myself, you won't be disappointed.
Best Time of Year to Visit: Any time of year! This trail is open year round. In the summer the trail is rimmed by wildflowers, in the fall the berry bushes turn bright red, and in the winter you'll need boots and potentially snowshoes.
Hiking Required: Yes. This hike is a 2.2 mile mostly flat loop around the lake with some boardwalks to guide you, however you can choose to hike just 0.5 miles and you'll be at a beautiful beach with mountain views. Comfy shoes with good grip are recommended, although many of our couples have done it in sandals and flats!
Chain Lakes Loop
Brian and I hiked this trail with our friends for our elopement and I can absolutely confirm it's one of the most stunning hikes in the area. You'll have sweeping views as you traverse the mountainside, with wildflower meadows on one side, and stunning views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan, and pass multiple alpine lakes, each different and even more beautiful than the last. It's a moderately challenging hike, but worth it for the views. If you're obsessed with alpine lakes this is the trail for you.
Best Time of Year to Visit: late July to early October
Hiking Required: Yes. This hike is a 6.2 mile hike with 1,800 feet of elevation gain and takes roughly 5 hours to complete with time included to stop for photos. It's worth every mile though!
Ptarmigan Ridge
This trail not for the faint of heart, but if you're willing to make the trek, you'll be rewarded with up close and personal views of the Park Glacier (you can literally touch it) on Mt. Baker and it's the closest you can get without starting a climbing/mountaineering trail. It's one of the most spectacular hikes we've ever done and would be even more spectacular for an elopement ceremony!
Best Time of Year to Visit: late July to early October
Hiking Required: Yes. This hike is a 9 mile hike with 1,600 feet of elevation gain and takes roughly 5 hours to complete with time included to stop for photos. It's worth every mile though!
Huntoon Point / Artist Point
Had to save the best for last, but Huntoon Point is the iconic view that most people see at Mt. Baker. With Mt. Shuksan looming in the background on a clear day. This is the most popular spot at Artist Point, and for good reason! It's breath taking to have snow capped mountains so accessible! A perfect spot to say your vows.
Best Time of Year to Visit: late July to early October
Hiking Required: a short flat walk that's paved part of the way, about 1.2 miles total round trip.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY FOR YOUR ARTIST POINT ELOPEMENT
Alright, now that you've nailed down where you want to get married, you'll need to figure out where you're going to stay. No matter how rustic or how luxurious you wanna go for your elopement, here are some of the different options for nearby lodging from campgrounds to airbnbs!
Campgrounds:
- Silver Fir Campground - 29 minutes to Artist Point (end of Mt. Baker Highway)
- Douglas Fir Campground - 44 minutes to Artist Point
- Excelsior Group Camp - 38 minutes to Artist Point
If you're planning to camp make sure to book your site well in advance (6-12 months out) because these campgrounds fill up fast! Because there's so few options so close to the mountain you'll want to make sure to book early to secure your dream sites.
Airbnbs:
- The Hideout Mt. Baker - 30 minutes to Artist Point
- Hygge Hus - 30 minutes to Artist Point
- The Greybird Retreat - ~40 minutes to Artist Point
- Glacier's Lagom Cabin - ~40 minutes to Artist Point
Check out my blog The Best Airbnbs for Your Mt. Baker Elopement for even more options!
WHEN DOES THE ROAD CLOSE?
Unfortunately the last 1.8 miles of the highway closes in the the fall (typically at the end of October) and stays closed all winter due to the high snowfall. It opens back up mid-July but the exact dates can vary based on the amount of snowfall there is.
However, with that said, the highway all the way up until that last 1.8 mile stretch is open year round and provides access to the Mt. Baker Ski Area. So if you're planning on visiting in the spring or winter, you can still elope at Heather Meadows, Picture Lake, or Bagley Lakes!
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A PERMIT FOR MY WEDDING?
If you've read anything about getting married on public land, particularly state and national parks, you'll know that many require a special use permit for weddings or gatherings of any kind. But one of the perks of getting married in a national forest is that there tends to be fewer restrictions when it comes to gatherings! If you have under 75 guests you currently do not need a special use permit to get married in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. However, with that said you should always check with the US Forest Service website for up to date regulations and requirements when it comes to passes and permits. Often if a location gains popularity, regulations will change to protect the area from overuse.
While you most likely won't need a permit for your elopement, the area does require a $5 day pass for each vehicle that you can purchase online or at a visitors center, or you can get an annual Northwest Forest Pass for $30 that covers are land and recreation areas operated by the US Forest Service.
IS MY DOG ALLOWED TO COME?
Yes! One of the best things about getting married in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest is that you can bring your dog! They must be leashed at all times in developed areas (they can be off leash on backcountry trails and in wilderness areas) but you must pick up after them and make sure they don't chase the wildlife (we practice Leave No Trace principles and we're super passionate about this!). You don't need any special permit or pass to bring your dog either!
There's even a PNW Pet Coordinator Service that will help you transport and handle your dog for you! Check out Wags Down the Aisle!
SHOULD I HAVE A BACKUP PLAN?
The PNW is known for having unpredictable weather, smokey late summers, torrential rain, all sorts of wild weather conditions – so you should absolutely have a back up plan! But don't sweat it, when we plan your elopement day we'll talk about all sorts of different back up plans so no matter what happens, you'll still have the wedding of your dreams and the most spectacular photos imaginable.
GETTING YOUR WASHINGTON MARRIAGE LICENSE
While you don't need any special license or permit to get married at Mt. Baker, you will need to follow Washington State's marriage laws. The state of Washington has these requirements for a couple to legally get married:
- Application fee is $62.00
- Minimum age to marry is 18.
- Waiting Period: There’s a 3 day waiting period.
- License Validity Time: You'll have 60 days from the day you get the license to return it to the auditors office.
- Residency: You do not need to be a Washington resident to apply for a license or be married in the state.
- Witnesses: Witnesses are not necessary to apply for a license, but state law requires that at least two witnesses be present at the ceremony. Witnesses should be at least 12 years of age.
Couples planning to getting married in the state of Washington may be obtained a wedding license from the Whatcom County Auditors office. All of the necessary forms can be obtained in person or online: Whatcom County Auditors Office, 311 Grand Ave #103, Bellingham WA 98225.
I have a whole blog about How to Get Married in Washington State here too!
YOUR ARTIST POINT ELOPEMENT PACKING LIST
- Flashlight
- Headlamp
- Snacks
- Plenty of water
- Tissues (for all of those happy tears)
- Toilet paper (if you're planning on being at a location away from facilities)
- Your vows
- Rings
- Doggy bags (if you're bringing your furry friend)
- Dog treats
- Dog food (if you plan on being out all day)
- Hiking boots
- Shoes you'll wear for photos or ceremony if not your boots
- Your wedding attire (if you aren't hiking in it)
- Layers (weather can change in an instant, so be prepared for any weather)
- Rain jacket
- Florals if you're having a bouquet (bouquet, boutonnière, flower crown, flower collar for your dog, etc.)
- Northwest Forest Pass or day pass
- Blister pads + first aid
VENDORS FOR YOUR ARTIST POINT ELOPEMENT
Need to hire some vendors still? Check out some of my favorites below!
Officiants:
- Another One Ties the Knot – Cherise
- Me! I'm a registered officiant and would be more than happy to sign your marriage license
Florists:
- Noctua Floral - Bellingham Florist
- Tangled Roots Floral Design
- Goldenrod Floral Design - Seattle Florist (Carlee even did my own elopement bouquet!)
- Bugs Flowers - Seattle
- Kylie Hale Designs - Skagit/Seattle
Hair and Makeup:
Pet Wedding Day Coordinator:
Personal/Group Charcuterie Boards:
HOW TO ELOPE AT ARTIST POINT: YOUR CHECKLIST
- Choose the time of year you want to get married.
- Hire your Mt. Baker elopement photographer.
- Choose an amazing location
- Book your lodging
- Book your badass vendor team
- Apply for your national forest wedding permit (we'll talk about how to know if you need one later in this blog)
- Apply for a marriage license
- Get married! Woohoo!
MT BAKER / ARTIST POINT ELOPEMENT PACKAGES
Sound like an Artist Point elopement might be for you? Daaaaaaamn, you have good taste! Artist Point elopements are our specialty. Not only are we locals, but we eloped here too so we know all of the best spots. We plan elopements here from start to finish for our couples with everything from customized vendor recommendations, unique location recommendations, back up plans, day-of activities, a smooth timeline, and so much more!
MEET YOUR ARTIST POINT ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER + VIDEOGRAPHER
We're Natasha and Brian! Your Mt Baker / Artist Point elopement photographer and videographer, dog petters, and donut eaters focused on creating the dreamiest and intentional photos of your elopement. But we're so much more than just photographers. When you work with us, you get built in Mt Baker elopement planning experts, guides for all of the parks most beautiful trails, snack holders, dress fluffers, tissue providers, and friends.
We know exactly what it's like to elope, because that's what we did too! We eloped on a misty August day at Mt. Baker with our sweet dog Fern, 7 of our closest friends, and it couldn't have been more us. Creating an experience that's undeniably you and honors your relationship is what we know best.
