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How we eloped at mt. baker as elopement photographers
AKA: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO planning your own mt baker elopement
Hi! I'm Natasha! Your Washington 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 an elopement that's all about those moments.
NATASHA CARDINAL
WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
WHY WE HAD A MT BAKER ELOPEMENT
It's easily just as beautiful as Mt. Rainier, but with significantly fewer people, less restrictions, and...it's free (if you have under 75 guests)!
Having a Mt Baker elopement always made sense for us. Brian and I always knew we wanted to elope. It was something we had talked about from the beginning, before we were ever engaged actually. One of the perks of being elopement photographers is that the topic of marriage came up often, since it's something we're involved in every day!
Before we decided to only focus on elopements, we were wedding photographers for almost 6 years, photographing your standard 100+ person weddings. And while most of the weddings we had been to were wonderful, non-traditional, we always knew that it was never us. Weddings came with a certain amount of production, stress, and drama that we just weren't about.
Not to mention the fact that we came from two divorced families, and starting to work on the guest list, thinking of our parents in the same room together, was enough to send both of us spiraling into panic. So from day one eloping was absolutely the easy decision! Logistics aside, being dedicated hikers/backpackers/travelers for so much of our lives, having an adventure elopement made sense for us. We wanted something we could include our dog Fern in, something fun, something with absolutely no pressure, and quality time with our friends.
PLANNING YOUR OWN MT. BAKER ELOPEMENT?
Well you came to the right place! Not only did we elope at Mt Baker because we love it so much, but we're also experts on eloping there because well..it's our job! We're local to Mt Baker and live in Bellingham so it's one of our most visited places.
So this is everything you need to know to plan your own magical elopement here too! (And if you came here to see our elopement photos, you can skip right to the bottom of this page by clicking here!)
IN THIS GUIDE WE'LL COVER
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
WHY WE CHOSE MT. BAKER
There was never really any other option in our minds because from the first time we ever visited Mt. Baker we knew it was for us. It had the drama and the beauty of a national park, but without all of the red tape AND Fern could go anywhere and everywhere with us since it's in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. We wouldn't have to worry about crowds, or permits, we were familiar with all of the trails, annnnnnd since we live in Bellingham, WA it's only an hour away from us! Everything would be convenient, we didn't have to travel far.
But it wasn't just Baker's beauty that sold us. The Mt.Baker Wilderness is one of the most pristine wilderness areas in the whole U.S., with more untouched wilderness than anywhere else in the country. The idea that we could seal our bond in a place that truly felt wild, a place that felt untouched, meant everything to us.
HOW TO GET TO MT. BAKER
FLYING – If you're flying, there are three options to get here for your Mt Baker elopement.
- SeaTac / Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – 3.5 hours from Mt Baker
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 Mt Baker
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 Mt Baker
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! 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
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 Mt Baker elopement! You have the majestic Mt. Baker (a volcano actually!), views of Mt. Shuksan, glaciers, roaring waterfalls, stunning alpine lakes, wildflowers in the summer. 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 MT BAKER 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 TO MT BAKER CLOSE?
Unfortunately the last 1.8 miles of the highway that goes specifically to Artist Point 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! And if you're a skier it's even better!
HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A PERMIT FOR MY ELOPEMENT?
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 TO MY MT BAKER ELOPEMENT?
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 FOR MY MT BAKER ELOPEMENT?
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!
HOW TO ELOPE AT MT BAKER: 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!
OUR MT. BAKER ELOPEMENT PHOTOS
Lastly, here are our own elopement photos by the incredible Kevin Ruano!
VENDORS
Photos: Kevin Ruano Photography (our INCREDIBLE best friend who took our amazing photos) + us + our amazing friends who attended!
Florals: Goldenrod Floral Design
Airbnb: The Hideout Mt. Baker
Dress: The Beverly by Scout Bridal
Suit: Studio Suits
