Sunrise elopement in the White Mountains of New Hampshire

The first thing Tiernan + Doug said on our initial zoom inquiry was “We want an adventure” and as we worked with them to curate their perfect day, one thing came abundantly clear, a sunrise elopement in the White Mountains of New Hampshire was the only option!

Tiernan + Doug are avid lovers of the mountains and spend as much of their free time as possible climbing, hiking, running and camping all throughout the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire, so it was only fitting they celebrated their love there on their elopement day.

A hut stay and a first look under a starry sky

With a week off from work, Tiernan + Doug decided to kick start their White Mountains adventure with an overnight stay at the highest hut in New Hampshire, the AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Having the hut as a home base for their elopement not only afforded Tiernan + Doug a place to get dressed in the event their elopement is beset by famed Mount Washington weather, but also would give them a few extra hours of sleep ahead of their pre-dawn wake up for their elopement. The hut would also give Tiernan + Doug the opportunity to include something they knew from the very start of the planning they wanted their elopement to include, a first look!

After Doug finished getting ready, he stepped outside to give Tiernan the space to put her dress on before she joined him under a crystal clear, star-filled New Hampshire sky. Illuminated by lantern and headlamp, Tiernan + Doug shared their first look in the quiet stillness of the mountain air, with the Presidentials looming over them in every direction.

Blue hour in the Alpine zone

After their first look, Tiernan + Doug packed their bags and we began the hike up Mount Monroe, where D +T planned to exchange their vows as the sun rose over Boott Spur and the shoulder of Mount Washington. It was the perfect blue-hour morning. The sky was clear of clouds and the sky was illumined in a beautiful blue-purple gradient which created the perfect backdrop for some stunning images of Tiernan + Doug looking like the best-dressed backpackers to have ever put boot to stone on the Crawford Path.

We were a little ahead of schedule (planning a sunrise is not an exact science but it’s better to be early than late!) so Tiernan + Doug took advantage of the extra time we had and explored the summit of Mount Monroe with their lanterns.

Sunrise Vows in the heart of the White Mountains

With the sky shifting from blue to orange, it was time to Tiernan + Doug to exchange vows and rings. We found a group of rocks right on the edge of the trail (respecting the Alpine Zone in the White Mountains is a must!) and as the sun rose over the distant ridge, Tiernan + Doug shared the most beautiful, heartfelt words with each other.

The timing was perfect. Just as the sun appeared above the ridge, Tiernan + Doug exchanged their rings and sealed their union with a kiss, the warm September sun kissed their faces and wrapped them in a golden glow.

Summit Portraits in the White Mountains

With their marriage sealed, it was time to celebrate! Tiernan + Doug hopped from rock to rock, playing around on the summit just as they would on any of their typical adventures. In documentary fashion, we let Tiernan + Doug be freely and truly themselves, capturing their love in its most authentic form.

Breakfast at the Lakes of the Clouds Hut

After sunrise at the top of the White Mountains, Tiernan + Doug packed their bags and headed back down to the hut, where the Croo had a surprise for them, a private table overlooking Ammonoosuc ravine and a pancake breakfast!

As Tiernan + Doug entered the hut, a cacophony of jubilation erupted! Everyone present hooted and hollered with excitement, it seemed word of their elopement had beat them down the mountain. Tiernan + Doug dined on the White Mountains finest pancakes and chased it all down with hot chocolate, topped with Tiernan’s homemade marshmallows.

Lakeside Letters at the Lakes of the Clouds

With their bellies as full as their hearts, Tiernan + Doug made their way to the edge of the Lakes of the Clouds to read letters loved ones had penned in lieu of their presence at their elopement. Tears of the happiest kind were shed. Smiles were as wide as can be.

The adventure continues

Their sunrise elopement in the White Mountains of New Hampshire was only the fist stop of Tiernan + Doug’s week filled with adventure. After packing their bags and bidding the hut Croo adieu, Tiernan + Doug made their way down the Ammonoosuc ravine trail and to the Omni Mount Washington Resort, where a hot shower and a homemade wedding cake (courtesy of Tiernan) was waiting for them. The rest of their week was to be filled with more adventures in the White Mountains and topped off with a stop at their favorite climbing crag in Rumney!

If you’re starting to think about how you want to build your elopement day, this White Mountains elopement timeline guide shares a few things to keep in mind as you start shaping the day.

Want to learn more?!

Does this sound like your kind of adventure? If you are interested in throwing tradition to the wind and want to let your love run wild, don’t hesitate to reach out! The Wild Bunch Photography would absolutely love to help you dream up and live the perfect day for you!