Chugach Mountains Elopement Ceremony

GIRDWOOD, ALASKA —

Part two of Valerie + Michael’s elopement day started with meeting their closest friends for an epic hike up into the highlands of the Chugach Mountains. (If you haven’t read about the first part of their day where they flew in a helicopter to a glacier you can find that HERE). The trail was misty and socked in, wet with fog and shrouded in mystery for the trail ahead. We hiked a steep moraine field, over snow patches and falling streams to a snow-covered pass with a lake nearby.

At the top, Valerie + Michael’s closest friends joined them in a ceremony to make their marriage official. They each shed tears as they talked about their adventures and their love for nature and each other. They kissed as the fog swirled, hugged their friends, and shot tequila out of camping mugs to warm up.

There comes a moment with our work where we steal the couple away for a few private minutes for photos, it’s quiet, and we observe the moment, soaking in the reality of all that’s just occurred. This moment is my favorite part of a wedding day. Whether it’s in the misty highlands of a faraway land, or a backyard ceremony at a family home, this moment is always special because there’s a quiet contentment that washes over when you realize this thing you’ve been dreaming of for years is finally here — this moment to officially commemorate your commitment to your best friend. This is when we get to stop posing/directing, we let go of control and allow the story to unfold in all of it’s honesty and perfect candidness. These are my favorite photos of a wedding day. With Valerie + Michael, we took a step back as the two stood on a rock in the middle of an icy blue alpine lake, listening to soft music from a speaker, melting into each other as the air felt still and dark and quiet.

There is nothing quite like these moments.

READ PART ONE

flowers: the Slow Cult
transportation: Alpine Air Alaska
hair + makeup: Blushing Bride PDX
dress: Rue De Seine
suit: Indochino

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Cedar & Pines is a wedding and elopement photography duo made up of Nate and Megan Kantor, a married couple based in Southern California who travels the American West in their vintage Airstream. They believe in honest wedding photography, capturing the small candid moments to the epic landscape views. Primarily based near Joshua Tree California, they also travel often to Southwest Colorado, Moab Utah, and other destinations worldwide.