ELENI P PHOTOGRAPHY

THE JOURNAL / ELOPEMENTS

Mount Pierce Sunrise Elopement on the Appalachian Trail, New Hampshire

DECEMBER 1, 2022

An elopement group gathering with hiking packs at the trailhead.

Erika and Drew returned to the Appalachian Trail for a sunrise elopement on Mount Pierce. We hiked to AMC’s Mizpah Spring Hut the afternoon before, then set out by headlamp for their ceremony. As fellow thru-hikers, the trail held a shared meaning for all of us.

A box of trail supplies labeled for thru-hikers.
Hikers with backpacks approaching a mountain hut.
A bride arranging flowers while taking a trail break.
A friend helping wrap the bridal bouquet.

The Morning Mount Pierce Elopement

After the best dinner of soup and lasagna that the Mizpah Hut croo made us, we played games until it was time for bed. There was a 4am wakeup after all! The alarms went off right on schedule, and the hair and makeup began by headlamp. The 3 of us made our way up the .5 miles to the ceremony spot, and started getting ready. We got SO lucky with the sunrise, and we had a beautiful blue and pink glow leading up to the ceremony time. All of their friends were gathered, and Erika's bestie officiated. The sun rose up over the White Mountains and presidential range as they said 'I Do'. It was truly a sight to see!

Wooden dining tables inside an Appalachian Mountain Club hut.
A pink wedding suit hanging inside a mountain hut.
Wedding rings on a pink suit and floral lining.
Elopement stationery and accessories on a wooden table.
An elopement group sharing a meal inside the mountain hut.
A wedding dress hanging beside a hiking ladder.
A wedding dress hanging beside a trail sign.
A colorful bridal bouquet in a glass jar.
A bride having her hair braided inside a mountain hut.
A groom in a pink suit resting before sunrise.
A bride adjusting her hair outdoors before the ceremony.
An elopement group getting ready on the trail before dawn.
A friend fastening the bride’s wedding dress on the trail.
A bride putting on earrings at sunrise.
An elopement couple laughing together in early morning light.
Family and friends gathered for a mountaintop elopement ceremony.
A couple exchanging vows on Mount Pierce at sunrise.
A couple exchanging wedding rings on a mountain summit.
Newlyweds kissing above the White Mountains.
An elopement couple holding hands during their vows.
A bride laughing with the groom after their ceremony.
Newlyweds embracing with their bouquet at sunrise.
An elopement couple walking across the rocky summit.
A bride holding her bouquet in the sunrise light.
A groom standing on a summit in a pink suit.
Newlyweds leaning together as the sun rises behind them.

Following the White Blazes

Next, Erika and Drew romped around a bit after their friends went back to the hut just to take it all in. The 3 of us slowly made our way back to the hut too, and took lots of photos along the way. We just HAD to capture the dirty gown every step of the way. They hiked back along the Appalachian Trail after the elopement for a bit, and posed with a white blaze too. IYKYK!

Newlyweds hiking through the forest in wedding attire.
An elopement couple standing together on a wooded trail.
A bride hiking down a rocky path with the groom.
Newlyweds dancing on a rocky mountaintop.
A bride standing before a forest waterfall.

I loved that they chose me as their photographer for this Appalachian Trail elopement because the trail feels like home. Fellow thru hikers need to stick together, too! Looking to plan a New Hampshire elopement but don't know where to start? Read this post on the best locations to elope in New Hampshire! I also put this post together on HOW to elope in New Hampshire, more of the nitty gritty.

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