Lakes of the Clouds Elopement in New Hampshire

ALLIE & BRIAN · WHITE MOUNTAINS, NEW HAMPSHIRE

MARCH 24, 2025

An elopement couple standing above a misty mountain valley.

Allie and Brian’s Lakes of the Clouds elopement brought together a mountain hike, vows on Mount Monroe, and an overnight stay with friends in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. We had planned for sunrise, but a change in the forecast led us to an evening ceremony instead. Leaving room for that change became an important part of their day.

Hikers emerging above the trees into the mountains.

An elopement group with backpacks at the trailhead.

Hiking to Lakes of the Clouds Hut

I met Allie, Brian, and the two couples joining them at the trailhead. With our packs ready, we began the climb toward Lakes of the Clouds Hut, between Mount Monroe and Mount Washington.

The route took us through forest, past mountain streams and waterfalls, and eventually above the tree line. We even caught a glimpse of the Cog Railway as we climbed. It gave us time to settle into the day together before arriving at the hut.

Allie and Brian had reserved bunks at the AMC hut months earlier. When we arrived, we left our packs in the shared bunk room and took a little time to settle in before the evening ahead.

Hikers preparing their packs beside a car.

An elopement group hiking through the forest.

A hiker cooling off beside a rocky stream.

Hikers crossing a stream on stepping stones.

An elopement group climbing a rocky woodland trail.

Hikers crossing a rocky alpine path with backpacks.

Choosing an evening ceremony

Their original plan was to exchange vows at sunrise the following morning. When I checked the forecast, overnight cloud cover looked likely, with better visibility that evening. I suggested moving the ceremony to sunset, and Allie and Brian were happy to adjust.

With a few hours to prepare, Allie and their friends put together a bouquet using flowers they had carried up, then did their makeup. The plan had changed, but the people and place they had chosen were all there.

A small alpine lake beneath rocky mountain slopes.

A hiker standing in an alpine lake below the mountain hut.

An elopement group resting outside Lakes of the Clouds Hut.

Wooden dining tables inside Lakes of the Clouds Hut.

An evening ceremony on Mount Monroe

As the evening light softened, we made the short, steep climb toward Mount Monroe’s summit, carrying their wedding clothes. Boulders offered a little privacy while everyone changed and got ready.

Allie and Brian saw each other in their wedding clothes for the first time on the mountain.

They played rock paper scissors to decide who would read their vows first, then exchanged them with the lakes and Mount Washington in view. Clouds began to gather across the surrounding peaks as their friends watched.

It was a small ceremony in an expansive landscape, with plenty of space to hear each other and take it in.

Hikers descending beside a wide mountain valley.

A bride standing on the rocky alpine landscape.

An elopement couple preparing for a mountain first look.

An elopement couple meeting on a rocky mountaintop.

Newlyweds kissing above a misty mountain valley.

An elopement couple raising their arms above the mountains.

Lakes of the Clouds Hut among the alpine rocks.

A groom lifting the bride beside a rocky mountainside.

An elopement couple standing on a high rocky outcrop.

A distant elopement couple amid the White Mountains.

Portraits above the tree line

After the ceremony, we stayed on the mountain for portraits, with layers of ridgelines and the last of the evening light around us.

We made our way back toward the lakes as the light faded. Allie and Brian finished the evening by the water, still in their wedding clothes, before returning to the hut with their friends.

A hiker descending toward Lakes of the Clouds Hut.

An elopement group outside a glowing mountain hut at dusk.

An alpine lake reflecting the cloudy mountain sky.

A bride wading into an alpine lake at dusk.

An elopement couple stepping into a mountain lake.

An elopement couple embracing in the alpine water.

An overnight celebration at the hut

Back at the hut, we shared dinner and dessert. Later there was time by the lake for stargazing, candy, and stories. Staying overnight made space for those quieter hours together after the ceremony.

By sunrise, the mountains were wrapped in cloud. We made the damp, slippery descent together, glad we had been flexible about the ceremony timing.

A member of the elopement group outside the mountain hut.

An elopement group sharing a playful moment beside the hut.

Planning a Lakes of the Clouds elopement

If you are considering a mountain elopement with an overnight stay, start with the experience you want to have and build a practical plan around it.

Plan your stay with AMC. Review the hut’s operating season, availability, and reservation details directly with the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Build in flexibility. The forecast and actual conditions help determine the route and timing. Discuss alternatives before the day rather than relying on one exact view or hour.
Prepare for the full journey. Footwear, layers, lighting, food, and the distance involved all belong in the plan. Your wedding clothes can travel in your pack.
Consider everyone joining you. Choose the route and overnight arrangements around the experience and comfort of your whole group.
Care for the alpine landscape. Stay on established trails and durable surfaces, carry out what you bring, and confirm the relevant location and group requirements before finalizing your plans.

I grew up in New Hampshire and have hiked all 48 of its 4,000-footers. That familiarity helps me think through the terrain, the pace, and the room an outdoor day needs. Explore my New Hampshire elopement photography page or read how to elope in New Hampshire as a starting point for your plans.