Mt Baker Backpacking Elopement: Gabby + Devin’s First Time Wilderness Wedding

Gabby and Devin had never backpacked before. Like never.

And they decided to get married while backpacking.

They’d done some day hikes and even car camped a few times. But carrying everything on their backs for multiple days into the Mt Baker wilderness? That was completely new territory. And yet somehow, after not finishing a trail in Sequoia National Park, they decided that backpacking was exactly how they wanted to get married.

So they hired a fitness trainer, tested gear on practice hikes, and a few months later carried a 12-pound wedding dress, a rack of lamb, and cheese fondue six miles into Washington backcountry. They made their own vow holders, tied a figure eight knot during their ceremony, danced to three songs under Mount Shuksan, and stayed at camp until 9 p.m. the next day because they didn’t want to leave.

If you’re thinking about a Mount Baker backpacking elopement but you’ve never backpacked—keep reading. Because these two hadn’t either.

As Featured in People Magazine: Bride and Groom Exchange Wedding Vows at 6,000 Ft. After Training a Year for the Hike

Who Gabby + Devin Are

Gabby and Devin met in college while they were both studying music. Gabby is a metal harpist—like heavy metal, hardcore harp—which is one of the coolest things we’ve heard. Devin used to be in commercials as a kid, so they’re very much theater kids and music lovers at heart.

They started out as friends and after both going through major heartbreaks, they decided to start seeing each other differently and give it a shot. They officially started dating on Devin’s birthday in 2019, and almost immediately after went to Cuba with family. Once they started dating, they were kind of all in.

The idea to elope came after a trip to Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon. They were on a trail they really wanted to complete but couldn’t finish it. And instead of just letting it go, they decided they wanted to get married while backpacking. Even though they’d never backpacked yet.

Planning a Mt Baker Backpacking Elopement With Zero Experience

When they came to us with this vision, we were all for it. We told them it was definitely possible, but they were going to need to train and do some test runs first to make sure they were prepared.

After sharing some potential elopement locations in Washington, they came up to Mount Baker with Gabby’s family to check it out. They hiked Chain Lakes during that trip and said it was the most beautiful hike they’d ever done. They were completely blown away. Very cemented in that they’d picked the right spot.

We picked a different trail for their actual elopement—longer and harder than Chain Lakes—so they decided to get serious about training.

If you’re wondering about permits for the Mt Baker wilderness or which trails make sense for your fitness level, that’s part of what we help couples figure out. We know the area, the logistics, the timing—what’s actually possible and what’s going to make your day feel the way you’re envisioning it.

How They Trained for Their First Backpacking Elopement

They hired a fitness trainer. Like specifically to train for their elopement. Which was genius.

They both got super fit and strong over the months leading up to their wedding because they knew their packs were going to be heavy. Gabby’s dress alone weighed about 10-12 pounds. They both lost a significant amount of weight through this whole process and later told us that they felt so much more capable going into the experience.

One of the coolest things about the months leading up to their elopement was that they got to do even more of the adventures that had initially inspired this whole idea. They actually went back to that trail in Sequoia—the one that started everything—and backpacked the entire thing! They also did a hike we recommended in Bishop. So by the time their wedding day came, they’d already created all these memories and experiences together. The whole journey leading up to their elopement became part of their story.

The Six-Mile Hike Into Mt Baker Wilderness

Elopement day started at their cabin where they both got hair and makeup done. Devin got his done too—yes, guys can absolutely do this if they want. Then they changed into their hiking gear and we headed out for the six-mile hike in.

Gabby and Devin were so stoked. Like the whole time. We stopped so they could do a full stretching routine before getting started—very cute—and then stopped at every viewpoint along the way so they could take it all in. They just kept saying, “This is so beautiful, this is incredible!” The stoke was beyond.

On our way up, we ran into a guy hiking with his goats. Kind of like how we hike with our cat, Indy. Gabby and Devin lost it. They were so excited about the goats.

Every view we came across, their jaws were on the floor. It was like watching two kids in a movie frolicking through a field and as elopement photographer, it was really cool to watch them experience it.

Setting Up Camp

We got to camp. They set up their tent together, got their chairs set up, and just relaxed for a bit.

They told us they picked a backpacking elopement partly because of that Sequoia hike. But also because they really loved just sitting out in nature. Like for as long as they want. They’d done a car camping trip before and their favorite thing about it was just sitting at camp all day. No phones, no distractions, no noise, no people. That’s what they wanted for their wedding day too.

We were trying to decide where to set up our tents versus theirs, and they mentioned they were probably staying all day the next day and sleeping in. So we put our tents a little ways away so we wouldn’t wake them up when we hiked out at 6 a.m. They came back to our house the next day and told us that they didn’t get back down the mountain until 9 p.m. They literally stayed up there all day and just sat there and enjoyed it. Just like anyone should on their elopement day.

First Look & Ceremony in the MT Baker Backcountry

After some time at camp, they got ready on opposite sides of the tent so they could still have a first look. Devin wore a sharp suit, but Gabby’s dress was the real showstopper.

She’d worked with the same designer who made a dress for one of her harp music video shoots—a dress she’d felt the most beautiful in. It was also the dress from her quinceañera. She reached out to see if the designer still had the original, but she didn’t. So the designer remade it and added even more this time—a dramatic hip piece, lace details, a cape, and an ornate head dressing.

Devin had been expecting a completely new dress. So when he saw her wearing this reimagined version of something that already meant so much to her—he was very surprised and emotional. Very sweet to watch.

Their ceremony was full of personal touches. They’d written their vows and made their own vow holders—not traditional books or loose sheets, but handmade holders with patterns that reflected their story and the things they love.

Devin sang part of his vows to her.

They tied the knot—literally tied a figure eight knot together. They also broke the glass in the Jewish mazel tov tradition.

Gabby didn’t carry a traditional bouquet either. She attached her flowers to her hiking poles—genius!

After the ceremony, we gave them lots of time to just soak it in. Devin did this big hurrah and threw the rope up in the air. They were very stoked. Happy and laughing and crying all at the same time.

Wedding Dinner in the Wilderness: Lamb Chops & Cheese Fondue

During planning, Gabby and Devin told us they wanted their elopement to feel magical. That became a guiding principle for all their decisions, including dinner.

When they asked about meal options, we walked them through what most couples do—freeze-dried camp meals or packed sandwiches, since fires aren’t allowed in the Mt Baker wilderness. The options are pretty limited when you’re miles into the backcountry.

But they wanted something that would make their wedding dinner feel like a real celebration. So they came back to us with an idea: lamb chops and cheese fondue.

We’d never seen anyone do this. But we were like, if you can figure it out, go for it. We just wanted them to be aware of the weight that was going to add to their packs and to test it beforehand to make sure they didn’t get sick on their wedding day.

And they pulled it off. They made cheese fondue—a nod to their honeymoon in Switzerland—with baguettes and a whole rack of lamb out in the wilderness and not only did they get to enjoy a delicious meal, but it made their elopement special and, more importantly, THEIRS. For more ideas on how to do something like this for your own celebration, check out our guide on how to make your elopement special.

Once the sun started setting, we took portraits with Mount Baker in the background. Before we lost the light completely, we found a flat spot with a rock ring around it where they decided to have their first dance.

It wasn’t your traditional first dance, even for an elopement. It felt more like a party. They danced to three songs, singing along the whole time. It just felt very free.

Once the sky got dark enough, we set up for Milky Way photos. Gabby had never seen the Milky Way before and was so excited about it. We had a clear night, and you could see the whole Milky Way stretching right over Mount Baker.

What We Loved About This Mt Baker Backpacking Elopement

What stood out most about Gabby and Devin’s Mount Baker backpacking elopement was that they tried something they’d literally failed at before and decided to get married doing it.

In a lot of ways, it reminded us of our own wedding because Traci had never backpacked before setting out on the Wonderland Trail to hike 90-some miles around the mountain to get married.

We love working with folks who are willing to just get after it and Gabby and Devin were just that. It didn’t matter that Gabby’s dress weighed 12 pounds or that they wanted lamb chops in the wilderness—they were going to figure it out.

It’s one thing to make your elopement day intentional, but Gabby and Devin really infused theirs with who they are. When they first came to us, Gabby was very clear she wasn’t traditional and wasn’t wearing a white dress. It was important to her not to feel forced into something just because that’s what society expects.

Their connection was obvious and inspiring. These two people out of billions found exactly who they were meant for, and you could feel it the whole day.

Planning Your Own Mt Baker Backpacking Elopement

So if you’re thinking about a Mt Baker backpacking elopement and wondering if you need experience—you don’t. Gabby and Devin had never backpacked before they booked with us, and they made it happen.

You don’t need to be the most experienced outdoor person. But you do need to be willing to train for it if necessary, do test hikes with your gear, and be flexible with what’s possible and what’s not. It really helps to work with people who know the area and can guide you through the planning process so you’re not figuring everything out on your own.

And luckily, that’s where we come in! We help couples figure out everything from what backpacking gear you actually need for an elopement to which trail routes make sense for your fitness level and what you’re envisioning for your day. We know the permits, the logistics, the timing, and how to make your day feel special even when you’re six miles into the wilderness carrying everything on your back.

This is a Mount Baker expedition, but it’s also an example of what’s possible when you’re willing to try something new, put in the work to prepare for it, and make it completely your own.

If you’re ready to talk through your own Mt Baker backpacking elopement, let’s start planning your adventure together. Lamb chops optional, but highly encouraged.

Vendors who made this Mt Baker Wilderness Expedition possible:

Photography & Videography: Adventure and Vow
Hair & Makeup: Skagit Valley Hair and Makeup
Dress Designer: Belinda’s Design and Couture
Flowers: Forever Flowers by Gigi
Cabin: Luxury Getaways at Mt Baker

Free Consult Call about your Mt Baker Wilderness Elopement

Blog post written by Sonder Studio