Intimate Elopement with Friends in New Hampshire
While some couples dream of a big wedding celebration with hundreds of guests, others crave something intimate, intentional, and less stressful. Alyssa and Tim found a way to have BOTH!
Their Cannon Mountain elopement in New Hampshire was the intimate wedding experience they had envisioned: with just a handful of close friends (and me, of course!) While they still planned the large traditional wedding a few weeks later, this day was entirely for them. The wedding day they had always dreamed of! This is the perfect example of how you can combine an adventure elopement (they chose my 4-hour elopement package) AND still have a big wedding for family and friends.
Why They Chose to Elope in the New Hampshire Mountains
“We both really wanted to have our wedding celebration in NH, because the state is really where our relationship started and where we fell in love!”
From the beginning, New Hampshire held so much meaning for them. But like many couples, they also felt the pressure of balancing family expectations with what they truly wanted for themselves.
Their larger Massachusetts wedding was to include over 140 guests and all the traditional elements. While fun and beautiful in its own way, not necessarily reflective of who Allyssa and Tim are as a couple. As introverts, the thought of being the center of attention ALL DAY long felt overwhelming (I hear this A LOT!). So what made them decide to have 2 separate wedding days then?
After visiting Sunset Hill House earlier that summer and seeing the mountain views surrounding Franconia Notch, everything clicked into place! They realized they could create a more intimate wedding experience that actually felt like them. Instead of choosing one or the other, they decided to have the best of both worlds: an intimate Cannon Mountain elopement in New Hampshire, followed by the traditional wedding celebration later on. And honestly? I absolutely love this approach!
Read How to Tell Your Friends and Family you’re Eloping
Morning at the Airbnb Cabin
Their Cannon Mountain elopement day began slowly and intentionally at their cabin Airbnb tucked away in the White Mountains. No chaotic timelines, no crowded hotel rooms, just a peaceful morning spent with their closest friends. They even had time to work on a puzzle!!!
One of my favorite parts of the day was their emotional first look outside the cabin before we headed toward the mountains. Alyssa wore the most gorgeous wedding dress and golden crown that matched her style and personality perfectly; ethereal, effortless, and downright STUNNING.
PS: Another fun perk of having 2 wedding celebrations is you can pick two different dresses to fit the vibes!
Looking for elopement wedding dress inspo? Check out my Pinterest board here!
Getting to the Ceremony Spot
With the easily accessible Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway, we reached the tops of the mountains overlooking Franconia Ridge in no time at all! This required no long hike or strenuous uphill trek, but rather a relaxing, quick adventure on an easy trail.
We reached the perfect lookout spot for the couple to have their intimate, mountain-top ceremony. Surrounded by their friends, the forest, and the fresh September breeze, they pledged their love and life to one another.
After a few formal photos, a couple of beers, and a whole lot of laughs, we headed back down the mountain to the cabin. We parted ways as they went to enjoy their time together – closing out their incredible 4-hour Cannon Mountain elopement adventure with me!
Read the Ultimate Guide to an Airbnb Elopement here
Planning a Cannon Mountain Elopement
If you’re dreaming about a Cannon Mountain elopement yourself, well, you’ve come to the right place! This area of New Hampshire is truly one of the best places to get married in New England.
With so many trails (varying in difficulty, the gondola, the easily accessible views of Franconia Ridge, soo many cozy cabins to rent, and a ton of adventures to be had in all of the White Mountains – it really is the perfect place for couples wanting an adventurous elopement!
This particular day was a part of my 4 Hour Elopement Experience, which ended up being the perfect amount of time for the couple. Their timeline included:
- Getting ready at the cabin
- A first look
- Riding the Gondola
- Exploring the Cannon Mountains trails
- Intimate ceremony + Portraits
For couples wanting a laid-back experience while still infused with adventure, eloping truly does cover all those bases. Whether it be a 4-hour elopement or an all-day experience.
Find out more on How to Elope in New Hampshire here!
Booking your New Hampshire Elopement Photographer
Not sure how many hours you need for your elopement day? As your elopement photographer, that’s something we can brainstorm about on our call together! But for a few more tips on planning out the timing, check out this blog on How to Build Your Elopement Day Timeline here!
Planning an elopement means you get to customize your day exactly how you want – and I’m here to help! I’m not just a photographer, a planning pro, confidant, hiking expert, and the calm on your day. In other words, I’m here to help you create a completely customized elopement experience from start to finish. I’m proud to offer support throughout the entire process, from the first time you reach out to your gallery reveal party (that’s right–party!). No matter which package you choose, or whether you have a two-person elopement hike or a 50-person wedding celebration!
I hope this Cannon Mountain Elopement inspired you to break the traditions and plan your dream wedding! Now scroll through and take a peek at more of Alyssa + Tim’s beautiful day in New Hampshire!
Check out more Elopement Planning resources:
Check out this guide on The Best Elopement Ideas: How to plan the Perfect Elopement
Small Wedding but Big Reception inspo here
