Al & Sarah | Adirondack Mountain Elopement | Elopement Photographer

Al and Sarah were married at the “Crows Nest” overlook in the Adirondack Mountains on August 22, 2020. After three postponements and cancellations for their wedding due to the pandemic, they decided to keep their final date and elope at one of their favorite places instead, the beautiful Adirondack Mountain region just a few hours from their home in Central New York.

Their micro wedding included just their original bridal party and their bridesmaid’s and groomsmen’s spouses. I was one of those very lucky spouses that had the honor of attending. I was not the wedding photographer for Al and Sarah’s big day, but Sarah was so gracious and kind to suggest that I take a few photos to keep my social media fresh after a very stagnant wedding season. It felt great to be photographing a wedding again. As a wedding photographer, I don’t ever want to be in the way or step on the toes of the hired professional on any wedding day, no matter how epic the location. So I took a very backseat approach and didn’t get too close or take too many pictures. I did my best to get the viewpoint of a guest. I kept my distance and many photos were taken from far away, which allowed for the location to really take the center seat. I kept my camera back in the room during the reception as well. So what you’re about to see here is not a complete picture of the full wedding day, but rather, some of the most beautiful behind the scenes moments that I encountered as a guest. There are no portraits, simply candids, and it makes for a unique photographic and viewing experience.

I took these photos right before my autumn wedding season arrived and haven’t had the chance to post because my client work had to come first. I’m so excited that Sarah let me play with her dress and shoes for some pictures too, as their photographer was seeing them on location for the first look. Al has been a good friend of my husband Matthew since childhood, but living states apart I didn’t have the honor of knowing Sarah as much as I know Al. She is the most kind and gracious person you will ever meet. I am so thrilled to be able to call Sarah a friend and absolutely blown away by her generosity. Sarah allowed me to stay with her bridal party at this lovely Airbnb that they rented while the guys stayed in tents at a local camp ground. All of her friends are so kind as well and it was wonderful getting the opportunity to get to know everyone.

The day started so peacefully at the Airbnb. The guys were giving themselves haircuts and getting dressed at the campground while Sarah’s crew had a relaxed breakfast and did their makeup at the Airbnb. We left in the early afternoon for the first look at a local river. Al’s reaction to seeing Sarah for the first time was so sweet. Then everyone changed into hiking clothes and put their suits in bags and dresses in backpacks and prepared for the hike to the top. The hike was only a .7 mile journey and at first it felt fairly moderate. I noted to myself that it was not so bad a hike at all. That is, until we reached the sign that declared .3 miles to the top. Those .3 miles were extremely steep and pure flat rock. It was quite the adventure! We joked with Al that there “ain’t no mountain high enough,” for their love and wedding day.

As Al climbed, the layers came off and I caught a funny moment of Sarah’s reaction as Al walked around the corner with his shirt off. He was wearing shorts, but by the way he was holding his suit bag it looked like he had taken all off because of the heat. At the top we all rested and recouped before getting redressed and preparing ourselves for the ceremony. There were not too many other hikers in the area at the time, but I like to think that we were a pleasant surprise for the few hikers that stumbled upon this romantic moment. The ceremony was so sweet and after we celebrated with a champagne toast.

Al and Sarah’s reception was held in a beautiful hotel in Lake Placid. Because no dancing was permitted for their wedding, Al and Sarah had the loveliest and most memorable first dance on the top of the mountain. I used a longer lens to get a little bit closer for these photos, but again I was trying to be considerate and keep my distance. I hope that you enjoy this lovely behind the scenes photographic account of Sarah and Al’s gorgeous mountaintop elopement.

Congratulations, Al and Sarah! Matthew and I are so happy for you both.

Thank you so much for taking the time today to view Sarah and Al’s lovely elopement. Please take the time to write a brief comment of congratulations in the comments section below for Sarah and Al to read. If you loved the photos today, I would appreciate your support of my business by following me on Facebook at Facebook.com/LiveLovelyPhotography (reviews are never expected, but always appreciated) and Instagram @LiveLovelyPhotography and by recommending my work to engaged couples that you know. I appreciate your kindness.