Twenty-four hours before filming one of my most challenging elopements, I could barely walk up a flight of stairs. As I sit on the couch with my family now, I reflect on how that moment of vulnerability became one of my most creatively fulfilling days—offering a fresh perspective on why I became a wedding filmmaker.
The Wedding of Hailey & Tyler
The Challenge Begins
My favorite type of wedding to film is an elopement. There’s something magical about exploring a new mountain or beach while witnessing two souls confess their undying love on a mountaintop. When Hailey and Tyler pitched filming their Roman Nose elopement during our first consultation, I knew this would be one of my favorite weddings to capture in 2025. I just didn’t know it would also be one of my most physically demanding.
Three days before the wedding, I woke up with a moderate cramp in my leg. While it was annoying and painful, it didn’t stop me from playing pickleball for two hours. Big mistake. By evening, I had to crawl up the stairs to reach my bed, groaning in agonizing pain every time I rolled over during the night.
Now, with all plans set and the route to hike Roman Nose mapped out, I could barely walk. My wife and I visited my parents the night before the wedding, and I hobbled out of the car, panic setting in—how was I going to make it through an entire elopement day, let alone hike a mountain trail?
My mom gave me an athletic sling for my leg. The morning of the elopement, I wrapped it as tightly as I could and took as much Tylenol and ibuprofen as my body could safely process. At 6 a.m., I was out the door, hoping for the best.
A Creative Constraint Becomes an Opportunity
After picking up my photographer friend Morgan of Found in Fables to help capture this special day, I felt a peace I hadn’t experienced in a long time. While I love celebrating and capturing the biggest parties to celebrate love, it was refreshing to enter a day with such a relaxed schedule. The pressure was off; I was truly free to capture this wedding authentically.
Because of my injury, I made a crucial decision: instead of my usual setup—half handheld rig, half gimbal with multiple lenses—I would pack light with only my handheld rig and two prime lenses. What started as a limitation became a creative catalyst. Restricting my options forced me to be more intentional about lighting, composition, and moments. The result was more intimate footage that perfectly matched the day’s energy.
As Morgan and I left the car to meet Hailey and Tyler at their family home, my leg miraculously got into gear. I could walk again. Even better, we were invited to enjoy a delicious breakfast cooked by the bride’s family: bacon, eggs, and cream-filled stuffed French toast with fresh berries and maple syrup. The ultimate comfort food motivated me to start capturing the day after being treated so kindly. We also met Hailey and Tyler’s wonderful daughter Lucy, a ball of joy and energy who would light up every frame.
Nature’s Drama Unfolds
Morgan and I began filming outside the home, capturing the local fauna near the Pack River Country Club. The mountain air carried the scent of pine needles and morning dew, and the calm I felt earlier grew stronger. I was truly in the moment with my camera.
Then, out of nowhere, a thunderous crack split the morning silence. I spun around to see a massive pine crashing to the forest floor just thirty feet behind me. That definitely woke me up.
After capturing all the morning preparations, we drove from Pack River Country Club up to the Roman Nose Trailhead. The drive through Northern Idaho’s backroads was surprisingly relaxing, and as we reached alpine elevation, the peace in my heart peaked.
The Ceremony: Mosquitoes and Magic
Hopping out of the car, we were greeted by dozens of tourists—unexpected for our relatively early arrival at the bottom lake. We were also greeted by swarms of mosquitoes that decided to feast on the tasty treats we presented them.
Pro tip for mountain elopements: Bring at least six bottles of bug spray.
We walked to the lake’s edge where the ceremony would take place. Hailey changed in the park bathroom (what a trooper!) while we set up my small speaker for ceremony music. In a nearby clearing, the wedding party observed a magnificent elk as we waited for Hailey to slip into her dress. As she emerged from the bathroom, mosquitoes flocked to her presence. While her perfume was overpowered by the scent of DEET, she didn’t seem to mind.
At last, ceremony time. Tyler, with his daughter Lucy, walked down the aisle and awaited his bride-to-be. Emotion filled the cold mountain air as Hailey walked down the pathway with her brother. The cold breeze carried their vows as they exchanged rings and shared their first kiss as a married couple.
Laughter, tears, and warm embraces from Hailey and Tyler’s family filled the air. The joy was palpable. We captured formal family photos while I flew the drone around the lake. Lucy was camera-shy initially but warmed up with infectious laughs that made everyone smile. Then we popped champagne and toasted the newlyweds.
The Ascent: Keeping Up with Love
Now came the real test—hiking to the cliffside for dramatic shots with the married couple. As we consolidated our gear, I wondered how my leg would hold up. Biting my lip and preparing for the journey, I watched Hailey and Tyler start speed-walking up the mountain in heels, leaving Morgan and me in the dust.
This wasn’t a strenuous hike—quite enjoyable with North Idaho’s magnificent flora and fauna. The challenge was keeping up with two lovebirds chatting as if seated in a café eating biscuits and scones. Morgan and I huffed to keep pace, but miraculously, my leg didn’t hurt at all. I maintained a solid cadence to the top.
As we climbed, clouds and fog burned off, and sun rays pierced through to the lake below. Approaching the summit, sunlight beamed down, creating countless opportunities to play with natural lighting.
A gentleman gave us wrong directions to the cliffside, but at Roman Nose, there’s no bad view for a photoshoot. We entered switchbacks with incredible lake views—the perfect spot for the couple’s personal vows and first dance. We set up and watched Hailey and Tyler confess their undying love, reciting heartfelt, tender, tear-jerking vows. For their first dance, we played Gregory Alan Isakov’s “Sweet Heat Lightning,” letting the melody flow from my portable speaker as they danced on the mountainside.
Before descending, we captured portraits from every vantage point—deep in alpine canopy and brush-filled pathways leading to the second and third lakes. When fog occasionally rolled up and down the mountain, we seized every moment. After finishing our shoot, we trekked back to the parking lot.
The Celebration Continues
Back at the family home, we were greeted by a decorated table with the aromas of meats, cheeses, and fruit laid out under a tent. The family celebrated while Lucy ran across the backyard field with her uncle and stuffed bunny. Heartfelt toasts filled dinner, and after cake-cutting, we called it a day.
What We Learned: Practical Takeaways for Mountain Elopements
This day taught us valuable lessons for couples planning mountain elopements:
Timing matters: Morning ceremonies at popular spots mean sharing the space—plan for flexibility and arrive early.
Pack strategically: Bring extra bug spray, comfortable backup shoes, and weather layers.
Embrace constraints: Sometimes limitations force the most creative and authentic moments.
Trust your vendors: Experienced photographers and videographers adapt to challenging conditions.
Reflection: Finding Your Why
As I drove home with a nearly healed leg, I reflected on my why. These are the weddings that replenish my creative energy and allow me to be myself in the cool mountain air. This day reminded me why I fell in love with elopement filmmaking—it’s not about perfect conditions, but about being present for perfect moments.
The physical challenge that initially seemed like a disaster became a creative breakthrough. By limiting my equipment and trusting my instincts, I captured some of my most intimate and authentic footage to date.
Morgan and I have decided to team up as a photo-video duo for 2026, specializing in elopements and traditional weddings alike. If you’ve read this far, thank you—I’d love to know more about you, whether you’re planning a wedding, elopement, or simply interested in getting lost in nature.
If you’re interested in learning more about our approach to authentic wedding storytelling, please reach out through my website and tell me about yourself. Morgan and I would love to learn about your plans for your special day and help you create something uniquely yours.
