Liz & Jaime

The world is full of beautiful places to explore. It often feels like we don’t have enough time to see everything, and so smaller, lesser-known places get overlooked. Places like the idyllic mountain town of Idyllwild, California come to mind. Just hours from where I grew up, I never visited until it was time to scout for my first elopement in this quaint town.

Liz & Jaime love the woods, but not as much as they love their corgi, Callie. In case you didn’t know, national parks don’t really allow for pets; except for in developed areas.

For this couple, bringing their pup was important to them. So, we skipped the well-known California national parks like Yosemite and headed for the very pet-friendly town of Idyllwild. In fact, Idyllwild is so pet friendly, that the mayor is a dog named Max. Fun stuff!

An Idyllwild Wedding Day

The morning of their wedding, clouds loomed overhead.

I’m no stranger to capturing weddings in the rain, but when it did start, the rain completely soaked me through on my way to their cabin and created flash flooding on the highway in mere minutes! Luckily, I got there just okay, thanks to the high-clearance of our van.

Liz & Jaime found an amazing cabin for their Airbnb elopement—all black on the outside, rich wood on the inside, and stunning views from the porch. I captured all their details, of which there were some highlights. Sugar skulls to honor their Mexican heritage, customized Pop Funkos of the three of them (including their Corgi!), and ‘til death jackets they made themselves.

The two got ready together before sharing a first look. I love these quiet moments together, shared only with their hair and makeup artists and their good friend who officiated.

This adorable cabin Airbnb came complete with hiking trails, so we had just a short walk down to the perfect outcropping of trees for their ceremony. Liz & Jaime’s friend officiated the ceremony, which made it all the more personal and special. Tears were shed and tequila was shared while their pup waited patiently underfoot.

After snacks and gifts at the Airbnb, we headed to an overlook for sunset portraits. I was worried we’d have rain all day, but the downpour stopped. Instead, we were treated to low-hanging clouds and a vibrant sunset that was absolutely unreal!

Back at the cabin, Liz & Jaime shared a first dance while their friend/officiant prepped dinner. We ate a meal together from The Sunflower Bakery, a local eatery in town. They also supplied the “cake,” or in this case, a peanut butter cheesecake. Yum!

What Makes an Elopement Special Is You & Your Choices

All in all, what made Liz & Jaime’s wedding day so special is that they did exactly what they wanted.

They wanted an elopement so they could focus on each other, rather than expensive and complicated wedding plans. They wanted rich forests for wedding portraits. And they wanted their corgi along for the day.

By communicating their values and preferences with me, I was able to help them organize an elopement that matched their vision. And that’s what I love to do more than anything else—helping couples have the wedding or elopement that means the most to them!

Tips for Your Idyllwild Elopement

Interested in taking your wedding day to the forested areas of Idyllwild and Pine Cone, California? That’s great!

Here are a few things to know when planning your Idyllwild elopement:

Be prepared for mountain roads. Steep and winding 2-lane roads are common. Come prepared and drive the speed limit!
Work with your photographer regarding locations, permits, and venues. Idyllwild is a topographically interesting place, with steep mountains and dense forests. Finding the perfect spot can be a challenge because of this, so work with a photographer who knows the area—or consider a venue wedding or elopement.
Practice Leave No Trace when getting married outdoors. Keep the natural world happy and healthy by following LNT guidelines: like packing out what you pack in, staying on trails, and respecting the local flora and fauna.
Consider the timing. Skip holiday weekends and aim for weekday weddings and elopements. Idyllwild can have snow in the winter and get warm in the summer, but it’s generally mild year-round!
Looking for adventure? If so, Idyllwild is a great spot for activities like hiking, offroading, and fishing.

Ready to take the next step? Book a call with Love & Latitudes, your Idyllwild elopement photographer!