Mount Rainier Wedding: Hannah + Nick
In 3rd grade, there was only one other third grade girl in my class. She had read all the Harry Potters (that were out at the time), didn’t hesitate to stick her tongue out at rude boys, and was ridiculously poised for an 8 year old. Fast forward almost 20 years later, and here I am shooting her wedding at Crystal on Mount Rainier, watching her marry someone who’s probably almost as good at skiing as she is. We actually met when we were 5, and she was one of three Hannah’s in my 3rd grade class. One of the coolest parts about being from a small town is seeing someone go through life, circle back, and be just as joyful, fun-loving, and passionate as they were as a kid. Hannah just moved home after a stint teaching underprivileged kids in Baltimore, and will now be teaching in Tacoma. She’s pretty amazing.
Nick and Hannah met in college, and he was just as star struck as you may have expected, based on his vows. Both Hannah and Nick love to dance, which they showed off by doing a swing dance as their first dance. Hannah grew up ski racing, so Crystal Mountain was a natural choice for their big day. The blue mountain popped a against their palette of red and yellow, and they incorporated traditions from Hannah’s British background into their ceremony. A family friend sang a beautiful song as champagne was passed and the marriage license was signed, and a toast sealed the deal right after their first kiss.
Washington State is surrounded by so much natural beauty, and Crystal Mountain is one of the places that shows it off in all of its splendor. Hannah and Nick did their first look in the lush green forest after getting ready in the quicksilver lodge, then took the gondola up to the top of the mountain, where Mount Rainier made the perfect backdrop to their I-do’s. Of course, being on Rainier, a pre-ceremony Rainier beer toast was mandatory, and the vitamin R flowed free.
Crystal Mountain is the ultimate choice if you’re a skiing fan, nature lover, or just someone who likes to take in the view. If a mountain getaway is your vibe, it just doesn’t get any better.
