Makinsey + Seth | Naches Peak Loop & Dewey Lake Sunrise Elopement | Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington State 

"In the quiet embrace of dawn, two hearts intertwined, and Dewey Lake bore witness to a love that bloomed with the rising sun."

 

When it comes to Washington State elopements, few places are as breathtaking as Naches Peak Loop and Dewey Lake in Mt. Rainier National Park. For Makinsey Schmidt and Seth Plenge, their wedding day wasn’t about tradition — it was about adventure, intimacy, and capturing their love story against one of the most scenic backdrops in the Pacific Northwest.

 

A Pre-Dawn Mt. Rainier Elopement Adventure

At 1:00 AM, I packed my gear and set out from Seattle to document their sunrise elopement. By 3:00 AM, our small group gathered at the Chinook Pass Overlook Trailhead: the bride, the groom, Mountain Maid of Honor Kayla Bolster, and Mountain Best Man Jack Kolar.

Headlamps glowing, we began our Naches Peak Loop counterclockwise hike at 4:00 AM, making our way under a star-filled sky toward the crystal-clear waters of Dewey Lake.

 

A Sunrise Wedding Ceremony at Dewey Lake

Just as the first light touched the horizon — 6:17 AM sunrise — Makinsey and Seth stood at the water’s edge, surrounded by wildflowers and panoramic views of the Cascade Range.

Their ceremony, officiated by Christian Lucchesi, was quiet and heartfelt. With vows whispered in the still morning air, their words carried perfectly — just as Makinsey requested for the clean, crisp audio in their highlight film.

 

Family Present
Bride’s Family: Jeannie (mom), Steve (dad), Jacob (brother), Cassie (sister)
Groom’s Family: Lisa (mom), Rod (dad), Alex (brother)

After a kiss to seal their promises, the couple shared quiet moments along the shoreline, while I captured both photo and cinematic footage.

 

Hiking Back & Celebrating in Enumclaw

By 10:30 AM, we arrived back at the trailhead, our eight-hour coverage wrapping at 11:00 AM.

The celebration continued at Naches Tavern in Greenwater, WA, where 30–40 friends and family toasted the couple. A larger reception is planned for the Enumclaw Expo Center on the 26th, but this intimate gathering perfectly matched their rustic, mountain-inspired theme.

 

Why This Naches Peak Loop Elopement Was Special

Some weddings are grand productions — others are raw and real. Makinsey and Seth’s Mt. Rainier National Park elopement was the kind that strips away everything unnecessary, leaving only love, nature, and adventure.

 

They chose The Mountains Are Calling Elopement Video Package, resulting in a rustic, earth-toned Washington State wedding film that reflects their personalities and vision perfectly.

 

Location: Dewey Lake, Washington State – Mt. Rainier National Park
Trail: Naches Peak Loop (counterclockwise to Dewey Lake)
Filmmaker & Photographer: GoProductions Media Entertainment
Officiant: Christian Lucchesi