Real Wedding: Anna & Caleb's Intimate Hoh Rainforest Wedding

A note from the photographer:

Anna & Caleb’s rainy, family-centered micro-wedding in the Hoh Rainforest was full of heartfelt details and sweet moments. Anna shared that their day "wouldn't have been so amazing without the help and support from friends and family. We were very cautious to prevent any spread of Covid, and as a result, we had a wonderfully simple and intimate wedding." 

It rained - and poured - on-and-off all day but the couple and their family were troopers and embraced the weather! Anna woke up at 5 am the day of the wedding to make the bouquets, and one of the couple's friends did her hair, while one of her sisters lent her the earrings she'd worn for her own wedding. Just before leaving the cozy cabin, wellies and all, the bride was given a handmade shawl from her sister to match her dress, and the groom surprised her with a letter gifting her a trip to Yellowstone, as well as a guidebook and a gift card to REI to purchase gear for the trip. 

At the Hoh Campground, Anna & Caleb opted for a quiet first look among the autumn leaves and moss-covered trees. The immediate family set up a campsite as 'base camp' for treats and hot cocoa before the ceremony and decorated the campfire ceremony space moments before the pop-up vow exchange (affectionately dubbed 'The Campfire Program') began. The couple walked down the aisle to an incredibly sweet rendition of 'You've Got a Friend', a memorable touch that wouldn't have even happened without a little planning mixup: "we forgot the speakers, so my brother and sister-in-law performed...and it was even better that way"! The rings were presented by Anna & Caleb's puppy Kingston, and the bride's best friend officiated the charming ceremony; plenty of laughter was woven into the proceedings...as well as a few tears as Anna and Caleb read their vows to one another and letters to Caleb's daughter! 

The rain let up a little in time for a few portraits (35mm), and then guests dispersed across the campground to their cars, campsites, and quiet benches for BBQ box lunches, before reconvening for two separate homemade wedding cakes and a few toasts. The day was even celebrated by a lone elk wandering through the campground, and the bride gifted jewelry she made to the women who are near and dear to her. Due to COVID-19 this was the third wedding plan, but it turned out to be an incredibly emotional, heartfelt, and joy-filled day! As the bride shared later, "Something always goes wrong at a wedding. But every challenge was met with great spirits, and everything turned out even better than expected."

Vendors:

Photography - Alisha Trahms Photography

Hair Color - Kopa Hair Studio

Hair Styling - Linsay Weflen

Dress - Brides for a Cause

Venue - Three Rivers Resort,  Hoh Campground