Adirondack Mountains Elopement: Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain

Bride and groom at the top of Whiteface Mountain in autumn

Eloping in the Adirondack Mountains is a dream come true for adventurous couples. With its towering peaks, tranquil lakes, and lush forests, the Adirondacks provide a stunning fall backdrop for an intimate wedding day filled with natural beauty and heartfelt moments.

When I first spoke with Kat and Jeremy, they weren’t sure where they wanted to get married. As avid campers and outdoor enthusiasts, they debated between staying close to home for convenience or embracing a true adventure by inviting their closest family and friends to the High Peaks Wilderness—a place they had fallen in love with on a previous trip. After chatting more, they decided to “go big or go home” and chose the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. I couldn’t have been more thrilled with their decision, having experienced the beauty of the area myself.

Their wedding day began at The Lodge at Fern Lake, about 40 minutes northeast of Lake Placid. The lodge was the perfect base camp for their loved ones who had traveled to celebrate with them. When I arrived, the excitement was palpable—happy chatter, laughter, and the buzz of a much-anticipated day. Kat’s mother helped her zip up her dress on the deck outside her room, the mountains providing a serene and picturesque backdrop. Kat and Jeremy shared their first look at the edge of the forest behind the lodge, with their family watching from a distance. First looks can be such emotional moments, so we started with a relaxed walk down the path toward the lake and some portraits in the woods. This gave them a chance to connect and breathe before diving into the day’s adventure...

Wedding details and accessories sitting on a pile of wood

Bride with curly hair in a white dress, outdoors on a balcony, being buttoned by another person. Serene mood, blurred forest background.

Woman in navy dress helps bride in white gown outdoors. Both are smiling, set against a background of green trees, creating a joyful mood.

Bride in white dress gazes over a forested landscape with mountains in the distance, evoking a serene and contemplative mood.

Bride in a flowing white dress adjusts her shoe strap. The scene is in black and white, with a wooden floor and a calm, elegant mood.

Bride approaching her groom during their first look on their elopement day

Groom seeing his bride for the first time on their elopement day

Bride in white gown and groom in dark suit standing in a forest, embracing. Bride holds a bouquet. Green trees and leaves surround them.

Bride in white gown and groom in suit stand in forest clearing, holding bouquet. Autumn leaves cover the ground. Romantic and serene mood.

Bride in a white dress stands in a green forest holding a bouquet. The setting is serene with a soft, natural atmosphere.

Bride holding a bouquet of ferns, blue and white flowers, wearing a white gown. Forest floor with leaves in the background. Serene mood.

Hand holding bouquet of ferns and flowers, adorned with a sapphire ring. Soft focus, neutral background, conveying elegance and serenity.

A man in a suit stands on a leaf-strewn forest path, hands in pockets, looking thoughtful. Tall trees with green leaves surround him.

Man adjusting tie in a dark suit with blue flower boutonniere. Patterned tie and pocket square. Forest background, earthy tones.

Close-up of a man adjusting a tie in a dark suit with a floral boutonniere. A classic watch on his wrist. Elegant and formal setting.

A couple walks through a forest, with fallen leaves and green foliage. The bride wears a white dress, holding flowers, creating a serene mood.

A couple walks in a forest, bride in a white dress and groom in a dark suit. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating a serene, romantic mood.

Bride and groom walk hand in hand down a wooded path, surrounded by lush green foliage. The bride holds a bouquet, both smiling softly.

Bride and groom embrace on a forest path, surrounded by lush greenery. Bride in a white dress holds a bouquet, creating a romantic scene.

Bride and groom embrace tenderly in a forest, bride in white gown holding colorful bouquet, groom in suit with floral boutonniere. Romantic mood.

Bride and groom smiling at each other, surrounded by trees and flowers. Bride in white dress holding bouquet; groom in suit with floral tie.

Bride in white dress and man in suit walking on grass, holding dress train and bouquet, outdoors, black and white photo.

Close-up of a woman holding a beaded bag with "MRS" on it. She's wearing a white dress, showing elegance and joy. Woman's hands display rings.

From there, we headed to Whiteface Mountain, a spot neither Kat nor Jeremy had visited before. The drive up was breathtaking, and we made a quick stop along the way to take in the views. Once at the top, we were thrilled to find it surprisingly quiet for a fall day—one of the perks of a weekday wedding! Kat and Jeremy climbed partway up the stone steps to soak in the incredible scenery. Standing there, they could see down to Mirror Lake, the very spot where they’d say their vows later that evening. The early fall colors blanketing the landscape were a mix of rich reds, golds, and greens, creating a magical and vibrant backdrop.

Couple embracing, overlooking vast Adirondack mountain landscape with a clear blue sky and scattered clouds from Whiteface Mountain. Autumn foliage surrounds them, creating a serene mood.

A couple embraces on Whiteface Mountain, surrounded by trees, with distant hills under a cloudy sky. Mood is serene and romantic.

Couple holds hands, smiling in a scenic mountain setting. She's in a gown, he's in a suit. Black and white, romantic mood.

A couple holds hands, gazing at each other with smiles, set against a scenic Adirondack mountain landscape under a bright blue sky.

Man kisses woman's hand tenderly in black and white photo. They smile in a scenic outdoor setting with mountains in the background.

Bride and groom embrace outdoors, gazing at each other. She's in a white dress holding a floral bouquet; he wears a suit. Mountain backdrop.

Bride and groom embrace, touching foreheads, in a scenic outdoor setting. Bride holds bouquet; both smile gently. Black and white photo.

Bride and groom smiling at each other, holding flowers. The Adirondack mountains in background with autumn colors. Joyful and romantic mood.

Bride and groom walk on a rocky path overlooking a lush forest and lake. The bride wears a white dress, bouquet on stone wall. Romantic setting.

Bride and groom pose on a stone path with a scenic Adirondack mountain and lake view. She wears a white dress, smiling; he's in a suit, relaxed.

Couple in wedding attire embraces on a stone terrace overlooking a scenic mountain and lake landscape. Flowers nearby, romantic mood.

Bride in a white dress and groom in a suit embrace on a stone path atop Whiteface mountain. Scenic view of the Adirondack Mountains and Mirror Lake below.

Bride and groom embrace on a stone pathway from atop Whiteface Mountain with a view of the Adirondack Mountains. Bride in white gown smiles; bouquet on wall. Clear, sunny day.

A couple embraces on a stone ledge overlooking Mirror Lake and Lake Placid. The woman adjusts a boutonnière on the man's suit. Romantic mood.

Bride and groom embrace on top of Whiteface Mountain, overlooking vast lakes and the High Peaks Wilderness. She holds a bouquet. Sky is clear, mood is joyful.

Bride and groom descend stone steps on Whiteface Mountain, holding flowers. Black and white photo with clear sky, conveying romance and joy.

Bride and groom descend stone steps at Whiteface, 4610 ft above sea. Bride holds bouquet. Sign indicates trail details. Sunny day.

A smiling couple in wedding attire holds hands, walking outdoors near a stone wall. The background features Adirondack mountains and a clear sky.

Their ceremony and dinner took place at Smoke Signals, a cozy venue nestled on the shores of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid. With the autumn trees and mountains reflecting off the lake, the setting was picture-perfect. During the ceremony, tears of joy flowed as Kat and Jeremy exchanged the personal vows they had written themselves. One of their closest friends officiated, making the moment even more meaningful as they were pronounced husband and wife.

Afterward, they celebrated with dinner and drinks in a private dining room lined with windows overlooking the lake. Kat and Jeremy had thoughtfully curated a beautiful tablescape featuring vases, books, gold animal figurines, and fresh flowers. As a sweet and personal touch, they gifted their guests hand-crafted jewelry and cufflinks made by Kat, and packets of wildflower seeds. Instead of a traditional wedding cake, they wrapped up their evening with ice cream at Emma’s Creamery, their favorite local shop, strolling down the lively streets of Lake Placid to savor the moment.

Bride in white dress holds bouquet, walks on grass. Guests seated nearby. Rustic background with barrels and greenery, outdoor setting.

Bride in white dress holding bouquet, smiling outdoors. Seated guests watch her, greenery in the background. Festive and joyful mood.

Outdoor wedding at Smoke Signals by Mirror Lake in Lake Placid. couple stands with officiant, guests seated on grass. Sunny day with trees in the background.

Bride in white dress holding a bouquet, smiling at groom by a lake. Green foliage and mountains in the background create a serene setting.

Couple standing outdoors, facing each other. Woman in white dress, man in dark suit with floral boutonniere. Green trees in background.

A couple in wedding attire stands by a lake. The man reads from a card, the woman listens. Trees and a house blur the background. Black and white.

Bride and groom standing by Mirror Lake in Lake Placid surrounded by flowers, officiant holding a book. Whiteface Mountain is in the background. Guests seated, capturing the moment. Outdoor wedding.

Bride in a white, off-shoulder dress reads vows from a notebook outside. The setting is soft-focused and black and white, evoking a calm mood.

Bride reads vows to groom by Mirror lake in Lake Placid, surrounded by seated guests. Trees line the background, creating a serene, intimate setting.

Bride and groom are exchanging rings during a wedding ceremony. An officiant holds a book. The mood is romantic and timeless in black and white.

A couple exchanges rings by a lake, officiated by a woman in a green dress. Bride in white, groom in dark suit. Serene forest backdrop.

A couple stands by a lake, the woman in a white dress leans on the man in a dark suit. Background features blurred trees. Romantic mood.

Bride and groom kiss by Mirror Lake, surrounded by floral arrangements. Forested background; calm, romantic atmosphere.

Couple smiling by a lake; woman holds a floral bouquet, wearing an off-shoulder dress. Man in suit gestures. Background shows blurred trees.

Bride and groom walk down the aisle outdoors by a lake, surrounded by seated guests. Bride holds a bouquet, both smiling.

White sandals and a flower bouquet on grass. Sandals have bows; bouquet features pastel blooms and greenery, creating a serene mood.

A couple embraces on a dock by a lake, surrounded by Adirondack mountains and autumn trees. The bride in white gown, groom in dark suit, creating a romantic scene.

Couple kissing on a lake dock in Lake Placid with Adirondack mountains in the background. Bride in white dress, groom in dark suit. Calm, romantic setting.

Bride twirls on a dock in a white dress beside a man in a suit. Mirror Lake and Adirondack mountains in the background; serene setting.

A candlelit table with flowers, a glass of water, and an open book creates a cozy ambiance at a gathering. Warm tones and soft focus.

Elegant dinner setting with vintage decor: a glass orb, books, flowers. Blurred person in background, warm lighting. Cozy ambiance.

Antique lamp on stacked books with small animal figurines, next to flowers in vase, on a wooden table. Warm, cozy ambiance.

People sit around a long wooden table with plates and water glasses, adorned with flowers and candles, in a cozy, softly lit setting.

A couple in wedding attire speaks to seated guests in a warmly lit room with teal walls and floral decor. Everyone appears joyful and engaged.

A person holds a decorative book tied with ribbon at a warmly lit table surrounded by candles, flowers, and drinks; cozy and intimate mood.

Woman in blue dress holding a necklace, food on table; a cozy, dimly lit setting. Brown wood and metallic accents create a warm mood.

Couple embracing near a dining table with guests in a dimly lit room. Flowers and paintings adorn the background, creating an intimate setting.

Bride in a white dress walks with others on a city sidewalk at night. Cars line the street; soft glow from streetlights creates a cozy mood.

Couple in formal attire choosing ice cream at a counter with bright signs and colorful snacks in a bustling shop setting.

Couple in formal attire choosing ice cream at a brightly lit shop counter, surrounded by colorful packages and jars, smiling and focused.

A couple, dressed formally, joyfully share a chocolate ice cream cone in a brightly lit parlor, creating a playful and romantic mood.

A couple in formal attire enjoys ice cream cones in a retro diner. The man has a sprinkles cone, and the woman has a chocolate chip cone.

Two women enjoy ice cream outside a shop at night. One wears a white dress, the other a denim jacket. A sign advertises milkshakes.

Being a part of Kat and Jeremy’s day was such an honor. Their adventurous spirit, thoughtful details, and love for each other made their wedding truly one-of-a-kind. I’m so grateful to have captured their story and to share the joy of their Adirondack adventure.

Ready to begin planning your dream wedding in the High Peaks Wilderness?

US and Europe Destination elopement photographer

I'm Carly, a destination wedding and elopement photographer + planning guide who's documented weddings from Hawaii to Scotland. My top priority on elopement days is to help you create an experience, not just deliver great photos. I want to tell your wedding story, share the emotions you felt that day and the fun you shared together, and provide you with memories that you'll love forever. And in addition to photography, I'll also provide:

✓ Location Scouting & Research

✓ Vendor Recommendations

✓ Customized Timeline Building

✓ Activity Recommendations

✓ Assistance with Permits

✓ An exclusive elopement planning guide

If you're ready to take the first step towards your best day ever, fill out the contact form on my site! We'll talk about all of the possibilities, ease your mind of any hesitations you may still have about eloping, and get planning!

Wild North Weddings - Elopement Packages