Katrina and Katie’s happy, easy-going elopement with breathtaking views of the North Shore

Katrina and Katie are such lovely people with a deep connection to community and to nature. I first met Katrina in college, and it’s been so wonderful to reconnect with her in this stage of life and see the beautiful partnership she and Katie are creating together. Last winter, I photographed their engagement session (which featured their adorable dog Cucumber!), and this summer my partner Tyler and I got to photograph their stunning elopement along the North Shore. 

Envisioning their ideal elopement 

When planning their elopement, Katrina and Katie knew they wanted a small ceremony surrounded by nature and featuring their closest friends. They love and feel a strong connection to the North Shore, so they chose several beautiful spots alongside Lake Superior for their elopement day. They wanted their day to feel easy-going and relaxed, with unstructured time to pause, take deep breaths, and truly feel present to the adventure of getting married.

Katrina & Katie’s elopement day 

On the day of their elopement, Tyler and I met Katrina and Katie at this sweet cabin they rented with their buddies for some candid photography while they got ready. When we arrived, the cabin was filled with wonderful, laid-back energy as Katrina and Katie’s friends gathered around them, grabbed snacks, and helped each other get ready. The space felt very calm and collaborative: Katrina helped Katie with her make-up, Katrina’s friend did her hair, and they each had a sister or friend with them as they got dressed in their wedding outfits. Katie's outfit featured her first-ever pair of suspenders, and she had the brightest grin as she showed the suspenders off to her friends. 

Katrina and Katie decided to have a romantic first look moment outside of the cabin. Beautiful lupine flowers bloomed alongside the driveway and created such a dreamy backdrop for Katie and Katrina to take each other in for the first time. It was a peaceful, happy moment.

After taking a few more couple portraits at the cabin, we drove to Iona’s Beach to meet up with Katrina and Katie’s friends for the ceremony. There were 11 of us in total– 12 when you count Katrina and Katie’s adorable pup Cucumber, who was present for all of the elopement day festivities. We set off into the park together, stopping to take portraits in the sunlit woods and alongside the rocky shore. We then gathered on a stunning clearing on top of a big rock for the ceremony. With bright, warm sunlight illuminating the water below, the panoramic views of Lake Superior were truly unforgettable. 

Elopement ceremony & celebration along Lake Superior

Katie's cousin and her spouse officiated the ceremony, whipping out a harmonica and playing “Here Comes the Bride” to begin. It was a ceremony full of intention and love, and also was laid-back and informal, with pauses for laughter and a sense of collaboration as the officiants walked them through the ceremony. They passed out rocks and invited their loved ones to each write a word of intention for their marriage on a rock before tossing them into the water. Katrina and Katie then exchanged vows and rings, and everyone cheered happily as they were pronounced married. 

After the ceremony, we made our way to Tettegouche State Park for a little celebration. We found a lovely spot to gather where Katrina and Katie popped champagne and shared cake with their friends. It felt like an idyllic summer picnic – happy, calm, easy-going – that beautifully captured Katrina and Katie’s intentions for the day. 

To wrap up, we explored the trails at Shovel Point, pausing at gorgeous overlooks and wooded pathways to take a few more pictures. I love the portraits of Katrina and Katie walking along the wooden paths. Hand in hand, framed by lush greenery, they look so at peace to be in nature, to have their friends nearby, and to start the grand adventure of marriage side by side.