Couple Hiked 30 Minutes During Snowstorm to Get Married at National Park

A snowstorm couldn’t keep this couple from saying “I do!” 

Melissa and Devon refused to back down from their elopement on Nov. 10 at Peyto Lake Viewpoint in Alberto, Canada, when they were warned of an incoming snowstorm. 

The couple planned a 30-minute hike to get married at the scenic spot in Banff National Park, and hired Canadian photographers Marcin and Dorota Karpowicz to capture the moment.

On the morning of the shoot, according to AccuWeather, the photographers saw a forecast calling for snow and high winds. They reached out to the couple to see if they wanted to postpone the hike or move to a more sheltered location, but the bride was determined for everything to go as planned. 

“Melissa said, ‘No, no, no — I would love to go,’ despite the bad forecast,” Marcin told Accuweather.

The officiant, Cole Hofstra, was also willing to brave the inclement weather. So, the adventurous bride embarked on the hike in her white long-sleeved wedding gown and fur-lined cape.

The Peyto Lake Viewpoint is described as a moderate hike with 255 feet of elevation, per All Trails.

Once at the viewpoint, the couple exchanged vows during an intimate ceremony and posed for a collection of stunning photos.

The pictures show Melissa in her simple fit-and-flare gown and Devon in a classic black tux and white button-up shirt. One photo captures the couple holding hands as the bride’s cape was blown in the wind and snow flurries fell around them. 

In another, Melissa and Devon walked toward the photographer with smiles on their faces. The groom was turned around to face his bride as they trekked through the snow.

The photographers later gushed about the sweet occasion on Instagram, calling it “beautiful.”

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“Cole performed such a heartfelt ceremony, despite the wild wind swirling around us,” they wrote. “Later, we visited a few lakes where the weather calmed down — it was warmer, peaceful, and we even caught some lovely reflections. Congratulations to you both!”

AccuWeather reported, per Environment and Climate Change Canada, that wind speeds on the wedding day ranged from 7 to 15 mph at lower elevations. Temperatures were between 30 and 47 degrees Fahrenheit, with about 1.2 inches of fresh snowfall. 

The photographers specialize in elopement photography near the national park and are used to hiking for the perfect shot. 

“It’s not for everyone,” Marcin admitted. “Everyone loves those kinds of photos, but only a few have the ability to do it. You have to carry your wedding outfits in your backpacks, and you never know what kind of weather you’ll face. On top of the mountains, it’s almost always windy and cold.”