If you’re wondering how to elope in Lake Placid, the first thing you should know is that a lot of the “Lake Placid elopement” photos you’ve saved on Instagram weren’t actually taken in Lake Placid.
I’m not throwing shade at anyone. Whiteface Mountain, some of the most well-known High Peaks trailheads, and a bunch of the iconic mountain shots people associate with Lake Placid are actually in Wilmington, Keene Valley, or Saranac Lake.
That’s because Lake Placid puts you within 20 to 40 minutes of some of the best mountains, lakes, waterfalls, and hiking trails in the Adirondacks. You also have restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, shopping, hotels, and Airbnbs all in one place. It’s one of the biggest reasons I recommend staying here, even if your ceremony ends up outside the village. Most couples stay in Lake Placid, but they end up getting married somewhere else.
I know because I got married here myself.
I planned my own Lake Placid elopement in six weeks. We stayed in an Airbnb with mountain views, hiked on our wedding day, had dinner cooked by my dad, and spent the rest of the night hanging out in the hot tub drinking pumpkin beers.
Looking back, there are a lot of things I wish someone had told me while I was planning.
Not necessarily where to get married, but everything else. What we could have done besides the ceremony. The trails I never knew existed. The different activities we could’ve built into the weekend. I didn’t hire an elopement photographer who was familiar with the Lake Placid area, so I honestly had no idea what was possible or what I was even doing when it came to planning the whole thing.
That’s really why I put this guide together.
As I’ve planned more Lake Placid elopements over the years, I’ve learned quite a bit about the area, the mistakes couples commonly make, and some things that are surprisingly hard to find online. I’ll share my own opinions along the way, tell you where I think Lake Placid really shines, where I think it falls short, and a few ideas you may not have considered yet.
Jump To:
- Things to Know Before Planning Your Lake Placid Elopement
- Choosing Your Lake Placid Elopement Location
- When to Elope in Lake Placid
- Where to Stay for Your Lake Placid Elopement
- Activities to Add to Your Lake Placid Elopement
- How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Lake Placid?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping in Lake Placid
- Ready to Start Planning Your Lake Placid Elopement?
Things to Know Before Planning Your Lake Placid Elopement
A lot of the information you’ll find online about Lake Placid comes from TikTok, Reddit threads, Facebook groups, or blogs written by people who spent a weekend here. Some of it’s great. Some of it’s outdated, incomplete, or just plain wrong.
These are a few of the things I find myself explaining to couples over and over again while we’re planning their elopement.
A lot of the iconic “Lake Placid” photos aren’t actually in Lake Placid.
I mentioned this earlier, but it’s worth repeating because it changes how you plan your entire day.
Whiteface Mountain isn’t in Lake Placid. It’s in Wilmington, about 20 minutes away. Many of the High Peaks people associate with Lake Placid are closer to Keene Valley, and the same goes for a lot of the mountain views you’ll see online.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t stay in Lake Placid. It just means your ceremony, portraits, or hiking plans may involve a short drive, and that’s completely normal.
The lake running through downtown isn’t Lake Placid.
One of the biggest surprises for couples is learning that the lake they see in almost every downtown photo is actually Mirror Lake.
Lake Placid is a separate lake just outside the village. It’s much larger, lined mostly with private homes and camps, and has far fewer places where the public can easily access the shoreline.
That distinction matters because couples will often tell me they want a lakeside ceremony on Lake Placid, but they’re actually picturing Mirror Lake.
Downtown Lake Placid is beautiful, but it isn’t private.
I love downtown Lake Placid.
I recommend spending time there all the time. Walk around Mirror Lake, grab a coffee, go shopping, celebrate over dinner, rent kayaks, or stop for ice cream after your ceremony.
I just usually don’t recommend planning your ceremony there if privacy is one of your biggest priorities.
Between tourists, photographers, locals, festivals, and events throughout the year, downtown is rarely quiet for very long.
If privacy is important to you, I’d rather help you find a ceremony location outside the village and then head back into town afterward to celebrate.
Heaven Hills Trail doesn’t allow ceremonies.
Heaven Hills Trail has become really popular online, especially in Facebook groups, Reddit threads, and TikTok videos. Unfortunately, a lot of the information being shared about it isn’t accurate.
You legally can’t hold a wedding ceremony there.
I’ve seen couples build their entire vision around that trail only to find out later that it wasn’t actually an option. I’d much rather tell you now before you fall in love with a location you can’t actually use.
Double-check restaurant hours before you make plans.
One thing I almost never see mentioned is that restaurant and business hours change quite a bit throughout the year.
Especially during the shoulder seasons, it’s common for restaurants, breweries, bakeries, and even some attractions to close one or two days each week.
I’ve had couples plan their entire celebration around a specific restaurant only to realize it wasn’t even open on the day they were getting married.
If dinner is an important part of your wedding day, double-check seasonal hours before you book your date.
Spring in the Adirondacks isn’t the same as spring everywhere else.
Spring catches a lot of couples off guard.
Because the Adirondacks sit farther north and at higher elevations, spring arrives much later than people expect. A May Lake Placid elopement or intimate wedding doesn’t necessarily mean green trees, blooming wildflowers, and warm weather.
Depending on the year, you can still run into lingering snow at higher elevations, muddy trails, brown landscapes, and chilly temperatures well into May.
If you’re picturing fresh green mountains, comfortable hiking weather, and everything coming back to life, I’d usually recommend waiting until early summer.
A great view doesn’t automatically make a great ceremony location.
This is probably one of the biggest differences between how couples choose locations and how I choose them.
When I’m scouting locations for a couple, I’m usually thinking about ten things at once. The view is one of them, but it isn’t the only thing I’m looking at.
I’m also thinking about parking, lighting throughout the day, how busy a trail gets, whether permits are required, how accessible it is for family, where you’ll get ready beforehand, how far you’ll have to drive between locations, and what the backup plan looks like if the weather changes.
A location can be absolutely gorgeous and still be a terrible place to get married.
Choosing Your Lake Placid Elopement Location
Unless you’re planning on getting married at a designated venue or lodge, I’m not going to hand out locations like candy. That’s not how I operate, and it’s certainly not the best thing for the Adirondacks.
Honestly, you can probably find those same iconic locations you see online in a dozen other blog posts.
I’ve watched what happens when a location gets shared too many times online. The AMR now requires a reservation system just to park and hike. South Meadows and the Adirondack Loj deal with overcrowded lots and trampled trails during peak season. Every time a “hidden gem” gets posted with exact directions, it stops being hidden, and the trail pays for it.
Because of that, I don’t publish a list of my favorite ceremony locations or exact trail names. I save those recommendations for the couples I work with after I’ve learned more about what they’re planning and what they’re looking for.
What I can do is walk you through the different types of Lake Placid elopements and help you figure out which experience sounds more like the elopement day you’re hoping for.
If You Want the Classic Lake Placid Experience
Maybe your perfect Lake Placid elopement starts with coffee overlooking the mountains, a slow morning getting ready, and a ceremony close to town. Afterward, you spend the afternoon exploring downtown, paddling across Mirror Lake, celebrating over dinner, and ending the night around a campfire or back at your hotel.
If that sounds more like your style than hiking all day, there are plenty of incredible ways to experience Lake Placid without ever setting foot on a trail.
You might exchange vows at Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, host a Lake Placid micro wedding at Lake Placid Lodge, gather your closest family and friends for an intimate wedding at The Whiteface Club & Resort, or celebrate at one of the area’s other lakeside venues.
If You Want a Short Hiking Adventure
If you’re looking for a Lake Placid elopement that combines adventure, mountain views, and small-town charm, I’d highly recommend adding a short hike to your day.
Imagine having a slow morning getting ready together before driving a short distance outside of town. You hike to a mountain summit, exchange your vows as the sky turns cotton candy pink, then spend some time sipping coffee and taking in the views before heading back down.
From there, maybe you’re stopping at a waterfall before meeting your family for lunch, grabbing a beer downtown, or heading back to your cabin for a private chef dinner and a cozy campfire.
The hike is just one piece of the day, not the centerpiece.
If Your Dream Day Includes a High Peak Adventure
A High Peak elopement is an entirely different experience than adding a short hike to your Lake Placid elopement day. You’re not squeezing in a ceremony between other plans. The hike is the adventure.
You spend hours making your way through the forest, stopping at waterfalls, eating lunch along the trail, laughing with each other, and watching the forest slowly give way to open rock and sweeping mountain views as you gain elevation. Eventually, the trees begin to thin, the views open up, and you’re standing on one of the highest summits in the Northeast exchanging your vows.
Reaching the summit together after everything it took to get there is a pretty incredible way to begin the next chapter of your lives.
Lake Placid makes the perfect place to celebrate afterward. Maybe that’s burgers and beers back in town, grabbing a pizza before heading back to your Airbnb, or soaking in the hot tub after ten miles on the trail.
Planning Tip: If you’ve never hiked a High Peak before, I don’t recommend making your elopement day your first attempt. They’re physically demanding, and your elopement day should be spent enjoying the experience, not wondering if you’ll make it to the summit. There are plenty of incredible mountains that still deliver breathtaking views without the same level of difficulty, and I’ll help you choose one based on your hiking experience.
If You Don’t Want to Hike
If you don’t want to hike on your elopement day and you’re thinking about eloping or hosting an intimate wedding in Lake Placid, you don’t have to.
There are so many places to get married in and around Lake Placid that don’t require hiking, from mountaintops and open fields to secluded venues and everything in between.
That can look like driving up Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway for an intimate ceremony at the top, saying “I do” at a lakeside cabin, or elevating your experience with a Lake Placid micro-wedding at Lake Placid Lodge.
One of the best parts about not hiking on your wedding day is having the opportunity to slow down. Spend time with your loved ones, explore the scenery together, enjoy a longer dinner, or simply relax without feeling like you’re racing the clock.
If You Want Family Involved
One of the biggest misconceptions about eloping is that family can’t be part of it. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. Elopements are meant to be small and intimate, but that can look like a couple of close friends, just your parents and siblings, or a mix of both. When I eloped, we were torn between inviting our family or keeping it just the two of us. We ultimately invited our parents, siblings, and our two best friends, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
This can look like spending the first half of the day with your family and having them be part of your ceremony, then spending the second half exploring together and soaking in time alone. Maybe you get up for a sunrise hike, exchange your private vows in the mountains, and meet back up with your family for a formal ceremony and lunch back at your Airbnb.
Consider Making It a Two-Day Celebration
A lot of my couples actually split this experience into two days. On the first day, they spend the entire day together, exchange private vows on a mountaintop, enjoy a picnic by a waterfall, and end the evening celebrating on their own. On the second day, they have a formal ceremony with their family before spending the rest of the day relaxing and celebrating together in Lake Placid. I’ve found that the two-day approach gives couples the best of both worlds.
Having a Lake Placid elopement allows you to create a day that feels intimate without asking your family to spend ten hours hiking a mountain. With beautiful ceremony locations, awesome restaurants, and cozy cabins, Lake Placid gives you plenty of ways to celebrate together while still making time for just the two of you.
If you’re thinking about bringing family along check out my guide on How to Elope with Family Without Regrets.
When to Elope in Lake Placid
Picking an elopement season can feel like a daunting task, but I actually think the answer is pretty simple. Before you start looking at weather charts or peak foliage calendars, ask yourselves these three questions:
- What type of weather do you actually enjoy? Are you happiest in shorts and a T-shirt, or do you love wearing beanies and fleece hoodies?
- What do you picture yourselves doing on your elopement day? Hiking a mountain, kayaking across a lake, snowshoeing to a frozen waterfall, grabbing a beer downtown, or spending the evening around a campfire?
- What’s your biggest concern? Crowds? Privacy? Fall colors? Swimming? Snow? Having enough daylight? Your answer will usually narrow down the best season pretty quickly.
Here’s what each season in Lake Placid has to offer.
Spring
Honestly guys, I just wouldn’t recommend planning a Lake Placid elopement in the spring. Unless you love black flies, unpredictable rainstorms, mud everywhere, lingering snow at higher elevations, colder temperatures, and seasonal restaurant closures…I’d skip it.
Sure, the waterfalls are gorgeous and everything is beginning to turn green, but depending on the year, the trees may not even leaf out until June. If you were thinking about kayaking, swimming, or spending time on the water after your ceremony, it’s usually still too cold to enjoy.
Summer
Summer is a beautiful time to elope in Lake Placid. You get long days, warmer weather, more sunshine, and endless opportunities to get outside. If you were planning on kayaking, swimming, hiking, cliff jumping, or spending the evening around a campfire, summer is a great time of year to do it.
One of my favorite things about summer is how much daylight you have. Sunrise comes early, sunset doesn’t happen until late in the evening, and it gives you so much flexibility when planning your timeline. You can fit more into your day without feeling rushed, whether that’s exploring multiple locations, grabbing dinner downtown, or simply spending more time together.
Pro Tip: August is my favorite month to elope during the summer because it’s historically the driest month of the year.
Fall
Fall is the most popular time to elope in the Adirondacks because of the epic foliage that covers the landscape and makes for awesome hiking weather with cooler temperatures.
With all of that beauty also comes plenty of tourists, social media influencers, and hikers visiting from all over the country. That means crowded trails, full parking lots, and busy summits. If privacy is one of your biggest priorities, I’d avoid the most popular locations during peak foliage weekends.
Pro Tip: Hire a Lake Placid elopement photographer who knows the area well and can recommend locations that fit the experience you’re looking for instead of taking you to the same places everyone else is visiting.
Winter
Honestly, winter is the most underrated season to elope in Lake Placid. Between the Olympic history, winter festivals, and snow-covered mountains, it has a completely different atmosphere than any other time of year.
Snowshoeing to a frozen waterfall, exchanging vows beside a frozen lake, wandering through fresh snow with the mountains all around you, then ending the night next to a fireplace in a cozy cabin creates a wedding day that’s unlike anything the other seasons can offer.
Downtown Lake Placid also comes alive during the winter with dog sled rides, ice skating, sledding, tobogganing, and plenty of places to warm up afterward.
If you’re looking for a more detailed breakdown of each season, including weather, trail conditions, mud season, black flies, foliage timing, and monthly recommendations, check out my complete guide on the best time to elope in the Adirondacks.
Where to Stay for Your Lake Placid Elopement
If you’re learning how to elope in Lake Placid, choosing where to stay is a bigger decision than most couples realize. This isn’t just where you’ll sleep. It’s where you’ll get ready, have your first look, drink coffee together the morning after, celebrate with family, or soak in the hot tub after hiking ten miles.
If You Want to Stay Downtown
If you like the idea of walking to restaurants, breweries, shops, and Mirror Lake, staying in downtown Lake Placid is a great option.
Some of my favorite places include:
- Mirror Lake Inn is probably my first recommendation if you’re looking for a luxury hotel right on the water while still being within walking distance of downtown.
- Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is a great choice if you picture spending your mornings on Mirror Lake and your evenings walking to dinner, grabbing a drink, or exploring the shops downtown.
- High Peaks Resort puts you right in the middle of everything and makes it easy to experience everything Lake Placid has to offer without constantly getting back in the car.
You’ll spend less time driving and more time enjoying the town.
If You Want a Luxury Experience
There are a few places that really stand out if you’re planning to turn your elopement or micro wedding into a weekend getaway or honeymoon.
- Lake Placid Lodge is one of my favorite Lake Placid elopement and micro wedding venues if you’re looking for a luxury Adirondack experience. The lakeside setting, handcrafted cabins, and intimate atmosphere make it an amazing place to celebrate.
- The Whiteface Lodge is perfect if you’re looking for a full-service resort with a spa, restaurants, fireplaces, and plenty of places to unwind before or after your elopement.
If You Want Privacy
One of my favorite recommendations is renting a cabin or Airbnb.
Having your own space gives you room to spread out, enjoy a slower morning, hire a private chef for dinner, sit around a campfire, or relax in the hot tub without worrying about anyone else around.
Just don’t book the first cabin you find because it looks pretty in the photos. Things like parking, elopement ceremony rules, getting-ready space, lighting, and how far it is from your ceremony location can have a huge impact on your day.
Some of my favorite places include:
- River Road Log Lodge is high on my list because I stayed here for my own elopement and absolutely loved it. Massive windows overlooking Whiteface Mountain, a classic Adirondack log cabin feel, a fireplace, hot tub, fire pit, game room, and plenty of space to spend time with the people you love.
- Adirondack Vacation Rentals is one of my favorite places to look if you’re searching for the right vacation rental. They manage homes all over the Adirondacks, including Lake Placid and Mirror Lake, with everything from cozy cabins to larger homes perfect for family gatherings.
- Van Hoevenberg Cabin Rentals are a great option if you’re looking for something simple. They’re close enough to the High Peaks for hiking adventures while still being just a short drive from downtown Lake Placid.
If You’re Bringing Family
If family is joining you for your Lake Placid elopement or micro wedding, I’d recommend looking for a larger cabin or vacation rental where everyone can stay together.
Some of my couples rent one big property for the entire weekend so everyone has a place to gather, share meals, play games, sit around the fire, and celebrate together without having to drive back and forth between multiple hotels.
Some of my favorites include:
- Snowhill Manor has a timeless Adirondack feel with a beautiful gazebo, gardens, and expansive mountain views overlooking the rolling hills. It’s one of my favorite options for couples planning a micro wedding or family-centered elopement.
- Camp Karibu stands out for its unique home design, game room, large deck overlooking the golf course and surrounding mountains, and beautiful fire pit area. There’s plenty of room for everyone to spread out and enjoy the weekend together.
Before You Book an Airbnb
One thing that’s caught a lot of couples by surprise over the last few years is how much the rules surrounding short-term rentals have changed in and around Lake Placid.
Just because an Airbnb sleeps 14 people doesn’t automatically mean you can host an elopement ceremony, micro wedding, or reception there.
Lake Placid and the Town of North Elba have strict regulations surrounding elopements, micro weddings, weddings, and other events at short-term rentals. Many properties aren’t permitted to host ceremonies at all, and others have limitations depending on their location, permit status, occupancy limits, and local noise ordinances.
That doesn’t mean you can’t rent a house and enjoy dinner together with the people staying there. If everyone is simply sharing a meal at the home they’re renting, that’s very different from hosting an elopement celebration or inviting additional guests. But once your plans start looking more like an event than a normal vacation rental stay, it’s important to verify exactly what’s allowed with both the property owner and the local regulations before booking.
If having your elopement ceremony, or even just a backup ceremony location, at your Airbnb is important to you, I’d honestly recommend expanding your search to nearby towns like Wilmington or Jay. You’ll usually find more flexibility while still being just a short drive from everything Lake Placid has to offer.
Activities to Add to Your Lake Placid Elopement
One of my favorite parts about planning Lake Placid elopements is helping couples build an experience that’s unique to their relationship instead of just having a ceremony and calling it a day.
If you’re traveling all the way to the Adirondacks, you might as well make the most of it. Here are some of my favorite ways to turn your elopement into a full-send experience:
- Hike a High Peak
- Take a Short Summit Hike
- Rent a Canoe or Kayak
- Go Swimming
- Have a Picnic
- Take a Boat Cruise
- Hire a Private Chef
- Visit a Local Brewery
- Explore Downtown Lake Placid
- End the Night Around a Campfire
How Much Does It Cost to Elope in Lake Placid?
A lot of people assume that choosing to elope in Lake Placid automatically means you’re doing it because it’s cheaper. While that’s true for some couples, I find that most of my couples choose to elope because they want more control over where they splurge and where they save.
For many couples, the experience matters more than spending tens of thousands of dollars on a venue and a dinner for people they’ll barely have time to talk to anyway.
Choosing to elope in Lake Placid means your budget becomes completely customizable. Some couples keep things simple with a sunrise hike and breakfast afterward, while others turn it into a multi-day vacation with family, luxury lodging, private chefs, and adventure activities.
Every elopement is different, but on average most couples spend anywhere from $8,000–$20,000+ depending on how they choose to celebrate.
Breaking Down Your Lake Placid Elopement Budget
If you’re trying to figure out how to elope in Lake Placid, one of the biggest questions is budget. Your budget can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like, but these are some of the biggest investments couples typically make when planning a Lake Placid elopement or micro wedding.
Photography & Planning
For most couples, this is one of the biggest investments because your photographer often becomes much more than someone taking pictures. From helping you choose the perfect location and building your timeline to recommending vendors and navigating permits, they’re usually helping plan the entire experience.
Don’t make the same mistake I did and hire someone who wasn’t specialized in elopements, and definitely don’t only hire them for four hours. At the end of the day, your photos are one of the only tangible things you’ll have left after your wedding day. Some of the most meaningful parts of my own day were never documented simply because we ran out of time.
Typical investment: $5,000–$8,000
Lodging
Whether you book a cozy cabin, a luxury lodge, or an Airbnb overlooking the mountains, where you stay becomes part of your experience. Prices can vary dramatically depending on the season, location, number of guests, and how many nights you decide to stay.
For me personally, this is where I chose to splurge. We rented a large Airbnb so our family could all stay together, and it created the perfect setting for our wedding day. Looking back, I don’t regret spending more on our lodging for a second because it became such a huge part of the overall experience.
Typical investment: $1,000–$5,000
Food & Drinks
This might be dinner at one of Lake Placid’s restaurants, hiring a private chef for your Airbnb, packing a picnic, or celebrating with a local brewery afterward. Since there isn’t a traditional reception to pay for, many couples choose to put that money toward an incredible meal instead.
On my own elopement day, my dad actually gifted us a chef-prepared dinner since he’s a professional chef, and it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the day.
Typical investment: $800–$2,000
Florals, Hair & Makeup
This is one of those categories that really depends on your priorities. I’ve had couples order bouquets from Etsy, create their own florals, or work with local florists like Mossbrook Roots. I’ve seen beautiful elopements with a simple bouquet from Etsy, and I’ve seen couples invest in elaborate floral installations. Both can look incredible, so don’t feel like you have to spend thousands of dollars here unless flowers are something you genuinely care about.
Hair and makeup are the same way. Some couples prefer doing everything themselves, while others would rather have one less thing to worry about and hire a professional. I’ve also had couples book appointments at local salons before heading to their ceremony instead of having someone travel to them.
Typical investment for florals: $100–$300
Typical investment for hair & makeup: $600–$1,500
Activities
This is honestly one of my favorite places to tell couples to spend a little extra. Whether that’s renting a canoe, spending the afternoon hiking, booking a boat cruise, or adding another adventure to your itinerary, adding an activity or two is one of the easiest ways to make your day feel like more than just a ceremony.
Typical investment: $200–$500
Marriage License & Other Vendors
Depending on your plans, you may also budget for an officiant, permits for certain locations, transportation, videography, live music, or additional vendors. Some couples include all of these, while others don’t need any of them, which is one of the reasons elopement budgets can vary so much.
Typical investment: $200–$3,000+
If It Were Me…
Personally, I chose to splurge on the Airbnb we stayed in. Looking back though, if I could do it all over again, I would’ve hired my photographer for longer, found someone who specialized in elopements to help with the planning process, and built another activity into our day, like renting kayaks or spending more time exploring.
If I could only splurge on two things, it would be my photographer and my lodging. Having a place that felt comfortable to spend the weekend, plenty of beautiful natural light, and enough photography coverage to document the entire experience made a much bigger difference than I ever expected. Everything else can be adjusted depending on your budget, but those two decisions had the biggest impact on my own wedding day.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive breakdown of how much it costs to elope in Lake Placid check out my Adirondack Elopement Cost Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eloping in Lake Placid
Do You Need a Permit?
Not every ceremony requires a permit, but permit requirements vary depending on where you’re getting married.
Some public lands managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) require a Temporary Revocable Permit (TRP) for organized events, while other locations don’t require one at all. Private venues, resorts, and other properties may have their own event policies as well.
Because requirements vary from one location to the next, and occasionally change over time, I always verify the current rules before recommending a ceremony location.
If you’re looking for a complete breakdown of permits, marriage licenses, Leave No Trace, and everything else involved with legally eloping in the Adirondacks, I’ve covered it all in my Adirondack Elopement Legal Guide.
Can We Invite Family and Friends?
You absolutely can, but your guest count will influence which locations make the most sense.
If you’re planning a hiking ceremony, keep in mind that the DEC limits day-use groups in the High Peaks Wilderness to 15 people, including your guests, photographer, officiant, and any other vendors.
Larger groups are often better suited for lake side events, private properties, accessible lookouts, or other ceremony locations where everyone can comfortably participate without worrying about trail regulations or physical limitations.
If having family there is important to you, we’ll choose a location that fits both your vision and your guest list.
Can We Bring Our Dog?
If your dog is part of your family, I’d love to help include them in your day but it’s important to be realistic about what they’re capable of.
A leisurely walk to a lake is completely different from hiking several miles over steep terrain and exposed rock. If your dog isn’t already conditioned for mountain hiking, the physical demands can be much harder on them than people expect. Sharp rock can tear up paw pads, hot surfaces can burn their feet, and exhaustion or dehydration can quickly turn into an emergency that puts the rest of your day on hold.
I learned that lesson myself after bringing my own dog on a High Peak before he was truly ready for that type of terrain.
We’ll also make sure your location allows dogs. For example, dogs must remain leashed in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, and they’re not permitted on Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) property, which provides access to locations like Indian Head.
If bringing your dog is part of your vision, I’ll help you choose a location that’s both dog-friendly and appropriate for their experience level. For more information on Adirondack specific regulations visit the Department of Environmental Conservation here.
What Happens if It Rains?
Mountain weather can change quickly, which is why I don’t schedule elopements back-to-back.
When you book with me, I automatically reserve the day before and the day after your elopement date. If the forecast calls for severe weather that would make being outdoors unsafe, we’ll work together to move your timeline to a day that works for both of us.
For light rain, passing showers, fog, or weather that’s expected to clear, we’ll usually make a few adjustments and keep moving forward. That might mean shifting the timeline, waiting out a storm cell, or choosing a different location for part of the day.
Building flexibility into the planning process is one of the easiest ways to reduce stress, and it’s something I account for from the very beginning.
Do We Need a Witness to Get Married in New York?
Yes. New York requires one officiant and one witness to sign your marriage license after your ceremony.
If you’re planning to elope without guests, don’t worry, we’ll make sure you have everything needed to make your marriage legal.
If you want a complete walkthrough of how to get married in New York, including where to apply, waiting periods, required documents, and other legal logistics, you’ll find all of that in my Adirondack Elopement Legal Guide.
How Long Should We Stay?
If you’re wondering how to elope in Lake Placid without feeling rushed, I’d recommend staying at least three to five days.
Trying to squeeze everything into a single afternoon usually means you’re rushing from one thing to the next. Giving yourself a few extra days lets you actually enjoy the area…whether that’s hiking, relaxing at your Airbnb, paddling across a lake, exploring downtown, or simply slowing down together before heading home.
You’ve already made the trip. You might as well enjoy everything the Adirondacks have to offer.
What Should We Wear?
Once we’ve planned your location and timeline, I’ll send you recommendations based on the season and exactly what your day involves.
If you’re hiking, comfortable hiking boots should always come first. You can absolutely bring another pair of shoes for portraits if you have your heart set on heels, dress shoes, or something a little more formal.
No matter the season, I also recommend packing extra layers, rain jackets, and extra socks. Adirondack weather is unpredictable, and temperatures at sunrise, sunset, or higher elevations can feel much colder than expected. Rain can also show up with very little warning, even when the forecast looked promising earlier in the day.
I’m certainly no meteorologist, but I do my best to keep a close eye on the forecast leading up to your elopement and send you the most up-to-date weather information along with a comprehensive packing list.
Trust me…I’ve seen couples ignore my advice and completely regret it once we’re out on the trail. While I always carry extra gear that I can realistically fit in my pack, it’s just as important that you come prepared too. Being comfortable outside makes a huge difference in how much you enjoy your day.
How Far in Advance Should We Book?
The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility you’ll have when it comes to dates, lodging, and vendors, especially if you’re hoping to elope during peak fall foliage.
That said, don’t assume it’s too late if you’re planning on a shorter timeline.
I planned my own elopement in just six weeks, and I’ve helped couples plan incredible elopements in as little as three weeks. While having more time certainly makes planning easier, it’s far from a requirement.
If you’ve decided you’re ready to get married, reach out. I’d much rather see what’s possible than have you wait another year because you assumed you missed your chance.
Ready to Start Planning Your Lake Placid Elopement?
By now you’ve probably realized there’s a lot more that goes into planning a Lake Placid elopement than simply picking a mountain and showing up.
Between choosing the right location, navigating permits, building a timeline around lighting, finding lodging, preparing for Adirondack weather, and making sure the day actually flows well, there are a lot of moving pieces.
That’s where I come in.
Hi! I’m Emily, the owner of Emily Belanger Photography, a Lake Placid elopement and intimate wedding photographer based in the Adirondack Mountains.
As someone who also eloped in Lake Placid, I never want you to feel lost in the planning process. If I’m being honest, it can become overwhelming once you start realizing everything that goes into it. That’s why I take the time to get to know you both individually and as a couple before we ever start talking about locations or timelines.
I want to know what you enjoy doing together, whether you’re bringing family, if your dog is coming, how adventurous you are, what type of scenery you’re naturally drawn to, and what you picture yourselves doing throughout your wedding day. All of those conversations help me design a day that feels unique to you rather than handing you the same plan as everyone else.
My job is to help narrow down locations, build a flexible timeline, recommend vendors, match you with the right lodging, prepare backup plans, create comprehensive packing lists, and be there whenever another question pops into your head. I don’t expect you to figure this all out on your own.
If that sounds like the kind of help you’re looking for, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.
