moody autumn suncadia resort wedding
officially obsessed with emily and daniel’s rainy autumn suncadia resort wedding in washington state. this day was the perfect blend of “upscale mountain getaway” and “cozy family gathering,” wrapped up in the dreamiest october weather and colors. moody skies, golden larches, heartfelt vows, and an eat-dessert-first policy? yes please.
why a suncadia resort wedding just makes sense
located just 90 minutes from seattle, suncadia resort in cle elum is one of those venues that gives you everything. there’s mountain views, luxury cabins, forest trails, stunning ceremony options, and a tented reception space that still feels intimate and warm even when the weather turns.
the venue has several outdoor spaces for your ceremony that can hold between 120 to 300 guests. they also have a couple of indoor spaces as a back up in case you need to move the ceremony and party indoors due to the weather, which, knowing pnw, might happen.
emily and daniel love traveling and the outdoors, so the venue was the perfect choice for them.
moody mountain wedding ceremony at suncadia lodge
the couple got dressed separately at spots near the lodge, and then we did their first look at the lookout area. it was one of my favorite places on the property because the views are so good. the cloudy skies gave them rich, soft, dramatic lighting i live for as a photographer!
their ceremony took place at suncadia lodge, overlooking the mountains that were showing off every shade of fall. it was rainy. it was misty. it was absolute perfection.
emily and daniel were walked down the aisle by their parents. their maid of honor officiated, and instead of one person doing a speech, multiple friends + family members (who have been married a long time) shared tiny bits of wisdom through a roaming mic. it was one of the sweetest and intentional ceremonies i’ve witnessed.
the rainy, moody washington wedding day in october
october is the most underrated and most magical wedding month in washington. the fall colors and moody skies are unmatched, and the cooler temps make it quite comfy with no melting makeup or sweaty suits. and don’t be afraid of the rain! the rain can make it extra dreamy!
the wedding party braved the rain with clear umbrellas, and they wore green dresses and suits. it looked unreal against the fog and and evergreens in the backdrop.
these two chose my 8-hour package with a second photographer + videographer, which meant we captured everything beautifully without pulling them away from their people for too long. and as a fun fact, the bride’s parents are retired wedding photographers, which made being chosen to document this day even more meaningful. it’s such an honor when fellow photo people trust me with their memories.
a dessert-first reception at the fairway pavilion
immediately after the ceremony, we snuck away for some quick golden hour photos, or rather, “moody hour” photos. the views from the lookout were insane!
and then we hopped on a golf cart and headed to the pavilion to join the guests. the fairway pavilion is a tented space near the inn at suncadia. the whole vibe was elevated but inviting with family-style tables, rich autumn colors like hunter green, terracotta orange, crimson, and champagne, and lots of cozy textures.
and one of my favorite details of the night was using desserts as table centerpieces. pies, pastries, and sweets were scattered across each table, and guests were encouraged to eat dessert first.
Planning your own Suncadia resort wedding?
honestly… between the mountain views, the cozy lodge, and the golden trees, suncadia is one of the best places in washington for a fall wedding. want help planning your own suncadia resort wedding or a moody fall celebration in the pnw? i’ve got you!
📍 based in seattle | shooting colorful + candid weddings all over the pacific northwest and beyond. click here to get in touch.
vendors:
photography and videography: julie and eugene for sound and sea photography, with kyle second shooting.
planning + design: marzano events
florals: @jensblossoms
