Echo Lake State Park Elopement
Erica & Shane
Erica and Shane’s relationship goes back to Freshman year in college, their rooms were down the hall from each other. When they first met they ended up talking for hours and the rest is history.
They wanted their elopement day to include their family but they also wanted time alone with their pups to say private vows to each other. The White Mountains in New Hampshire is a stunning place to get married in New England, it has some of the tallest and picturesque mountains in the region. If you want more information on how to elope in the White Mountains check out my guide here. I was able to secure a special use permit for Shane and Erica to get married at Echo Lake State Park. This was a perfect spot for them to elope because some people in the party needed a location that was easily accessible. It was just a short walk from the parking lot. Echo Lake State Park is also conveniently located from the first look location at Cathedral Ledge, it was just about a 10 minute drive.
I helped them plan their day so that they had a first look at Cathedral Ledge. They enjoyed the views and we found a spot where we could have some privacy. Cathedral Ledge can also be an option for a ceremony. It can be booked from May 1st to November 1st at either sunrise or sunset. An event fee of $100 is required, with a maximum capacity of 40 people. For more information you can check out the reservation page for Cathedral Ledge here.
We then drove over to Echo Lake State Park where we had a permit for their ceremony. Erica really wanted her dad to walk her down the aisle, he had been sick for some time and it was important for him to walk her down the aisle and to share these memories together as a family.
How to get a special use permit for echo lake state park in new hampshire
If you are looking to get married in Echo Lake State Park here is all you need to know:
Depending on your group size you. may be required to obtain a permit. To obtain a permit at any New Hampshire State Park you can call 603-271-3556 or email: dncr.stateparkpermits@dncr.nh.gov
*You can find the most up-to-date permit information here.
Echo Lake Park Office: 603-356-2672
Day Use Fees:
Adult: 12 and over $4, age 65 and over $0
Child: 5 & under - $0, 6-11, $2
When the park is unstaffed during the season, please deposit payment in Iron Ranger (self-serve paystation). Checks can be made payable to Treasurer, State of NH.
Season Passes are available
Shane has supported Erica through the past few years that were really tough. Knowing how he has been there for her through the hard times are a reflection of their deep love for one another.
Shane’s mother officiated the ceremony and they were joined by both of their immediate families. Erica and Share are big hikers and made sure to practice principles of leave no trace. We want to protect our land so that we can continue enjoying it for generations to come! We then returned back to the Airbnb that they rented where we made homemade pizza, opened gifts, and cut a cake for them.
Then Shane and Erica wanted to have some private time for themselves. So I found a hike that was not too long and we took their two golden retriever pups with us, Ellie & Macy. It was a fall day but the weather turned out to be 70 degrees, a lot hotter than all of us expected—classic New England unpredictability! Macy got super hot and when we got to the top decided to lay down in a puddle and shake off the water, soaking all of us!
