ADVENTURE WEDDING, MT. EVEREST BASE CAMP
JAMES AND ASHLEY ELOPEMENT, MARCH 16, 2017
ADVENTURE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: CHARLETON CHURCHILL
WE DID IT.
James and Ashley married at Mt. Everest Base Camp (EBC) and became the first couple to exchange vows in a wedding dress and tux. And I, as an adventure wedding photographer, have been wanting to photograph a real wedding (with a wedding dress and suit) at Everest base camp since 2011. It’s one of the most epic and beautiful locations in the world that’s difficult to get to, and nobody’s done it before. Certainly, we are all thrilled to have finally pulled it off.
We trained for the year and planned to be on the mountain for 2-3 weeks in order to acclimatize our way up to base camp so James and Ashley can get married and get a few photos. The actual hike to base camp after landing on the mountain from Kathmandu took nine hiking days, but you plan for three weeks from the time you take off from your home airport to return home.
I’ve trained much of my life in the outdoors, climbing many mountains, training in high altitude mountaineering, leading teams, photographing, even to the summit of the highest peak in north America, Alaska’s Denali, Mt. McKinley, at 20,320 ft., in colder and harsher conditions. I have even fallen in a crevasse; fortunately, I was roped in and rescued.
Furthermore, I attempted base camp with another couple in 2015, but the devastating earthquake of Nepal including the massive avalanche that swept EBC, turned everyone around off the mountain. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I would find another couple to get married on Everest anytime soon.
How my Couple Found me
Last year, our bride Ashley, who was following me on Instagram, reached out me. She said she wanted an adventure wedding and hadn’t chosen a destination, asking for my opinion. They were thinking tropical or some place enjoyable. I mentioned Mt. Everest base camp, and well…here we are now.
Both James and Ashley made for great trail partners. We were like family. Ashley is tough girl who crushed it on the mountain trail and maintained a great pace. James is a great man who took care of Ashley, always looking after her needs. Plus he’s a comedian who made us laugh often. It can be difficult after a few days on a long mountain trek with all the pressure and lack of resources to maintain a smile, but we did well.
The Challenges
Now saying this was an epic and amazing trip is true, but I would be remiss if I didn’t share it came with some suffering, doubt, fear, anxiety, and physical pain. Often times when striving for something great, there’s usually a cost. There’s no glory without suffering. We worked hard for these images with much less time to photograph a short wedding than we planned.
According to our Sherpa guide, it dumped more snow on us than it had all winter. The temperatures ranged from -8 degrees to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from 14,000 ft. camp and above, so your hands would quickly freeze if left out of the gloves, like when I tried to film and take photos. I actually had to turn a live Facebook filming off because my hands were burning cold. I had to start over and rewarm my hands. Also, James and Ashley married in the -5 degrees to 5 degrees Fahrenheit range, and in her wedding dress. We especially had to keep her warm, on top of keeping warm, downing soup, food, drinking hot liquids, and moving, all vital.
Besides enduring the frigid temps, food poisoning kept me up a few nights at high altitude, trying to get sick, but I just couldn’t get anything out. The first night I didn’t sleep at all. It was rough and made it difficult for me to hike for a few days, had to push through the wall I was experiencing. James had the Khumbu cough which became worse and deeper the higher we ascended.
The Possibility of ending the dream
The night before EBC at Gorak Shep, 16,942 feet, after we had hiked just below Kala Patar at 18,514 feet for acclimatization hike, James woke up catching his breath feeling like he was suffocating, tight chest. James and I searched for our guide around midnight, but the lodge where he was staying was locked. We threw small rocks at a number of windows whispering loudly. Also, James walked around the lodge trying to find a way to get in, and found a far back door into the kitchen that was open. Finally, we found him. Our guide and another Sherpa hooked up the oxygen mask/tank to James. He slept on oxygen for the remainder of the night. What didn’t help our situation were the stories of hikers getting medevaced out from our location. An Australian died of high altitude sickness a week prior to us arriving.
Ultimately, we decided to fly out in the morning to be safe, and not attempt base camp. After waking up and having a discussion with our guide, and James feeling better, he mentioned that we can get to base camp carrying oxygen, photograph a short wedding, then fly out on a helicopter.
Married at EBC
When we all arrived to base camp, we were told we have 1hr and 30 minutes to eat, get married, pack up, and get on a helicopter. So, we ate, drank, and got married in an hour. James and Ashley exchanged vows at Mt. Everest Base camp right in front of the famous Khumbu ice-fall where people use ladders to maneuver over crevasses, and with the beautifully carved Nuptse Face in the backdrop. All these famous mountains at Basecamp were surrounding us like celebrity wedding guests. It was beautiful, short, and we captured a few photos before packing and getting ready to leave.
When thirty minutes passed, and then an hour, and then losing cell service (because cell service runs off solar), more time passed, we realized the helicopter wasn’t going to make it and we would have to sleep overnight at base camp, which I thought was great, but bad for James. However, we would have him on oxygen the whole night, which was all good. The weather became worse, which was unsafe for the helicopter to arrive that evening. Our next chance would be the early morning, and that is exactly what happened.
Leaving on a Helicopter
After sleeping on the glacier hearing the cracking below us, on top of hearing the thundering avalanches all night,…the helicopter came, and early. The faint but ascending juddering sound of the helicopter in the distance was a beautiful sound. James and Ashley’s face said it all. Their expressions showed relief and we all were excited. The pilot, hooked up to oxygen, took James and Ashley first because the air was too thin at base camp to take all four of us and our bags. They dropped James and Ashley off at a lower altitude, and then returned to get me and Naga, our guide.
We headed to Lukla Aiport which is at the base of the mountain, the renowned and most dangerous airport in the world because of it’s short landing strip and cliff that follows. Within a few hours, we were back to Kathmandu on a bus, warmed up, and back to our hotel with some of the creature comforts we missed while on the mountain.
The images from the adventure wedding
Below these words are some of the images I photographed while documenting this adventure wedding. Originally, we tweaked the calendar to allow two nights at base camp to capture as many wedding photos as possible. I had many image ideas to massage with them, but because of the circumstances, we only had so much time to capture them in the freezing cold. However, even with the small amount of time we had to capture James and Ashley and their wedding, I think we nailed it.
Thank you everyone for following along, on Facebook, Facebook live, Instagram, the news, etc.. I will be posting more images behind the scenes on Instagram, so you can follow there. We just created a Youtube site where you can view video of behind the scenes as well. Also, please drop a comment at the bottom of this blog, I would love to hear from you, what country or state you followed from, what you enjoyed the most, and anything that moves you.
A Special Thanks
Lastly I would like thank the wonderful supporters and friends of this epic adventure who believed in our work and photography enough to invest their confidence in me.
Profoto – Profoto B2 Light
Nikon & Nikon NPS– All my Nikon Gear.
BHLDN – Stylish wedding Dress Attire
Sierra Mountain Outdoors – Sutter Creek, Ca.
Lacie Rugged Drives – These rugged drives get banged up and last me.
Black Rapid – Camera straps for my hiking weddings
Trillo & Leather Co. – My stylish leather straps for non-hiking weddings
Light and Motion – Headlamps and Stella lights
Borrowlenses – Camera and lens rental
Marmot – Clothing & camping needs
My amazing wife Kelly and three daughters who not only support me, but encourage me to live adventurously.
Here’s James and Ashley flying from Kathmandu to the base of the mountain to prepare for our wedding adventure. It’s a 35 minute flight with a view of the Himalayan mountain range if you get clear skies. Flying is great, unless the wind picks up. Then your small plane gets whipped around like ours did on the return flight.
Above: I wanted to get a good image the world’s most dangerous airport in the world from the cockpit foreground, so I had to get the front seat.

Above: We landed and it was beautiful and cold. We would start our journey here at this place, meet our Sherpas and our Guide.
Above: We didn’t waste anytime staying at Lukla airport. After the plane landed, we downed a cup of hot tea, negotiated some trekking gear, and we were gone. Ashley and James starting off in their hike through the villages of Lukla .

This was the best coffee on the mountain, a hot carmel mocha latte, delicious. We enjoyed coffee together more than a few times.

Above: The infamous bridges across the canyon on our way to Namche Bazar.

Above: I enjoyed the chemistry of this couple, very natural, having fun, spontaneous
This is Namche Bazar where the devastating 2015 earthquake hit Nepal and Mt. Everest, with my other couple. This is where we had to turn around in 2015. This time it snowed more than it had all winter.
Our groom James got a clean shave at Namche Bazar. He thoroughly enjoyed it. His first.
Our first real view of Mt. Everest behind the other mountains with the spin-drift coming off it. When we woke up, it was bitter cold, hands were freezing trying to live facebook, but I was blown away to see this view from our little lodge.
Stories of hikers getting medevaced off the mountain due to altitude sickness were told as well as demonstrated before us.
Here we saw snow leopard tracks in the fresh snow. It warmed up a little on our way to the next camp, but it was still cold. You can see the famous Ama Dablam Mountain in the background
Beautiful sunset on the mountain.Taking a break above Lobuche and enjoying the view behind us.
Spontaneous burst of love surrounded by epic mountains.
This is an accurate and good photo of how tired, beat up, and cold we were, trying to recover at camp. Each day we hiked around 4-8 hours. We arrived here at Gorak Shep, 16,950 feet.
Okay, here we’re finally getting an opportunity to get dressed, hike up near Kala Pattar for the first look of the couple, Ashley getting in her wedding dress at just near 0 degrees Fahrenheit. We didn’t have much time, but we pulled it off. We were already beat up, tired and lacking oxygen. Our Sherpa Guide insisted on taking my camera bag because he saw how sick and beat up I was on the trail. Some of my camera gear wasn’t functioning because it was too cold, but we were able to get some photos.
Our amazing Sherpas helped Ashley put her dress on in the freezing cold. It was bright and cold and they requested to wear a beanie and glasses, which I thought was unique and different. I wanted them to do their thing and wear what they wanted.
Here we go, the first reveal of Ashley in her wedding dress with Mt. Everest in the background (middle behind the mountains and darker). Yes that is a steep cliff/hill behind them where we just hiked up.One of my favorites here with real smiles, as James gets his first look. I’m glad my Nikon camera gear was functioning at full force here.
A moment to enjoy the view of Mt. Everest together and where we have been.
One of my favorites here above.
Late night image after we had woken up to put oxygen on James. I saw that it was clear and retrieved my camera for a quick photo with the stars and Nuptse standing tall.
Panorama shot with 5 images stitched together.Ashley signing the rock which is customary here after arriving to Mt. Everest base camp, but with their wedding date and wedding.
Arrived to base camp with our bags, getting ready to eat, drink, and get married, then fly out on a helicopter all within an hour and a half. Not much time, but we did it. Indie my important gear was an apple macbook pro and Lacie rugged drive to back up data. I left another rugged drive at the hotel in Kathmandu to send off separately in case photos got lost. There are backups for everything.
Since we didn’t have much time to shoot, I threw the dress on the tent and didn’t care about cleaning anything. I actually liked the image better all rugged, not cleaned up , and with the Sherpas chillin in the background.
James getting ready with the Khumbu Ice-fall in the background.
Ashley got dressed inside the tent and the temperature was around -3 degrees to 6 degrees Fahrenheit on their wedding day.And this is officially the ceremony. Since they were eloping far away from home, we had no minister, but they exchanged vows, exchanged rings, and shared from the heart how much they were going to pursue and love each other. It was truly a moment of awesomeness, knowing where we were at that time, and how hard we worked to get there, this moment was finally happening. James and Ashley were getting married surrounded by an orchestra of mountains. The Khumbu Ice-fall right behind them, the starting point in climbing to the summit of Mt. Everest. Truly unreal.
Hilarious here, Ashley’s lipstick smeared all over Jame’s face and lips after they kissed.
Our tents we were to sleep in for two nights originally, but because of altitude issues, we took a helicopter down much earlier than we wanted. We waited for the chopper to arrive, but bad weather held it off until the early morning. We slept overnight in these tents hearing the rumbling and crashing of avalanches all around us, as well as the crackling of the glacier below us; that was a little edgy. So, yes we were sleeping on one massive glacier, which is the entire Everest base camp area. Mind-blown at 17,600 ft.
Yes, they married in these boots. Hiking boots are probably my favorite. I love couples wearing them with their wedding attire and getting all rugged in them.
Our amazing Sherpas, cooks, and most hospitable hard workers on the mountain who were with us the whole time. We had a great team. These guys work their butts off and took care of us.This is a great moment after we got off the helicopter, then immediately flew down to Kathmandu on a plane, and got on the bus. It felt good to be warm again.
A God Moment
This is what I call a God moment. I capture an image and realize later I captured something bigger than myself, which I didn’t originally intend to shoot. I thank God for the beautiful meaningful moment, I take no credit because it was unintended. Two Hearts become one. March 16, 2017, we are on our way to base camp that very morning to get James and Ashley married and this happens,…there are two hearts in the sky, like a puzzle. One heart is full and the other empty; that day their hearts became one. Absolutely no Photoshop here, I didn’t touch the sky, this just happened on their wedding day.
Congratulations to our couple, James and Ashley. A truly epic and rare wedding that will go on the books as one of my favorite weddings of all time.
BOOK SEASONED PRO CHARLETON CHURCHILL FOR YOUR ADVENTURE WEDDING OR ELOPEMENT
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This is so amazing!
These photos are so incredibly beautiful; you have perfectly captured the love of this amazing couple! Such a stunning backdrop for an amazing once-in-a-lifetime moment. These photos are worth all the time and effort you all put into getting there. Congrats to you all on such fantastic adventure. Cheers to James and Ashley!
This is incredible.
These are truly stunning. You take beautiful photos!!!! I wish I had known about you when my husband and I got married. 🙂 Love seeing your work.
OMG! It’s awesome beyond words…
PS: Glad the Stockman’s hat made an appearance ??
These are unbelievable! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! The colors are so rich. Awesome job! What an adventure!!
Thanks Charleton for sharing your story and the incredible photographs. What an experience for everyone involved.
Charleton, absolutely incredible set of images. Pure magic! Truly beyond words, mate!
Thank you for being utterly cool! Great read and great adventure.
These are amazing!! I love looking at each of these and seeing the beauty of the mountain and couple. Congrats Ashley and James!!
Absolutely stunning, what an amazing adventure! I teared up when James saw Ashley for the first time and then again when they got married. Love it! ???
Absolutely breathtaking. Perfection.
OMG I was so happy looking at all the Pictures Until I saw the ROCK and tears just came in my eyes …
what an emotional moment after fallowing your Journey!
Just Simply Beautiful.
I feel like Just saying beautiful is not good enough!!!
Maybe Epic is the better word … Thank you for the Memories
Incredible and inspiring! This is next level storytelling.
Thank You for sharing such an inspiring story with us all. This imagery is beyond gorgeous! Keep up the adventures and thank you for taking us along.
This is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.
Gonna keep watching your work from Tampa!
Words don’t exist for an adventure that has never be seen before. There are so much to talk about: the hike, the difficulties, the team, the couple, the photographer, pushing your own boundaries. This all made me feel alive. Thanks for doing it, and thanks sharing with us.
I know we have talked about this in the past. So glad it became a reality. Truly Epic in so many ways!
Truly Stunning! Ashley is my friends daughter and as soon as she mentioned their adventure I couldn’t wait to see your images. You have a gift, hopefully I can watch you speak while you’re here in Portland in January.
Looks freezing but what an amazing wedding adventure. Congratulations!
EPIC. You set the bar so high.
Absolutely brilliant, Charlton!!!
Truly EPIC!!! Congratulations James and Ashley on a life filled with adventure! Way to go…tough girls rule!!!
WOW !! amazing photos
Fantastic adventure for my co worker James.
Beautiful photography.
Amazing shots from a what looks like the adventure of a lifetime. This is definitely a bucket list item for most of us. Thanks for sharing these breathtaking photos, and congratulations to the bride and groom!!
Breathtaking! What an amazing opportunity for all that were involved. Definitely on my bucket list. Congratulations James and Ashley, so happy that you had this experience.
Absolutely breathtaking, so brave of all of you, and you all carried it off so well. I love your picture of the two hearts in the sky, how incredible and miraculous was that?
These photos are breathtaking that you captured Churchill. The story & photos belong in an issue of National Geographic and Wedding magazines. CONGRATULATIONS to the NEW couple to have YOU as their photographer of choice. Outstanding work my friend… 🙂
another amazing story told through your images. so amazingly beautiful
Wow! You should write a book about this adventure. Was mesmerized by the story as much as the pictures. I think you need your own TV show also. I’d watch it. Destination Churchill! So glad you found your calling and went for it.. Beautiful.!!
ABsolutely. Stunning.
Absolutely stunning!
Amazing adventure! I’m so happy for you guys!
What a trip, literally! Those are some phenomenal wedding pictures! Congratulations to James and Ashley on their epic adventure wedding!
Our dear son James, you have always done things your way, which is one of the things we admire about you. Ashley, we knew from the beginning that you were the one that was going to marry into our family and we are very happy to have you.
Charleton, thank you for choosing my son and daughter in law to be the first couple ever to get married in wedding attire on Mt Everest. Your pictures are unbelievable, you captured the love that James and Ashley have for each other. I hope that we have the opportunity to thank you in person.
Mt Everest is truly God’s country! What better place to commit yourself for life with each other!
Swwwooooooonnn! Absolutely stunning. I bet that was one you’ll never forget. <3
These are beyond gorgeous!
You seriously need to connect with North Face and sell them that awesome tent picture with the bride and groom. Seriously, a wonderful experience and the pictures make it seem as though I was there myself! Very well done Charleton!
These absolutely phenomenal Charl ! I have goosebumps looking at this photos. congratulations for the beautiful newlywed.
Charleton, you captured my daughter Ashley and son in law James persona
Ity perfectly in the photos…. So amazing and beautiful.. Love the bond you guys formed!
Really nice & beautiful photographs…! Perfectly depicted the chemistry between the couple… and cheers Ashley & James.
Spectacular! I think everybody should do their wedding there.
Absolutely breath takingly beautiful photos.
PS- James is the best bartender ever.
What an amazing experience this must have been! These photos capture an experience I can only imagine being part of… dobt mind if i live vicariously through you for a few minutes! Beautiful bride. Congratulations james!
So in love with the pics and the post! You captured them perfectly! What an amazing experience for you all! ?????
I don’t normally comment on things like this but these pictures are Amazing. Congratulations!
Congrats and thank you for showing us a part of the world most of us will never get to experience. You are a beautiful couple!
This is absolutely stunning! I blame you for my high standard in getting married from now! 🙂
Congratulations for both of them from Thailand!
Awesome photos. Didn’t know EBC was so amazing. Hope you guys had great time in our country 🙂
Incredible wedding adventure. Awesome photos and gorgeous mountain scenery. Best wishes to the happy couple.
Superlative! These images are a showstopper. They are so intense and beyond moving. The majestic and scary Mt. Everest looming in the background is powerful. Congratulations and thank you for sharing the world with us. Wow. Really, wow.
WOW ?
Just WOW…..
Your pics just took by breath away, still can’t believe what I just saw. Amazing pics and many many congratulations to the couple.
Your pictures are amazing. Thank you for sharing. The two hearts at the end of the shoot are incredible.
Thank you very much for the stunning beauty of the photo! Happiness and sublime love to the newlyweds! In fact, they were crowned by God!
When you are determined to do some awesome stuff 🙂 so nice.
WOW..!! These photographs are truly amazingly BEAUTIFUL.!
Charlton,
You have inspired me and what an incredible journey and wedding. Incredible landscapes, people and real emotions caught on camera. This one wedding you will never forget. I would love to do something like this before I go.
Steve Wheller
South Wales, UK
Absolutely breathtaking, simply stunning, no words!!!!!!
Congratulations – this is such a complete story and a testament to commitment and determination. All kinds of metaphors abound! I don’e know how anyone could come away from this without being completely energised and inspired. I’d love to shoot an adventure wedding but always assumed that it wasn’t possible, but you’ve proved that anything can be done if you want to do it. So, calling all Adventurous brides and grooms…..?!! 😉 Stunning pictures and unbelievable achievement.
WOW!!!! I am speechless!!!
Wow!!Congrats!!!
It’s really amazing!!!
Thanks for share!
Simply spectacular, Charleton. What an adventure and you told the story so well. The photography vividly captures the stunning beauty of the Khumbu region. Your journey followed the same trails, from Lukla to EBC, that I first took in 1982. Viewing the images brought back wonderful memories of an unforgettable experience. Namaste.
Beautiful pictures and beautiful story! What a great adventure for you all! Thank you for sharing with us. Glad you all made it back safe and well!
I cried!! This such an incredibly beautiful wedding and story. I applaud everybody who came together to make this happen. Ashley and James may you somehow live down this moment of unimaginable glory. Charleton, your images are stunning, your writing is delightful, and the ethic of the whole thing most likely comes from the energy you project. Something religious here without a doubt. I feel like shouting amen amen amen, but I’m a Jew. That’s just how all of you made me feel. Thank you!!!
Those pics were truely awesome! The people who made the entire event possible are truely blessed, skilled and possess whatever else is needed to have gone through such an event.
Congratulations to James and Ashley! May the trials of that journey be the toughest you will ever have to encounter for the rest of your lives!
What incredible shots! You are one courageous person! I love how you took such a big risk to capture these photos. My hats off to you and the couple!
Enjoyed the story and all your great images. Favorites were the “Boots” (of course), the one of Ashley standing alone with the mountains in the foreground and how can you not love the hearts. GREAT Captures!!!
OK, when is the book coming out and then the movie?
All the shots were absolutely stunning; but the very last one with the two hearts brought tears to my eyes. The love and majesty of God is so awesome, making the day even more special. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely amazing work!! I am so touched! The wedding photography industry needs more inspiring photographers like you, Charleston!
Fantastic wedding at Everest. Kudos to you and the frozen couple. Thanks for sharing. I got the link from LaCie.
where did you get the link?
It was amazing
Thanks for sharing. How heartwarming, magnificent, breathtaking, beautiful…not enough words.
Absoluetly anazing! Ashley and James may you enjoy have evehappinesslove and happiness. Totally loved the hearts.
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This is just amazing!!
This brought back memories. I walked the EBC trail recently- Goyko-Ri; Chola Pass; Kala Pattar and EBC. Wish I could send you some of my pictures(amateur one).
Great God moment when I was walking the path to EBC and looking back to the glacier and the old old mountains leaning in. They were saying just leave your troubles here – we are big enough to take care of them.
Glad you did not underplay the risks. We had four of the party airlift out. One was very close. The Gorshep ‘tea huts’ were not pleasant!
Well Done!
Love the photos and the idea. An incredible story. So glad
it worked out okay.
Nice! This is great. Love your blog. Thanks for sharing this one.
Unique destination really Awesome
Thank you, yes, definitely unique and truly adventurous.
Absolutely incredible set of images! I’d love to have this area near to me let alone being able to shoot there!
thank you, I loved the this adventure couple with their adventure wedding.
Everything about this is just stunning and jaw dropping! Even from a landscape photography perspective too! The couple look like they’ve had the best of times too! I can only dream of something like this… Once in a lifetime opportunity for sure!
Thank you kindly!
This is such a fantastic environment to capture, and you did a great job capturing the beauty of the scenery. It looks like the couple has a lifetime of love and adventure ahead of them; We wish them the best!
What an incredible adventure and stunning wedding photos. I look forward to doing destination and elopement wedding photography. You have certainly set the bar high!
incredible work, absolutely amazing!
Awesome post.. SHare each information in detail.
What an amazing set, so much more than just a wedding shoot the landscape shots are breathtaking.
This is simply amazing
Probably one of the best photo blogs I have ever come across, some fantastic shots and great narrative.
Incredible shots. The helicopter low angle shots are my favourite.
Amazing photos! thanks for sharing.
Amazing truly breath-taking work
OH. MY. DAYS!!!!! This is amazing. a true bucket list wedding. the photos are awesome charlotte
Awesome job! These are unbelievable!