On top of the world! Couple spend three WEEKS trekking through the snow to tie the knot on Mount Everest (and the bride STILL wears a wedding dress)

  • James Sissom, 35, and Ashley Schmieder, 32, from California, tied the knot at Mount Everest Base Camp
  • Couple faced difficult terrain, altitude sickness and sub-zero temperatures on the gruelling three-week trip
  • Every moment was captured by a specialist wedding photographer who achieved breathtaking results

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Every couple wants their wedding day to be one to remember, but this couple went above and beyond to make sure theirs was unlike any other. 

James Sissom, 35, and Ashley Schmieder, 32, from California, travelled thousands of miles and spent days trekking through the snow to tie the knot on Mount Everest.

The adventurous newlyweds, who spent a year planning the trip, braved freezing temperatures, gruelling terrain and altitude sickness on their way to Everest Base Camp, where they exchanged vows at 17,000ft above sea level.

On top of the world: James Sissom and Ashley Schmeider travelled thousands of miles to tie the knot on Mount Everest

On top of the world: James Sissom and Ashley Schmeider travelled thousands of miles to tie the knot on Mount Everest

Gruelling: The adventurous couple, pictured, spent months training for the three-week trek to Everest Base Camp

Gruelling: The adventurous couple, pictured, spent months training for the three-week trek to Everest Base Camp

Touch of tradition: Ashley slipped into her breathtaking strapless wedding gown inside the team's tent, pictured

Touch of tradition: Ashley slipped into her breathtaking strapless wedding gown inside the team's tent, pictured

Ashley said: 'After much deliberation, we decided a traditional wedding was not the right fit for us. As much as we would have loved to share our special day with our family and friends, we were both drawn to the idea of eloping during an incredible vacation.

'We both are avid lovers of the outdoors and had experience at altitude up to 14,000 feet, but we knew the three week Everest Base Camp trek would be far more physically and mentally demanding than anything we've experienced.'

While the ceremony was certainly unconventional, the couple brought a touch of tradition to the occasion with their outfits. Ashley looked radiant in a figure-hugging embellished gown while James looked dashing in a suit.   

Unforgettable: The couple were snapped by specialist adventure wedding photographer Charleton Churchill

Unforgettable: The couple were snapped by specialist adventure wedding photographer Charleton Churchill

Sensible shoes: While many brides splash out on heels for their wedding day, Ashley opted for a pair of practical hiking boots

Sensible shoes: While many brides splash out on heels for their wedding day, Ashley opted for a pair of practical hiking boots

Dramatic: The newlyweds were captured in their wedding finery against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountain range

Dramatic: The newlyweds were captured in their wedding finery against the breathtaking backdrop of the mountain range

Man and wife: The intrepid couple exchanged vows - and rings - at Everest Base Camp, some 17,000ft above sea level

Man and wife: The intrepid couple exchanged vows - and rings - at Everest Base Camp, some 17,000ft above sea level

Sealed with a kiss: The couple hold each other in a loving embrace as they celebrate their marriage in the clouds 

Sealed with a kiss: The couple hold each other in a loving embrace as they celebrate their marriage in the clouds 

Natural beauty: The snow-capped peaks of the mountain range provided a spectacular backdrop for the wedding photos

Natural beauty: The snow-capped peaks of the mountain range provided a spectacular backdrop for the wedding photos

View from the top: Arms wrapped around each other, the newlyweds gaze towards the world's highest peak

View from the top: Arms wrapped around each other, the newlyweds gaze towards the world's highest peak

The day was documented by specialist adventure wedding photographer Charleton Churchill, from California, who accompanied the couple to document the incredible journey. 

He said: 'I wanted to document a real couple getting married, the journey along the way, the pain, the happiness, the tiredness, the struggles, as well as the romantic chemistry of the couple.

'More than that, I wanted to portray the contrast that exists between the intimidatingly majestic mountains and the small, fragile love between two humans.' 

On their way: After a year of planning, James and Ashley set off from their home in California to start their trek in Nepal

On their way: After a year of planning, James and Ashley set off from their home in California to start their trek in Nepal

Transformation: On their big day the couple swapped their rugged outdoor gear for traditional wedding outfits
The couple on their wedding day

Transformation: On their big day the couple swapped their rugged outdoor gear, left, for traditional wedding outfits, right

Contrast: Ashley and James stand in teir wedding finery, surrounded by the rugged majesty of the mountains

Contrast: Ashley and James stand in teir wedding finery, surrounded by the rugged majesty of the mountains

Helping hand: James reaches back for Ashley as the couple trek up the rocky mountain face towards a waiting helicopter

Helping hand: James reaches back for Ashley as the couple trek up the rocky mountain face towards a waiting helicopter

Awe-inspiring: Radiant in her wedding gown, Ashley takes a moment to look out across the beautiful landscape

Awe-inspiring: Radiant in her wedding gown, Ashley takes a moment to look out across the beautiful landscape

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