If panoramic mountain views and pristine alpine lakes sound like your kind of wedding day vibes, then you may want to consider eloping in the North Cascades! North Cascades National Park sits in the middle of the Cascade mountain range along Washington’s northern border. This national park is filled with gorgeous scenery and, it’s also one of the least visited national parks in the U.S. which means you’ll get even more privacy while you say ‘I Do’. If this sounds like your dream elopement destination, then keep reading for everything you need to know about how to elope in the North Cascades.
Why You Should Elope in the North Cascades
If you want a secluded mountain elopement experience, this is the park for you! Located about two and a half hours outside Seattle, North Cascades National Park is one of Washington’s hidden gems! With over 500,000 acres of land made up of mostly mountain peaks, glaciers, and alpine lakes, this national park is perfect for adventurous couples who want to be surrounded by nature.
Don’t just take my word for it though. Check out Jamie and Alec’s stunning Artist Point elopement below!
7 Steps to Eloping in the North Cascades
Decide Where to Elope in the North Cascades
One of the hardest decisions about eloping in the North Cascades is choosing where to hold your ceremony. With so many beautiful trails to choose from, it can feel impossible to narrow it down to just one. Here are a few of my favorite places to elope in the North Cascades.
Artist Point
This location has become one of the most iconic places to elope in North Cascades National Park and once you visit, you’ll understand why. The trails leads to a beautiful glacial tarn (a small lake made from melted snow) set against the mountains. On a clear day, you can even see the background reflections in the water.
Artist Point is a great option especially if you are eloping with guests as it is relatively easy to access. However, this location has become very popular in recent years so I highly recommend eloping on a weekday to minimize the number of people around.
Huntoon Point
The views at Huntoon Point are similar to Artist Point but no less beautiful. The two trails actually lead off from the same parking lot so if you want to experience the best of both worlds and enjoy two hikes in one, while also enjoying incredible views, this combo can’t be beat!
Diablo Lake
Diablo Lake is one of the most stunning lake views in the North Cascades, and maybe even all of Washington! The bright blue water is breathtaking and the views from the overlook are so picturesque! Keep in mind that if you choose to elope at Diablo Lake, the meadows at the overlook are off-limits. You can still elope by the lake or visit the overlook, but some areas you may have seen previously online are no longer accessible.
Washington Pass Overlook
Washington Pass Overlook is another great option for elopements with guests. In just a short walk, you will be met with incredible views of the towering granite Cascade mountains and the surrounding valleys. This trail is also dog friendly as well as ADA-accessible meaning you and any of your loved ones can enjoy the beautiful views.
Stehekin Valley
Located in the Eastern Cascades, Stehekin Valley is a little more remote than the others, but it’s nestled in the middle of the cutest little mountain town offering visitors plenty of places to stay and eat and simply enjoy all that the area has to offer.
Choose When to Elope in the North Cascades
Unlike the other Washington national parks, North Cascades National Park is not open year-round. Due to the higher elevation and snowy roads in the winter months, this park has limited times of operation. The snow usually melts off the road by late June to mid-July and is in full operation during the summer months. Most roads and trails start to close around October so if you are planning to elope in the North Cascades, summertime is your best bet.
If a winter elopement is what you’re looking for, there are some options. Mt. Baker is a well-known Washington ski resort, so if you want to plan a ski elopement, there are still a handful of locations that can accommodate you.
Book Your Transportation and Accommodations
If you’re visiting from out of state, you can either fly into is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or Bellingham International Airport. While the Bellingham airport is closer to the North Cascades, it is a smaller airport, meaning they have more limited flight options. From Seattle, you can reach the North Cascades in roughly a three-hour drive and if you are looking to do a little bit of sightseeing while you are here, this is the best airport to fly into.
In terms of where to stay, I recommend that couples first decide where their elopement ceremony will take place. While it’s common to do some driving to get to your ceremony location (especially when eloping in nature), you likely won’t want to spend a lot of time in a car on your elopement day. I suggest you choose accommodations no more than an hour away to maximize your elopement experience.
Hire Your North Cascades National Park Elopement Photographer and Other Elopement Vendors
Just because you elope doesn’t mean you don’t need any vendors! Hiring elopement vendors can help ensure your day runs smoothly, not to mention your vendor team will help you fully capture your vision for your elopement. A few vendors to consider hiring include:
- Elopement Photographer
- Elopement Planner/Coordinator
- Elopement Videographer
- Florist
- Hair/Makeup Artist
- Catering/Baker
- Decor Rentals
- Officiant
Apply for Your Washington Marriage License and Permits
To legally elope in the North Cascades, you’ll need to obtain all the necessary permits and licenses so everything is official!
Washington Marriage License
Obtaining a marriage license in Washington is a fairly simple process and you can apply up to 60 days before your elopement. You can obtain your marriage license at any county clerk’s office in the state, but keep in mind that Washington has a 3-day waiting period between applying and receiving your license. If you are traveling from out of state, be sure to account for this time in your travel plans, otherwise, you can also have your marriage license mailed to you ahead of time. To learn more about obtaining your Washington marriage license, click here.
North Cascades Elopement Permits
There is no entry fee to enter North Cascades National Park, but the park does require weddings and elopements to obtain a permit to use designated areas. The fee for this permit is $50. Online information regarding these permits is limited, so it’s best to contact the national park directly to inquire about the details of your event. Contact information and any available information regarding special use permits can be found here on the national park’s website.
Officiants and Witnesses
To get legally married in Washington you will need an officiant and two witnesses at your ceremony. If you want, you can have a loved one become ordained or you can hire an officiant. However, if those options don’t work for you, I’m also a licensed officiant and would love to perform your ceremony! It’s always a highlight for me to get to officiate my couples!
In addition, you will also need two witnesses present. I (if I’m not officiating) or your vendors can act as a witness. Otherwise, we can find a hiker or two who happily will act as witnesses.
If all this sounds like a lot, don’t worry! As your North Cascades elopement photographer, I’ll be able to help you walk through this process once we start planning together. And, if you need more resources, check out my Washington elopement guide below.
Decide What Activities You Would Like to Include in Your North Cascades National Park Elopement Timeline
Activities help make your elopement day uniquely yours! When deciding what to do during your elopement in the North Cascades, I always remind couples to choose meaningful activities to make their day extra special and personal. Some activities to consider are:
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Bicycling
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- Skiing/snowboarding
- Cake cutting
- Share a picnic (breakfast, charcuterie, dessert, etc.)
- Cater a meal from a private chef
- Read letters from loved ones
- Share a first dance
- Relax in a hot tub or sauna
After deciding on your activities for the day, you can start crafting your elopement timeline. I’ve written a blog about how much photography coverage you’ll need, but as a summary, here’s what I recommend.
- 2 hours – elopement ceremony only
- 6 hours – full elopement experience
- All-day – full elopement experience; perfect for couples who want to explore multiple locations or go at a relaxed pace/include some activities
Pick the Best Washington Elopement Package for Your Day
As a North Cascades National Park elopement photographer, I have several packages to fit your special day. From two-hour elopements to all-day celebrations, you can find a package that fits your exact vision for your day! No matter what package you choose, you’ll have:
- Photography Coverage
- Digital gallery of 75+ images per hour
- 6-8 week gallery delivery
- Wedding highlights slideshow
- 48-hour sneak peeks
- Elopement guide full of tips
- Timeline planning assistance
- Permit Guidance
- Communication throughout every step!
Choosing to elope in the North Cascades is one of the most exciting decisions you can make! Not only will you get to celebrate your love in one of Washington’s most beautiful national parks, but you’ll also get to experience a day filled with adventure and create memories with your partner that will last a lifetime.
I hope that you found this North Cascades elopement guide helpful! If you have any questions or are ready to start working together, click on the link below. I can’t wait to hear from you!
