Are you looking to elope in Mt Rainier? This national park is seriously gorgeous and one of the most beautiful places in the country, if not the world! If you’re thinking about having a Mt Rainier elopement, then continue reading for everything you need to know!
Why You Should Elope in Mt Rainier
Located just an hour and a half outside of Seattle, Mt Rainier National Park is one of Washington’s gems! It has TONS of diverse landscapes, including alpine meadows and lakes, gorgeous evergreen forests, and towering mountains. There are so many amazing views that require little or no hiking as well as countless trails and outdoor recreation opportunities if you want a little more adventure in your day. And depending on when you visit, you’ll get to experience beautiful wildflowers, stunning fall colors, or dreamy snowy vistas!
In fact, I recently captured a beautiful Mt Rainier elopement! You can read all about it in the blog below!
Your Guide to Planning a Mt Rainier Elopement
Decide Where to Elope in Mt Rainier
There are two sides to Mt Rainier National Park: Sunrise and Paradise. While both sides are absolutely stunning, when planning your Mt Rainier elopement you’ll want to decide which is best for you.
Paradise
The more popular of the two sections of the park, Paradise is located south of Mt Rainier and is open year-round. It’s most well known for its beautiful meadows and wildflower blooms. There are plenty of accessible viewpoints here, and if you want to do a little hiking, there are trails that will take you to beautiful waterfalls and close-up views of the mountain.
If you’re hoping to stay near the park during your elopement, then definitely choose Paradise. The towns of Packwood and Ashford are nearby, plus there’s lodging inside the park on this side as well!
Sunrise
Sunrise is the more remote section of Mt Rainier, but don’t let that stop you from visiting! Located on the north side of the park, it is known for its wide open fields and expansive views of the mountain. It also sits at 6,400 feet, making it the highest place in the park that you can reach by car! Because of its elevation, it’s only open during the summer. However, there are still plenty of wildflower fields and hiking trails to explore, and without the crowds you might find in Paradise.
For more information on where to elope in Mt Rainier, check out my blog below!
My Favorite Mt Rainier Photo Locations
Mt Rainier is full of unbelievably stunning backdrops! While it’s hard to go wrong anywhere in the park, here are two of my favorite places that I recommend to every couple who wants to elope in Mt Rainier.
Tipsoo Lake & Naches Peak Loop
This is one of my favorite hikes in the entire park, and it’s perfect for your Mt Rainier elopement! You start at Tipsoo Lake, which features crystal clear water, beautiful wildflower meadows, and unbelievable views of Mt Rainier. Then head on the Naches Peak Loop Trail, a moderate hike with seriously some of the best mountain views in the entire park! Feel free to bring your pup, as dogs are allowed on this trail!
Pinnacle Peak Trail
The Pinnacle Peak Trail is a little more difficult than Tipsoo Lake & Naches Peak Loop, but it’s absolutely worth it! This 2.5-mile trail starts off gradually but then follows a steep path up to 6,000 feet. The view from the top is jaw-dropping, featuring not only Mt Rainier but also Mt Saint Helens, Mt Adams, and even Oregon’s Mt Hood! If you’re looking for unbeatable vistas during your elopement, then you need to check out this hike.
Choose When to Elope in Mt Rainier
Depending on what you want your elopement experience to be like, here’s when you should visit Mt Rainier.
July – October
I recommend most couples elope in Mt Rainier between July and October. The weather is the nicest and all park entrances are likely open, giving you the best opportunity to experience everything Mt Rainier has to offer. July and August are when wildflowers are in full bloom, and in September and October, you’ll have the opportunity to see gorgeous fall colors!
The biggest con with visiting during these months is that the park will likely be crowded, especially during the wildflower season. However, as your elopement photographer, I’ll work with you to make your day as intimate and personal as you want it to be!
November – June
The weather is more unpredictable from November through June, and some sections of the park may be closed due to snow. However, there are still several upsides if you want to elope during these months.
First, Mt Rainier is significantly less crowded, meaning that you’ll have the park mostly to yourself. Also, the snowy landscape makes for a beautiful, winter wonderland elopement if that’s something you want! Finally, lodging, airfare, and rental cars will likely be cheaper during these months.
Book Your Transportation and Accommodations
If you’re visiting from out of state, the best airport to fly into is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It’s about an hour and a half north of the park and is the closest major airport.
In terms of where to stay, I recommend that couples first decide where their elopement ceremony will take place. While some driving will be involved, 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. If you plan on visiting Paradise, there are plenty of cute and rustic lodging options in Packwood and Ashford, as well as inside the park itself. While the Sunrise is more remote, you’ll find several hotels and Airbnbs in the town of Enumclaw.
Hire Your Mt Rainier Elopement Photographer and Other Elopement Vendors
Just because you’re choosing to elope doesn’t mean you can’t still have vendors! Hiring 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 Videographer
- Florist
- Hair/Makeup Artist
- Catering/Baker
- Decor Rentals
- Elopement Planner/Coordinator
Apply for Your Washington Marriage License and Permits
If you want to elope in Mt Rainier, you’ll want to make sure you obtain all the necessary permits and licenses so everything is official!
Obtaining a marriage license in Washington is a fairly simple process and you can apply up to 60 days before your elopement. Also keep in mind the 3-day waiting period between applying and receiving your license, especially if you’re traveling from out of state. You can obtain your marriage license and pay the $72 fee in Pierce County, where Mt Rainier National Park is located. However, in Washington, you can pick up your license in any county and it will be valid throughout the state!
To get legally married in Washington you also need an officiant and two witnesses at your ceremony. If you want, you can have a loved one become ordained or 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’ll 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.
You will need a special use permit to elope in Mt Rainier National Park. You must submit your application at least four weeks before your ceremony date and pay a $250 application fee. Also, there are certain pre-determined locations to hold your ceremony, depending on how many guests you plan on attending. You can visit Mt Rainier National Park’s Permits and Reservations page for more information.
If all this sounds like a lot, don’t worry! As your elopement photographer, I’ll be able to help you walk through this process once we start planning together.
Decide What Activities You Would Like to Include in Your Mt Rainier Elopement Timeline
There are endless possibilities when deciding what to do during your Mt Rainier Elopement! 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
- Cake cutting
- Share a picnic (breakfast, charcuterie, dessert, etc.)
- Catered meal from a private chef
- Reading letters from loved ones
- First Dance
- Relaxing in a hot tub
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 Pacific Northwest 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 Mt Rainier is one of the best decisions you can make! You get to celebrate your love in one of the most beautiful places in the country and create memories that will last a lifetime. I hope that you found this 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.
