Mount Rainier is one of Washington’s most iconic landmarks - drive down our highways on a clear day, and you’ll be able to spot the mountain in the distance! But, nothing beats seeing it up close, and if you want to elope at Mount Rainier National Park, you’re in luck! I’ve got a little bit of a crush on this mountain, so I’m ready to help you plan your epic adventure. Keep reading this guide, and you’ll be ready to plan your Mount Rainier National Park elopement in no time!

Choose an Elopement Date

When it comes to choosing an elopement date, you’ll have a few factors to consider, such as the weather, and avoiding crowds.

Mount Rainier National Park Weather

Washington is notoriously cloudy, and the weather in Mount Rainier National Park is unpredictable to say the least! That said, the region does get plenty of sunshine and blue skies in the warmer, dryer months of July and August. This timeframe is also when the park’s forest floors burst into mosaics of brightly-colored wildflowers, making summer one of the prettiest (and unfortunately busiest) times of the year. Many higher elevation trails stay snow covered until July, so if you’re game to hike on your elopement day, the dry, warm conditions make summer the perfect time to elope.

While both spring and fall are chilly, by eloping right before or right after summer, you’ll be able to avoid a lot of the crowds, and the lower elevation locations are likely to still be snow free! Below is a graph of Mount Rainier’s average weather. As you can see, the weather is warmest in July and August, but eloping during other times of the year can have its perks as well.

Winter at Mount Rainier National Park is nothing short of magical - the snow covered pine trees look just like Narnia, and eloping in the winter time will have you feeling like you’ve entered a winter wonderland. You’ll find a 4WD automobile with tire chains absolutely essential, and you’ll also want to familiarize yourself with the park’s winter travel guidelines; most roads stay closed in the winter, although a route from Nisqually Entrance to Longmire generally remains accessible year-round.

There are four main Mount Rainier National Park entrances, only two of which (the Nisqually Entrance and the Carbon River Entrance) stay open through the winter months. For a complete guide for off-season visits to the Mount Rainier National Park (including travel tips, precautions, necessary equipment, and road closures), check out the National Park Service’s guidelines on visiting in winter.

Lastly, if you’re wanting your furry family members to accompany you on your big day, you’re in luck! Pets are allowed at Mount Rainier National Park, but only when leashed or caged and only when kept in areas designated as “pet-friendly” by the National Park Service.

Avoiding Crowds

Mount Rainier is Washington’s most popular national park, and it’s no wonder why! If you want to have more privacy when you elope, consider planning your Mount Rainier elopement for the off season. Summer weather may be the warmest, but if you rock some base layers (and maybe warm up with some champagne), you’ll enjoy more solitude in the park during the off season.

A tip that I give to all of my couples is to elope on a weekday! Because most people are off work, weekends draw out crowds of tourists and locals alike. Eloping on a weekday, especially Monday through Thursday, will ensure that you have more privacy as you explore the park.

Pick an Elopement Location

Mount Rainier has thousands of miles of trails, so whether you’re hoping to have an easily accessible ceremony or you want to hike to the perfect spot, you’ll find your ideal elopement location in Mount Rainier National Park.

As an elopement photographer, one of my favorite parts of the job is helping couples with planning! I’ve explored Mount Rainier countless times (for work and for fun), so I’m ready with recommendations for the best locations. Here are just a few of my favorites.

At the Summit

If you’re both experienced adventurers and you’re ready to tackle Mount Rainier, you can hike all the way to the summit - and I’m ready to be by your side documenting it all! This nearly 15 mile hike climbs over 9,000 feet in elevation, and requires experience in glacier and high alpine travel. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with an unbelievable sense of accomplishment - and imagine telling people you climbed Washington’s highest peak on your wedding day! I, personally, climbed with Rainier Mountaineering, Inc. for my first summit and cannot recommend them enough! Other reputable guiding companies include International Mountain Guides and Alpine Ascents.

A Fire Lookout

Mount Rainier National Park has several fire lookouts, with Fremont Lookout being the most popular. With the high elevation of fire lookouts, hiking to one means you get sweeping views of the valleys and mountain peaks around you. Elope at sunrise or sunset, and you’ll be greeted with the most incredible views!

An Alpine Lake

At Mount Rainier, you can choose an easily accessible lake that you can drive right up to, like Reflection Lakes, or a more secluded one that requires some hiking. Either way, alpine lakes are a gorgeous place to say your vows, and the serene stillness of the lake will create beautiful reflections.

Amongst the Wildflowers

While it’s important to remember that wildflower meadows are fragile, and stepping on them can cause a lot of damage, many of the meadows at Mount Rainier have trails that go through them, so you can still elope with a rainbow of blooms behind you. At Tipsoo Lake, you can wander through the fields that surround the lake!

In the Forest

In the lower elevation areas of Mount Rainier, you can elope amongst trees as tall as 200 feet. Trails like the Grove of the Patriarchs give you the opportunity to explore the old growth forest and marvel at the giant trees surrounding you.

Book Your Elopement Vendors

When it comes to elopements, one of the reasons why couples choose to forgo the traditional wedding thing is because of planning - and I can’t blame them! But, elopements still require some planning to ensure that everything goes smoothly. This is where having a great team of elopement vendors can make all the difference. I recommend booking your elopement vendors as soon as possible, because many of them fill their schedules as far as a year out!

Despite Mount Rainier’s fairly remote location in west-central Washington, the park is just a stone’s throw from Seattle and around the bend from Portland. Anything you could possibly need for an elopement (whether it be a florist, catering, or lodging) is conveniently within arms reach—an added perk that makes the planning and logistics of a Mount Rainier elopement an absolute breeze. Here are some of my favorite vendors who can help with your Mount Rainier National Park elopement.

Support Small Businesses!

**Planners**
The Greatest Adventure
Tapestry Event Co.
**Florists**
Rusted Vase Floral Co.
Floral Design by Maria
**Hair & Makeup**
Pacific Brides
Anne Timms
**Cakes**
Sift and Gather
Delicately Sweet Confections
Honey Crumb Cake Studio
**Officiants**
Jimmie
Rooted & Wild
**Photographer**
Yours truly!

Get a Permit for Your Mount Rainier Elopement

When you have a ceremony at Mount Rainier National Park, you will need a permit. An application is required to be filled out at least 4 weeks before your elopement date, and there is a $60 application fee. But, that money supports conservation efforts and keeps the park beautiful, so your money is going to a good place! You can find the permit application here.

Research Washington Marriage Laws

Paperwork might not be the most exciting part of your elopement day, but it’s important to make sure you have everything you need so that your marriage is legal and valid! You’ll need to get a marriage license, and have it signed by an officiant and two witnesses.

The Marriage License

In Washington, you can apply for your marriage license up to three months before the date of your ceremony. There is also a three day waiting period, which means you have to obtain the license at least three days before your elopement. You can apply for a marriage license by mail here.

The Officiant

When it comes to finding an officiant to perform your ceremony, you have a few options. You can hire an officiant (see my recommended vendors list above!) who specializes in elopements and will be up for whatever adventure you choose on your big day. Hiring a professional officiant is great because they’ll be able to personalize a ceremony just for you!

Another option is to have a friend or family member officiate your ceremony. It’s incredibly easy, and free, to get ordained, so if you know someone who’s willing, all they have to do is visit ULC.org and sign up. After that, they’ll be able to officiate marriage ceremonies anywhere in the US!

The Witnesses

Washington requires you to have two witnesses sign your marriage license, but don’t worry if you’re eloping with no guests! Your photographer and any other vendors you book will be able to sign, or you can even find two people on the trail or at your ceremony spot to sign. People are always stoked to help out!

Book Your Lodging

The small rural town of Packwood, located just outside of Mount Rainier National Park is known for its adorable A-frame cabins! Cabins like the Little Owl Cabin make the perfect little getaway, and a great home base to come back to when you’re done exploring on your elopement day.

Make sure to book your lodging early, because these cabins book up fast!

Photo courtesy of https://littleowlcabin.com

practice leave no trace

Leave No Trace, or LNT, is a set of principles that encourage leaving as little impact on outdoor spaces as possible. Regardless of where you elope, it’s important to remember to minimize your impact and be aware of the effects that humans can have. You can read more about LNT and elopements HERE!

At Mount Rainier National Park, practicing Leave No Trace includes staying on trails (those wildflower fields are especially fragile!), being aware of the rules when it comes to hanging decorations, and researching restrictions for the number of guests that you can bring to your elopement. Being aware and minimizing your impact can make a huge difference when it comes to keeping our national parks beautiful.

Elope at Mount Rainier!

Between stunning views of the mountain, colorful wildflower fields, and reflective alpine lakes, Mount Rainier National Park is the perfect elopement location. I’ve spent countless hours exploring the park, so I’m ready to help badass couples out with everything from secret, secluded locations, to permit information, to building the perfect elopement timeline. So if you’re ready to plan your Mount Rainier elopement, contact me!