Field Notes: Mt. Rainier National Park — August 2024

For their elopement, J&J wanted a day focused on their love and shared passion for casual adventures, avoiding the stress of being the center of attention. They chose a full-day elopement in the breathtaking landscapes of Tahoma (Mount Rainier).

The day began at a cozy treehouse cabin nestled in Ashford, WA, where J&J helped each other get ready and into their attire. After that we took off for our adventure, starting with a little riverside picnic along the glacier-fed Nisqually River.

After that we started our hike! These two decided to hike in their wedding attire, and we even jerry-rigged a garbage bag to help her bustle her dress so it didn't get too dirty or caught up in brush along the trail. It worked like a charm! After our explorations, we finally reached our ceremony site just in time for the sunset, with a stunning view of Tahoma as the backdrop, and these two exchanged heartfelt handwritten vows to one another.

Despite it being peak season at a major national park (and a beautiful day at that!)—amazingly the only other person we saw at our secluded summit spot was the national park ranger and permit officer who oversaw our event and made sure we were leaving no trace. She was so excited to see us and ran over to greet us, and even graciously signed as one of their witnesses!

As the sun set, J&J soaked in the vibrant colors and moody evening light, and we hung around as the sky darkened. When we got back to the trailhead the milky way was fully out and we captured some incredible shots under the stars. An incredible end to a beautiful day!

J+J Trip report

Location — Mt. Rainier National Park (wanna know our exact spot? sorry babe you gotta hire us to find out, we only give these sweet hidden gems out to our clients so they don’t become totally overrun like the others 😉)
Where they stayed — Iron & Vine Treehouse in Ashford, WA
Hair & makeup — the illustrious Anne Timms
Photography, planning, officiating, & outfitting — Wilderpines Elopements

Want to elope at Mt. Rainier? Here's what you need to know:

Get in touch with a local photographer/planner — The first thing you'll want to do is secure your photographer! Even if you don't know exactly where or when you want to elope, it's good to reach out as early as possible. Many elopement photographers (like us) also double as your planner and can help you with the logistics along the way. They'll be able to help you pick a location and help you pin down a date! I highly recommend looking for someone local who knows the ins and outs of the area, including those hidden gem spots like this one. Plus, that often means no extra travel fees!
Elope on a weekday — Weekends can be overwhelmingly crowded pretty much anywhere you go in the region, especially in the busy season (April through October), so I highly recommend picking a weekday for your elopement. You’ll end up with less crowds and a far more intimate experience.
Permits — You'll need a special use permit to elope at Mt. Rainier National Park. You'll also need a national park pass, and in the busiest summer months, you will likely need a timed entry reservation to enter the park.
Seasonality — Mt. Rainier has a lot of super high elevation areas which are not always accessible or free of snow. Picking a date in mid-July though mid-October grants you the best access to most trails. Aim for mid-July through mid-August for the best wildflower blooms! The park is technically open year round if you don't mind strapping on some snowshoes and getting out there outside of peak season, which can also be a great way to beat those crazy summer crowds.
Leave No Trace — Please make sure to leave no trace as you go out for your wedding adventure. Don't leave any litter or decorations, stay on existing trails, and be respectful of other park visitors. Eloping in the wilderness is a privilege, not a right!