Sunrise Wildflower Hike + Ceremony With Guests at Paradise, Mt. Rainier

Jun 30

Field Notes: Paradise, Mount Rainier National Park, EARLY August — Morning Magic

We started early—well before the sunrise. It’s surreal, waking up so early, while all is still dark. Hiking by the light of your headlamp, fingers warmed by the thermos full of coffee. Watching the light shift and change and run the gamut of colors—pinks, purples, blues, yellows—and the flowers, too. Blooming by the thousands. The world feels quiet, waiting. You’re up before the summer rush, the swarms of tourists—it’s just you, the flowers, the marmots. You don’t have to worry about being overheard or watched. It’s just you.

I’m such a fan of sunrise elopements. I can try to describe the magic in words, and I can try to capture the feeling in photos. But there is really nothing quite like actually being up, awake at those early times of day, watching it happen.

Maybe I’m a morning person ✨

Guests or no guests?

On the fence between going it alone or being able to celebrate with your people? You don’t have to choose. You can do both.

After their wild morning adventure, these two invited their closest loved ones to a ceremony with the mountain Tahoma as their backdrop, to share in the celebrations. Since we had our adventure early in the morning, that left the whole day open to spend quality time with their people. (Well, maybe after a nap to recoup from the 1 am wake up call 😴)

Dreaming of an adventure like this? Get in touch! We’ll make it happen!

Trip report

Time — Sunrise to mid morning, early August
Location — Mount Rainier National Park
Officiant — our very own Tessa of Wilderpines Elopements
Photography, planning, & 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!