If you’ve ever even thought about getting married at Mount Rainier National Park, this is an elopement you’re TOTALLY going to want to hear about. From an unbelievable sunrise with no one around to an evening with guests and a campground reception, R+G’s Mount Rainier elopement pretty much had it all.

But first things first…

Can you Elope at Mount Rainier National Park?

HELL YEAH YOU CAN! With a little bit of planning, a very small group, knowledge about the seasons, and a permit to get married, you can easily get married at Mount Rainier National park. Hire a professional photographer (like me!!) to give you all the details about the logistics of eloping at Mount Rainier. I’ve got you, friend.

What Month Should I Elope at Mount Rainier National Park?

While parts of Mount Rainier National Park are open year-round, there is a very short window that looks like this elopement! The snow can linger well into July, and then return in late September or early October. It’s crucial to know what to expect when it comes to weather and climate at Mount Rainier before you start planning your elopement day.

I wrote an entire guide to eloping in Washington and what each month holds for you:

Anyway, let’s dive into this summertime Mount Rainier sunrise and sunset elopement!!

The Mount Rainier Sunrise Hike

Our day started early, and I mean early. In the summer when the days are long, you’ve gotta set your alarm extra early to be able to get to the summit of your hike before the best part of the sunrise, which is between dusk and sunrise! In our case, that meant meeting up at 4:30am while it was still pitch black outside to get our boots on the trail.

There’s something so special about starting a hike with millions of stars above you and getting to watch the sky change from black to dark blue and then all the way to yellow. Plus if you’re lucking, you’ll be able to see tiny headlamps around the summit of Mount Rainier who are getting an even earlier start. Cool, right? I can’t recommend it enough!

And to make it even better, this was a spectacular time to see millions of wildflowers all over Mount Rainier National Park. I’m talking alpine asters, lupines, Jacob’s ladder, Avalanche lilies, cinquefoils, and spreading phlox. So basically all of the beautiful whites, yellows, purples, and pinks you can imagine!

Want to plan your elopement around the wildflowers? Hell yeah you do. While we can’t walk through the meadows of flowers, we sure can appreciate them from the trail and take tons of photos with them. My best advice is to plan for mid-July to mid-August for your elopement, which can peak anywhere in that ~4 week span.

R+G wanted some assistance with finding the most incredible trail to see Mount Rainier from, and after recommending some of my favorite hikes for stellar Rainier photos, they chose to explore the Sunrise side of the National Park because of its proximity to the mountain! It basically feels like once you hit the trail, you can reach out and grab Mount Rainier. It’s that close.

We got our headlamps on, packed up our gear, and started our hike towards the top of a small summit sitting at 7,400 feet (whew!) that lets you see everything from the Winthrop Glacier to the parts of the Wonderland Trail to Mount Fremont. Truly one of the best views you can get out there.

Once we reached THE spot, R+G changed into their wedding outfits just before dawn and we all freaked out about the light surrounding us in every direction. Every time we turned around, the sun was casting different colors on the peaks and valleys around us and it was a morning that no one could forget.

R+G had a plan for the morning: they wanted to copy their already-written vows into their official vow books so they could slow down on the morning of their elopement and spend time right next to each other, preparing for their sunset ceremony. When you’ve got views like that, how could you not? They cozied up next to each other, got to writing, and it was such a special moment with the looming Mount Rainier right behind them, witnessing them writing about their love.

One thing that was suuuuuuper fun about this Mount Rainier elopement was the wildlife we got to see - the bees (who were very polite!) were in love with R’s bouquet and hair piece and were constantly zooming around to see what was going on. And then this chipmunk was ALL about G’s boots and really wanted to say hello. He was stoked!! Plus the chipmunk spent a solid amount of time inspecting the bouquet which was too cute. And to top it all off, we crossed paths with a small band (yes, a band!) of mountain goats that were shedding their thick outer coats. And there was a baby goat with them!!!!! Truly we all were squealing and stopped in our tracks to watch them pass.

After taking in every last view we could, we started our trek towards the parking lot and ended the morning together. But not to fear, there’s still another half of R+G’s day to talk about!!

THe Fire Lookout Ceremony with Mount Rainier Views

Later that evening, R+G met me at a different trailhead outside of Mount Rainier National Park - they were looking for a spot that could accommodate a larger group of guests but still have unforgettable Rainier views, and I swooped in to offer suggestions that fit into their hike preferences, including this fire lookout that they chose! It’s one of the few Washington fire lookouts that is staffed in the summer months by the US Forest Service.

A short hike led to incredible views (plus guests with mobility limitations could be dropped off right at the fire lookout!) and space to have a short ceremony without disturbing other visitors or any flora. Win-win-win! R+G’s guests were super prepared for being in the outdoors, including not having any cell service, driving unpaved forest service roads, and respecting the trail and fire lookout itself. We love a knowledgeable group!!

It was time for R+G to officially tie the knot, with Mount Rainier as an additional witness behind them. Everyone gathered around the couple and the ceremony was under way. After vows, ring exchanges, and a sweet reading, they sealed the evening with a kiss and celebrated with their loved ones surrounding them. Once the marriage license was signed, we snapped a few photos around the fire lookout before heading down to kick off the last part of the day: the campground dinner!!

The Campground Elopement Reception

They had a handful of adjacent campsites reserved so that they had room to camp at the end of the night AND have their caterers (the always amazing Miere Catering) set up a beautiful dinner table and start cooking a full meal for everybody. The guests set up lights, desserts, and some decor and got everything ready for R+G’s arrival a short while later.

If you’re looking for someone to handle just about everything when it comes to a meal with your guests, hire a caterer who is familiar with elopements like Miere!! They understand the nuance of cooking amazing foods in the outdoors AND know how to make a picnic table look absolutely gorgeous. Can’t recommend enough!

Before dinner was served, R+G shared a first dance surrounded by all of their favorite people, followed by a mother+son and father+daughter dance. Dancing at the end of your day in an intimate reception before sitting down for a custom-created meal really is one of THE best ways to end your elopement day.

Shoutout to R+G for trusting me so much with locations, being aware of the ongoing wildfires, having unending energy all day long, and for making me feel just like a guest. Doesn’t get much better than that, folks.

Vendors
Photography and planning: Van Gachnang Photography
Florals: Pets and Posies Flower Farm
Dress: The Altar Bridal in Barrington, IL
Suit: Indochino
Jewelry: Fort Thomas Jewelers
Catering: Miere Catering

How to Elope at Mount Rainier

One of America’s most beloved national parks, Mount Rainier National Park is one of Washington’s most popular parks and is not to be missed. Dominated by the iconic Mount Rainier, a majestic snow-capped dormant volcano, the park has everything from lush old-growth forests, to vibrant wildflower meadows, to cascading waterfalls. Visitors can explore miles of hiking trails that lead to stunning viewpoints, serene alpine lakes, and diverse wildlife habitats. Whether you're seeking a tranquil escape or an exhilarating outdoor adventure, Mount Rainier's stunning landscapes and serene atmosphere make it an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and explorers alike.

By the way, if you want tons more details about eloping at Mount Rainier, you’re gonna want to check out my guide! It’s got everything from how to secure a permit to what seasons are going to be the best in each area of the park.