5 Things to Know About Eloping at Mount Rainier National Park

The PNW is one corner of the U.S. with an abundance of incredible elopement locations. There are so many scenic options to elope — the rugged coast, mountains, forests, gorges, and deserts to name some of the landscapes you can choose from. Another option? A cozy, rustic cabin quaintly nestled in the woods along a river, with views of the mountains in the background. Just a short distance from Mount Rainier National Park, this elopement location spotlight combines rustic comfort, romance and stunning scenery.

Invitation Suite + Paper Goods for Mount Rainier National Park Elopement

Planning an Mount Rainier National Park Elopement

Mount Rainier Elopement Special Use Permits

A big consideration to make when eloping at Mount Rainier, or any national park for that matter, is whether you’re planning to hold your ceremony inside the national park or outside of the park borders.

If you’re hoping to say your ‘I Do’s’ in the national park itself, you’ll need a Special Use Permit. These permits cost $60 and can be obtained by filling out an application form at least four weeks prior to the requested date. For photography, a separate permit is required and ranges from $50-$250 per day, depending on the amount of people involved in your elopement or small wedding in Mount Rainier National Park.

Wedding Ceremony Flowers for Mount Rainier National Park Elopement

Washington Elopement Florist | Mt. Rainier Elopement | Mount Rainier Elopement | Portland Wedding Florist

Washington Elopement Florist | Mt. Rainier Elopement | Bridal Bouquet.jpg

Mount Rainier Elopement Restrictions

Another consideration are the rules and regulations you must follow, should you decide to have your ceremony within the Mount Rainier National Park boundaries. National parks are public lands that are protected and preserved, so the things you can and can’t do differ from a standard wedding venue. The size of your party or your ceremony will determine which areas you can get married in.

For example, if you have a party of fewer than 12 people, you can elope on many of the trails in the park, while choosing to have a ceremony with 60+ guests will limit you to holding your ceremony in one of the park’s campground amphitheaters.

A few other things to note are that you cannot set up things like tents, chairs or tables, and decor will be more limited and modest. Throwing rice or confetti is prohibited and you cannot block off the area where you’re holding your Mount Rainier wedding ceremony to other park visitors.

Bride and Ceremony Flowers for Mount Rainier Elopement

Consider Eloping Near Mount Rainier National Park

While eloping within the Mount Rainier National Park boundaries may leave you a little more restricted than a state park or other elopement location, the scenery will undoubtedly provide a magical back drop to exchange vows.

National parks aren’t the most ideal places if you’re looking to have a bunch of people at your ceremony, however, and are more suited for true elopements. However, if you’re thinking of having an elopement or wedding near Mount Rainier National Park and want to have a ceremony with more people and less restrictions, eloping just outside of the park borders is a great option.

Packwood, Washington is a small town located just miles from the Southeast Entrance of Mount Rainier National Park and is home to the sweetest, coziest, A-Frame cabin Airbnb. At this Airbnb and many other cabins outside of Mount Rainier, you can hold small, intimate ceremonies, where you’ll have the opportunity to create a space with more decor and floral design elements, while also giving you and your partner the option to sneak away for couple’s photos in the national park.

Bride and groom elope in Mount Rainier National Park

Best Time of Year for a Mount Rainier Elopement

It’s definitely important to consider what time of year you’ll want to elope if you choose Mount Rainier National Park as your elopement location. While the park is open year round, the summer and fall offer beautiful wildflowers and fall foliage. These seasons are also much warmer and accessible.

If you’re considering getting married outside of the park, in a cabin similar to the ones in these photos, spring months are a great option, too. Keep in mind, though, that even in spring, snow still covers many places in Mount Rainier National Park and you may not be able to access certain entry points, roads or trails.

Mount Rainier National Park Elopement wedding flowers

Bride and groom elope with wedding flowers in Mount Rainier National Park

Boho wedding for a Mount Rainier National Park elopement

Booking Your Mount Rainier National Park Elopement Vendor Team

When booking the vendor team for your elopement, it’s important to make sure that the vendors you hire specialize or have experience doing elopements. Because elopements are very different from traditional weddings, it takes a different skillset and expertise to properly execute an outdoor adventure wedding or elopement than, say, an indoor wedding.

Weather plays a huge role in elopements and outdoor weddings so it’s important that your team knows how to handle these elements. For example, your florist should know what flowers are best for a bouquet that’s going to be out of water on a big hike all day, or know how to mechanically set up a ceremony where wind may be an issue.

If you’re choosing to elope in a national park, it’s safe to assume that nature is important to you. Find a vendor team who feels the same way — vendors who love elopements and want to be a part of your special, intimate day. Be sure to check out the vendor team at the end of this post for some incredibly talented people who love working with couples planning to elope!

Sweetheart Table by Portland wedding florist for Mount Rainier National Park elopement

Sweetheart table place setting for Mount Rainier elopement

Sweetheart table set up for Mount Rainier National Park elopement in Spring

Flowers for Your Mount Rainier Elopement

Eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have any florals for your day! Whether you’re looking for a statement floral design piece in your bouquet, ceremony florals or sweetheart table florals, I’m here to help. And floral design doesn’t have to be limited to the typical spaces people may think of when they think wedding day flowers.

If you’re eloping and using a vehicle to get to and from your destination, why not adorn your car with flowers or come back to your tent, cabin or Airbnb to a romantic floral installation — the possibilities are endless. I absolutely love doing flowers for elopements so if you’re in need of a florist, get in touch here.