Mt. Rainier Elopement

Mt. Rainier Elopement

We started off this beautiful day with a first look at Seth and Jessica’s A-frame cabin near Mt. Rainier National Park. This A frame cabin is the perfect venue for a private elopement and even has space for an intimate reception in the back (probably no more than 10-12 guests based of size). The backyard of this A-frame cabin has a cute fire pit and beautiful wooded area with enough room for a table or two and some chairs. It’s the perfect spot for a small celebration or just a weekend away with your partner.

Seth and Jessica had their ceremony and exchanged vows on the front porched and then read letters from their family and friends while relaxing in a hammock. It was the perfect afternoon!

Mt. Rainier Elopement in the Wildflowers

After their ceremony and break in the day we headed up to Mt. Rainier National Park to take elopement portraits at a lake surrounded by beautiful wildflowers. The wildflowers at this time of year (July) are just mind blowing! There were so many different types, textures, and colors. S and J explored through the trails by the lake and enjoyed some beers while we waited for the sun to set.

Washington’s wildflowers are on a whole other level and the wildflowers at this location definitely gave me Dr. Suess and the Lorax vibes! Mt. Rainier is probably the most iconic spot for wildflowers (for good reason), but there are tons of other areas throughout Washington that offer beautiful wildflower displays in the summer. Mt. Baker, St. Helens, Mt. Adams, the list goes on! If you’re interested in planning your elopement with hopes of seeing wildflowers make sure you check in with your photographer to help make sure you pick a date during the peak season and pick a trail/location that is known for them.

Also, please remember to practice LNT and avoid stepping on wild flowers, walking in alpine meadows, and never pick the wild flowers! Your photographer should help you find ways to make the photos look like you’re in a field of flowers without actually being in one. These areas are extremely fragile and take a very long time to recover from damage.

Mt. Rainier Elopement: Champagne Pop and Blue Hour Portraits

After beers at the lake we headed up to one of my favorite and easily accessible areas of Mt. Rainier for some blue hour portraits of the surrounding mountains.

Just a friendly reminder that you don’t have to hike super far for beautiful mountain photos, and that having a bit of spontaneity and flexibility on your elopement day can make a big difference in how much you enjoy your day! This spot was on the way to our final location for the night, but the mountain was glowing so beautifully that we decided to stop for a few portraits and share some beers on the rock ledge.
Not every minute or location has to be planned out to a tee. It’s actually really important to keep in mind that things go wrong or plans change in the outdoors all the time. Trails can get shut down unexpectedly, the weather can change on a dime, cars can break down, etc. As long as you have a beautiful area to explore, backup plans in place, and a photographer that knows the area (and that scouted it beforehand), you’ll be set!

Anyway, S and J finished off an absolutely beautiful day with a celebratory champagne pop and some blue hour portraits.

Meet Your Mt. Rainier Elopement Photographer

Hey, I’m Sierra. I’m an elopement photographer, wife, engineer, animal lover, outdoor enthusiast, and occasional camper-van converter based in Seattle, WA.

I’m not just a photographer. I’m your sounding board for dreaming up your perfect day, I’m your logistics planner, windblown hair fixer, tie adjuster, and so much more.

I’m an adventurer through and through and I’m here to help guide you through the process of planning and executing whatever day you and your partner dream up. From the moment you book me as your photographer I am there for you to help create an experience that you will remember and cherish.

My goal and hope is that by the time your wedding day comes along we already feel like close friends. I want to get texts of the wedding attire you picked out. I want to know what you love about your partner and how you met. I’m here for it all.

Interested in a Mt. Rainier Elopement? Click the button below to inquire and we can get started on planning your very own Mt. Rainier Elopement!