How to Plan a Mountain Elopement in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

How to Plan a Mountain Elopement

Don’t worry, we’ll dive deeper into each section shortly. But for now, here’s a quick overview of how to plan a mountain elopement, step by step:

1. Choose your location
2. Pick a date
3. Apply for a permit
4. Hire your vendors
5. Get your marriage license
6. Book your travel and activities
7. Create an elopement timeline
8. Pack and prepare
9. Elope

1. Choose the Best Mountain Elopement Location

First thing’s first—picking the perfect spot for your mountain elopement. Are you dreaming of dramatic, snow-covered peaks, or do you want something a little more laid-back with rolling hills? To help get you started, I’ve put together a list of the 5 most stunning mountain elopement locations across the U.S.

North Cascades National Park, Washington

Some of the largest mountains in the lower 48 can be found in North Cascades National Park, located in Washington State. This park is known as the “Swiss Alps of America.” It has a variety of lakes, hiking trails, and fall colors come September.

• Best time of year to elope: September.
• Hiking required: No, but there are a ton of trails to explore if want to hike.
• Crowd level: Semi-busy. Compared to other national parks, this one doesn’t see as many visitors.
• Permit required: Yes, $50.

If you want all the details on eloping in the North Cascades, check out this complete guide—it’s got everything you need to know!

Olympic National Park, Washington

The Olympic Mountains can be found in Olympic National Park, located in western Washington. This is the most diverse national park in the United States, boasting mountain ranges, temperate rainforests, and rocky beaches. The best mountain location, Hurricane Ridge, is a drive-up spot without any hiking required.

• Best time of year to elope: June and October.
• Hiking required: No.
• Crowd level: Fairly busy during the summer. Plan for sunrise or sunset.
• Permit required: Yes, a $50 permit, but only if you have more than 5 guests at your elopement.

Check out this in-depth guide on how to elope in Olympic, and while you’re at it, don’t miss this amazing mountain elopement at Hurricane Ridge!

Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

I couldn’t put together a list of the best mountain spots without including Mt. Rainier National Park! There are tons of places where you can get married with incredible mountain views without even having to hike. In August, the wildflower meadows are unreal, and the park’s glaciers are just as breathtaking.

• Best time of year to elope: August for wildflowers. September for smaller crowds.
• Hiking required: No, but this park is famous for its hiking trails. A good variety of small and large trails.
• Crowd level: Busy, expect people year-round. Plan for sunrise or sunset.
• Permit required: Yes, $175.

Got your eye on Mt. Rainier? Don’t miss my super helpful Mt. Rainier elopement guide!

Mt. Shasta, California

Not many people have heard of Mt. Shasta, which is surprising considering it’s the second tallest mountain in the Cascade Range. Located in Northern California, Mt. Shasta is one of the most underrated elopement locations in the United States (and one of the most underrated places in general). With a plethora of different viewpoints and hiking trails, Mt. Shasta is an incredible (and crowd-free) place for a mountain elopement.

• Best time of year to elope: May or October.
• Hiking required: No, but the best views and locations are reached by moderate hikes.
• Crowd level: Not busy, super easy to find secluded locations.
• Permit required: No.

Check out this incredible Mt. Shasta elopement guide written by a local (it’s me, I’m the local).

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park is *the* mountain location for couples looking for an accessible no-hiking-required ceremony spot. It’s close to town, has a ton of wildlife, and is also close to Yellowstone. What more could you ask for?

• Best time of year to elope: October.
• Hiking required: No, but there are lots of trails in the area.
• Crowd level: Busy, though there are tons of off-the-beaten-path locations.
• Permit required: Yes, $200.

Want to learn more about eloping in Grand Teton National Park? Check out this helpful guide!

Other Popular Mountain Elopement Locations

2. Choose the Best Time of Year to Elope in the Mountains

The best time to elope in the mountains is typically from late July to September, when the hiking trails and ceremony spots are snow-free. Mountains are at higher elevations, so their seasons tend to be short—meaning you’ll have a narrow window to explore these spots without dealing with snow. However, keep in mind that each location has its own unique weather patterns. For example, Olympic National Park can be snow-free as early as May, while North Cascades National Park might still be under snow until mid-July.

Want to get an idea of what to expect for your location? Check out AccuWeather to explore past weather data and see what kind of weather you can expect month by month.

• Best month for crowds: September
• Best month for sunny weather: August
• Best month for wildflowers: August
• Best month for fall colors: Early October

3. Get Your Permits

Do you need a permit to elope in the mountains?

Most likely, yes. Depending on where you choose to elope, you may need a “special use permit.” This is typically required if you’re getting married in a national park, national forest, or state park.

The good news? Getting the permit is a straightforward process. Once you’ve picked your location, simply search for “[elopement location] wedding permit” online. You can also reach out to your photographer—they’ll know exactly where to direct you.

Pro tip: Most national parks limit the guest count to around 12-20 people when issuing permits, depending on the park. Keep that in mind when planning your guest list!

4. Hire Your Vendors

Okay, I might be a little biased here, but before you book anyone else, definitely start with a photographer who specializes in elopements—especially someone with experience photographing elopements in the mountains. An elopement photographer who knows the terrain can be a total game-changer during the planning process. They’ll help you choose the best locations, find hidden trails, give insight on weather patterns, and let you know how popular certain areas are, so you can pick the perfect spot for your day.

Once you’ve got your photographer in place, it’s time to think about other vendors who can bring your mountain elopement to life. You might consider hiring the following:

• Officiant
• Hair and Makeup Artist
• Florist
• Videographer
• Private Chef

5. Get Your Marriage License

Getting your marriage license is an essential step in the elopement process, and the rules vary depending on where you’re eloping, so it’s important to plan ahead. In some cases, you’ll need to apply for the license in the county where the ceremony will take place, but some states or counties may have different requirements.

To find all the information you need about how to get a marriage license, Google “[insert state] marriage license,” and you should find what you’re looking for.

6. Book Your Travel and Activities

It’s time to book your plane tickets, lodging, and activities. I always suggest including at least one activity that you two love doing together, something that’ll help you relive the moment and make the experience even more unforgettable. And let’s be real—how often do you get to fully indulge and splurge on a day this special? Here are some of my favorite mountain elopement activities to consider for your big day:

• Enjoy a mountaintop breakfast picnic while watching the sunrise
• Hike to the top of the peak just before sunset to pop champagne and enjoy some cake
• Go skiing or snowboarding
• Book a nearby campsite to have s’mores and read letters from family
• Hike and camp in a fire lookout (Washington has a ton you can explore)
• Hire a personal chef at your Airbnb to cook an intimate dinner with friends and family
• Chase as many mountain waterfalls as you can
• Paddle-board, kayak, or canoe on an alpine lake in the mountains
• Go off-roading
• Take a private helicopter tour and land on top of a mountain
• Find a local hot springs
• Wait for the sun to go down to stargaze
• Bring your dogs and just enjoy the scenery
• Do yoga during sunrise

7. Create Your Timeline

One of the final steps is putting it all together! It’s time to create a timeline for your day. Not sure where to start? Check out some of these examples below!

8. Pack and Prepare

When it comes to a mountain elopement, preparation is key. Here’s a helpful checklist to get you started:

1. Wear good shoes: This is my number one tip! Wearing shoes with good traction is a must. Think hiking boots, not running shoes. For hiking boots, I recommend the Columbia Newtons (I have these and love them) or the Danner 600s!
2. There’s no cell service: Most mountain locations do not have cell service. Download your maps to use offline and be sure that all your vendors are on the same page about parking and meeting times.
3. Bring sunscreen: UV exposure at high altitudes is substantially greater than at sea level, especially during the warm summer months. Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen!
4. Prepare for any kind of weather: Mountain weather can be unpredictable, so always have a backup plan in case conditions change unexpectedly.
5. Altitude sickness is real: And it’s not fun. To give your body time to adjust, try to arrive a few days before your elopement to acclimate to the altitude. You’ll feel much better and more prepared for your big day!

9. Elope in the Mountains!

All your hard work has finally paid off! After months of planning, the big day is here, and it’s time to say ‘I do’ in the mountains. I hope this guide has helped you along the way, providing the tips and inspiration you need to plan your dream mountain elopement.

Mountain Elopement Packages

I would love to help bring your dream day to life! I’m Brianna. I’m an elopement photographer based in the mountains of Northern California. I specialize in planning and photographing elopements throughout the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Take a peek at my pricing below to get a sense of how I can help your day come to life.

Mountain Elopement Package Pricing

• 4 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage anywhere in the world
• A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
  • Personalized elopement location recommendations
  • Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
  • Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
  • 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
  • Customized elopement timelines
  • Optional complimentary officiant services
• Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
• 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
• Travel fees to anywhere in the world are already included
• Starting at $8,000

Pin for Later

Before you bounce, screenshot or add these graphics to your Pinterest board so you have access to this guide whenever you need it!