If you’re a couple who can’t imagine saying ‘I do’ anywhere but the mountains, you’ve come to the right place. This ultimate planning guide is packed with everything you need to knowโ from the best locations and permit costs to weather tips and more. Follow this step-by-step guide, and youโll be well on your way to planning the mountain elopement of your dreams!

How to Plan a Mountain Elopement
Donโt worry, weโll dive deeper into each section shortly. But for now, hereโs a quick overview of how to plan a mountain elopement, step by step:
- Choose your location
- Pick a date
- Apply for a permit
- Hire your vendors
- Get your marriage license
- Book your travel and activities
- Create an elopement timeline
- Pack and prepare
- Elope
1. Choose the Best Mountain Elopement Location
First thingโs firstโpicking 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 guideโitโs 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 couldnโt 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 parkโs 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? Donโt 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 shortโmeaning youโll 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 youโve picked your location, simply search for “[elopement location] wedding permit” online. You can also reach out to your photographerโtheyโll 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 elopementsโespecially 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. Theyโll 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, itโs 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 youโre eloping, so itโs important to plan ahead. In some cases, youโll 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 โ[insert state] marriage license,โ 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 thatโll help you relive the moment and make the experience even more unforgettable. And letโs be realโhow 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!
12-Hour Minimal Hiking Elopement
- 10:00am – Brianna meets the couple at their Airbnb to photograph their brunch picnic
- 11:00am – Take a soak in the hot tub before adventuring out for the day
- 11:30am – Begin getting ready photos, along with detail shots
- 12:30pm – First look
- 12:45pm – Leave for a small 2-mile roundtrip hike with family up the mountain trail
- 1:15pm – Arrive at the location and begin the hike
- 2:15pm – Begin the mountaintop ceremony, followed with family portraits
- 3:15pm – Family heads to the Airbnb while the couple explores
- 4:15pm – Couple hikes back
- 5:15pm – Leave for dinner at the Airbnb made by a private chef
- 5:45pm – Enjoy dinner with friends and family
- 6:45pm – Start a bonfire with s’mores for dessert
- 8:00pm – Sneak away for sunset portraits, star images, and a private first dance
- 10:00pm – Photo coverage wraps up, Brianna leaves
8-Hour No-Hiking Elopement
- 8:00am – Brianna meets the couple at the mountain for their ceremony and portraits
- 9:30am – Enjoy a picnic brunch at the top of the mountain with your dogs while reading letters from family
- 10:30am – Leave to kayak on an alpine lake nearby while drinking champagne
- 12:00pm – Leave to explore the local mountain town, stopping at pulloffs and getting ice cream along the way
- 2:30pm – Head back to the Airbnb for a hot tub soak
- 3:00pm – Enjoy the hot tub, cake, and a first dance
- 4:00pm – Photo coverage wraps up, Brianna leaves
8. Pack and Prepare
When it comes to a mountain elopement, preparation is key. Here’s a helpful checklist to get you started:
- 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!
- 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.
- 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!
- Prepare for any kind of weather: Mountain weather can be unpredictable, so always have a backup plan in case conditions change unexpectedly.
- 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. Youโll 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
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Don’t forget your FREE elopement guide!
An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.
You? You’re the kind of person that gets a lil’ teary eyed looking at an epic view…
That moment when you turn to the person youโre with and ask, โAre you seeing this?โ I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, โI canโt believe this place exists,โ I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.
These places have always felt like home to me. And if youโre the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then weโll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.
If the mountains/beaches/redwood forests are calling your name, go aheadโฆ
(I promise you wonโt regret it.)
P.S. I’m Brianna. My mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.