How to Plan a Mountain Elopement in 2023 [The Full Guide]

Other Notable Mountain Elopement Locations

• Yosemite/Sierra Nevadas, California
• Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
• Great Smokey Mountains National Park, Tennessee
• Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
• Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho
• White Mountains, New Hampshire
• Telluride, Colorado
• Kauai, Hawaii

What Time of Year is Best for a Mountain Elopement?

While eloping on top of a mountain during any time of the year would be amazing, unfortunately it’s not possible in most locations.

Because mountains are at a higher altitude, they have a short snow-free season. July – September is going to be the best time of year for a mountain elopement. In some locations, you can stretch that time into the beginning of October (when the fall colors are at their peak). While most people consider eloping in June, the trails in 90% of these areas are still going to have lots of snow. I personally recommend eloping during the end of September. This is the least busy time during the peak season, and the weather is usually still very nice!

If you can, avoid visiting most mountainous locations in the winter. The amount of snow and ice can make getting to these locations very difficult, dangerous, and usually impossible with closed roads. Plus, being freezing cold on your elopement day is never fun!

Hire Your Vendors

I’m a bit biased, but before you hire any other vendor, be sure to hire a photographer who specializes in elopements. More specifically, hire an elopement photographer who has experience shooting in the mountains. Elopement photographers can be extremely helpful during the planning process. They can let you know what locations are the best, find hidden trails, give great weather insight, let you know about popularity of an area, etc.

After hiring your photographer, consider hiring other vendors to help bring your magical day to life, such as an officiant, planner, hair and makeup artist, florist, cake designer, personal chef, etc.

Below are some of my favorite vendors who have experience working outdoors, specifically in mountainous regions.

• Brianna Parks (photographer) – Oh hey, that’s me! I live in the mountains of Northern California and specialize in outdoor elopements along the West Coast! I also send detailed vendor recommendations to every client.
• The Slow Cult (planner, stylist, and florist)
• Tapestry Event Co. (planner + stylist)
• Beauty by Kait Joy (hair and makeup)
• Anne Timss (hair and makeup)
• Millsweet Flower Co (florist)
• Historia Florals (florist)
• Officiant Jimmie (officiant)
• Ceremonies by Meredith (officiant)

Get Your Marriage License and Permits

If you’re going to be getting legally married, you’ll need to apply for a marriage license (I can help with this), as well as your special use permit (I can also help with this)!

Depending on where you get married, you’ll need what’s called a “Special Use Permit.” You’ll usually need this permit if you elope in a national park, national forest, or state park. This permit can be obtained, for example, through the national park or forest you’ll be getting married in. This permit essentially grants you permission to have a ceremony on the land. Failure to obtain a permit will result in a fine.

However, don’t be alarmed! Getting the special use permit is a very easy process. If you’re wanting to know how to get a special use permit, contact your elopement photographer and they will be able to point you in the right direction.

Interested in any of the locations I talked about above? I have a guide for almost every mountain location listed that tells you exactly how to obtain a permit! You can view all my elopement resources here.

To get a better idea of what the process looks like, check out my Olympic National Park Elopement Guide and scroll to the permit section.

Pro tip: Most national parks limit guest counts. I recommend eloping with no more than 15 guests to have the most locations available as possible.

Mountain Elopement Activity Ideas

One of the best things about eloping in the mountains is the amount of activities you can incorporate into your day! I always recommend doing at least one activity that you two love doing together. You can look back in 50 years on your photos and see just how much fun you two had doing something you both love to do.

• 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 an iconic fire lookout
• Hire a personal chef at your Airbnb to cook an intimate dinner with friends and family
• Catch as many 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 an isolated mountain (definitely one of my favorite things ever, especially in Alaska!)
• 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 (this is especially fun in Hawaii, trust me, I’ve done it)

Mountain Elopement Timelines

In a place as stunning as the mountains, I always recommend couples book more coverage than they think they need. For example, places like North Cascades and Olympic are littered with tons of hiking trails and different sceneries. Below are just a few example timelines to help you get inspiration for your own elopement.

Mountain Elopement Packages

I’m Brianna, an elopement photographer located in Northern California who specializes in mountain elopements across the U.S., mainly on the West Coast. I offer a variety of different packages, all which include planning assistance, to help you have the best elopement experience possible.

Mountain Elopement Package Pricing

• 4 hours – 3 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 $5,500 for CA, OR, WA. $7,500 for the rest of the U.S.

Want more mountain elopement inspiration? Check out my North Cascades National Park elopement guide, this epic Hurricane Ridge elopement, and my Northern California elopement guide!