Sunrise Vows Above the Clouds: An Elopement on the Skyline Trail

If you’ve ever stood at Paradise in the early morning hours, you know the name doesn’t lie. Wildflowers blanket the meadows in midsummer, marmots whistle from rocky outcrops, and the first light sets Mount Rainier aglow in soft pinks and golds. 

For couples who want their wedding day to feel awe-inspiring and deeply connected to nature, the Skyline Trail offers the perfect stage.

This elopement took place high above the tree line—where the air is thin, the views are endless, and it feels like the rest of the world has dropped away. 

We chased sunrise along the Skyline Trail, surrounded by glaciers, ridgelines, and alpine stillness. It was quiet, raw, and so full of joy.

Land Acknowledgement

Mount Rainier, known by many Indigenous names including Tahoma, Tacobet, Tacoma, and Takhoma, is the ancestral and present-day homeland of several Native peoples. 

The Cowlitz, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, and Yakama tribes have long standing relationships with this land—for sustenance, for ceremony, and for connection to their ancestors.

As we walk these trails and stand in awe of this powerful mountain, it’s important to recognize that we are guests on Indigenous land. 

I encourage all couples eloping here to approach their day with respect for this deep history and a commitment to stewardship moving forward.

Why Paradise is, Well… Paradise

Paradise is one of the most iconic and accessible spots in Mount Rainier National Park—and for good reason. Located on the southern slope of the mountain, it’s famous for its vibrant wildflower meadows, dramatic views, and relatively easy access to the subalpine zone.

 During peak summer months (typically July through early September), the hillsides are painted with lupine, paintbrush, and asters.

The Skyline Trail is a roughly 5.5-mile loop that begins right from the Paradise parking lot. It gains about 1,700 feet in elevation and takes hikers above the treeline, offering sweeping views of Rainier’s glaciers, the Tatoosh Range, and even Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens on a clear day. 

If you’re not up for the full loop, you can hike just a portion—there are plenty of incredible backdrops within the first mile or two.

This trail is a gem for elopements because it blends jaw-dropping scenery with logistical ease. There are restrooms, a visitor center, and even ADA-accessible paths nearby, making it a great option for couples who want something epic without going fully off-grid.

How to Plan a Mount Rainier Elopement

A lot goes into planning an elopement, but here’s the basics:

1. Decide the time of year you want to elope. This will affect which parts of the park are accessible.
2. Choose the general area, then get more specific with trails.
3. Apply for a permit. Allow enough time for the workers in the park offices to process it, usually several weeks. *Please also note that with recent illegal lay offs, our public lands are wildly under funded, under staffed, and also under threat. Please be kind and understanding when speaking with folks who work for these treasured lands.
4. Pack to be prepared for a myriad of weather situations. Mount Rainier does not abide by weather forecasts.
5. Lean into the adventure element. You may not have the ideal conditions that you were planning and hoping for, but Mount Rainier National Park provides beauty and adventure in all kinds of weather. Making sure you have a cozy spot to snuggle up after a cold hike is a great hack, even if you’re eloping in August.
6. Hire a photographer who knows the area, and may have a background in guiding and outdoor education… *cough* hi 🙂 *cough*

For more in depth information about eloping at Mount Rainier National Park, check out this article.

Or, here’s some inspiration for a moody, foggy elopement at Mowich Lake.

Mount Rainier Elopement Photographer & Packages

If you’ve been dreaming of an adventure elopement in Mount Rainier National Park, I’d be honored to help you bring it to life. With a background in outdoor education and years of guiding experience, I don’t just show up with a camera—I’m here to support you every step of the way. 

From scouting epic ceremony spots and creating weather-friendly backup plans, to navigating permits and regulation, and building timelines that leave room to breathe, I specialize in crafting elopement experiences that are deeply personal and rooted in connection to place.

Having grown up in California, I became completely enamored with the PNW during my long distance hiking career, and it is an honor to capture love stories here now.

Having hiked the Wonderland Trail and spent many days exploring the park’s hidden corners, I bring a deep knowledge of Mount Rainier’s terrain, trail systems, and seasonal nuances. Whether you’re eloping at Mowich Lake, on the flanks of Tolmie Peak, or in at Paradise in wildflower-strewn meadow, I’ll help you find the perfect setting that feels like you.

If you’re looking for a Mount Rainier elopement photographer who understands the land, the logistics, and the emotions that go into planning an intentional day, you’re in the right place. Let’s create something beautiful together.