Ever wondered what it could look like to have an elopement day that allows you the best of both the elopement and wedding worlds? What it could feel like to get married in front of your most loved people and host a sweet, informal reception—but also to have a private vow exchange in the middle of a scenic mountain trail, with time to explore on your own? Brandon and Solenne were dreaming of a Mt. Rainier elopement that looked just like that, blending the meaningful connection and community of a large wedding with the privacy and adventure of a small elopement. It was a joy to adventure around the mountain with these two on this sunny PNW day for their magical Paradise elopement!
Brandon & Solenne’s Paradise Elopement
A lush meadow ceremony with sweeping mountain views (and a special guest)
I met up with Brandon and Solenne just in time for a few family portraits before their ceremony, which took place at the most gorgeous spot among the trees. Quick disclaimer about this ceremony location: everyone was standing on a very thin trail through a part of the park that is not typically open for recreation, and they specifically got clearance from a ranger to use the meadow. So I wouldn’t necessarily assume that you’ll be able to get photos like this—you’ll want to be sure to speak to a ranger about what is possible for your party size.
While we did luck out with the CLEAREST blue skies and absolutely breathtaking greenery, something even cooler happened at the end of the ceremony that outshone it all: bears!! The entire group was thrilled to see black bears grazing the meadows in the distance, including a teeny tiny cub that made our entire day to witness in person. The first of many wildlife sightings for Brandon and Solenne’s special day!
I’ve got a whole list of wedding venues and elopement photo locations in my Mt. Rainier Elopement Guide, which you can access here.
A sweet picnic reception in the forest
Want to know the easiest way to get married with guests and have a reception without worrying about straying off trail, or harming fragile meadows? Reserve a campsite! There are a ton of gorgeous campgrounds all over Mt. Rainier National Park that have the means to host groups of people—durable surfaces, restrooms nearby, trash cans available, and picnic tables to use! Even if you have your heart set on a ceremony with sweeping mountain views, a group campsite is the perfect spot to host a “reception” for your guests.
Brandon and Solenne did just that, finding the perfect campsite that would have enough room for them and their loved ones to enjoy an intimate post-ceremony get together. Complete with a delicious cake from Morfey’s, a first dance beneath the trees, and a celebratory champagne pop, this reception truly shows what’s possible when you think beyond iconic viewpoints in delicate locations. I am so thrilled with the way they were able to get the best of both worlds and include their loved ones, while also prioritizing their own experience! Allein Siwa did the most fabulous job helping them coordinate and plan an event that just felt so, well, them.
Learn how to plan your own unforgettable post-elopement reception here!
Private vows on the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point
Experiencing the Skyline Trail at Paradise, getting to see unparalleled views of meadows, glaciers, peaks in the distance, and of course, Rainier herself, is like nothing else. Being there in the late afternoon as the sun creeps towards golden hour, making the mountain glow? Somehow even better!
Looking back at these photos, it really looks like Brandon and Solenne were given the most perfect, sunny summer day one could ask for at Mt. Rainier—but little do you know that their elopement actually took place during a nasty Washington heatwave. There were points where we thought we weren’t going to be able to do the hike at all, since the first push up the trail is so rough.
But despite it being the middle of the afternoon and something like 90 degrees, these two took it like champs and absolutely crushed the whole hike. It was easy to see that Brandon and Solenne are a pair that pushes each other to embrace new things and accept a good challenge, and their hard work was worth it for the stunning views we got at Panorama Point. And as if the bears weren’t cool enough, we also saw so many marmots along the way!
The photos of Brandon and Solenne along this trail showcase one of my favorite elopement day juxtapositions– how your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life, but is still so, so small.
We’re just blips on this little marble of the universe! We exist at this precise moment in time! Our triumphs and joys and losses and sadness all are so small when you’re standing on a 14,000+ ft mountain that’s been here for hundreds of thousands of years, and I think that’s so incredibly beautiful—especially when you’re able to reflect on it on such a big day as your wedding.
Wondering how you can make your own epic mountain elopement happen? Read through this guide for my best planning tips!
Paradise, Mt. Rainier Elopement Photographer
Hi, I’m Marla! My passion lies in capturing adventurous couples and crafting unforgettable elopement experiences in the heart of the Pacific Northwest—especially at places like Paradise. Mt. Rainier boasts unmatched beauty that you won’t find anywhere else and is truly one of the most magical places to start your next chapter together. If you’re ready to bring your dream Paradise elopement to life, I’m ready and will be there with you every step of the way to make sure it’s as stress-free and memorable as possible. Let’s chat!
Find more breathtaking Mt. Rainier elopement and wedding inspiration in the galleries below:
This is such a breathtaking elopement! Mt Rainier is gorgeous.