Whimsical Elopement at Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier is a dream for all things adventure.

I had the absolute privilege of being able to go up to Mount Rainier, native named Mount Tahoma, to photograph this quaint elopement among the moss and the ferns. It’s super important to give thanks and credit to the indigenous tribes who care for the sacred land in and around Tahoma/Rainier; Nisqually, Puyallup, Squaxin Island, Muckleshoot, Yakama, and Cowlitz.

Fun fact: Mt Rainier is actually one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, due to its high probability of eruption in the future.

Anyways; to the photos!

J & G were absolutely the sweetest couple. I actually did J’s senior photos for her UW graduation a few years back. It’s always an honor to document life events of repeat clients who become friends along the way. They did a beautiful hand fasting ceremony, a Celtic tradition that symbolizes the binding of two lives. This was my first time seeing this ceremony type and I loved how intimate it was, especially in an elopement setting. We initially planned to go up to Paradise and Reflection Lakes, but white out blizzards and snow had other plans so we had to think on the fly to find a spot. We drove down to Longmire area and found a beautiful spot off of the creek on the wonderland trail, where we were surrounded by huge beautiful trees, moss, ferns and alllll the greenery you could possibly imagine. Every time I go to one of these places I am reminded again of the beauty that exists in life and how grateful I am to have been able to grow up in this area surrounded by the lush greens and mountain blues.

With elopements, it’s always good to have an emergency back up plan, in the case that you get stranded in a blizzard in the end of May.

Congrats to these two. Their love was so sweet and tender. The way G was smiling at J the entire ceremony really got me in the feels. When you can just tell how much two people love each other and seeing their bond and getting to be apart of that is really just special. I’m reminded again of how important my job is as a photographer, documenting our time in this life. Photos tell the story of our lifetime for those who see them after we no longer exist anymore.