Mount Rainier National Park Engagement Photos

If the weather hasn’t quite started to dip into the crisp, fall temperatures, these Mount Rainier National Park engagement photos will have you preheating the oven for pumpkin bread and pulling out your favorite flannel. Fall has officially arrived in the Pacific Northwest, so grab your cable knit blanket and your mug of apple cider and enjoy as you scroll through this dreamy fall engagement session.

A few months ago, I hosted a giveaway on Instagram to celebrate the amazing people who choose to follow the adventures of Between the Pine. After announcing the giveaway, Lauren slid into my DMs saying, “Fingers crossed I win this because that would be amazing!” I responded and said I was rooting for her, too! After randomly picking a winner, Lauren’s name popped up! I immediately messaged her and thus began the start of a beautiful friendship.

Lauren and Jake are getting married in November in Virginia and will live in the Pacific Northwest after they get married (you know I was stoked to find that out, because that meant I was gaining two new friends on the West Coast!). When they got engaged, they opted out of doing engagement photos. So, Lauren shared that this giveaway-win just felt like it was meant to be.

When the day rolled around for their engagement photos, I met them in a foggy parking lot near a trailhead at Mount Rainier National Park. We spent the next three hours exploring, getting to know one another, sharing dreams, and of course snapping a few photos. As the adventure was winding down, I suggested we head to a different part of the park to where the giant pines can be found. I had been secretly fan-girling over this trail, so I was so stoked when they agreed to adventure through the old growth pines. Shortly after, we found ourselves in a grove of giant pines that lead us to an epic suspension bridge over a flowing river.

Keep scrolling to read how my adventure with Lauren and Jake ended!

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Fall Weather in Mount Rainier National Park

I truly love experiencing autumn in the mountains. The higher elevation causes the mountains to be a step ahead of the city when it comes to transitioning into the cooler seasons. During Lauren and Jakes engagement session at Mount Rainier National Park, we started out at a higher elevation. This meant it was really cloudy, which provided some really great depth and movement in their photos! However, the higher the elevation, the greater the gamble when it comes to moody weather. Pro tip: you should always take a down jacket in the fall to Mount Rainier National Park.

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Fall Engagement Photo Outfit Ideas

Lauren and Jake did a great job planning what outfits to wear during their fall Mount Rainier engagement photos! I’ve developed my top three tips to help you when deciding what to wear for your engagement or Adventure Session photos:

Avoid patterns

It’s always a better option to go for a solid color over a pattern. With the varying landscapes behind you, patterned clothing can sometimes compete with the background. So, if you’re having to narrow down your outfit options, I always suggest gravitating towards solid fabrics over patterns.

Choose fabrics with movement

Dresses, or even cardigans like Lauren’s, with movement are such a game changer! There’s so much depth and movement that can be captured in a moment by a camera, and the right type of fabrics can really set your photos apart. Lighter and more flowy fits of dresses, skirts and shirts will naturally move in the wind and breeze.

Earth tones will always look great

This point is especially true during the fall! Colors that naturally appear in nature are big wins for fall photos. Think of deep, rich colors, like maroon, brown, burnt orange, and mustard yellow.

If you’re still confused as you debate what to wear for your fall photo session, click here to look through my Pinterest board full of fall engagement photo outfit ideas!

Best Fall Hikes In Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park truly is a spectacle during the autumn months, with an ombre of yellow and orange leaves painted across the trees. As you’re planning your fall adventure to Mount Rainier, I wanted to share some of personal favorite hikes to do during the fall:

Sheep Lake to Sourdough Gap

This hike is right outside of Mount Rainier National Park. Because this hike rests on the eastern side of the mountain, it is typically more likely for the weather to be more clear. This hike offers alpine lakes, views of the mountain and fall foliage.

Grove of the Patriarchs Loop

On a rainy autumn day, this hike will be a lifesaver! This hike takes you through a trail of old growth pines that act as a natural canopy to block some of the rain. I love this hike because there are plaques along the trail that tell you the history of all of the pine trees (my actual dream come true!). This is an easy hike that is absolutely beautiful. 

Another option when searching for a great trail to hike is to head to the Paradise or Sunrise Visitor Centers and ask the rangers what they recommend. The park rangers know the park better than anyone, so they’ll be able to recommend the best trails to take for the day.

Okay, so are you ready for the best part of my adventure with Lauren and Jake? At the end of the session, Lauren looked at me and said, “So once I move here, I am going to have a salsa party and really want you to come, if you are free.” 

BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE. YES. I LOVE SALSA. I will see you at the salsa party, Lauren and Jake! And, don’t worry, I’ll bring the margs!

Are you ready for an autumn adventure in Mount Rainier National Park? Do you want to be real-life friends with chips and salsa, too? Send me a message and let’s adventure!

 

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Between the Pine is an adventure elopement and wedding photography brand created by Mollie Adams. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Mollie travels with her camera in hand to document “I dos” in epic landscapes including Washington, Oregon, California, and Hawaii.