Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Zoe and Kevin’s forest wedding in Washington was one of those days where all our plans changed at the last minute, and ended up being more perfect than we could have ever planned for!
We had originally planned a sunrise hike to Pinnacle Peak at Mount Rainier, but the night before their elopement, the forecast wasn’t looking great. There was a high chance of cloud coverage, potential rain, and (with our years of experience photographing elopements at Mt Rainier), we knew that if we hiked all the way up to Pinnacle, we likely wouldn’t be able to see anything. Zoe and Kevin had been clear from the beginning that if there wasn’t 100% chance of views, the effort wouldn’t really be worth it for them (we love it when couples know exactly what they want!).
So we changed plans. Instead of hiking the original trail, we shifted to another second location – a stunning wildflower meadow area at Mount Rainier that required way less effort to access but is still just as magical. And as it turned out, this last-minute change was exactly the right decision (keep reading to see why).
Meet Zoe & Kevin: The Stars of This Wildflower and Forest Wedding in Washington State
Zoe and Kevin are a joyful couple who love having their photos taken. They’re the kind of couple who Instagram everywhere they travel, and they were so excited to have beautiful professional photos of their Mount Rainier elopement day.
Their elopement morning started early. Zoe was jamming to Taylor Swift music while getting her hair and makeup done before sunrise.
Because we switched locations (and Zoe had mentioned that her dress was slightly complicated to get into), our photographer, Megan, met them at their Airbnb to help her get ready. Then the three of them rode up to the trailhead together, which gave everyone time to get to know each other better before the day really started.
On the way, Megan learned that Zoe was a wildflower QUEEN (she absolutely loves wildflowers), which confirmed that the switch to their new location was 100% the right call for them (spoiler alert – this new location was wildflower paradise!).
Because of the wild weather that had rolled in, Megan shared with the couple that the chances of seeing Mt Rainier that day were low. But, as they drove up the mountain road that morning, Mother Nature was keeping everyone in suspense. Mount Rainier would appear, then disappear into fog, then appear again, keeping everyone guessing the entire drive up.
A Surprise Appearance from Mount Rainier
They parked and started hiking in full fog. The mountain was still feeling shy, staying completely hidden in the clouds. Even with the knowledge that Mount Rainier might not appear at all, they laced up their boots and headed up anyway (afterall, there was the promise of wildflowers).
As they hiked the trail, still surrounded by clouds, the fog slowly began to lift. The entire landscape shifted, and Zoe and Kevin got to literally watch Mount Rainier appear before them (just another reason to trust whatever Mother Nature throws at you!!)
The mountain stayed visible for about 10 minutes before the clouds moved back in and socked everything in for the rest of the day. But Zoe and Kevin got those 10 minutes, and they were magic!
An Elopement Vow Exchange Among the Wildflowers
Afterward, they headed over to Myrtle Falls for some photos (this is where Zoe’s wildflower dreams came true!). They set up their vow ceremony right in the fields of wildflowers (and Zoe and Kevin may or may not have both teared up as they exchanged vows).
Even though everything else around them was still covered in fog, this moment felt (and looked) so perfect. The mist created this dreamy, romantic atmosphere, and the wildflowers were at peak bloom.
A Forest Wedding Ceremony with Family
After their private vow exchange in the wildflowers, Zoe and Kevin headed back down to meet their families for their official forest wedding ceremony.
Zoe had been worried about how her mom would react to the ombré on her dress (it had gotten pretty dirty from hiking through the wildflowers and meadows). But when her mom saw her, she thought the dress was made that way! She loved it and thought it looked perfect.
The forest wedding ceremony with their families was beautiful. Zoe and Kevin held a more formal ceremony and they got bubbles for the younger family members to celebrate with afterward, and you could tell how much Zoe and Kevin valued having their families there to witness this part of their day.
After the ceremony, everyone headed back to Zoe and Kevin’s Airbnb for a catered meal. They got to relax, enjoy an intimate vibe around the dinner table and just enjoy being with their favorite people after an adventurous morning in the mountains.
Three Things to Consider When Planning a Forest Wedding in Washington
If you’re dreaming of your own Mt Rainier forest wedding, here are three things we’d recommend based on Zoe and Kevin’s experience:
Have a Backup Plan (and Be Willing to Use It)
Mountain weather changes fast. Zoe and Kevin were originally planning to hike up the mountain, but when the forecast showed high cloud coverage, we shifted to a lower elevation location instead. That flexibility meant they ended up in a wildflower meadow that was absolutely perfect for Zoe’s romantic, wildflower-loving soul.
As local Mount Rainier elopement photographers, we know these park trails inside and out and are always ready with a backup location (or 2 or 3) in the event we need to pivot.
For more tips on preparing for unpredictable mountain weather, check out our guide to preparing for any weather on your elopement day.
Choose Your Season Based on What Matters to You
Peak wildflower season at Mount Rainier (typically late July through early August) is absolutely stunning. Zoe and Kevin’s timing meant they got to say their vows surrounded by fields of blooms, which created an atmosphere Zoe absolutely loved. Different seasons offer different magic (ie – snow in winter, waterfalls in spring, wildflowers in summer, and golden larches in fall). Think about what landscape speaks to you most and ask your elopement photographer which season will give you the exact vibes you’re looking for.
You Can Have Adventure and Family
If you’re torn between having a two-person elopement and a celebration with family, why not have both? Having an intimate vow exchange with just your partner and a ceremony with family later in the day gives you the best of both worlds. Zoe and Kevin got that adventurous, just-the-two-of-us experience in the mountains, and they also got to celebrate with their families in a meaningful way. You don’t have to choose between adventure and including your people. Your best day ever can include both. For more ideas on how to include guests, check out our guide to eloping with family and friends.
What You Need to Know About Packages For Your Forest Wedding
When choosing to have a forest wedding in Washington, we highly recommend either our full-day or two-day elopement packages to our couples.
Our full-day Washington forest wedding package includes first look photos at your cabin in the early afternoon. We will then head out to two unique locations for you and your partner to explore. After, we will head to your ceremony location, where you will elope in the mountains with the most stunning backdrop at sunset!
If you want to see all that this beautiful area has to offer, then we recommend our two-day forest wedding package. This will allow you the chance to get to experience multiple locations and is also a great option if you plan on inviting guests. Click here to learn more about our packages for your forest wedding in Washington State.
Meet Your Washington Forest Wedding Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that it’s where we gravitate towards as your Washington forest wedding photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018 and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and continue to hire even more incredible photographers!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your best day ever. We know the Pacific Northwest like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the mountains, forest, and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your Washington forest wedding photographers!
Meet the Other Incredible Vendors From This Forest Wedding in Washington
Photographer: Between the Pine
Hair and Makeup Artist: Anne Timms
Officiant: A Wedding with Heart
More Forest Wedding Inspiration
Looking for more ideas for your Mt Rainier forest wedding? Check out these posts from elopements and weddings in Mount Rainier and around Washington State:
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