Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Have you ever wondered how to elope in a national park? Or if eloping in a national park is even possible! (Hint – it is!). If you love exploring nature or dream of having an adventurous wedding, then eloping in a national park may be perfect for you! In this blog post, we will share the step-by-step process of how to get married in a national park. We’ll also share a few insider tips we’ve learned through our years of photographing national park weddings as well as TONS of inspiration so you can get ideas for your best day ever!
Table of Contents
- How to Elope in a National Park in 6 Steps
- Other Important Information You Should Know About How to Elope in a National Park
- FAQs About How to Elope in a National Park
- More National Park Wedding Inspiration
- Meet Your Photographers For Your National Park Elopement or Wedding
- Now That You Know How to Elope in a National Park, Are You Ready to Start Planning?
How to Elope in a National Park in 6 Steps
01. Settle on Your Ideal Time of Year
One of the first decisions you will make after deciding to elope in a national park is choosing when you want to get married. While you don’t have to have an exact date in mind to start planning your elopement, it can help to know your ideal time of year. Do you want a winter wonderland wedding in the snow or a breezy spring wedding among the wildflowers? Having an idea of what time of year you want to get married and the sort of landscape that moves you will be helpful as you take the next steps in planning your national park wedding.
*Insider Tip – the peak season for a national park wedding is May-October. These months are when a majority of the trails are most accessible. It’s also the time of year that weather is a bit more predictable (especially here in the PNW).
02. Hire Your Dream National Park Elopement Photographer and Vendor Team
Speaking of the next steps, you will want to hire someone (or a team of someones) who can help bring your national park wedding or elopement dreams to life. A common myth about elopements is that they don’t require any planning. While there are fewer details to think through than traditional weddings, there are some important items you will need to consider to make your marriage official. We recommend working with a photographer who is experienced in national park weddings. This will help make the planning process so much easier and streamlined.
A couple of things to keep in mind when hiring your national park elopement photographer:
- You need someone who will do more than just show up and take photos on your wedding day. Look for a photographer who will help walk you through how to elope in a national park. From finding the best national park wedding venue to creating a detailed timeline, and obtaining the proper permits, you want someone to help you navigate all the important details of your national park elopement.
- You are going to spend your entire wedding day with this person (and it may even be just the 3 of you) so find a photographer you can connect with.
- National park weddings have some specific requirements and each national park varies in terms of what they require. Look for a photographer who is experienced in national park weddings (bonus points if they have previous experience at the national park you choose)
Looking for a national park elopement photographer? We specialize in Washington National Parks, but travel all over! Click here to contact us
Of course, you may also want to hire other vendors to help bring your national park wedding vision to life. Other vendors to consider are a florist, hair and makeup artist, officiant, videographer, caterer, and planner.
We know there are a lot of details to consider when it comes to planning your national park elopement. This is why we create a personal planning guide for all our couples. The guide includes some of our top vendor recommendations so you don’t have to spend hours and hours doing research! (#win)
03. Choose Which National Park You Want to Visit
Ok, so you have an idea of when you want to elope and you have your dream national park elopement photographer. Now comes the really fun part – choosing your national park wedding location!
With over 60 national parks across the country, there are SO many amazing locations to choose from. These national parks have everything from gorgeous mountaintop views to stunning oceanside cliffs, rainforests, waterfalls, deserts, and everything in between! This might just be the hardest choice for you to make (fair!). That’s why we created a blog post with a handful of our favorite national park wedding venues. Feel free to check them out here.
As Washington National Park elopement photographers, we’re also a littleeee bit biased when it comes to our favorite national parks. From the stunning North Cascade mountain trails to Olympics moody beaches (and let’s not forget the iconic Mt Rainier herself), our state truly has the BEST views for your national park wedding. If you are thinking about eloping at one of these Washington National Parks, check out our elopement guides using the links below!
04. Book the Perfect Place to Stay
Once you’ve narrowed down your national park wedding location, you can start booking your transportation and accommodations. Keep in mind that most national parks will require a bit of a drive to access. Depending on the park you choose you may want to rent a 4×4 vehicle as you may have to do a bit of off-roading.
You’ll also want to find a place to stay near the park. Some parks have lodging inside the park (which can be very convenient), but oftentimes you can find some amazing accommodation options outside the park as well.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when choosing where to stay for your national park elopement:
- Consider how far your lodging is from the location(s) you plan to visit during your elopement. While some drive time is common, you won’t want to spend hours in the car on your wedding day.
- If you plan to invite guests or host a reception, consider whether your accommodation allows events as well as the parking situation and how many bathrooms are onsite (trust us, it’s critical!).
- Are there any other activities you want to use your accommodation for (ie – getting ready photos, wedding ceremony, celebratory meal)? Do you want your guests to stay with you or have their lodging nearby? Be sure to check with your host to confirm the details of what you have planned and choose an accommodation that fits your vision.
Looking for more wedding accommodation tips? Check out our resource below!
05. Get the Legal Stuff Squared Away
Now come the necessary and oh-so-important steps of planning your elopement in a national park – the legal stuff!
Marriage License
Once you’ve chosen your national park location, you will need to check the rules for the state in which you plan to get married. Every state (and county) has different requirements. Your national park elopement photographer will be able to help guide you through the process, but in general, here is what you can expect:
- Most states allow you to submit your marriage license application online. The average cost is $40-$80, but these fees vary by state and country.
- Some states have a waiting period from the time you pick up your marriage license to when it is available for use (ie – 3 days). If there is a waiting period, you may need to arrive a few days early, or sometimes there is an option to pay a rush fee.
- Most states require an officiant and 1 or 2 witnesses. Some states (like Colorado and Pennsylvania) also offer self-solemnization. If you don’t plan on inviting guests, we are happy to act as a witness for you. We can also provide recommendations for officiants and other witnesses if needed.
Special Use Permits
If your ceremony is taking place inside a national park, you will need to apply for a special use permit. When applying for your permit you’ll be asked to fill out some details about your event (location, number of guests, etc.). Some parks have pre-determined ceremony locations with group limits, while others allow up to 15 guests on most trails. It’s best to apply for a permit as soon as possible (but at least 2-4 weeks in advance for most parks) to ensure you secure your preferred date and location. Special use permits typically range from $50-$350 depending on the national park you choose.
*Insider Tip – For ceremonies with guests, consider getting married just outside the park. You could also hold your intimate wedding at your Airbnb or other venue.
Entrance Fees
Many of the national parks require an entrance fee to access the park. These fees typically range from $25 to $35 per vehicle. However, you can also purchase an annual pass for $80 which allows you to visit multiple parks throughout the year. Click here to learn more about the entrance fees for each park.
06. Set off on Your Elopement Adventure!
The last step when it comes to eloping in a national park is simple – have the Best. Day. Ever!
That, and Leave No Trace. What is Leave No Trace? It’s a set of rules and guidelines that allow us to enjoy nature while doing our part to minimize our impact on the environment. To learn more about Leave No Trace, and what it means for your wedding, click on the link below!
Other Important Information You Should Know About How to Elope in a National Park
Here are a few more tips we think you should know when it comes to getting married in a national park.
Elope on a Weekday
National parks can get VERY busy, especially during peak season and weekends! As more people are out adventuring, this can impact your wedding experience. We always recommend choosing a weekday as there will be fewer crowds and more privacy throughout the day.
*Insider Tip – If you love a specific national park that is very busy, consider eloping just outside the park in the national forest, state park, or BLM land. Oftentimes, you’ll get the same epic views with fewer people. Want to see for yourself? Check out these real weddings and elopements in our Washington National Forests.
Work With a Local Photographer
Every national park has its own wedding rules and guidelines. Working with an expert photographer who knows the national park inside and out is SO IMPORTANT to helping you have a more streamlined wedding experience.
Consider the Season
We already touched on this a bit, but we can’t stress its importance enough. Choosing the right time of year for your national park wedding is very important. Things like road closures, peak visiting seasons, and average weather can have a big impact on your experience. Of course, your photographer will be able to help provide tips and recommendations as well.
FAQs About How to Elope in a National Park
Can You Get Married in a National Park?
Absolutely! Getting married in a national park is actually one of our favorite types of elopements! Each park will have its own set of rules for how to get married. To learn more about the specifics, visit the national park’s website for the location you have chosen.
Is it Cheaper to Get Married in a National Park?
While elopements tend to be less expensive than traditional weddings, getting married in a national park is not a free wedding. There are some costs you will need to consider such as permit and entrance fees as well as other costs commonly associated with elopements. That being said, eloping in a national park can be a more cost-effective alternative to traditional weddings.
More National Park Wedding Inspiration
Meet Your Photographers For Your National Park Elopement or Wedding
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your national park elopement 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 national park wedding photographers!
Now That You Know How to Elope in a National Park, Are You Ready to Start Planning?
Whichever national park elopement location you choose, we’re here to help you plan your best day. Contact us if you have questions about how to elope in a national park. We’d love to help you bring your national park wedding vision to life.
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