Destination weddings (or elopements) are forever some of my favorite days to document as a destination wedding photographer. One reason for that? They can all be SO wildly different. Some days I get beach energy, some days it’s city vibes, and other days, I get to see couples say “I do” in front of some of the most beautiful mountain views. And if the latter is the one that’s calling to your soul the most… You won’t want to miss these United States elopement locations for your mountain elopement!
Here’s everything we’ll cover in the guide:
The Kind of Couple a Mountain Elopement Fits Perfectly
Mountain elopements are such a good fit if you want your wedding day to feel more like an experience than a traditional event. Maybe that means hiking somewhere meaningful, spending a weekend exploring with your favorite people, or exchanging vows with just the two of you.
And no, you don't have to hike ten miles in your wedding clothes to make a mountain elopement happen. There are plenty of ways to have incredible views without turning your wedding day into an endurance event!
If you’re still considering options and figuring out which style fits you the best, check out my guide on choosing your destination wedding location based on your personality.
How a Mountain Elopement Photographs
How relaxed and happy you feel should always be your main focus of the day (not just how it looks), but I do have to add that mountain elopements photograph BEAUTIFULLY. There’s something about you two seeming so small compared to the huge mountains, looking like the only two around for miles and miles and miles that I’m obsessed with every single. time.
And because weddings like this are way more focused on meaning and emotion, I get to capture the sweetest candid photos.
The ones where you’re smiling so big at your now spouse, with allll the happiness in your eyes.
Where you’re hugging your best friend (one of the ten-ish people that you invited) HARD.
When you’re wiping away a tear during your vows.
And if I’m honest, those are the moments that matter the absolute most. So when you get a mountain elopement that gives you space for all of them to happen? You get a gallery filled with love, meaning, and so much joy.
5 Elopement Locations to Consider for Your Mountain Elopement
Glacier National Park
I love Glacier National Park in Montana for sooo many reasons. The dramatic views, the moody fog, how each season has its own totally different personality here… I’m 100% obsessed.
It’s best for the kind of couple who loves all things outdoorsy and maybe wants their wedding to feel a little bit iconic. Intimate elopements with that backdrop behind you? They feel so special. Not to mention that the photos turn out SO incredible! Cinematic motion blur, cute cuddles in a field, and editorial shots of you two taking in all the views.
As a planning tip, note that there are no waiting periods after you get your marriage license in Montana, and you do have to have two witnesses for your wedding. Your photographer (hi!) can be one of them.
One other thing I want you to know before falling completely in love with Glacier? You can't necessarily exchange vows anywhere you find a pretty mountain view. The park has designated ceremony locations, permit requirements, and different guest limits depending on where you choose. So before you book flights or accommodations, I'd recommend narrowing down your ceremony location and checking the current park rules (which I’m always here to help with, of course)
The Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee make an absolute dream mountain elopement location.
What I love about the Blue Ridge Mountains is that you can have those layered mountain views without necessarily planning an intense hiking day. Depending on where you choose, you may be able to build a wedding experience around a scenic overlook, a mountain cabin, or a more traditional venue with views. I'd start by deciding whether you want a just-us ceremony or a few guests joining you, because that will help narrow down which locations actually make sense.
If you love things that are a little more rustic (with some charming southern vibes), this is the spot for you. All the surrounding areas in Appalachia are so adorable, and it makes it perfect for the kind of couple looking for something cute, sweet, and totally romantic.
Galleries from weddings here are always stunning because you get natural hues, and the colors fully depend on what season you’re in. No matter what time of year it is, though, you’ll settle in enough that every photo in your gallery feels honest and full of true emotion.
If you’re on the North Carolina side of things, you need two witnesses, and in Tennessee, you don’t need any! Both states have no waiting periods once you get your marriage license.
The White Mountains in New Hampshire
New Hampshire has some incredible mountain views and a seriously calm vibe. And The White Mountains are one of the best places in the state to find both of those things.
If you love the idea of a mountain elopement but want something a little closer to New England, New Hampshire is such a good place to start looking. You get mountain views, beautiful fall colors, and the option to make a whole weekend out of it without necessarily planning a cross-country trip.
The White Mountains are the best for couples who want something laid-back and breathtaking in a more understated way. The mountain views here feel a little bit simpler, but they still make for a gallery that’s full of variety and dreamy shots.
In New Hampshire, there’s no waiting period for your marriage license OR witnesses required. Easy peasy, and I love that SO much for you.
Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier in Washington State? Forever one of my faves.
This is one that has so many different energies all in one spot: serene waterfront views, dramatic mountain peak scenes, and even wildflower fields that look like they could be straight out of a storybook. So if you want a fully outdoor elopement with some classic PNW scenery all around you… This is the one for you.
And I do have to say that from a photography perspective, I’ll never get over sunsets on Mount Rainier. Golden hour is so romantic, and then the sky changing colors behind you makes for some seriously iconic wedding portraits!
Mount Rainier is one of those places where the season makes a HUGE difference. If you're picturing wildflowers and mountain views, you'll want to pay close attention to snow conditions and which areas are actually accessible during your wedding month. And before you fall in love with a specific spot, we’ll check the park's ceremony permit requirements, because not every location works for every guest count.
Washington has a three-day marriage license waiting period, so be sure to plan your trip with enough time to get your marriage license in advance! You’ll also need two witnesses, and again… Your photographer can be one of them.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs has my heart.
The red rocks.
The HUGE mountain ranges.
The way that guests settle in because there’s so much to do around.
One thing I love about Colorado Springs is that you have options. If you're dreaming about an intimate wedding with a few guests and a more traditional setup, you can look into mountain venues. If you're imagining something smaller and more outdoorsy, there are scenic public-land locations to research, too. Just make sure you understand the ceremony rules for the exact place you're considering!
Destination weddings here just have great vibes, and I’m really obsessed with how they turn out, whether it’s at a mountain wedding venue (like Trey’s Vista, the one in these photos) or in a National Park. If you’re dreaming of a day and gallery that feels completely Western, outdoorsy, and a little bit rustic, this could be the mountain elopement location for you guys, and I could not be happier for you.
If this all sounds like you, note that Colorado also has some of the most lax marriage laws: no waiting period or witnesses needed. So if you’re dreaming of something for just the two of you… This is the one!
How to Choose the Mountain Elopement Location That Feels the Most Like You
If you’re an equal-opportunity mountain-lover, I get it. Because… Same.
You might be struggling to choose between these elopement locations (or even a few others you have written down).
At the end of the day, I’m always gonna tell you to choose what feels the most like you.
For a true elopement with just the two of you (and maybe a photographer), Colorado Springs might be the best answer since you don’t need witnesses.
If you’re a couple who’s truly adventurous, outdoorsy, and loves to hike, I’d recommend Glacier National Park. It has the most classic hiking feel of all of these!
If you’re picturing an outdoor wedding that has a little bit of whimsy and a whole lotta romance, Mount Rainier’s flower fields, soft sunlight, and waterfront spaces fit the vibe.
And if you’re looking for something a little relaxed and laid-back, somewhere East, like the Blue Ridge Mountains or New Hampshire, might be your best fit.
And if that still doesn’t help you, turn to the logistics. Because as a destination wedding photographer who’s SUPER Type A, I know that’s where you can find a ton of answers you need. Consider things like:
The season you want to get married in and what the weather looks like during that time in each location
How many guests you truly want, and how many each can hold
Accessibility concerns for you or any guests, and if hiking is necessary
Travel logistics, and how you can plan your trip to each of these locations
One thing I always recommend is making two lists: what you absolutely want from your wedding day and what you're flexible about. If having your grandparents there is non-negotiable, accessibility is probably going to matter more than finding the most adventurous hiking trail. If it's just the two of you and you LOVE hiking, you might have a little more flexibility.
There's no wrong answer. I just want you to choose somewhere that makes sense for the people and experiences that matter to you.
I talk about all of these details and so much more in my destination wedding planning guide that’ll teach you how to plan your mountain elopement and keep the meaning of the day. I’d highly recommend taking a peek at it next!
Ashley Olafsson | Destination Wedding Photographer
The best part of a wedding like this is that no matter which elopement location you choose, it’s something that’s gonna feel really special and full of meaning. And as a destination wedding photographer, that’s not something I take lightly. That’s why I’m always there, noticing the small moments, documenting the things that matter the most (while also absolutely hyping you up, fixing your dress when you need it, and probably crying when you cry).
I’d love to hear what you’re planning for your mountain elopement. You can reach out here, and we can talk through what weddings at each of these locations feel like to help you narrow down which one fits you and your person the best.
Can’t wait to chat!
Xoxo,
Ashley
