A Complete Guide to Planning Your Mt Baker Elopement
With snowy slopes that are perfect for skiing in the winter to endless hiking trails, lakes, meadows, and more Mt Baker is one of the most incredible places to elope in Washington state! Nestled within North Cascades National Park, Mt Baker is one of Washington’s most iconic peaks! If you’re an adventure-loving couple looking to plan a mountain elopement, then this post is for you. I’m sharing everything you need to know about how to elope at Mt Baker including locations, the best time of year to visit, activities to try, and more!
3 Reasons to Consider Eloping at Mt Baker
It’s Wow Factor
Mt Baker is an epic view all by itself, but, on top of that, this Washington mountain is surrounded by some of the most truly epic landscapes ever! Located in the North Cascades National Park (which, fun fact, is one of the most underrated national parks in the U.S.) this area is filled with gems! I’m talking about alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and mountain trails with epic views, just to name a few!
Close Proximity to Lodging
If you are planning to elope at Mt Baker, I recommend taking a couple of days to explore the area. This means you’ll need a place to stay, and luckily, Mt Baker is full of lodging options! Because this is a well-known ski area in the winter, there are lots of cool Airbnbs located about a 30-minute drive from the mountain.
Endless Adventure
I’ll share more about some of the activities you can experience during your Mt Baker elopement below, but I’m not kidding when I tell you that there is so much to do in this area! Mt Baker is such a fun place to explore and there are activities for folks of all adventuring levels. If you love hiking, then get ready, because this area is ESPECIALLY for you!
Best Places to Elope in Mt. Baker
Speaking of hiking, here are a few of my favorite places to adventure when eloping at Mt Baker.
Artist Point
If you are looking for a Mt Baker elopement location the whole family can enjoy, then definitely consider Artist Point! Imagine this – you and your partner standing on the edge of a pristine lake surrounded by mountains during alpenglow. Your loved ones are there surrounding you and celebrating with you as you say ‘I Do’. Sounds pretty dreamy, right? Well, that’s exactly what eloping at Artist Point looks like!
Stunning and easily accessible for everyone, Artist Point is one of the best places to elope in the North Cascades. Keep in mind though, that this area can get pretty busy. Because of this, I recommend eloping on a weekday when possible to help keep crowds to a minimum.
Pros: Stunning and easy to access for all ability types
If you are looking for two elopement locations in one, then you need to check out Heather Meadows and Picture Lake. The meadows offer sweeping views of Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan while the lake (located within Heather Meadows) is a serene alpine lake that reflects views of the surrounding mountains on its surface. Oh, and did I mention the wildflower fields here are absolutely stunning during the summer months? These locations are some of the most peaceful areas surrounding Mount Baker and are absolutely perfect for an elopement ceremony with family.
Pros: Super accessible and perfect for a ceremony with family
Cons: Can be busy and doesn’t give those “high up” mountaintop views
Fire Tower Locations
If you’re looking to add a little bit of Washington history to your Mt Baker elopement, or just want to experience some of this area’s stunning lookouts, then consider eloping at a fire lookout. Originally built to monitor fires in the area, these fire lookouts are now scenic spots that are open to the public. There are a handful of lookouts scattered all around Mt Baker, each giving a unique view of the surrounding mountains. Hiking to a fire lookout is a fun elopement experience that also gives panoramic views of Mt Baker and the surrounding Cascade mountain range.
Pros: A unique and super fun hiking experience with epic views
Cons: Harder to access (hiking and driving wise) and limited accessibility depending on the snow
Other Hidden Gems
Last but not least are the hidden gem locations I’ve scouted over the years. “What is a hidden gem location?”, you might be wondering. These locations are lesser-known trails that oftentimes require a bit of hiking to get to, but lead to some of the most stunning views. Oftentimes these trails are less populated meaning you’ll get to experience even more privacy (#win!). Curious about eloping at a hidden gem location? Reach out, I’d love to help you find the perfect spot!
I think the outdoors is magical any time of year, but each season comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here are a few things to keep in mind no matter what season you choose to elope at Mt Baker.
Summer
The summer months in Washington are like none other! The longer days allow more opportunity to explore and the warmer temperatures mean most trails are snow-free and accessible. However, summertime is also the peak tourist season meaning the area will be more crowded and it will be harder (but not impossible) to find areas with more privacy. Summertime also means the potential for more wildfires, so when eloping during this season, keep in mind that we may need to pivot to plan B or C in case of trail closures.
Fall
Fall brings a whole new look to Mt Baker. As the season shifts, the mountains are filled with bursts of red, yellow, and orange, creating a stunning backdrop for your elopement. The days also tend to be a bit cooler and, as tourist season dies down, you’ll also experience fewer crowds. While this is great, the weather can be a bit more unpredictable bringing the potential for rain or snow.
Winter
If you love snow sports or dream of a winter wonderland elopement, then this is the season for you! During the winter months, Mt Baker is covered in a layer of snow making for the coziest mountain elopement vibes. While the weather can be quite cold and the days are much shorter, eloping during the winter season can make for an intimate and romantic experience.
Spring
Spring always brings new life to Mt Baker. During this season, wildflowers start to bloom bringing lots of color to the mountain. Though the weather is starting to warm up the snow is beginning to melt, most trails are still inaccessible due to the high elevation and heavy layers of snow and ice.
What You Can Do During Your Mt Baker Elopement
There are tons of activities to try during your Mt Baker elopement. Some activities are weather dependent while others can be done year-round. Here are a few Mt Baker elopement activities to consider (but remember, your elopement can include anything you want).
I am a big fan of renting an Airbnb for your elopement! Not only are they great for lodging, but an Airbnb can be used for all sorts of other elopement day activities such as the location for getting ready, your first look, or even your ceremony location. Heck, you can even host a reception dinner at your Airbnb if your host allows it!
As I mentioned earlier, the Mt Baker area is filled with AMAZING airbnbs! I recommend first choosing your ceremony or adventure location and then selecting your Airbnb from there. Most of the Airbnbs are only a 30 minute drive from Mt Baker, which is amazing because you don’t have to spend a ton of time driving and can spend more time exploring!
If you’re looking for areas to stay with more restaurant options, the closest big town is Bellingham (about 54 miles away). While it will take a bit more time to drive between the two, staying in Bellingham is a great option if you are looking for more things to do away from the mountain.
How to Get Legally Married at Mt Baker: Elopement Permits, Marriage Licenses, and More
Obtain a Marriage License
No matter what location you choose for your Mt Baker elopement, the first thing you will need to get legally married in Washington is a marriage license. Here are a few things to know when applying for your Washington state marriage license:
You do not need to be a resident of Washington state to apply for a marriage license
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must present a valid form of ID
The cost to apply is $62 (note – this fee is subject to change. Please check the county website for the most up to day information).
There is a three day waiting period after you receive your marriage license (ie – if you pay for your license on a Monday, it is not valid until Thursday).
The license is valid for 60 days
Once you’ve received your license and completed the three day waiting period, you can get married. Your ceremony must be performed by a registered officiant and you must have two witnesses present to sign your marriage license. Oftentimes, couples will have friends or family sign as a witness, but if you don’t plan to invite any guests, not to worry. I am always happy to sign as a witness and we can always ask another vendor or trail hiker to sign as well. In my experience, they are always happy to help!
Special Use Permits
The great news about eloping at Mt Baker (specifically within the Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest) is that you don’t need a special use permit to elope. Unless you plan to invite more than 75 guests, no permit is needed to get married here. To learn more about permits or get the most up to day information, visit the national forest’s website.
How Much Does it Cost to Elope at Mt Baker: Mt Baker Elopement Packages
Alright, let’s talk nuts and bolts. Before we dive into my Mt Baker elopement packages, I just want to share that I don’t charge travel fees for any stateside elopement or adventure wedding. That way you don’t have to worry about additional travel costs to get me from here to there. Now that we have that out of the way, I bet you’re wondering what’s included in a Mt Baker elopement and how much does it cost?
All packages include photographer travel expenses
Unlimited assistance with all the planning components. This includes (but is not limited to!) location guides, vendor referrals, elopement timeline construction, packing list, and local gems to check out.
Online gallery of high-res images and full printing rights.
Four hours: $6400 | Eight Hours: $8400 | One 8-hr day + 4 hr day: $11500
Meet your Mt. Baker Elopement Photographer
Hi, I’m Aimee, your Mt Baker elopement photographer and I am so stoked you are considering eloping at Mt Baker (like seriously SO STOKED)! I’m based in the southwest United States but crisscross all over the U.S. for my work and travel to Washington State often. I especially travel here during the summer months which makes Washington like my adult summer camp!
Not only will we document some epic, magazine-cover-worthy, totally bananas moments during your Mt Baker elopement, but we’ll also document your story. Together, we’ll tell your love story in the honest and epic fashion it deserves. Throughout our planning process together, I will help guide you through every step of your Mt Baker elopement experience. Ready to get started?
I'm Aimée Flynn, Southwest based adventure wedding and elopement photographer, mega nerd, former therapist, and taker of the epic pics. I've been couples co-adventurer for 5 + years and photographed over 100 elopements...But don't think I'm here just to take pretty photos (though there will be pretty photos a-plenty) I’m here to guide you through every step of your elope elopement experience; I’m your location scouter, gatherer of all in info, formal wear wrangler, & hype committee.
I’m also a storyteller. Your storyteller. And while I'm here for the epic, magazine-cover-worthy, totally bananas moments, I'm also here (and to be totally honest, live for) those goofy, silly, unexpected moments that adventure always seems to bring. I'm here to tell your story in the honest and epic fashion it deserves.
