How to Elope at Crystal Mountain’s Sky Camp
I recently had the privilege to photograph the first wedding at Crystal Mountain’s new venue, Crystal Sky Camp.
Read on for everything you need to know to have a mountain-top wedding here.
Basic Info | When & How to Book | What to Bring | Activities | Example Wedding Day Timelines
But first, let’s walk through the day, together.
A drive up the mountainside (or a chairlift if the weather is nice) will take you 6,000ft above sea level, into this little pocket of trees, ridge-lines, and tents.
After finding your cozy tent and setting up the wood-burning stove, you’ll wake up to soft filtered light in a king-sized bed.
You can start the day with sleeping in, guided foraging, or maybe even paddle board (SUP) yoga. After a nap and a picnic, it’s time to get ready for your ceremony. Say your vows on their mountain-view platform, inside a yurt if it’s raining, or along a trail for a more private experience with panoramic views.
On your wedding night, enjoy an amazingly cooked meal and dessert at the lodge, watch a movie, have a campfire and s’mores, or stargaze above the Cascade Mountains.
Below is the wedding film I created for Jesus and Jocelyn’s intimate wedding at the Sky Camp. More details about wedding & film photography can be found on my pricing page. And for more of their wedding day, take a peek at their gallery.
BASIC INFO
All the basics to know if this is the right venue for you, and to get you started in the planning process.
Basic Info | When & How to Book | What to Bring | Activities | Example Wedding Day Timelines
01. How do I get to the Sky Camp?
Where is Crystal Mountain?
Crystal Mountain is just east of Mt. Rainier in Washington State.
Route your map to Crystal Mountain Resort. When you book your stay, staff will arrange for your ride up to the sky camp when you arrive!
Once at the Resort, you’ll likely see reserved parking for overnight guests of the sky camp. From there, head over to their guest services counter to check in. You’ll take either a truck or a UTV up a forest road (a 20ish minute drive) to get to your campsite. If the weather is nice, you may be able to take the Forest Queen chairlift up!
Here’s a link to Crystal Mountain’s maps to help orient where you’ll park and where the camp is located. The Sky Camp tent are located near the Campbell Basin Lodge.
02. How many guests can I have at this venue?
At the Sky Camp, it can be just you two in a cozy tent and a weekend outside, or you can invite up to 70 guests! This venue is perfect for an intimate wedding shared with a few close family members and friends if that is the type of wedding experience you are looking for.
Guests can arrive just for the day, or spend the night by booking additional tents for an extra fun & extended wedding weekend. There are additional hotels at the ‘base camp’ near parking as well for more guest options.
03. Can I bring my dog?
Yes! Make sure to bring all the dog necessities (leash, food, bowls, doggy bags, etc.) and let the venue know in advance when you book. You can even bring your dog along on some of the activities, like foraging!
04. When does the Sky Camp book weddings?
The Sky Camp is only open and available for weddings during their summer season, typically July-September. Even during the summer, weather can be unpredictable as the mountain makes its own weather. But their camp is carefully maintained and is a perfect getaway rain or shine, before the snow season begins.
05. What should I expect my stay to be like?
You could consider the Sky Camp a ‘glamping’ type of lodging. You’ll stay in one of their Safari-style canvas tents.
Each tent is propped up on wooden platforms, so you’ll have your own little porch to sit out on. Inside is a wood stove & firewood, a cozy king-sized bed, interior lighting, charging stations, and wifi is even available if you need to stay ‘plugged in’. If you need to customize your tent, they have cots and twin beds as well to meet any accommodation.
Not all tents are nestled in the trees, and you’ll likely be able to see your neighbors. You’ll find lantern-lit paths between tents as well as outhouses sprinkled here and there for your convenience. But the lodge also has bathrooms and showers, towels, and more for every basic need.
06. Is the Sky Camp grandma accessible?
As a 26 year old certified grandma, this venue is a decently accessible outdoor ceremony location. The drive up the mountainside forest road can be pretty bumpy, and there will be some walking required on a short hill and gravel paths.
07. How can I practice leave no trace while staying at the camp?
Alpine flora and fauna are especially vulnerable to human influences so here are some tips!
Stay on designated paths and trails, try not to walk on grass or meadow areas (footsteps are a big ouchy to those alpine wildflowers)
Leave sticks and stones alone. Don’t gather firewood, but ask the lodge for it instead.
Clean up after yourself and your pet, not stray wrappers or pet waste!
Don’t feed wildlife. It’s likely you may encounter wildlife like birds, deer, and marmots.
Go on a guided activity like foraging or hiking to learn more about the camp, weather, and wildlife.
08. Will I need permits or passes to get married on Crystal Mountain?
No! Permits and passes are common for many outdoor weddings. When you book through their event staff, all regulations of that type are taken care of, so you can cross this off the list.
WHEN & HOW TO BOOK
With the Sky Camp only available during the summer season (July-September), I recommend getting in touch with the venue as early as possible to discuss availability.
Basic Info | When & How to Book | What to Bring | Activities | Example Wedding Day Timelines
Crystal Sky Camp
Who to call: Event Coordinator, Kalela Robison (360)-663-3011
Email: krobison@skicrystal.com or skycamp@skicrystal.com
Photography & film
I also recommend booking your photographer before you book your stay at the Sky Camp, to ensure they have availability for the time you have in mind (even if you only have a vague idea of when you’d like to elope). Many photographers book 1 to 2 years in advance.
To book your photography collection, head over to the weddings page and fill out an inquiry form!
WHAT TO BRING
At the Sky Camp, you can expect a ‘glamping’ style experience. Even at 6,000ft and in a valley shadowed by Mt. Rainier, you can also expect normal & luxury comforts like catered meals, a full service bar, hot showers, bathrooms, and WIFI. However, sometimes the mountain makes its own weather, so I’ve done the work for you in creating a packing list for a happy, comfy, stay.
Basic Info | When & How to Book | What to Bring | Activities | Example Wedding Day Timelines
What to Wear
You can check summit weather on their website for a more reliable estimate
Shoes: Bring at least hiking style boots and some cozy sandals (I have these Chacos and they’re amazing)
Clothes: comfy cozy socks for lounging in the tent, adventuring socks (these ones from REI are legitimately worth the money), lounging and active wear. Make sure to pack a few extra pieces in case of rain, sweat, etc. You may want to pack a swimsuit in case you’ll be paddleboarding.
Outerwear: Be prepared for rain or cold evenings (potentially a low of 45°) even if it’s not in the forecast. I suggest a beanie, one lighter rain jacket (I have this one from Eddie Bauer), a sweatshirt, and possibly a heavier jacket in case of cold weather
Food & Water
The lodge will provide you with mostly every comfort you could ask for, including all three meals and a full service bar
I suggest you bring any specific snacks you may want (especially for nighttime munching) and a reusable water bottle
You can also contact the Sky Camp staff to discuss meals and have special accommodations for you (like vegan, or a special bottle of wine) prepared for you
Essentials
The lodge will have some essentials in case you forget anything (ex. tampons)
Charging cords (you’ll have a charging station in your tent)
Travel size hygiene pieces like shampoo, deodorant, hair products, etc.
Extras
Sunglasses and/or a hat
Sunscreen
Headlamp or flashlight - your tent will come with lanterns for you to use at night, but packing a personal one may be handy for leisure and active use
A steamer for your wedding attire
If you’re concerned about being cold in your wedding attire, you can try skin-colored base layers to wear underneath your gown or suit, like this one
If you plan on solo hiking, remember to bring the 10 essentials (map, compass, sunscreen, food and water, extra clothes/layers, flashlight, small first aid kit, fire starter, matches, and a knife)
ACTIVITIES
Eloping at Crystal Mountain’s Sky Camp, it’s almost impossible to be bored. For more details of the activities they offer, head over to their website.
Basic Info | When & How to Book | What to Bring | Activities | Example Wedding Day Timelines
Chill things to do
Board games
Movies & popcorn
Campfire & s’mores
Stargazing (take a look at their events page for planned meteor showers!)
Giant checkers
Cornhole
Ride the Mt. Rainier gondola, the ski lifts, and explore Crystal Mountain
Shopping
Eat and be merry!
Adventurous activities
Paddleboard and paddleboard yoga
Guided and solo hiking
Fly fishing
Guided foraging
Disc golf, volleyball, etc.
Photography
EXAMPLE WEDDING DAY TIMELINES
If you need a little kick-start to planning what your elopement day will look like at Crystal Sky Camp.
Basic Info | When & How to Book | What to Bring | Activities | Example Wedding Day Timelines
2 Day Timeline
12:00pm Photographer arrives
12:30pm Guided hike
3:00-4:30pm Lunch & board games
4:30-5:30pm Getting ready
5:30-6:30pm First look and photos in your tent
6:30-7:00pm Ceremony with friends and family
7:00-8:00pm Portraits with photographer
8:00pm Dinner with friends and family
9:30pm Campfire & s’mores
Day Two
9:00am Wake up and breakfast
10:30am Paddleboarding
12:00pm Lunch and lawn games
1:30-3:00pm Horseback riding
3:30pm Ride the Rainier Gondola
4:00-6:00pm Hiking and portraits with your photographer
6:00pm Photographer leaves
8 Hour Timeline
8:00am Wake up and breakfast
9:00am Photographer arrives
9:30-10:30am Guided foraging
11:00am Paddleboarding
12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch & a quick nap
1:00pm-2:00pm Getting ready & detail photos
2:00pm-2:30pm Ceremony with friends and family
2:30pm-5:00pm Hike and adventurous portraits with your photographer
If Crystal Sky Camp sounds like an ideal location for your elopement, intimate wedding, anniversary, vacation, etc., your first step is to book your photographer. Photographers often book 1-2 years in advance, so you’ll want to make sure they are available first, or if their availability is flexible. Your next step will be to contact Sky Camp to book your stay and get started planning your accommodations and activities!
Your first step in eloping is right around the bend.
If you know this is right for you, let’s get talking about planning your perfect wedding day!
