Elkamp Wedding Inspiration | Weekend Wedding Getaways

From Travel Trailer Chaos to PNW Peace at Elkamp

If you’ve been here a minute, you already know I’m an outdoors girl at heart. I mean, give me pine trees over Pinterest boards, and a campfire over cocktail napkins any day. In 2023, our family fully leaned into our camp-loving identity by becoming travel trailer people. It’s been a whole new level of adventure, chaos, and questionable camp meals. And we haven’t looked back.

For the last two years, the kids and I have been traveling around Washington with our trusty Wolf Pup in tow. Jake’s joined us on weekends where we’ve photographed weddings, families, and branding sessions everywhere from quaint little campgrounds in Ashford to beautiful Barn Venues in Chehalis. Traveling while photographing is in my top three favorite things to do.

So when I was asked to choose my location for this year’s Rainier Wedding Collective Tour, I didn’t hesitate. I knew exactly where I wanted to go.

Elkamp Campground in Mineral, WA was my first and only choice. I’d been dreaming of it since someone whispered the name in a casual conversation and trust me, it lives up to the hype. Whether you’re planning a romantic elopement, a full-blown wedding weekend, or just looking to disconnect from the real world for a few days, Elkamp is a little slice of forest heaven. And we’re about to dive into exactly why.

Tall Trees, Tiny Details: A Photographer’s Dream

Let me paint you a picture (pun totally intended): towering evergreens, light that filters through the canopy like melted butter at golden hour, and a quiet that makes your shoulders relax the moment you step out of the car. Elkamp is nestled in Mineral, just outside the gates of Mount Rainier National Park, but it feels worlds away from everything like a magical woodland escape where time slows down and the s’mores taste better.

The campground itself is thoughtfully designed with every type of camper (and wedding guest) in mind. There are spaces for trailers like ours (complete with easy access to a sweet little bridge and babbling creek), tent spots for the rustic crowd, a vintage Airstream and an actual cabin you can rent.

And oh, the cabin. Insert swoon here. Originally a hunting lodge, it’s now this beautifully restored hideaway featuring a king-size bed, cozy sitting area, and kitchenette. The working wood stove gives it just enough rugged charm to make you feel like you’re starring in your own Hallmark movie, while the front porch is basically begging you to sip your morning coffee in a fuzzy robe and contemplate the meaning of life.

Photographer tip: that porch? I overheard there was a plan for a wedding this summer, where they’d reserved the campsite next to it so they could string fairy lights and use the porch as their altar stage. If that isn’t dreamy, I think we’re probably not a great fit.

Weddings at Elkamp: Woodsy, Whimsical & Wildly Memorable

Now about those wedding weekends because let’s be real, that’s probably why you’re here. If you’re dreaming of a wedding that’s relaxed but still intentional and filled with connection, Elkamp Campground might just be your soulmate.

Here’s how your Elkamp wedding could unfold:

Your nearest and dearest roll in on Friday night, celebrating with fire roasted hotdogs and smores, while you finish the last-minute things (like steaming your dress or folding those extra napkins).
Saturday morning, the groomsmen hustle while the bridesmaids head over to join the Subaru Crew at Saturday morning yoga.
You head back to the cabin, all relaxed and ready to get this show on the road, celebrating with mimosas and your besties.
Your afternoon ceremony in the field leads right into the fairytale reception in the pole barn.
Last, but definitely not least, you celebrate into the night with toasts and s’mores around the campfire, followed by stargazing until the last guest crawls back to their tent or camper.
Sunday brunch is served family potluck style while everyone packs up and heads for home.

Oh, and let me tell you about the pole barn. On most days, it houses Elkamp’s adorable camp store (more on that in a sec), but with a little rearranging, it becomes a rustic-chic reception space. Whether you prefer a laid-back BBQ vibe or rustic farmhouse tables, the team at Elkamp can make it a reality. There’s so much potential here to create a space that feels so you.

Barebones, Big Feels & That Elevated Camp Vibe

Now listen, I’ve had a mild obsession with Barebones gear ever since I discovered their gardening and foraging products in 2016. You’d better believe I practically squealed when I saw them in the Elkamp camp store. Yes, they actually have a camp store where you can grab everything from fancy fire starters to the kind of enamel mugs that make your coffee taste better. (Science probably can’t back that up, but I swear it’s the truth!)

I’m such a sucker for that elevated camping aesthetic where you’re technically “roughing it,” but your gear looks like it belongs on a curated Pinterest board. Elkamp totally delivers on that. It’s that perfect blend of rustic and refined. Wild and thoughtful. A place where you can wear hiking boots and a veil on the same day and no one bats an eye.

That’s the kind of space Jake and I love to photograph in. It’s all there; the light, the textures, the emotion. You just have to show up, and the team will handle the rest!

Ready for the Wild? Let’s Make It Yours

If you’re looking for a sign to ditch the traditional venue, round up your people, and head into the woods for the wedding weekend of your dreams; this is it.

We’d love to photograph (and film!) every moment of your Elkamp Campground celebration, from the quiet coffee sips on the porch to the rowdy dance party under the stars. We’re not just here to show up and snap pretty photos. We’re here to tell the story of your day exactly as it unfolds.

Because that’s what matters. Whether it’s the wind in your hair, your grandma dancing in hiking boots, or the way the light catches your partner’s face as you say “I do”, those are the memories you’ll hold onto forever.

Let’s tell that story together.

📸 Ready to book your Elkamp wedding or family session? Head over to www.markiejonesweddings.com to get started.
📲 Follow along on Instagram @markiejonesphotographyllc and Facebook www.facebook.com/mjpllc for behind-the-scenes looks at our adventures, sessions, and yes—our very real, very loud travel trailer life.

P.S. If you’re planning a wedding that feels less ballroom and more bonfire, we are so your people. Let’s bring your woodsy wedding dreams to life.