Olympic National Park Elopement

ELOPEMENTOLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Written By Jess Bickel

Elopement | Olympic National Park | Intimate Wedding | Lake Elopement | Waterfall | Cabin

WHAT COULD YOUR ELOPEMENT DAY LOOK LIKE?

A Cozy Cabin

Start your day at a cozy cabin bnb. The Pond Cottage pictured here is a small A-frame with an open loft bedroom overlooking a private pond. There is another, slightly larger cabin one turn before on this private road. It can make the perfect compound if you have a few guests. Reach out to the owner for more information on booking both properties for your elopement. More often than not, there are no events allowed. So be sure to check with the owner.

There are SO MANY cool properties in the Port Angeles area. Be sure to plan as far out as possible if you want to book May-September, as they can book pretty far out. Here are some super fun options to consider:

Eagles Perch Treehouse is a cozy 1 bedroom elevated cabin, overlooking the Strait of Juan De Fuca

Dreamlike Lakefront Cabin on Lake Sutherland is a modern 1 bedroom cabin on Lake Sutherland with a private dock

A-Frame Away sleeps 4 and includes a private hot tub

Nest Treehouse on the Water is THE COOLEST pet friendly cabin 20 FT OFF THE GROUND!!!! With a fire pit, hot tub, cold pung and sauna, net perches, mountain and water views, and 2 bedrooms that can sleep 6, this is a special place to consider.

For a larger guest list, try the Woods and Wakes Retreat with a lakefront cabin and cottage and a total of 4 bedrooms that can sleep 16.

A couple hold hands curled up on a couch before they get dressed for their elopement day
A couple hold hands curled up on a couch before they get dressed for their elopement day
Wedding couple embrace before they get dressed for their elopement day
A couple sitting on a daybed kiss. The bride holds a Twilight book.
A couple hold hands curled up on a couch before they get dressed for their elopement day
A couple snuggle on the couch looking at their wedding attire hanging in the window of their Port Angeles cabin bnb.
A couple lounge on a cabin daybed drinking coffee and reading before their Olympic National Park elopement.
A bride and groom put on shoes and adjust clothing in preparation for their wedding day in Olympic National Park
A woman adjusts her fiance's bowtie on their wedding day in Olympic National Park
Perspective through a tree with focus on a wedding dress hanging on a cabin porch light in Port Angeles
An assortment of wedding flat lay items as viewed from outside through a window
A wedding dress hangs on a cabin porch light and the veil blows in the breeze in Port Angeles
A man fastens the back of his fiance's bridal gown on their elopement day
A couple in wedding attire embrace while getting dressed on the morning of their Olympic National Park elopement
A couple in wedding attire embrace while getting dressed on the morning of their Olympic National Park elopement
A couple in wedding attire embrace while getting dressed on the morning of their Olympic National Park elopement
A man in a suit drinks coffee sitting in a Port Angeles cabin on his wedding day
A couple finish getting ready for their wedding day, from a perspective through a vase with her bridal bouquet in the foreground
A couple in wedding attire prepare for their elopement in a Port Angeles cabin. The bride applies mascara in the bathroom mirror.
Artistic black and white with interesting reflection effect in a vase in the foreground.
A couple in wedding attire hold hands and walk down the steps of a Port Angeles cabin
A bride and groom smirk at each other fondly in their wedding attire, as photographed from a perspective from inside the cabin looking out.
A bride in a wedding gown sits on the steps of a cabin. The scene is reflected in a pond on the property.
A bride and groom walk on a deck as photographed from inside through a door with a reflection of his truck on their wedding day.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is one of the most biodiverse regions in the country. The natural landscapes range from lush, green rainforest, to sweeping mountain views, and breathtaking and dramatic Pacific Coast beaches with stacks. Wildlife is abundant with everything from elk, bears, and marmots to over 300 bird species. And don’t forget the ocean and sea wildlife. The huge purple and orange starfish are visible at low tide on the ocean rocks. You may see a Red Ruby Octopus if you’re lucky. Orcas are beloved here, along with other whale species. Take a whale-watching tour during your visit. Here’s a great breakdown of the parks biodiversity.

Part of being an elopement photographer is timeline and location planning. But that extends to more than just your wedding day. My favorite thing to do is put together optional itineraries to fill the days you’re here, based on your interests. Olympic National Park, as an example, is MASSIVE! If you’re unfamiliar with the area, it can be exceptionally difficult to gauge the time it will take to experience the most popular places in the park, and what’s worth seeing. My itinerary can include low tide times and recommendations on when to get to a location for the best viewing experience.

A couple watches a bald eagle fly overhead on their elopement day in Olympic National Park.
A stack of wedding rings sits in a bed of moss on a tree during an Olympic National Park elopement
A man in a suit a bald eagle fly overhead on his elopement day in Olympic National Park.

So many people desire to elope in the HOH Rainforest and I couldn’t discourage anything more. It’s by far the most heavily trafficked location in the park. The road washes out at least once a year. And I have sat in hours of traffic, even in early May, which can really put a damper on things. The trail is narrow at many spots, and there is no good location to not be in the way or heavily bombarded by loud visitors.

Alternatively, the area of Lake Crescent has an equally lush forest and is far more open. I also recommend Quinault trail if you want to visit somewhere more private. Though just for photos, not your ceremony, as it’s tribal land. A micro wedding at Quinault Lodge is a great option.

A couple in wedding attire pose with the Lake Crescent welcome sign at Olympic National Park
A couple in wedding attire run in the road near the Lake Crescent welcome sign in Olympic National Park
A couple in wedding attire kiss. The bride sits on mossy rocks and her veil flows over them with Lake Crescent in the background
A wedding couple in the background with a tree in the foreground in focus with a natural heart-shaped knot
Close up of a raven standing on pavement in Olympic National Park
Bride and groom's hands on a tree showing off their wedding rings. The tree has a natural heart-shaped knot and carved initials from couples over the years
A wedding couple in focus with a tree in the foreground with a natural heart-shaped knot at Olympic National Park


Waterfall Ceremony

One of the many waterfalls within and nearby the park, named and unnamed, is a great spot for a photo op or a quick ceremony on a rainy day off-season. I would not recommend this as a ceremony location in the busy season as it would be unfair to block visitors’ view. This spot is however a short, easy walk from the parking lot and not a lot of elevation gain. There are some more remote, lesser-known waterfalls that could potentially work well for a ceremony.

A bride throws her bouquet arm up at Madison Falls. Trees in the foreground frame the couple for dimension.
A man in a suit kisses his bride's hands to warm them as she smiles lovingly. Edited in black and white.
Dramatic black and white edit of a woman in a wedding dress holding a bouquet with her hair blowing in the wind.
A bride standing in a dark mossy forest at Olympic National Park holds a bouquet and the wind blows her hair.
A couple in wedding attire exchange vows in front of Madison Falls during their elopement ceremony in Olympic National Park.
A bold, colorful wedding bouquet lays on a long bridal veil sitting on the ground at an elopement in Olympic National Park.
A couple shares a first kiss in front of Madison Falls at their Olympic National Park elopement ceremony.

The Magic of Washington’s Rainforest Region

One of the most beautiful forests you can imagine, right here in Washington state, Olympic National park is a fairytale you have to see to believe. The forest floor is densely blanketed with dark green ferns. The old-growth forest is full of massive trees, some with unusual bulbous trunks, and almost all painted with mosses and lichens. Lichens are a fascinating living organism, not technically a plant, and indicate good air quality.

I find the whole area to be a most beautiful in the off-season when it’s lush from rain. While May - September is the most popular season for visitors, waterfalls are less dramatic, and I recommend the off-season to truly experience the full extent of moody, Hoa Hoa Hoa Twilight PNW magic.

A bold, colorful wedding bouquet resting in a large, wet, deep green fern in Olympic National Park.
A wedding couple stand in a mossy, old-growth forest holding umbrellas.
A wedding couple kiss in a mossy, old-growth forest in Olympic National Park..
Black and white edit showing a wedding couple embracing and laughing during their elopement in Olympic National Park.
A wedding couple walk on a bridge in a mossy, old-growth forest in Olympic National Park.
A wedding couple kiss on a bridge in a mossy, old-growth forest in Olympic National Park.
Black and white edit showing a wedding couple embracing and laughing during their elopement in Olympic National Park.
A couple in wedding attire stand in a mossy, old-growth forest dense with lush green ferns at Bovee's Meadow on Lake Crescent.
Wedding couple look down at a blue river in Olympic National Park during their elopement.
A couple in wedding attire kiss in a mossy, old-growth forest dense with lush green ferns at Bovee's Meadow on Lake Crescent.
Dramatic black and white edit of a bride and groom standing in an old-growth forest, framed by massive trees, at Olympic National Park.

Lake Crescent

Arguably one of the most well known and beautiful locations in the park is Lake Crescent. Not to be confused with Crescent Lake which is another part of Washington. On a clear, sunny day, the lake lights up turquoise. On a moody day, the blue water is complimented by fog blanketing the mountainous, evergreen forests that surround it. If i’m being honest, I really prefer a moody Pacific Northwest day for photos. It really brings the drama like nowhere else in the US.

Lake Crescent is a really magical place to work into your wedding day. It’s important to note the iconic dock is a great place for a photo op, not a ceremony, as Lake Crescent Lodge will not appreciate it. We did a lovely late blue hour champagne spray there in the rain to end the day. Always respect these beautiful natural places by not impeding the flow of visitors and staying on trail or walkable spaces. Avoid music in the park so everyone can enjoy the sounds of nature they travelled here to experience.

A couple in wedding attire hold lanterns in the rain at Lake Crescent. The bride's veil blows dramatically in the wind.
A bride and groom stand under her bridal veil holding a lantern in the rain at Lake Crescent during their elopement.
A bride and groom stand under her bridal veil in the rain at Lake Crescent during their elopement. Edited in black and white to enhance the dramatic moment..
A bride and groom stand under her bridal veil in the rain at Lake Crescent during their elopement. A foggy blue hour enhances the artistic style.
A bride and groom stand in the pouring rain at Lake Crescent during their elopement. The dense fog and blue hour create a dramatic effect.
A bride and groom sit on a blanket with candles and wedding cake Lake Crescent during their elopement. The dense fog and blue hour create a dramatic effect.
Eloping couple spray champagne on the dock at Lake Crescent during blue hour. They laugh and lanterns glow orange at their feet.
Eloping couple spray champagne on the dock at Lake Crescent during blue hour. They laugh and lanterns glow orange at their feet.
Eloping stand in the rain on the dock at Lake Crescent during blue hour. They smile at each other and hold lanterns glowing orange.

You can view this full gallery and more HERE

Olympic National Park elopement inspo | PNW intimate weddings | Lake Crescent wedding | Waterfall ceremony Washington | Cozy cabin elopement morning

Jess Bickel
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Mount Rainier Wildflower Elopement