If you’re someone who has been dreaming about eloping (or has just learned that eloping is an option nowadays!) but are nervous about being able to find a beautiful location that meets your accessibility needs, this post is for you.

I firmly stand behind the belief that everyone should have access to the outdoors to recreate. Full stop. Whether that’s just to explore somewhere new, to immerse yourself in all nature has to offer, or if you’re planning to elope.

Also, let’s get one thing straight about eloping: You do NOT have to hike to elope! I promise!!

Many couples choose to do a short walk around a beautiful area to take in the scenery without having to strap on hiking boots and get miles and miles away from civilization. There are plenty of locations and trails in Washington that are fairly level and paved or have packed gravel for the majority of the hike. Which means many more folks can access these locations regardless of ability or knowledge about the outdoors!

I’ve put together a list of my favorite ways to make your day memorable, elevated, and beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed of. There are SEVEN ideas here, you don’t wanna skip this one!

If you want an easy-to-get-to elopement ceremony AND all the epic mountain views while actually standing on top of a mountain, this Mount Baker and Artist Point two-day elopement is going to knock your socks off. We had everything from pouring rain, a perfectly clear sunrise, chillier than expected weather, all the way to a cloud inversion where the North Cascades really showed off for us.

Over the last decade or so, I’ve spent a lot of time refining how I run my business and how to do it efficiently. I’m only one person and can only do so much! I’ve trial new apps and software that looks promising, set up accounts on countless sites that seem helpful, and everything in between.

But now that things have been running smoothly for a few years now, I have a pretty detailed workflow that includes software and apps that are easy to use, save me time, and make things super easy on the client side. And I’m gonna break it down for you!!

You’ve found yourself dreaming of eloping in a beautiful location with your all-time favorite person, and the first question you have is this:

“Who should we hire to photograph our elopement?!”

Because of the rise of eloping since COVID-19 hit the world, you might feel overwhelmed with tons of photography styles, personalities, editing, creativity, and prices. It can be a lot! But I’m going to break down exactly how to narrow down your options, starting before you’ve even reached out to any photographers all the way up until you’ve spoken with each of your favorites and you’re having to make the hard decision who to hire.

If you’ve decided that you want to elope by yourselves rather than throw a traditional, large wedding that is basically a giant party for everyone you know, don’t even think for a second it was a mistake. Sometimes it’s a hard decision to make, but sometimes it makes sense right off the bat!

I might be the first to tell you this, but it’s important, so listen up:

You have full permission to plan your elopement however the hell you want

Even if it’s not how everyone else wants to get married, your decision is valid. I’m here to be your biggest supporter!!

Wheeeeeeew, this elopement was notable for quite a few things: Watching the glowing sun go from being hidden behind a North Cascade peak to peeking out as a full sphere over the course of just a few minutes, the lack of any people around us (no seriously, we had 3 hours all to ourselves out there), and being able to see both Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan so vividly from this super secret spot that I love taking couples and their guests.

If you’ve ever even thought about getting married at Mount Rainier National Park, this is an elopement you’re TOTALLY going to want to hear about. From an unbelievable sunrise with no one around to an evening with guests and a campground reception, R+G’s Mount Rainier elopement pretty much had it all.

If you’re looking for the MOST perfect Washington mountain location to elope at, this guide is perfect for you! Washington is one of the most beautiful states in the country and the mountains have some of the best views in the world. We’ll go over logistics to keep in mind when eloping in the mountains of Washington like being in the backcountry and how to stay comfortable outdoors, and I’ve got dozens of jaw-dropping locations all over Washington state for you to choose from, plus tons of info about each.

Hello my little adventurers! I wanted to write a blog post that will get sent to all of my couples before their elopement day to make sure they’re getting a 100/10 experience with me, so I compiled this list of the best ways to slow down and really, really relish your time together so that it’s truly remarkable and totally unforgettable.

So you’ve done it: You’ve decided to elope instead of having a big wedding, and now you’re preparing for the big day in every way you can. Because eloping in this meaningful way is still relatively new and underreported on, you might have a hard time finding blog posts like “How to Keep Stress Levels Low on your Elopement Day” or “How to Prepare for Your Elopement Day Hike”, this is where I come in!

After helping dozens and dozens of couples plan their elopement and make it one of THE all-time best days of their lives, I’ve learned a thing or two about what pushes the day towards incredible and unforgettable, and I’m here to share their experiences with you. Everything from managing your expectations when getting married outdoors to showing you how to really relish the day and make it deeply memorable.

So, you’ve just pulled the ultimate romantic move and eloped with your bestie, your favorite person, your forever love. I’m sure it’s been a whirlwind in one way or another! Elopements are definitely less stress than huge weddings, but that doesn’t mean they’re stress free. Your probably thinking….

NOW WHAT DO WE DO?!

Don’t worry, don’t worry. I have some ideas for you!!

I know when I’m planning for something super exciting, I’m so focused on it that I don’t even consider what it’s going to feel like once it’s all said and done, nor do I plan anything for the timeframe immediately after the event. And you might be in that position as well! I’ve put together a few different things to do after your elopement is finished and you’ve head home after the celebrations.

Some of these happen right away, some are in the months after, and some can be done literally any time in the future. So pick a few for now, save a few for later!

If you’re going for variety on your elopement day, look no further than Olympic National Park. These were all taken in one elopement day without spending ALL DAY traveling!! 🤩🤩

C+L were absolute rockstars when it came to their elopement day. They had the most supportive guests, a beautiful vision that came to life through their details and attire, and spent the entire day basking in the wonder of Washington surrounding them. What more can you ask for?!

If you’ve decided eloping outdoors is your jam, there’s no doubt you’ve thought “what if the weather is horrible on our elopement day?!”

I know it can be super nerve-wracking to be at the mercy of Mother Nature when planning such an important day. You’re worried about so many factors that the weather can change, and I see you and hear you!

But I’m here to tell you that you’ve got this.

With these steps, you’re going to feel more prepared to face icky weather head on AND be reassured that you’re still going to have one kickass experience and get some seriously kickass photos, too. Pinky promise!!

Buckle in for this one, folks. This couple knocked out an engagement session in the rain AND getting married with clear skies and a sunset, all in Olympic National Park. Doesn’t get much better than that. They turned their elopement into an entire vacation around the Olympic Peninsula, including renting an entire camper from Outdoorsy and camping the whole way. Cool right?!

This is what R+K said about the finalized plan for their elopement: “After further collaboration, we opted for more of an adventure themed elopement. We thought it would be more fun and enjoyable to travel in a rented trailer to our locations and stay at campsites. In doing this we are hoping to experience more, potentially invite others to simply stay at the different campsite locations (having separate invitations for the ceremony at Ruby Beach to oblige to the person limits set on our application), as well as lengthen our experience.” Chef’s kiss.

Picture this: You’re listening to your partner say their vows to you in the most perfect location, views all around, you feel incredible in how your day has unfolded, and you get to look down and give your dog an ear or chin scratch as you listen to their words of love. If that sounds like the perfect wedding, this is a blog post for you.

Including your dog in your elopement day is an AMAZING idea, and doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think! Eloping with your pup isn't just about including your furry family member (though, let's be real, those puppy dog eyes deserve a front-row seat to your vows). It can also add a layer of fun, adventure, and unique memories to your day.

In the last 5 or so years, the definition of eloping has vastly shifted to something WAY cooler than secretly running away to Las Vegas to get married in front of Elvis without your family. Even though you could still do that, I think everyone agrees the new kind of eloping is so much more personal and filled with joy (and leaves out a lot of stress!).

Choosing to elope by yourselves is a HUGE decision, and sometimes it’s super easy and all you’ve ever dreamed of. But for some couples, it’s going to be SO hard to get married to their favorite person without their other favorite people there like parents, besties, siblings, and other loved ones. And that’s why I’m here! To show you how to bridge that gap and include your friends and family in your elopement without them being physically present.

One of *THE* most common questions I get from my couples is “how do I hike in my wedding dress?”. It’s totally valid - most people haven’t ever hiked in dress clothes, let alone a dress on their actual wedding day! And that’s where I come in. I’ve helped dozens of people plan the logistics of hiking in their wedding dress, and that’s what this blog post is all about!

Whether you’re thinking about eloping, aren’t sure whats feasible on an elopement day, or you’re ready to elope and are considering last minute logistics, this info is going to help you have the best, most comfortable day (with amazing photos to document it all!).