Dreamy Olympic National Park Elopement + Engagement Session
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.
I’ll start with their killer engagement photos, but be sure to keep scrolling to see their entire elopement day, including a super sunny ceremony!!
The engagement session!
R+K started their day at Lake Crescent at sunrise, where it was overcast, drizzling, and super moody (aka everything the PNW is known for). Their all-day elopement package included 10 hours of time that they could use however they wanted, and they figured it was the most perfect time to get some engagement photos, even if they were getting married later that day! We wandered around the lake, carried cute lanterns to illuminate the dark forest, and took in the massive trees and old growth all around.
Our next stop was Hoh Rainforest for more engagement photos, where the drizzle turned to rain but somehow was also so brightly drenched in sun that each individual raindrop was illuminated like no other. Seriously, scroll down to see the GIF of the sunny rain, I nearly cried as it was happening.
Some fun facts about Washington’s only rainforest:
Hoh is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the US!
The area averages 140 inches of rain each year
This rainforest used to stretch along the Pacific Coast from southeastern Alaksa all the way down to the central coast of California!
Neat, huh?
Anyway, back to R+K. We took a mid-day break (my favorite kind of elopement days!) where R+K took time to rest, make lunch, and start to get ready for their elopement ceremony a few hours later. Such an awesome way to break things up but get sunrise AND sunset coverage.
The ceremony!
Once we moved through the day closer to sunset, we met back up with R+K’s family at Ruby Beach for one hell of a dramatic show to end the day. The sun was bright, warm, and vibrant as it started to set, and what better time to say your vows and commit your lives to each other?
The two shared a knot tying ceremony, one of many types of unity ceremonies that can be done at your elopement - some are more traditional and planned, but some are more modern and fun! Want some unity ceremony ideas for your eloepment? Check these out below.
Elopement Unity Ceremony Ideas
Cracking open a Rainier beer after saying ‘I DO!’
Handfasting
Ring warming
First dance (yes, during the ceremony!)
Sage smudging
Get tattooed together
Exchange gifts
Honor those who aren’t in attendance
After the ceremony, we took some group photos that honestly look like they could be from a cover shoot for Real Housewives of the Olympic Peninsula because my god, the gold colors with the warm sun are to die for.
Then off to run around Ruby Beach, taking in the sea stacks, the cold ocean water, the tide coming in, the rocky beach, and so much more. The family hung out until the light was just about gone, and then we all made our way up to the parking lot for some last minute headlight and lantern photos. Super dreamy, super fun.
Want to elope at Lake Crescent, Hoh Rainforest, or Ruby Beach? I’ve got you, friend. Check out my Ultimate Guide to Eloping at Olympic National Park
ORRRRRRRRRR reach out, and I’ll do the hard work for you:
