Written by Kiersten Roy at Sonder Studio
If getting married in one of the most geographically diverse national parks in the country sounds like the dream, then you should definitely consider an Olympic National Park elopement! Not only is this one of the most beautiful places in Washington State, but this national park has it all. From hot springs, rainforests, whitecap mountains, waterfalls, alpine lakes, and the rugged Washington coast, the Olympic Peninsula truly is a dream elopement destination. If you’re ready to say “I Do”, then (hypothetically) hop on a ferry with us, cross over the Puget Sound, and we’ll explore why Olympic National Park is the perfect destination for your elopement.
Table of Contents
- The 7-Step Olympic National Park Elopement Checklist
- Choose Your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer
- Decide When to Elope in Olympic National Park
- Pick the Best Olympic National Park Elopement Location
- Apply for Your Olympic National Park Elopement Permit
- Book a Cabin or Campsite for Your Olympic National Park Elopement
- Apply for a Washington State Marriage License
- Plan Your Olympic National Park Elopement Adventure
- Things to Keep in Mind for Your Olympic National Park Elopement
- Meet your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographers
The 7-Step Olympic National Park Elopement Checklist
Ready to start planning your Olympic National Park elopement? Follow these 7 simple steps and you’ll be well on your way to celebrating your best day ever!
Choose Your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer
Psst…we know some pretty cool Olympic National Park elopement photographers who would love to document your wedding day. But, truly, hiring the right elopement photographer is a really important step in your Olympic National Park elopement planning process! Of course, you’ll want photos of your day to look back on the incredible adventure you and your partner had during your best day ever, but, you also want to book a photographer with experience in adventure elopements. From day-of timelines, Olympic Peninsula weather patterns, and uniquely scouted locations within the national park, it’s so important to work with a photographer who is well-versed in Olympic National Park adventure elopement photography.
Luckily, we know this area like the back of our hands and can’t wait to explore it with you. In fact, one of our amazing photographers even lives in Port Angeles (the gateway to ONP) and her friends are national park rangers so trust us when we say you’re in good hands.
Decide When to Elope in Olympic National Park
Like we mentioned earlier, Olympic National Park is extremely geographically diverse. From the forest floor of the Hoh Rainforest to the snow-capped mountain peaks of the Olympic Mountains, there are a lot of different climates and weather patterns within Olympic National Park. What this means for you is that you can elope in Olympic National Park any time of year! While you can’t go wrong with any location, here are our top recommendations for when to elope at certain regions in Olympic National Park:
Spring
You will find more sun on the coast than in most places in the state of Washington. So, if you’re wanting to elope during springtime in Washington, you should highly consider the coast in Olympic National Park. We’ve had couples elope in the spring with early season wildflowers and snowy mountains or snow-free alpine lakes as their backdrop. Talk about dreamy!
Summer
Summer is hands down the most popular time for elopements in Olympic National Park. Eloping in the summer means you’ll get snow-free trails, gorgeous epic sunsets, and longer days. With these extra hours, you can experience both the coast and mountains in a single day, not to mention som really wonderful coast temperatures to go with it.
Fall
Fall is our second favorite season on the Olympic Peninsula. Olympic National Park is one of the most visited national parks in the country which means during peak season it can be busy (don’t worry though, we know plenty of lesser-traveled trails for you to explore). The great thing about eloping at ONP in the fall is not only do these months bring beautiful vibrant colors to the park, but the crowds start to die down, meaning higher chances of getting the park all to yourself.
Winter
The Hoh Rainforest is a great option for a winter elopement. Picture saying “I do” while snow streams down through the trees all around you (pretty dreamy, right?). If you are dreaming of a snow-capped mountain backdrop, you can also take advantage of the snowy mountain peaks at Hurricane Ridge. Plus, you can also visit the rugged coast filled with giant sea stacks emerging from the ocean, so really, you have lots of options to choose from even during the winter months.
Pick the Best Olympic National Park Elopement Location
Just like the diverse climates within the national park, there are so many possibilities of what your wedding day could look like in Olympic National Park. You could begin your Olympic National Park elopement day on the coast and end your best day ever watching the sunset at a mountain overlook! You could hike through the Hoh Rainforest with your family and friends and then exchange private vows on a rugged beach. Truly, we have so many location combinations to share with you, so we made this map of the Olympic Peninsula to highlight our top four favorite elopement locations in Olympic National Park.
Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge sits at 5,242 feet of elevation, and is the perfect destination for an elopement or adventure wedding in Olympic National Park! When we say that the views here are jaw-dropping, we are not kidding. There are more mountains that you can even process making this one of our favorite places to elope in Olympic National Park.
We love this area for both sunrise or sunset elopements (there is even a location that is literally called Sunrise Point) and typically recommend avoiding midday elopements to avoid the crowds and harsh light. We also love that Hurricane Ridge offers both drive up locations as well as some really incredible hiking trails to explore away from the crowds. It’s also accessible in both winter and summertime, meaning you can elope at Hurricane Ridge any time of year. Keep in mind though that the weather can change super quickly at Hurricane Ridge, so for live updates click here.
Washington Coast
There are so many location options along the Washington coast for your Olympic National Park elopement. You could tie the knot at Cape Flattery (the northwesternmost point of the contiguous U.S.) or exchange your vows at Rialto Beach while surfers catch the waves behind you.
Many Washington beaches are easily accessible (meaning you can drive right up) while other beaches offer a short hike to get down to the water. Some beaches have dramatic rocks jetting out of the ocean, and others in Olympic National Park even allow bonfires (did someone say celebratory s’mores?!). No matter which beach you choose, one thing they all have in common is that they are stunning (truly, there is nothing quite like a Washington beach elopement).
One of our favorite beaches in Olympic National Park is Ruby Beach. Ruby Beach is located where the Hoh River meets the Pacific Ocean. With incredible rock formations and huge pieces of driftwood marking the coastline, this beach is an amazing drive-up location for your Olympic National Park wedding. Of course, we also know some other lesser-known beaches if you’re looking for locations that offer a bit more privacy.
Hoh Rainforest
Filled with a lush, green canopy of mosses and ferns, the Hoh Rainforest is a magic all of its own. Oftentimes couples come to us knowing they want to elope in the Hoh Rainforest and while we do love this area, it can be quite crowded. Because parking is limited and demand is high, some days the wait to get into the Hoh Rainforest can be up to two hours! For couples who are know they want to elope in the Hoh Rainforest, we recommend visiting during sunrise. This way you’ll get the beautiful light through the trees and have the trail all to yourself. For couples who simply want to experience old-growth forest vibes, we have lots of places we can’t wait to share with you.
Lake Crescent
For couples who want an alpine lake elopement or who are planning an elopement with guests, Lake Crescent is the place for you. One of Olympic National Park’s glacially carved lakes Lake Crescent provides amazing views (especially on an overcast day!). The mountains reflect on to the lake and we’re not joking when we say it is so freaking beautiful! From Lake Crescent you can also access one of our other favorite Olympic National Park elopement locations – Merymere Falls. Plus, there are amazing hiking trails surrounding the lake that are easily accessible for all people. Some trails take you to amazing views overlooking Lake Crescent while others start at the lake and end at dramatic waterfalls. The lake sits at a lower elevation compared to other parts of the park, meaning it’s typically snow-free year-round.
Bonus: 3 more places to consider having your Olympic National Park elopement
Rialto Beach
Rialto Beach is a stunning elopement location where sea stacks meet a coastal forest! Plus, this beach is adjacent to Mora Campground, making it a great option for couples who are looking for an Olympic National Park camping experience during their best day ever!
Marymere Falls
Located near Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls is truly an incredible Olympic National Park elopement location. Walk just one-mile on a well maintained trail that winds through an old growth forest and you’ll be greeted by a stunning waterfall that would make the perfect backdrop for your I do’s.
Lake Quinault
Lake Quinault is surrounded by temperate rain forest filled with breathtaking waterfalls, old growth trees and incredible wildlife. Walk along one of the many wooden pathways that winds through the rainforest and take in the lush green that is iconic to the Pacific Northwest. Not to mention Lake Quinault makes a gorgeous backdrop for your Olympic National Park elopement.
Apply for Your Olympic National Park Elopement Permit
In order to get married in Olympic National Park, you do need a special use permit. Don’t worry though, we help walk our couples through that process when planning together.
Book a Cabin or Campsite for Your Olympic National Park Elopement
There are three historic lodges in Olympic National Park that would be such an incredible place to stay for your wedding. Not only do these lodges have tons of hiking trails around, but if you’re wanting to invite friends and family to your Olympic National Park wedding, staying at one of these lodges could be a great way for you to all be in the same area.
Lake Crescent Lodge
Lake Quinault Lodge
Kalaloch Lodge (Our personal favorite!)
If you’re wanting to raise the bar when it comes to adventure during your Olympic National Park elopement, then you may want to consider a camping wedding! Imagine sitting around a campfire with your best people, sipping coffee out of your favorite camp cup and exchanging vows at an epic mountain overlook at sunset. Sounds pretty amazing, right? Here are our top recommendations for the best Olympic National Park:
Sol Duc Campground
Located in the heart of Olympic National Park right along the Sol Duc River, Sol Duc Campground is right by hot springs and has access to many hiking trails. Once you arrive at Sol Duc Campground, you will need to purchase access to the hot springs at the front desk. All campsites at Sol Duc are equipped with fire rings, and you can purchase firewood and ice at the front desk.
Kalaloch Campground
This Olympic National Park campsite is located right off of Highway 101 near Ruby Beach. At Kalaloch Campground, you get the best of both worlds: forest and beach. You can make reservations online and can click the link above to reserve your beach-overlook campsite at Kalaloch Campground.
Hoh Campground
Want to sleep amongst ancient trees in a a rainforest? Then you may want to consider staying at the Hoh Campground. Nestled beside the Hoh River, this is one of the most magical places to camp in ONP. Find more information and make reservations by visiting the campground website here.
Apply for a Washington State Marriage License
You’ve got your incredible partner, the stunning dress, the dreamy flowers and the epic Olympic National Park elopement backdrop. But, you cannot forget one of the most important pieces of all: your marriage license! Here’s what you need to know about getting a Washington marriage license:
- You can apply for your Washington State marriage license up to 3 months in advance
- Washington has a three-day waiting period which means you cannot get married the same day you get your marriage license (unless you pay a rush fee).
- A Washington marriage license is valid for 60 days
- A Washington marriage license costs $69 and is nonrefundable
- You can obtain a marriage license from any county, and it is valid in any county in Washington. You just have to return the marriage license to the county where you obtained the license, and you are allowed to mail in the marriage license to the county (or return it in person if that’s easier).
- You will need an ordained person to perform your ceremony (fun fact – the entire team at Between the Pine is ordained and we’d be happy to sign your marriage license for you should you choose not to have an officiant). Other options would be to have a family member get ordained or hire an officiant.
- You will need two witnesses to sign your marriage license. If you plan on inviting guests, you can simply ask two of them to sign. If your elopement day consists of just the two of you, don’t worry. We are happy to be a witness for you (so long as we are not also officiating) or other hikers are usually happy to sign as well.
Plan Your Olympic National Park Elopement Adventure
Have we mentioned that Olympic National Park has literally everything for your elopement? As one of the most geographically diverse national parks, this area does not lack in terms of places to explore. What this means is that when it comes to planning an adventure for your Olympic National Park elopement the sky is the limit. Lace up your hiking boots and trek through the old-growth forest trails or soak in the views from the stunning mountaintops during your best day ever. Or, if a simple drive-up location with a celebratory meal at your Airbnb is more your jam, Olympic National Park has got that too. For more post-elopement adventure tips, check out our guide below.
Things to Keep in Mind for Your Olympic National Park Elopement
Drive Time
Located in the upper left corner of Washington State, Olympic National Park is a bit more remote than some of the other parks in the state. Most couples traveling from out of state fly in to Seatac and arrive in ONP by one of two ways:
- Taking the Kingston/Edmonds ferry
- Driving around through the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
We suggest driving around as ferry wait times can be up to two hours. Note that the drive from Seatac to Port Angeles is about 2 hours 45 minutes so be sure to include some buffer time for travel and rest before your elopement day.
Leave No Trace
We are big advocates of the Leave No Trace Principles and always encourage couples (and their guests) to stay on established trails for your elopement! To learn more about planning a Leave No Trace elopement, click here!
Meet your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your Olympic National Park elopement photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018 and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and continue to hire even more incredible photographers!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your best day ever. We know the Pacific Northwest like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the mountains, forest, and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your Olympic National Park elopement photographers!
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