Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
We love turning our couples’ elopement dreams into a reality, and looking back, this Hoh Rainforest wedding could not have been more in line with what Emma and Arsh described when they first reached out to us. Their intimate wedding was filled with adventure, the best views that Washington has to offer, and lots of meaningful moments with family. Keep scrolling to see more from Emma and Arsh’s magical day and learn a few of our top tips for planning your own Hoh Rainforest wedding.
Meet Emma & Arsh and Get a Glimpse into this Hoh Rainforest Wedding
Where do I even start with this incredible Hoh Rainforest wedding?! Emma and Arsh are such an amazing couple and we instantly bonded over our shared love for the outdoors and Ted Lasso. This couple loves exploring the outdoors and hiking together and their engagement at Bunsen Peak in Yellowstone is proof of that (ie – hiking waist-deep in the snow).
Emma and Arsh traveled from out of state for their Hoh Rainforest wedding which is pretty common for most of our couples (what can we say, Washington has some pretty incredible landscape!). Leading up to their big day, I (Mollie) helped them come up with a plan that included a sunrise ceremony to avoid the crowds and a custom elopement timeline that included everything they dreamed of, including time with family.
The morning of their Hoh Rainforest wedding, we woke up early and headed out for their first look and sunrise ceremony in the forest. Emma wore a STUNNING wildflower embroidered wedding dress that matched the vibes of this rainforest wedding perfectly! When we arrived at their ceremony location, we had the whole area to ourselves and, as Emma and Arsh exchanged their vows, the sun rays peeked through the forest trees, providing the most epic backdrop.
After their ceremony and family portraits, everyone celebrated over breakfast, and then (as is common with our sunrise-to-sunset elopements) we took a mid-day break so everyone could rest and enjoy some relaxing time together. Later that afternoon, we met back up at a beach near their Airbnb for some couple portraits and then enjoyed a campground picnic of pizza and cake. For their sunset session, we made our way to Ruby Beach where the newlyweds ran around soaking up the last rays of sunshine before ending the day around a campfire roasting s’mores with their loved ones.
Three Tips for Planning a Wedding in the Hoh Rainforest
If you’re thinking about getting married in the Hoh Rainforest (first off, yay!) there are a few tips to consider to help ensure your Hoh Rainforest wedding is as smooth and as memorable an experience as possible.
Plan to Explore the Hoh Rainforest During Sunrise or Sunset to Avoid Crowds
While the Hoh Rainforest is located in a more remote area of Washington than some of the other popular locations (we’re looking at you, Mount Rainier), it still is a well-known Washington destination that draws several visitors all throughout the year. To make the most of your Hoh Rainforest wedding day and enjoy the beauty of the forest while also ensuring you have privacy for your day, we recommend scheduling your ceremony during sunrise or sunset. These times of the day offer a magical, quiet atmosphere and with the soft, golden light filtering through the ancient trees you’ll still get a romantic and intimate setting for your vows.
Make Sure To Get a Permit for Your Wedding Ceremony
Because the Hoh Rainforest is located within the Olympic National Park, couples who want to get married here will need to obtain a special use permit prior to their wedding day. This permit ensures that you have exclusive access to your chosen ceremony location and helps you avoid any unexpected issues on your big day. Permit information (including pricing and how to apply) can be obtained on the national park website here.
*Pro Tip: Be sure to apply for this permit well in advance, as they have limited availability and can take some time to process (we typically recommend 2-3 months before your wedding).
Reserve a Campground Site for a Celebratory Meal at the Hoh Rainforest Campground
Who doesn’t love a celebratory meal after saying ‘I Do’? After your ceremony, consider reserving a campground site at the Hoh Rainforest Campground for a celebratory meal with your loved ones. This allows you to enjoy a picnic or cookout (or pizza like Emma and Arsh) in a picturesque natural setting, complete with everything else you and your guests might need from picnic tables to restroom facilities. A campground celebratory meal is a wonderful way to continue the celebration in a relaxed and rustic environment while being surrounded by the rainforest’s beauty. And hey, if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can even extend the celebration by camping at the site overnight. How’s that for a true adventure wedding experience?
Best Time of Year to Get Married in the Hoh Rainforest
Take it from us, there truly is no bad time of year to get married in the Hoh Rainforest! However, there are a few seasons that we particularly love!
Late spring and early summer are ideal for vibrant greenery, creating a lush and enchanting atmosphere that you would expect from any rainforest. In the fall, the deep greens start to mix with the vibrant autumn colors, giving the forest a fairytale-like atmosphere that is truly breathtaking.
Overall, the Hoh Rainforest is a great place to visit year-round so whether you choose the lush vibrancy of spring, the magical foliage in fall, or any other season, getting married in the Hoh Rainforest will be sure to give you a dreamy and unforgettable wedding experience any time of year.
Additional Resources for Your Hoh Rainforest Wedding
What You Need to Know About Packages For Your Hoh Rainforest Wedding
When choosing to have a Hoh Rainforest wedding, we highly recommend our sunrise-to-sunset elopement package. This package allows you to experience both the rainforest and ocean all in one day and is one of our most popular elopement packages booked by our couples. When booking a sunrise to sunset elopement, you are going to have golden hour and blue hour at BOTH sunrise and sunset! This means you are going to get the best light on your day (twice!!) and get to experience multiple locations. Click here to learn more about our packages for your Hoh Rainforest wedding.
Meet Your Hoh Rainforest Wedding Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your Hoh Rainforest wedding 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 hired three incredible photographers (cue Whitney, Dawn and Kass)!
Dawn has photographed elopement couples all over the Pacific Northwest for the last seven years and is truly incredible when it comes to capturing all the in-between moments of your Hoh Rainforest wedding!
Kass was previously an outdoor recreation guide and knows all the best locations to adventure during your Hoh Rainforest wedding. She transitioned from guide to photographer six years ago and hasn’t looked back since!
Whitney is an outdoor enthusiast turned elopement photographer and loves to capture all the details during your best day ever. She is guaranteed to take you to some of the most secluded settings with the most jaw-dropping views your eyes will ever see.
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 Hoh Rainforest wedding photographers!
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