Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Some love stories take the scenic route. They wind slowly, take unexpected turns, and still somehow end up where they were always meant to be. Julianne and Jennifer’s Port Angeles wedding is one of those stories, and it began long before their adventure day in Olympic National Park. It started on a high school softball field, detoured through years of growing up separately, and then eventually circled back around in the most unexpected way.
By the time we met them for their elopement in Port Angeles, these brides weren’t just celebrating their wedding day. They were celebrating a story that had been in the making for years. And they chose to experience it in one of our favorite places on earth…Olympic National Park!
Meet Julianne & Jennifer: The Stars of This Port Angeles Wedding
Julianne and Jennifer’s story starts when they were just two teen girls going through high school. Jennifer was the new kid in school, and one day, on the softball field, she was looking for someone to play catch with. Julianne pitched in (sorry, we couldn’t resist the pun), and the two partnered up. But what neither of them knew at the time, was that that day on the field was just the start of a much bigger story.
Over the next six years, they moved through high school and then college, revolving around each other, but mostly in their separate friend groups. Occasionally, they would reconnect, and there were even a few moments of “what if”, but ultimately, the timing wasn’t right (at least not yet).
Then one day, years later, they ran into each other while out shopping with their moms. Julianne decided to make a move and ask Jennifer out to lunch. They started hanging out as friends, and it wasn’t long before their friendship turned into something more.
Julianne & Jennifer’s Sunrise-to-Sunset Port Angeles Elopement Day
When we planned their elopement in Port Angeles, Julianne and Jennifer had two main goals for how they wanted to spend their day. They wanted to spend intentional time together, and they really wanted to incorporate all parts of the park (forest, beach, and mountains – yes, Olympic National Park really does have it all!).
So, we got to work planning their elopement day around those two things.
Sunrise Vows Above the Clouds
We started before sunrise, and despite having to wake up really early, these two came prepared with their favorite Starbucks drinks and cute matching sweatsuits (honestly, our kind of vibes).
When we arrived at the base of the mountains, everything was fogged in. The mist was so thick that we weren’t even sure if we would get to see the sunrise. But, we decided to go for it anyway to see if it would clear (if there’s one thing we’ve learned as adventure elopement photographers, it’s that sometimes you just have to trust Mother Nature and let her do her thing).
The higher we hiked, the more hopeful we became, and when we finally burst through the cloud layer, we were met with the most spectacular sunrise above the clouds.
With Starbucks in hand and in their cozy sweatsuits, Julianne and Jennifer exchanged their vows (complete with joy and happy tears) in total privacy.
An Unexpected Celebration in the Forest
Later in the day, after their forest elopement ceremony with family, we stopped by Lake Crescent for some portraits. On our way back from the lake, one of the most unexpected moments happened.
A group of school kids on a field trip spotted the couple and immediately made two lines in the trail for them to walk through. The kids cheered as Julianne and Jennifer walked through their celebration tunnel, completely surprised and so honored. It was a small but sweet moment that made their Port Angeles wedding feel even more special.
Sunset Portraits on the Coast
From there, the brides and their loved ones headed back to their Airbnb for a private celebratory dinner (Here at BtP we are big fans of celebratory meals and even created a guide with some of our favorite ideas). After cake, the couple and Amy (their Between the Pine photographer) headed out to Salt Creek Beach for sunset photos.
By the end of the day, Julianne and Jennifer had experienced exactly what they envisioned when they chose an elopement in Port Angeles: meaningful time with each other in all three of Olympic National Park’s incredible landscapes.
If you’re feeling inspired by their day and want to learn more about what an elopement here looks like, check out our guide to eloping in Olympic National Park.
Thinking of Planning a Wedding in Port Angeles? Here are a Few of Our Favorite Spots
One thing we love about the Olympic Coast is that it has every type of landscape Washington is known for. Whether you’re looking for a mountain, forest, waterfall, or coastal elopement, this park has got you covered.
- Our favorite mountain peak in Olympic National Park: Hurricane Ridge (see Jessica & James’s elopement at Hurricane Ridge)
- Our favorite forest location in ONP: Hoh Rainforest (see Emma & Arsh’s Hoh Rainforest wedding)
- Our favorite spot for a lake elopement: Lake Crescent (see Cassidy & Jason’s winter elopement at Lake Crescent)
- The best waterfall elopement location in Olympic National Park: Marymere Falls (see Jenni & Dylan’s spring elopement featuring Marymere Falls)
- Our favorite beach elopement location: Rialto Beach (see Rainey & Logan’s full day elopement that ended at Rialto Beach)
What You Need to Know About Port Angeles Elopement Packages
If you’re dreaming of an elopement or adventure wedding in Port Angeles, we typically recommend one of three options depending on the experience you’re envisioning.
Our full-day Port Angeles elopement package is perfect for couples who want a relaxed adventure with time to experience multiple locations throughout the day. Think getting ready at your cabin, exploring together, sharing a private ceremony, and ending the day with an unforgettable sunset.
For couples who want to experience everything this incredible area has to offer, our sunrise-to-sunset package allows us to explore from first light through golden hour. This option is especially popular for couples who want to visit multiple regions of Olympic National Park or include guests while still having plenty of private time together.
Planning a larger celebration? Our two-day wedding experience is a great fit for couples who want to combine an intimate adventure with a guest-focused celebration. This allows you to experience more of the Olympic Peninsula at a relaxed pace while creating meaningful time with the people you love most.
No matter which experience feels right for you, we’re here to help create a day (or two!) that feels intentional, adventurous, and uniquely yours. Check out our Port Angeles elopement packages to learn more.
Meet Your Port Angeles Adventure Wedding Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that it’s where we gravitate towards as your Port Angeles 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 Port Angeles wedding photographers!
Meet the Dream Team From This Elopement in Port Angeles, Washington
Photographer: Amy at Between the Pine
Accommodations: The Modern Chalet
Ceremony Location(s): Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, & Salt Creek Recreation Area in Olympic National Park
Hair and Makeup Artist: Anne Timms
Florals: A&E Florals
Catering: Coastal Cooking
Cake: Sour Baby Bakery
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