Olympic National Park Hiking Elopement | B. & D.
Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls ElopementThis May elopement in Olympic National Park will be remembered for a long time. Not just for its beauty and emotion. A few weeks after the ceremony, the groom sent me a photo of his arm—a large tattoo of one of my photos on his shoulder. That message made my day.
Why Do Couples Choose the Olympic Peninsula for Their Elopement?
The Olympic Peninsula is a gem on the U.S. map. Its diverse landscape allows for an endless variety of session backdrops without much travel. It's the perfect elopement destination for every taste, so it's no surprise this Washington-based couple chose it for their special day.
The groom had visited the Marymere Falls before, but it was the bride’s first time. That’s why for their big day, they chose hiking to the falls.
Lake Crescent and Marymere Falls Elopement Timeline
The day started on the shore of Lake Crescent with a first look at the pier. Instead of the usual approach where one surprises the other from behind, they chose a unique version. They stood back-to-back, holding hands, and turned to face each other at the same time. It made for a truly special moment.
After the first look, we set off to the Marymere Falls Trailhead. We took some photos in the forest along the way before arriving at the falls. The bride had never seen them before and was completely captivated, standing in awe for a long time.
Next, we returned to Lake Crescent for the sunset elopement ceremony. The bride changed into a different dress which was a family heirloom. The bride’s mother had worn it for her parent’s wedding.
The sunset ceremony by the lake was deeply emotional, with both the bride and groom crying as they read their vows. Afterward, they read letters from their families, bringing on more tears—there were many heartfelt messages.
Then came the champagne toasts, but when the groom popped the bottle, the cork shot far into the lake. Since we followed the "Leave No Trace" principle, I threw on my rubber boots, grabbed a big net (courtesy of the lifeguards on the pier), and waded into the icy May water. It was freezing, but I was thrilled to retrieve the cork!
As the sun disappeared, we moved to the pier with electric candles, where the couple shared their first dance under the soft light.
We wrapped up the night at the Lake Crescent Lodge bar, where the bartender signed as their witness.
It was really amazing day!
Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer
Olympic National Park is one of my favorite spots, and I'd love to be your elopement photographer in this incredible place. Booking for next year has already begun, so if you're considering a shoot, schedule your free consultation today. During our initial call, we'll talk about whether ONP is the right fit for your elopement, what kind of experience we can create, and what it will cost.
