Cinematic Washington Elopement at Olympic National Forest

As destination elopement photographers, we love when our couples choose a location that is significant to their love story.  Kasey and Cara came to us with a vision and a plan, and we were thrilled to capture it for them!  As a nod to their shared love for the Twilight franchise, we headed to the Pacific Northwest to explore the mystical moss-covered forests of Washington where they exchanged vows.  Theirs is a session we’ll never forget!

Hoh Rainforest

The day before their elopement day, the four of us ventured through the Hoh Rainforest to scout the perfect location for their ceremony. If you’ve never visited the Pacific Northwest before, just know it’s absolutely jaw-dropping.  The Hoh Rainforest was no exception. Draped in moss and some of the largest trees that I have ever seen, we knew it was going to make for a stunning backdrop for Kasey’s and Cara’s elopement. Once we found the spot for their vows (spoiler alert: the rain & mud changed their plans) we continued our PNW adventure at Ruby Beach.

Ruby Beach

Our time with Kasey and Cara at Ruby Beach was special for many reasons. First, as someone coming from FL with white sandy beaches I can attest that there is nothing more stunning and breathtaking than a PNW beach. The coast is foggy, misty and dramatic in appearance with its trees and large cliffs, and the waves are huge. Fun fact: Ruby Beach gets its name from the reddish-hued pebbles found along the shore, which can sparkle in the sunlight. More importantly, we got to witness a heartfelt exchange between these two! Kasey surprised Cara by bringing all their high school letters they had written to each other and they took turns reading through them and going through their story as the clouds rolled in.  It tied in beautifully with their Twilight theme.

Olympic National Forest Elopement

Kasey and Cara have been together for 10 years and they chose to elope on their 10th anniversary!  They knew that they wanted something laid back, intimate with just the two of them, and they wanted to include TwilightOlympic National Forest was the most fitting choice given the dreamy atmosphere where fog and mist swirl, evoking the magic of a fairytale. The lush greenery, towering trees, and ethereal lighting create a moody, almost otherworldly vibe and the most stunning backdrop for their elopement.  Aaron officiated (he actually got ordained so he could perform their ceremony to eliminate the need for dependency on an officiant!) the ceremony where they exchanged vows they handwrote back at their river front AirBNB earlier that day.  This intimate elopement combined with the rainy PNW setting made their big day feel like a storybook romance.

Lake Crescent Bridal Portraits

From the HOH rainforest we took the drive over to Lake Crescent which was by far the best way to end. Lake Crescent is one of the most peaceful lakes that you’ll ever behold. The pebble beaches around surrounded by mountains and  the water is often like glass. We spent time sitting by the fire in the resort on the lake which is also a little slice of heaven out of a romance book. The goal was to wait out the rain, but the moment we stepped out on the dock, the clouds started to part and we got small glimpses of a sunset.  Kasey and Cara commemorated their new wedding anniversary by writing out their new anniversary on a pebble from the beach along with a second with their original date.  It was a magical end to a cinematic elopement day!

Washington Elopement Photographer + Videographer

Hey, we’re Rychelle and Aaron! A destination elopement photographer and elopement videographer husband & wife team! We love photographing engagements, weddings, and elopements, especially in scenic locations like the PNW! We would love to get to know you and help you bring your engagement photos to life! Learn more about us here, and then check out our engagement and wedding packages and let’s get you married!