Olympic National Park Elopement with Family
Eloping in Olympic National Park offers something that can be quite rare: the ability to experience wildly different landscapes in one place. Plush rainforest, alpine viewpoints, glacial lakes, and rugged coastline, all within a few hours apart. When Morgan and Al decided to plan their Olympic National Park elopement with family, they leaned fully into that variety and created a two-day experience that honored both their loved ones, their relationship, and their desire to see as much of the part as possible.
By intentionally splitting their elopement into two days, they were able to slow down, be present, and design a celebration that felt deeply aligned with who they are. Their experience was grounded in nature, family, and adventure, and couldn’t have been more fun!
Why an Olympic National Park Elopement With Family Works So Well
Olympic National Park is one of the best national parks for elopements with family because of how accessible and diverse it is. You can include guests without requiring strenuous hikes, while still carving out time and space for more intimate and adventurous moments.
For Morgan and Al, a two day elopement allowed:
A full day centered on family and experiencing the park together
A second day focused solely on the two of them for getting into the park a bit more
Exploration of multiple regions of the park
Flexibility when weather conditions shifted
Planning Tip:
If you’re inviting family to your elopement, consider structuring your experience over multiple days. This helps prevent the day from feeling rushed or overwhelming and allows everyone (including you!!) to actually enjoy it.
Day One: Family-Focused Olympic National Park Elopement at Lake Crescent
Day one of Morgan and Al’s Olympic National Park elopement with family began slowly and intentionally at their Airbnb. Everyone got ready together, sharing breakfast, laughter, and anticipation before the day unfolded.
Just below the Airbnb, a peaceful river offered the perfect way to ground into the morning. Morgan and Al spent time fishing together, a simple thing that was intentionally them! After their first look, they did a butterfly release to honor loved ones, and it was such a beautiful way to start the day!
From there, we drove into Olympic National Park for their ceremony at Lake Crescent.
Pivoting Ceremony Plans at Lake Crescent During a Heat Wave
The day of their ceremony happened to fall during a record-breaking heat wave, and the sun reflecting off Lake Crescent was intense. While their original plan was to exchange vows closer to the shoreline, we made a last-minute pivot and tucked into the forest instead.
The result? A shaded, intimate ceremony space framed by towering trees with soft glimpses of the lake to the side of them. It was quiet, cool, and incredibly peaceful.
Planning Tip:
When planning an Olympic National Park elopement with family, flexibility is essential. Forested areas near popular locations like Lake Crescent are incredible backup options for heat, wind, or crowds, and often end up being even more magical than the original plan.
Hurricane Ridge Family Photos at Sunset
After the ceremony, we made our way up to Hurricane Ridge for sunset. This alpine area is one of the most accessible high-elevation viewpoints in the park, making it perfect for family portraits without a hike!
As the light softened, we captured family photos with sweeping mountain views. It was a hit for everyone!
Planning Tip:
If you want epic views but have family members with varying mobility levels, Hurricane Ridge is an excellent option for an Olympic National Park elopement with family. Sunrise and sunset light both is stunning here, and the short walk from the parking area makes it accessible for most guests.
Day Two: Olympic Elopement without Family
Day two of Morgan and Al’s elopement shifted gears entirely. This day was focused on just the two of them. Giving them time to explore, wander and see some new areas of the park!
We headed to the western side of Olympic National Park and spent the afternoon hiking through the Hoh Rainforest. Surrounded by moss-covered trees and filtered light, we took our time creating portraits that felt quiet, connected, and deeply rooted in the landscape. This was the landscape that Morgan was specifically most excited about, so it was incredibly fun to get to share it with her!
Planning Tip:
Rainforest trails like those in the Hoh are ideal for couples-only elopement time. The forest lighting, narrow paths, and serene atmosphere make them perfect for slow exploration and intimate portraits.
Tree of Life and Ruby Beach Elopement Photos at Sunset
After the rainforest, we made a quick stop at the Tree of Life, one of Olympic’s most unique coastal landmarks, before continuing on to Ruby Beach.
Ruby Beach marked a beautiful convergence of both days of their elopement. At sunset, Morgan and Al’s family joined us again, bringing along their cutie pie son to splash in the water and explore the shoreline.
As the sun dipped lower, we captured golden-hour portraits, explored tide pools, and leaned into Morgan and Al’s shared love of the ocean. Al is a spear fisherman, and their connection to the sea felt especially alive here - salty air, wet sand, and that wild Pacific energy! There is nothing like a pacific coast shoreline.
After-Dark Lantern Photos on the Olympic Coast
To end their Olympic National Park elopement with family, we stayed after dark and created lantern-lit portraits along the beach. The glow against the night sky, paired with the sound of waves crashing nearby was wildly cinematic and an unforgettable way to close out two incredible days!
Planning Tip:
Don’t be afraid to include after-dark photos in your elopement timeline. Lanterns or headlamps can add a sense of adventure and intimacy, especially on the Olympic coast where the night feels wild and expansive!
Planning an Olympic National Park Elopement With Family
Morgan and Al’s two day elopement is a perfect example of how you don’t have to choose between adventure and family. In fact, you can thoughtfully design space for both!
Here are some key takeaways for couples planning an Olympic National Park elopement with family:
Split your elopement across multiple days
Choose accessible locations for family events
Build in flexibility for weather and crowds
Save more adventurous locations for just the two of you
Let the park’s diversity guide your experience
Olympic National Park offers endless possibilities, and with the right planning, your elopement can feel both deeply personal and beautifully inclusive.
If you’re dreaming of an Olympic National Park elopement with family that feels aligned, intentional, and rooted in connection to each other, your loved ones, and the landscape, I’d love to help you bring that vision to life!
Reach out below and let’s get to dreaming!!
Olympic National Park Elopement Resources
Hoh Rainforest Adventure Elopement in Olympic National Park