Katherine and Mitchell eloped in Olympic National Park, drawn to the massive old-growth trees, the ferns, and the rugged coast. Watching them experience some of the more remote corners of the Olympic Peninsula was exactly what this elopement was made for.
We started the day in the seaside village of Seabrook, Washington—a charming coastal town that’s more remote than Forks or Port Angeles. They wanted a slow, intentional morning with family. Everyone walked to the local coffee shop together, where Katherine and Mitchell exchanged gifts with their parents. It was one of those quiet, heartfelt moments that set the tone for the whole day. After coffee, we walked down to the beach. They had it to themselves, and Mitchell shared memories of exploring beaches with his family on the East Coast growing up. Eloping on the coast with family felt like a perfect way to bring everyone together.
Back at the beach house, Katherine and Mitchell got dressed and exchanged personal gifts with each other too. Gift-giving clearly meant something to them—it wove through the whole morning. Then we headed to one of my favorite rainforest areas in Olympic for their private vows. While Hoh Rainforest is iconic, they chose a quieter, more local spot for better privacy before driving onward. The rainforest was still that morning, light filtering through the old-growth canopy. You could feel their excitement just being among the trees.
They exchanged vows underneath an ancient tree draped in moss—quiet, emotional, just the two of them. After some tears and a lot of laughter, we explored more of the rainforest together.
Later, we headed to Hoh Rainforest for their family ceremony. One of their closest friends officiated, guiding them through reflections on their journey and what this moment meant. The emotion was palpable—you could feel how much this family loves each other and how significant the day was for all of them.
After the ceremony, we wandered the trail for a few more photos while everyone headed back to the beach house. A full day across the remote corners of Olympic, celebrated in old-growth rainforests and on quiet coastline.
Elopement Tips:
- If bringing family, plan an activity or set aside time to celebrate with just them. It feels more intentional while still giving you space for your own hike or adventure.
- Exchanging gifts is a meaningful way to make an elopement feel more ceremonial for family—especially if gift-giving is part of how you show love.
- Booking several cabins or beach houses near each other cuts down on logistics for larger groups. If you can book far enough in advance, having everyone close makes getting ready and carpooling much easier.
