Lush Olympic National Park Adventure Elopement -

There’s truly nothing better in this world than spending a day exploring one of the most beautiful places in the PNW with a sweet, wildly in love pair of brides. I’m sure of it. Because when I tell you that Lydia + Michelle’s Olympic National Park adventure elopement was the most perfect day I could ever ask for as an elopement photographer, I mean it—this day truly had everything. Two incredibly kind (and stunning) humans, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and to top it all off, the dreamiest sunset on the beach. I hope you can just feel the love these two shared seeping through their photos, because I know I can still feel it all, even months later!

Lydia + Michelle’s Olympic National Park Adventure Elopement

Getting ready at Lake Quinault Lodge

Lydia and Michelle began their special day by getting ready together at Lake Quinault Lodge, which I always love, especially when I get to be there to capture all the nervous, excited energy! They booked this lodge for their time in the area, which was super conveniently located and easy to travel back & forth to throughout their trip. Getting to be in the room with them while they put the final touches on their hair and makeup, gathered their details, and stepped into their elopement attire, was so special; I adore capturing those little moments like when Lydia turned around to grin at Michelle when she was done putting on her makeup, or when Michelle was laughing as she put on her lipstick. It also helps when a couple is so naturally stunning and looks just as incredible in their loungewear as they do their elopement attire 😉

Photographing details is another favorite part of elopements for me, as it really gives me the opportunity to take note of the small things that really matter to a couple. In Lydia and Michelle’s case, I learned that their kitty Kahlo is an incredibly important part of their lives (as she should be); they wrote their vows on the back of pictures of her! To say I was obsessed would be an understatement. What a perfect (purrfect) way to incorporate your pets into your elopement without having them tag along, and to add an extra personal touch to one of the most meaningful parts of your day—your ceremony!

Getting ready together was a very intentional part of creating the vibe that Lydia and Michelle envisioned for their day, a laid-back and intimate atmosphere where they could solely focus on one another. They envisioned their elopement day surrounded by lot of greenery and water, originally picking a few different states that they thought were beautiful and eventually landing on Washington! Michelle had never been here, and Lydia had only been to Seattle, so what a perfect opportunity to travel to a new, gorgeous place and get to create some core memories there. Adding to the beauty of their location of choice, Olympic National Park, was the bouquet they shared, brimming with vibrant pinks, bold oranges, and a whole lotta greenery. They had told their florist (Anthera Floral, who absolutely killed it!) that they loved earth tones, but that they wanted to be surprised with their bouquet. I’d say this beautiful work of art was a pretty phenomenal surprise, wouldn’t you?

A pre-ceremony adventure around Lake Quinault Loop

While their ceremony was, of course, one of the most special parts of their day, I honestly think that our little pre-ceremony adventure was my personal favorite. We drove around the Lake Quinault Loop, stopping to explore all the magical waterfalls and secluded trails along the way, even managing a stop at the world’s largest spruce tree! Lydia and Michelle absolutely crushed this time together, truly embodying the word “adventure” by climbing over rocks and logs in their wedding attire, doing anything they needed to to get the most out of every place we stopped. They just looked so damn cool exploring this lush landcape dressed to the nines, never afraid to really get in there and experience every bit of the natural beauty around them. Obviously it made for some pretty breathtaking photos, especially with Lydia wearing a killer jumpsuit + blazer from Favorite Daughter and Michelle in the most whimsical, flowy white dress—such an iconic duo!

An enchanting woodland ceremony in the Quinault Rainforest

We eventually found the perfect location for their ceremony, stopping along this super lush, idyllic green trail that felt so otherworldly. The private, quiet atmosphere was a dream come true for Lydia and Michelle’s ceremony, exchanging their vows beneath the breathtaking canopy with nobody but the birds and the bugs around them to witness. There’s truly nothing like the lush deep greens of the PNW, and I was damn near drooling over the way these two popped right out against the greenery in their white outfits—plus that bold and beautiful bouquet?! It was too much, I swear there was no way I could call this “work.” After they wrapped up their ceremony, we actually found another queer couple who ended up signing the marriage license, which felt so serendipitous!

The dreamiest sunset elopement portraits at Kalaloch beaches

It only felt right to end this magical day with a romantic stroll along the beaches of Kalaloch, first stopping to see the Tree of Life before heading to my favorite secluded beach. There’s something so special and reflective about seeing this massive tree that’s managed to survive against all odds, when you’re standing next to the person you just committed to for the rest of your life <3 Making our way to the beach, we found a cozy little spot up against some rocks for these two to cut their cake from Seatown Sweets, which was beautifully decorated in frosted florals to match their red, orange, and pink bouquet. And as if the evening hadn’t already been stellar enough, we were gifted with the most stunning, soft pink sunset for these newlywed brides to admire—their first as a married couple. It felt so surreal for the sky to show off like this just in time, I’ll never get over the incomparable joy I got to capture between these two as the sky seemed to congratulate them! We had SO much fun running a round Kalaloch Beach the rest of the night, with Lydia and Michelle chasing each other, embracing the waes, giving each other piggy back rides, and climbing up on rocks; they brought the energy every step of the way and it was such a blast. I am endlessly grateful that I got to be the one to adventure with these two fantastic humans, and will never forget our beautiful adventure around the Quinault Rainforest & the breathtaking beaches of Kalaloch!

Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer

I need more couples like Lydia and Michelle in my life who are down to get dirty and embrace the adventure, because what an incredible memory to create as you join your lives together. I’ll never get enough of Olympic National Park and all the natural beauty it has to offer, so I’d be thrilled to photograph your Olympic National Park elopement! Fill out my inquiry form here, and let’s start dreaming up your unique wedding day, friend.

If you’re feeling inspired by Lydia and Michelle’s Olympic National Park adventure elopement, and are considering planning your own PNW adventure, here are a few resources that I think you’ll find helpful!