Winter Olympic National Park Elopement
Frank + Jesus
The Couple and Their Decision to Plan an Elopement in Olympic National Park
When I first got in contact with Frank and Jesus, they were wanting to elope somewhere in Washington. They had recently moved to Seattle only a few months earlier from New York City and had absolutely fallen in love with the nature, which made it the perfect backdrop for their wedding.
It was also a big priority for Frank + Jesus to get married SOON—i.e. within a few months—which landed us in the middle of winter in Washington. This limited our options a bit as many mountainous roads close due to snowfall during the winter time. Initially, Frank and Jesus were debating between a winter wonderland experience in Leavenworth or a moody twilightesque Olympic National Park weekend.
Ultimately, we decided that Olympic National Park was the best fit for them as there were TONS of accessible locations near the coast and they wouldn’t need to stress about highway closures or snowstorms. We went in just preparing for a very rainy day, making for some really moody Washington scenery.
From an Intimate Airbnb Cabin Ceremony to Exploring Olympic National Park, This is How Frank & Jesus Planned Their Elopement
We started off Frank + Jesus’s elopement day at a large cabin they rented right in the heart of Olympic National Park. It was a huge priority of theirs to book a really unique and stunning Airbnb to stay in & they found exactly that. This Airbnb had views of the mountains, its own private lake, a hot tub, decorated as the cutest little red cabin, and was nestled in the cutest little forest area.
Despite planning for a really rainy and dreary day, we were greeted with warm 50 degree weather and sunshine during January in the wettest place in the US.
The morning consisted of Frank and Jesus helping each other get ready as all their closest friends started to arrive to the cabin for the day of activities. Once they were all ready and everyone had arrived, they opted to have a private ceremony on the dock of the lake in the backyard.
After the ceremony, we took some group pics, grabbed some breakfast, and celebrated with some champagne! Then, we had everyone gather their things, change into some hiking attire, and head into Olympic National Park for some afternoon exploration!
As a group, we all hiked back to Marymere Falls just behind Lake Crescent and of course, explored the lakeshore while we were there! Frank and Jesus shared a little sandwich picnic at the viewpoint of the waterfall—something they often do when exploring the nature in Washington together.
After exploring around the area to their hearts’ content, we said goodbye to Frank + Jesus’s friends (momentarily) while Frank and Jesus went to explore Ruby Beach and watch the sunset. They also found a little secret cove among the sea stacks and shared a first dance to one of their favorite songs together. It was the most magical little evening.
Once the sun was starting to fade and everything turned to black, we drove back to the cabin Frank + Jesus rented out where Jesus shared his love language of cooking tacos with everyone. He chef’d up some AMAZING tacos (I’m not kidding, I still think about them) and we all sat around the dining table talking about the day and laughing. It was the perfect way to wrap up the day.
Sally’s Tips for Planning a Winter Elopement in Olympic National Park:
If you are planning an elopement during winter in Olympic National Park—or really anywhere in the Pacific Northwest—here are my best tips for preparing for the day.
Prepare For Rain + Cold
Olympic National Park is one of the rainiest places in the continental U.S. with winter time being the peak rain season. This means come prepared with some cute clear umbrellas, some rain coats, ponchos, and even cute little rain boots to stay dry and comfortable while you are exploring. While the peninsula is also more temperate than the mountains, temperatures can still range in the 30s-40s during the winter time, so be prepared to have layers, gloves, hats, and some hand/body warmers to keep you warm and comfortable. Despite the weather not being the most ideal during this time, you’ll be greeted with seclusion and the classic moody Washington vibes. For more tips on how to plan for rain on your elopement day, check out this blog post.
Have a Plan B
This is really a suggestion I give for any time of the year! Getting married out in Mother Nature means you’re at her mercy and sometimes your chosen location doesn’t always pan out. This can be especially prevalent during winter months when there are more road closures and heavier rain fall which can erode roads out. Just be ready to pivot and know that your elopement day is going to be amazing no matter what.
Be Flexible
As mentioned above, the weather on your elopement day may not always be sunny and warm and sometimes locations become inaccessible last minute. Do not let that ruin your day! It is truly all part of the adventure and your elopement day will always be special. Go into your elopement day with a ‘go with the flow’ mentality and be ready to be flexible on your plans. Sometimes we might even pivot timeline so that we are missing the worst of the weather & you can explore. Get out there and adventure—this is just part of the experience.
For more information on how to elope in Olympic National Park, check out my full How to Elope in Olympic National Park planning guide.
Vendors
Photography | Sally G Photography
Officiant | Another One Ties the Knot
Florals | Bada Bloom
Suit | Indochino
READY TO START PLANNING YOUR ELOPEMENT? REACH OUT NOW!
Hey, I’m Sally! I’m a destination adventure elopement photographer based in Washington, but traveling worldwide!
