Magical May Elopement in Olympic National Park
Under near constant cover of clouds and rain… wait, that’s not right. At least, it wasn’t when Brooke and Derek said their vows on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. If I could conjur up the perfect weather, it would have been this day. The Hoh Rainforest and Rialto Beach were really showing off for this couple as they said, “I do” in front of their closest family and friends.
Scroll to watch this day unfold…
Digging the resources? You ain’t seen nothing yet…
Let’s create a day for you that’s wild, bold, and full of fun in a dramatic landscape!
sam@samstarns.com @samstarns
Brooke’s a fan of Twilight, and both Brooke and Derek feel connected to nature.
We love the outdoors and we are both somewhat “shy” so the idea of standing in front of a whole room of people doing the ceremony was not really our vibes! We also love how natural, organic, and somehow more “carefree” eloping seems/is over “traditional” weddings.
First Look
B&D wanted to take advantage of as many locations as possible, so they opted to forego getting ready images. This allowed them to mitigate the amount of driving it can take to get from A to B on the Olympic Peninsula!
Near a rushing turquoise river teeming with salmon, Brooke revealed her dress for the first time.
Hoh Rainforest
The location Brooke was most excited to experience during their elopement was the Hoh Rainforest, and boy did it deliver. We visited later in the day to avoid crowds and managed to explore one of the more popular trails with few other visitors. After a picnic lunch, we ventured into the forest.
As we meandered the trails, admiring the moss dripping from the lush canopy, Brooke and Derek were totally immersed in the magic of their surroundings – pointing out interesting trees and animals to each other.
Rialto Beach & Ceremony
Time for the big moment. We emerged from Hoh and headed to La Push and Rialto Beach to meet Brooke and Derek’s family for their sunset ceremony. After a brief touch-up by their elopement hair and makeup specialist, Meaghan Whalen (you’ll discover she’s in high demand!), we walked out as a group to select the ceremony spot together.
Short and sweet – that was how Brooke and Derek described their ideal ceremony. Altogether, it lasted barely more than 5 minutes, with repeat-after-me vows, and we were celebrating, taking group photos, and their family making runs into the chilly Pacific Ocean.
Their final moments of the day were filled with reading personal vows to each other nestled into a massive driftwood log jam, playing tag along the edge of the shore, and marveling in the sea stacks out at sea, with lanterns to give them a little extra light as the sun faded into night.
Vendors
MAKEUP/HAIR: Black Fern Beauty Co
OFFICIANT: Northwind Nuptials
GOWN: Schaffers
SUIT: Men’s Wearhouse
If you’re dreaming of a day like this, full of intention and connection with a splash of “epic” thrown in, reach out, and let’s co-create an adventure together reflective of YOU…