Intimate Fall Wedding at Lake Crescent, Olympic National park
With so many amazing landscapes to choose from, deciding where to elope to is no easy choice. Do you go for sand between your toes and a sea breeze at the beach, the earthy smell of moss-covered trees in the forest or a never-ending view of endless mountain layers? What if we tell you that you don’t have to decide at all?
Although William and Kate had quite a similar vision for their elopement, William had a strong preference for an arborous area (makes sense considering he is an arborist) while Kate really wanted to elope in the mountains. Luckily for them, and for you if you’re having a hard time deciding on the backdrop for your wedding day, Olympic National Park has it all.
Why Olympic National Park is the Perfect Location for Your Intimate Wedding
The close to a million acres that constitute Olympic National Park is home to several very different ecosystems. A temperate rainforest, rugged coastlines, stunning lakes, and glacier-capped mountains, all in one Park. Even within one ecosystem you get a wide variety of all the beauty that nature has to offer. William and Kate’s gallery shows that you can have it all.
Here are some of our favorite areas you definitely should explore when visiting Olympic National Park:
William & Kate’s perfect fall wedding day in the Olympics
The couple wanted to do their first look during sunrise, so we got up before dawn to catch the first light. Who needs sleep anyway right? ;) The car proved to be a decent dressing room, and as William and Kate got ready we shot some photos. The hour before dawn is also known as blue hour. Looking at the pictures it is clear why! Slowly, the sky started turning a brighter shade of blue and we knew it was time to get going. After the first look, we hiked up the mountain to catch the sunrise. Hiking uphill is always better when you get rewarded with a beautiful view and we did not get disappointed. On top of the mountain, in the warm light of the early sun rays, the couple cuddled up and enjoyed the sunrise.
William and Kate love to hike together so what better way to walk into married life than to hike to a stunning waterfall? The couple hiked the trail in their wedding attire and we arrived at the location without getting too worn out. Due to its easy access, the waterfall is a popular destination. So if you want to have the view for yourself we recommend you go early.
Following the waterfall hike, we took a short drive (1 minute to be exact) to the ceremony location at Lake Crescent. In the presence of close family and friends William and Kate officially became husband and wife. The lake was not the only water glistening in the sunlight; a few (happy) tears were shed. After the intimate ceremony, us and the couple withdrew from the group to take some more couple photos in the forest adjoining the lake. In the meantime, William’s dad made sure the barbecue was hot and ready to go. With our cameras in our hands and a happy couple by our side, we made our way back to the Airbnb to join the rest of the party. There everyone enjoyed a delicious meal, cooked by William’s dad, and celebrated the happy couple. The reception marked the end of our day. It was time for us to leave the party and make our way back home, tired but very excited about all the special moments we captured!
Vendors:
Dess: @annelisebridal @allurebridals
Suit: @etsy
Hair & makeup: @latecia.artistry
Officiant: @northwindnuptials
Rings: @oliveavejewelry & @etsy
Airbnb: @olympicnationalpark_thompsonpt
Cake: @middlenamebaking.co
Rentals: @kimscreationsandtulleshed
Sign: TimberAndStain @etsy
Meet your Olympic National Park Elopement and Intimate Wedding photographers
We are adventure junkies who LOVE to help couples like you to get married in a unique and authentic way. 30% of the time we are running wild with outdoorsy couples like yourself and the other 70% is us in the studio crafting fun, adventurous, and intentional elopement experiences. Whether this is somewhere in the rugged Pacific Northwest mountains or across the ocean, we are here to guide you to the most epic spots and help you plan your dream day because we truly believe that you deserve a stress-free, in the moment, “just us” wedding experience, which reflects 100% who you are as a couple.
So let’s start planning your adventure of a lifetime!