There’s something especially sweet about an elopement that includes your little one. It’s not just two people getting married, but a whole family getting to share in the experience. And when you throw in a rainy forest ceremony, a beautiful mountain lake, and a sunset adventure along the Washington coast, you’ve got a pretty incredible wedding day. Katie and Nick traveled to Olympic National Park for their elopement in 2024, bringing along their adorable daughter and a close friend to celebrate with them. Their day was a perfect example of how you can keep your wedding small and meaningful while still filling it with adventure.
WEDDING TEAM
Hair & Makeup: Liz Kellerman
Lodging: Spacious Farmhouse
Florals: A&E Florals
Locations: Olympic National Park
A First Look in the Apple Orchard
We started the day at their Airbnb, where Katie and Nick finished getting ready before heading outside for their first look among the apple trees. It was such a beautiful, quiet way to begin the day, with a little time to see each other, exchange gifts, and soak in the excitement before heading out into Olympic National Park. I love when couples make space for these slower moments at the beginning of their elopement. There’s no need to rush straight into the ceremony or start racing between locations. The morning can be just as much a part of the experience as everything that comes afterward.
A Rainy Forest Ceremony With Their Daughter
From the Airbnb, we headed into the forest for their ceremony. They chose a beautiful spot along a trail, surrounded by towering trees and all that incredible Olympic greenery, with just their daughter and a good friend there to witness the moment. And yes, it rained! But honestly, the rain felt like such a natural part of their day. The forest was lush and green, the light was soft, and everything had that wonderful misty Pacific Northwest atmosphere. Katie and Nick embraced it completely, and I brought along my clear umbrellas, which ended up making for some of the sweetest photos. What I loved most was how personal the ceremony felt. Their daughter was right there with them, getting to be part of this important moment in their family’s story. It was intimate, relaxed, and exactly the kind of experience that makes a small wedding so special.
A Little Sunshine at Lake Crescent
After the ceremony, we headed to Lake Crescent, and Olympic decided to give us a little break from the rain. The clouds stuck around, but the weather cleared enough for us to spend some time strolling along the lakeshore. Katie and Nick called family members to share the exciting news, and we took a few photos beside the water with the mountains rising above the lake. This is one of my favorite things about planning an elopement with multiple locations in Olympic National Park. The weather can be completely different from one part of the park to another, and sometimes a change of scenery brings a change in conditions, too. It also gave Katie and Nick a chance to slow down after the ceremony, connect with loved ones, and enjoy a little time together before our final adventure.
A Coastal Picnic & Beach Adventure at Rialto Beach
Our last stop was Rialto Beach, where Katie and Nick had planned a small picnic to celebrate. After spending the first part of the day surrounded by forests and mountains, ending at the coast felt like stepping into an entirely different world. We enjoyed some time on the beach before heading out for a hike along the shoreline. With their daughter along for the adventure, we explored the rocky coast and incredible sea stacks, stopping for photos and taking in the views as the afternoon turned into evening. The rain had completely moved on by this point, leaving us with cloudy skies and that beautiful, soft coastal light. We kept exploring until there was hardly any daylight left. It was such a fun way to finish their elopement, and I loved that their daughter got to experience all of it alongside them.
Can You Elope in Olympic National Park With Your Kids?
Absolutely! And Katie and Nick’s day is such a great example of how wonderful a family elopement can be. There’s a common misconception that eloping means leaving everyone behind, but your wedding can be as intimate or inclusive as you want it to be. For some couples, that means exchanging vows with just the two of them. For others, it means bringing their children, a few close friends, or their immediate family. The key is planning an experience that works for everyone involved. When kids are coming along, I like to think about things like manageable hiking distances, time for snacks and breaks, and choosing locations where they can have fun exploring, too. You can absolutely have an adventurous Olympic National Park elopement without turning it into an exhausting day for your little ones. Sometimes the best moments happen when you give them room to be kids and let the day unfold naturally.
Planning for Rain on Your Olympic National Park Elopement
Katie and Nick’s day is also a great reminder that rain doesn’t have to ruin your wedding plans. In fact, some of my favorite elopement photos happen on rainy days. Olympic National Park is known for its unpredictable weather, and conditions can change dramatically throughout the day or between locations. On this particular day, we started with rain in the forest, enjoyed a dry afternoon at Lake Crescent, and finished with cloudy skies along the coast. Having rain jackets (I supply the clear umbrellas!), appropriate shoes, and a flexible timeline makes a huge difference. More importantly, going into the day knowing that a little rain might be part of the adventure helps you enjoy the experience rather than worrying about the forecast. And if you ask me, there’s something pretty magical about exchanging vows in a rain-soaked Olympic forest.
Your Olympic National Park Elopement Can Look Like This, Too
One of the things I loved most about Katie and Nick’s elopement was how much variety they fit into their day without losing the relaxed, personal feeling they wanted. They started with a quiet first look in an apple orchard, exchanged vows surrounded by forest, celebrated beside Lake Crescent, and finished with a picnic and beach adventure on the wild Washington coast. And they got to share the whole experience with their daughter. If you’re dreaming of an Olympic National Park elopement but aren’t sure how to include your children, choose locations, or plan around unpredictable weather, I’d love to help. As a local Olympic National Park elopement photographer, I help couples create days that are adventurous, meaningful, and completely their own. Whether your dream day includes a big hike, a relaxed picnic, or a little bit of everything, there’s a way to make it happen.