Alex + Austin flew across the country just to hold their elopement at one of the most beautiful places in Washington to elope – Olympic National Park. And I’m so glad they did because their Lake Crescent elopement turned out freaking amazing!! Scroll down to see their magical lakeside ceremony + the sweet Airbnb reception they had with their loved ones.
The cute AF story of how they met
If you’re like me you probably love a good love story and hearing about how different couples meet – it’s so fun hearing every couple’s unique journey & how they got to where they’re at now.
Alex told me that she was actually venting to a friend one time about how terrible men are (her words, not mine lol) and that her friend told her he had a friend she should meet. He said they were COMPLETE opposites and that she & he would either love or hate each other.
Luckily, they hit it off right away once he got her number and texted her – and now they’ve been together for 10 years! They love hiking and have been to many national parks together, so they wanted to incorporate that into their elopement day + ended up choosing Olympic National Park as their destination.
Alex + Austin’s Beautiful Elopement at Lake Crescent
A destination wedding at Olympic National Park
Alex + Austin came to Washington allll the way from Kentucky with their closest family and friends for their destination elopement. ONP is one of the most incredible locations you could choose for your PNW elopement, so they made a bomb decision when they landed on this park for their big day.
If you’re lookin’ to get married at Olympic NP too and want to know where exactly you should go for the different parts of your elopement day, check out my article on The Best Places in Olympic National Park for Your Elopement!!
Two first looks in the woods
After getting ready in a cozy cabin in the woods, Alex did not one, but TWO first looks – first with her dad, and then with Austin (she got his attention through a lil’ butt grab which I will always support). Parent-child first looks are so underrated in my opinion, they’re such a wonderful way to create a special moment between you & your mom/dad if you have a close relationship with them!
Portraits near the Marymere Falls trailhead
Once the couple saw each other and took in all the emotions, we headed to a spot on Lake Crescent near the Marymere Falls trailhead (a 1.7-mile trail that takes you to the gorgeous Marymere Falls) for some lakeside wedding portraits. Lake Crescent is a fave of mine because it not only looks magical on sunny days when you can see the crystal clear water but alsoooo on cloudy, overcast days like this one!
With the clouds out, the lake kinda looks like a scene out of Twilight (fitting, since lots of the movie, Twilight, was filmed near the park in Forks, WA) with the super dramatic gray sky & classic PNW moodiness. Alex + Austin didn’t let the clouds bother them and Alex’s warm-toned florals looked kickass in front of the moody earth tones behind them!!
Lake Crescent ceremony at Bovee’s Meadow
After exploring that area, for their ceremony, we went to Bovee’s Meadow, a spot on the lake that’s perfect for an intimate wedding ceremony. Their friends and family were seated in a crescent moon shape around them so they could all see the couple, and also how cute & symbolic is that of Lake Crescent!
The forest-filled mountains reflected sooo beautifully in the water behind them despite the ripples in the lake, and the ceremony was so simple and lovely with their loved ones watching them. Alex definitely cried when Austin read his vows, and it was so cute that they had their siblings be their maid of honor & best man standing beside them!!
Dinner + toasts at their Airbnb
Once they’d made things official we headed to an Airbnb and had a beautiful dinner under a ton of string lights. They had the best time celebrating with all of their friends and family, and every single person at that dinner gave a toast, no joke. A + A took off their shoes after toasts wrapped up and waded into the river for a few more photos, then ate from their yummy floral-decorated cake. Celebrating at an Airbnb is the perfect way to end a magical elopement day, whether you want to have private time or invite your loved ones!
If you’re considering eloping at an Airbnb or having a part of your elopement day at one, check out my blog post on The 5 Best Airbnb’s in Washington State for Airbnb Elopements!
Olympic National Park elopement vendors
Shoutout to all of Alex + Austin’s bomb vendors for making this day happen!!
Planners: Tapestry Event Co.
Stationary/Gifts: Oh Hey Face
Rentals: Olympic Farm Style Events
Florals: Annie’s Flower Farm
Catering: Nourish Sequim
Dress: Watters from Luxe Redux Bridal
Officiant: Happy Heart Ceremonies
Olympic National Park Elopement Resources + Inspiration
For more ONP elopement planning tips & info, plus lotsss of real-life inspiration, head to the blog or take a look at a few of my fave posts below!
There is no place like Olympic national park, especially for an elopement! Lake Crescent shines so beautifully through your lens, and these two seem to have had such an amazing day!
So stunning! Washington is so gorgeous and you did a great job capturing this wedding. So intimate and perfect!
Beautiful wedding day on a breathtaking location. You captured their happines and joy so well.
What beautiful photos! I especially love the detailed shots. Seems like a gorgeous day all around!
What a gorgeous Lake Crescent elopement! It looks like they had such a wonderful day and you photographed it beautifully!
What a beautiful day and the way you documented it made me feel like I was there! Such a breathtaking view to get married at.
UGH I absolutely LOVE Lake Crescent, these photos are so beautiful! Love her butt grab at the first look lol!
Great storytelling of their day. The location is dream-like. Everything is stunning!!! I’ve never been to Lake Crescent but I’m putting it on my list to visit now.
These images are beautiful making me miss the mountains
[…] have sooo many Lake Crescent elopement galleries I could share but I’ll give you Alex + Austin’s to check out […]