The name “Storm King” sure sounds daunting, but Andrea + Matthew’s elopement was anything but! I may have been racing to keep up with them as we climbed the side of this mountain, but it was so worth the huffing and puffing once we got up to the top, and reached the incredible views. Everything about this Mount Storm King elopement, from the first look at Lake Crescent, to the bridal portraits at Marymere Falls, to the picnic and games on the mountaintop, was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

Andrea + Matthew’s Epic Mount Storm King Elopement

Getting ready at a cozy Airbnb near Olympic National Park

When you’re eloping in Olympic National Park, there’s no better way to spend the morning of your elopement than in a cute n’ cozy Airbnb in a gorgeous location. Andrea and Matthew got ready in the cabin they’d rented right on Lake Crescent, getting into their elopement attire and stepping into their best pairs of hiking boots. I was in love with Andrea’s strapless, floral-covered dress, and the beautiful flowers she had weaved into her hairdo! Unreallll. Their color scheme was so pretty and vibrant, perfect for summer, and Matthew’s olive green suit + pink tie went so well with the mountains and trees in the background.

Wanna check out some of my fave Airbnb wedding venues throughout Washington State? Here you go!

A first look on the dock at Lake Crescent

You can’t really beat Lake Crescent when you’re picking a place to have your first look! Especially when your Airbnb is so close by and it barely takes any effort to get there, haha. Trust me, we were saving our effort for the hike that we’d be doing later in the day! Andrea walked over to a dock out on the water where Matthew was waiting, and they shared an adorable moment among the choppy waves and cloudy skies. Matthew definitely had her turn around a few times so he could see the full look, his excitement was so pure and sweet to witness!

Private vows + letters in an enchanted forest

The forested shores of Lake Crescent are absolutely gorgeous and definitely worth exploring, especially if you can’t make it to the Hoh during your time in ONP! We ventured into the trees as the morning sunlight shone through the mossy branches, giving us the most gorgeous summer glow that lit up the greenery all around us. Before exchanging their vows, Andrea and Matthew found a log to sit on and pulled out a couple of letters their loved ones had written them. I may or may not have been tearing up behind the camera as soon as I saw these two getting emotional! Letter-reading is definitely one of the best ways to feel love from your family & friends if you don’t invite them to your elopement.

After this sentimental time together, we moved onto another tear-jerker of a moment as these two exchanged their vows. The weather was gorgeous, the sun was shining down on them, and they had the area all to themselves—perfect for a quiet and intimate forest elopement ceremony!

Dreamy waterfall elopement portraits at Marymere Falls

Of course we had to make a quick stop at Marymere Falls, since it was on the way to the trail we were about to hike. It’s such a gorgeous waterfall right off the shores of Lake Crescent, and it’s super easy to access! The vibrant green moss and lush trees make it feel like it’s straight out of a fairytale, especially when the falls are at their most intense flow after spring rain.

Does chasing waterfalls feel like something you want to do for your elopement? Here are 12 of the Best Waterfall Elopement Locations in the PNW that I recommend!

Champagne + charcuterie at the top of Mount Storm King

Let me tell you something, the Mount Storm King hike is NOT for the faint of heart! Don’t be fooled by the short 2-mile distance up to the summit. . . you gain over 2,000 feet of elevation over those 2 miles, and it gets a little precarious at the top with ropes + scrambles. Andrea and Matthew handled the challenge like CHAMPS, though, and I honestly felt like I was racing to keep up with them the whole way! They must have had an extra adrenaline boost from being freshly married, haha. Oh, and on the way there we ran into a couple hikers who we had sign as their ceremony witnesses.

Once we made it to the top, we were gifted with the most glorious sunset and views we could’ve asked for. The sun was glowing orange, giving the mountains and lake the most gorgeous, warm tint. It was worth every step, switchback, and scramble we’d had to get through on the way up! Not only did we get to enjoy the views, Andrea and Matthew brought along a romantic little champagne + charcuterie elopement picnic that they set up on the rocks. 

Probably my favorite part of this mountaintop picnic was the personalized NYT games they brought—literally a custom Wordle AND Connections that they had made for each other! The freaking cutest! Little activities and personalized details like this are truly what make your elopement completely unique to you. Here are 15 other adventure elopement activity ideas to give you some inspo!

Mount Storm King Elopement Photographer

Hi, I’m Bree! Your friendly PNW elopement photographer who’s always down to hike 2 miles and up 2,000 feet to help you set up the dreamiest sunset picnic of your lives after you tie the knot.

Whether you wanna hike a crazy trail like this one for your elopement, or you’d rather drive up to a pretty place, I’m the gal who you want there to capture it all! Let’s get to know each other a little more so you don’t feel like you’re just meeting up with a total stranger in the woods (lol). 

And if you feel like we’re the right fit for your elopement (no matter if you want to go to Mount Storm King, Mount Rainier, or any other epic destination in the PNW), get in touch here + give me all the deetz 🎉

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Check out these other incredible trails in WA that would be perfect for a hiking elopement as epic as this one! 

Orrr if you want a location that’s more accessible (but still stunning), take a look at these instead.