There are so many beautiful beaches in Olympic National Park—and even more across the Pacific Northwest—but if you were to ask me for my favorite, it would hands down be Ruby Beach. It’s easy to see why. The towering sea stacks, the beach’s accessibility, its proximity to other breathtaking spots, and of course, the fact that it’s dog-friendly all make it a standout.
Eloping at Ruby Beach is easier than you might think. All you need to do (truly) is choose a date, get a permit, and get a marriage license. Lucky for you, I have an entire guide about how to do just that! I always recommend eloping at Ruby Beach in the fall, winter, or early spring. The weather will most likely be rainy and overcast (which is actually perfect for photos), and you might even have the whole beach to yourself! In the summer, it can get pretty busy with tourists from sunrise to sunset. That being said though, summer does offer some incredible sunsets, like the one you’ll see in Logan and Holton’s elopement.
Logan and Holton traveled all the way from Lexington, Kentucky, to say “I do” in Olympic National Park. Neither of them had been to the Pacific Northwest before, but it had always been on their bucket list. What better reason to visit than for your wedding? As they put it: “Holton is a beach guy, I’m a mountain girl, and we both just agreed the Washington/Oregon area felt right.” And when you combine a beach with mountains, forests, lakes, and waterfalls (you get the picture), you get one of America’s most diverse national parks. So if you’re an indecisive couple or simply want to see a ton of different landscapes during your trip, boy do I have the wedding venue for you.
I met up with the couple at their beachside hotel to grab a few getting-ready shots before we headed over to the Hoh Rainforest. It was a busy weekend (holiday weekend), so some of the popular spots were a bit packed, but I knew of a quiet trail where they could exchange vows. After the ceremony and portraits, we headed straight to where the real magic happens: Ruby Beach.
The moment we stepped out of the car, we were all in awe. I’ve been to Ruby Beach countless times, but I had never seen the sky look like that before. The light was just perfect. We made our way down to the beach and spent the golden hour taking portraits, watching the waves, and spending time together. It was truly the perfect ending to an incredible day.
This Ruby Beach elopement will definitely be one I’ll always remember. The rocks, the light, the smiles—it was all just perfect. I can’t wait for you to see it.
Ruby Beach Elopement Information
- BEST TIME OF YEAR TO ELOPE: June through October. However, Ruby Beach is snow-free year-round and is genuinely beautiful no matter the time of year you visit.
- HIKING REQUIRED: Sort of. It’s 0.2 miles down to the beach. It’s a paved trail, but it’s steep on the way back up.
- CLOSEST TOWN: Forks (45 minutes).
- CROWD LEVEL: Fairly busy all-day at least in the summer months. Every other season, it’s less populated.
- PET-FRIENDLY: Yes.
- PERMIT REQUIRED: Yes, a $50 permit is required if you have more than 5 people at your elopement (this includes the couple, photographer, etc.). No permit is needed for groups of fewer than 5.
Without further adieu, let’s dive into this gorgeous Ruby Beach elopement!
- Photography: Me!
- Florist: Belles + Whistles
- Hair and Makeup: Serene Belle Artistry
- Dress: Twirl Boutique
- Catering: Miere Catering
Ruby Beach Elopement Packages
Ruby Beach is a pretty epic place, huh? I’m Brianna. I’m a Pacific Northwest elopement photographer who specializing in Olympic National Park specifically. I’m here to help you through every step of the planning process. Need crowd-free location recommendations? Check. Confused about how to get a permit? Let me handle it. Want a detailed timeline? That’s what I’m here for. Check out my elopement packages below to see how I can help plan and photograph your elopement.
- 4 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage anywhere in Washington
- A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
- Personalized elopement location recommendations
- Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
- Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
- 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
- Customized elopement timelines
- Optional complimentary officiant services
- Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
- 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
- Travel fees to anywhere in Washington are already included
- Starting at $8,000
Don’t forget your FREE elopement guide!
An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.
You? You’re the kind of person that gets a lil’ teary eyed looking at an epic view…
That moment when you turn to the person you’re with and ask, “Are you seeing this?” I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, “I can’t believe this place exists,” I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.
These places have always felt like home to me. And if you’re the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then we’ll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.
If the mountains/beaches/redwood forests are calling your name, go ahead…
(I promise you won’t regret it.)
P.S. I’m Brianna. My mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.
