How to Elope at Ruby Beach (With a Real Elopement Example)

I photograph elopements at Ruby Beach multiple times a year and have been doing so for 7 years. I’ve been here in every season and at every time of day, and honestly, I’m still blown away every time I visit.

Ruby Beach is easily one of the best beaches in the US for an elopement and one of the most popular places to elope in Olympic National Park. It’s super accessible, close to a lot of the best locations in the park, and is exactly what couples are looking for when they picture a PNW elopement. Think foggy, moody, and otherwordly (everything the Pacific Northwest is known for).

If you’re thinking about getting married at Ruby Beach, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. I’ll cover permits, the best time of year to elope here, what crowds are like, and a few other things that are helpful to know while planning.

How to Elope at Ruby Beach (Quick Guide)

If you just want the meat and potatoes, here you go. This is everything you need to know about eloping at Ruby Beach without all the extra fluff. Want to see a real elopement I photographed here? Click here or keep scrolling.

• Best time of year to elope: May-October
• Hiking required: 0.2-mile paved trail (can be steep coming back up)
• Closest town: Forks (45 minutes)
• Crowd level: Busy in summer and around sunsets, quiet during the off-season
• Pet-friendly: Yes (leashed)
• Permit required: Only for groups over 5 people ($50)

Best Time of Year to Elope at Ruby Beach

The best time of year to elope at Ruby Beach is between May and October.

From my experience photographing elopements here in every season, late May and October are my favorite times of year for elopements. This is the perfect time to get really nice weather without all the crowds you’ll find in the summer months.

Here’s a quick seasonal breakdown:

• Spring (March–May): Fewer crowds, but higher chance of rain, usually some fog
• Summer (June–August): Best weather, longest days, most crowds, better sunsets
• Fall (September–October): Good weather, more foggy, not very many crowds
• Winter (November–February): Unpredictable weather, usually rainy, but no crowds

Ruby Beach is open and snow-free year-round, so you really can’t go wrong any time of year. It just depends on the kind of experience you’re looking for. Want sunsets and warm weather? Go for summer. Prefer cooler weather without lots of crowds? Fall is your best friend!

Pro tip: Yes, sunset is an incredible time of day for lighting! At beaches though, it tends to be a bit busier because everyone wants to watch it. Visit at sunrise if you want something a bit more quiet.

Do You Need a Permit to Elope at Ruby Beach?

Yes, but only if you have more than 5 people at your elopement. This includes the two of you plus any vendors like your photographer, officiant, or guests.

If you have fewer than 5 people total, for example just the two of you and your photographer, you won’t need a permit.

How to Apply:

1. Fill out the permit application.
2. Email your completed application to OLYM_Permits@nps.gov.
3. Once approved, you’ll receive a payment link to pay the $50 fee online.
4. After your payment is processed (usually within a few days), the park will email you your approved permit.

I recommend applying for a permit 3 months in advance.

How Many Guests Can You Bring?

While there’s no strict limit on the number of guests you can bring to Ruby Beach, I recommend keeping it under 50.

There’s a lot of space along the shoreline, which makes this one of the few locations in Olympic National Park that can work for slightly larger groups.

That said, I’ve found the sweet spot to be around 20 guests. It keeps things feeling intimate while still being manageable.

Ruby Beach Tide Charts

If you want to get up close to the sea stacks you see in all the photos, visiting Ruby Beach at low tide is a must.

You can still access the beach at high tide, but you won’t be able to walk out to the sea stacks or explore as much of the shoreline.

I recommend checking a site like WillyWeather to see when high and low tide are for your date. As a general rule of thumb, you’ll want to be on the beach about an hour before low tide so you have plenty of time to explore and take photos while the tide continues to go out.

Ruby Beach Parking and Trail Info

Getting to Ruby Beach is relatively straightforward:

• Parking: Large paved lot near the trailhead
• Bathrooms: Available at the trailhead, more like outhouses
• Trail: 0.2-mile paved path down to the beach

A few things to keep in mind:

• The walk down is easy, but the walk back up is a bit steep
• You’ll likely need to climb over driftwood to access the beach
• Wear good shoes as the “sand” at Ruby Beach isn’t really sand at all, but just a lot of rocks

Where to Stay When Eloping at Ruby Beach

Forks

Forks is about 45 minutes from Ruby Beach and the closest town to stay in.

There isn’t a ton to do in town unless you’re a big Twilight fan, but there are plenty of Airbnbs and cabins in the area. Overall, it’s the most convenient and practical place to stay when eloping at Ruby Beach.

Kalaloch Lodge

If you want to stay right on the coast, Kalaloch Lodge is a really popular option.

The cabins aren’t anything fancy, but the location is hard to beat. There’s a restaurant on site, you’re right on the water, and it’s a super easy drive to Ruby Beach. This is also where Logan and Holton stayed during their elopement, which I’m about to share with you so you can get an idea of what it looks like.

Is Ruby Beach Dog Friendly?

Yes! Dogs are allowed, but they do need to stay on a leash at all times.

Real Ruby Beach Elopement

Now that you know how to elope at Ruby Beach, let me show you why you should!

There are so many beautiful beaches for elopements, but if you were to ask me to choose a favorite, it would hands down be Ruby Beach. Between the sea stacks, accessibility, close proximity to other incredible locations, and the fact that it’s dog-friendly, it truly stands out as one of the best places to elope on the Washington coast. I’ve photographed elopements here in every season, and it’s consistently one of the easiest and most rewarding beaches for elopements in the US.

One of the things I love most about eloping at Ruby Beach is how simple the planning an elopement here is. At its core, you really just need a date, a Washington marriage license, and if your group is larger than five people, a special use permit. That’s it. If you want a full breakdown of the process, including permits, weather, and nearby locations, I have an entire guide on how to elope in Olympic National Park.

Logan and Holton traveled all the way from Lexington, Kentucky to say “I do” in Washington. Neither of them had visited the Pacific Northwest before, but it had been on their bucket list for years. As they put it, Holton’s a beach guy, Logan’s a forest girl, and Washington felt like the perfect middle ground. When you choose Olympic, you don’t really have to choose at all. You can have beaches, forests, lakes, and mountains all in one day. For couples who want variety or can’t commit to just one type of landscape, it’s an incredible place to elope.

We started the day at Kalaloch Lodge for a few getting-ready photos before heading into the forest for their ceremony. These two ending up getting married over Labor Day weekend, so my usual go-to trails were super crowded, but luckily I knew a quieter spot where they could exchange vows. If you are considering a forest ceremony like this and want help choosing the right trail and time of day, you can learn more about how to elope in the Hoh Rainforest with my guide.

After the ceremony and a few portraits, we made our way to Ruby Beach for the final part of their day. The moment we stepped out of the car, we were all jaw-on-the-floor surprised. I’ve photographed at Ruby Beach countless times, but the sky that evening was unlike anything I had ever seen before. We spent golden hour walking along the shoreline, taking portraits, and watching the waves roll in. It was the perfect way to end an already incredible day.

• Photography: Me!
• Florist: Belles + Whistles
• Hair and Makeup: Serene Belle Artistry
• Dress: Twirl Boutique
• Catering: Miere Catering

Ruby Beach Elopement Packages

Ruby Beach is an incredible place to elope, but like most locations, it comes with a few moving pieces. Tides, permits, crowds, and timing can all make a huge difference on your day. I’ve photographed Ruby Beach elopements in every season and know how to plan around all of that and more.

I’m Brianna, an elopement photographer who specializes in Olympic National Park. My role goes way beyond just showing up with a camera. I help couples choose the best time of day, find ceremony spots that offer real privacy, navigate permit requirements, and build a timeline that actually works for the area.

If you want a Ruby Beach elopement that feels easy and true to you, my elopement packages are designed to support you through the entire planning process.

• 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 $6,500

And if you’re not sold on Ruby Beach yet, maybe you want to check out one of the many other beaches in the area, like this stunning elopement at Second Beach or maybe even this guide on eloping at Rialto Beach. And if you want something without all the crowds, let me suggest the Quinault area where you have rainforests, beaches, and waterfalls all in one like Steph + Nate had on their elopement day!