Considering Second Beach is one of the best places for tide pooling in the park, one of the few beaches that allows bonfires, and is lesser known than other popular beaches, you would think it would be an elopement hotspot. However, it’s not. And honestly, I want to change that.
If you’re anything like me, you grew up obsessed with the Twilight series. “La Push, baby. It’s La Push.” Second Beach is one of the three beaches in the La Push area, and is by far the best option. So when Scott and Chloe reached out about wanting to elope on Second Beach, I was immediately all in.
Even better, they wanted to elope in just two months’ time.
Scott and Chloe were big on keeping their day as crowd-free as possible. They loved the look of the Hoh Rainforest for a ceremony but weren’t too keen on the crowds. When I suggested one of my hidden gem forest locations in the park instead, it was an immediate “yes, let’s do it.”
I first met up with them at their Airbnb in Forks for a few getting-ready photos and a first look before we headed into the forest. This seems to always happen, but you guessed it, we were the only people there. Not a coincidence, by the way. This is what happens when you work with someone who knows the area inside and out.
After a heartfelt ceremony and a few portraits, we made our way to the star of the day: Second Beach.
Second Beach requires a short hike to reach, and the walk down is incredible. You pass through a huge, mossy forest while hearing nothing but birds and the distant sound of the Pacific Ocean. Once you step onto the sand, it is genuinely breathtaking. Photos never do locations like this justice, but when it comes to Second Beach, they do absolutely none. The sea stacks are massive, the light rays that shine through the natural arch feel almost unreal, and if you visit at low tide like we did, the marine life is incredible to explore.
We also got incredibly lucky with the lighting that evening. You can see from the photos just how beautiful the sunset was.
The best part about this day was how fun and stress-free it felt from start to finish. From a quiet forest ceremony to golden hour on the coast, Scott and Chloe’s elopement was a perfect reminder of why I love helping couples plan intentional, experience-focused days in Olympic.
Like what you see so far? Learn how to elope in Olympic National Park with my complete planning guide.
Mini Second Beach Elopement Guide
- Best time of year to elope: June-October. However, I recommend June for amazing weather and lighting. The fall season is also incredible for this. Burn bans are common in the summer.
- Hiking required: Yes. Second Beach requires a 2.2-mile round-trip hike. The walk down is very manageable, but the hike back up includes stairs and elevation gain. This trail is not ideal for older guests or anyone with mobility concerns.
- Closest town: Forks, a 20-minute drive.
- Crowd level: Moderate. It can get busy in the summer, but other times of the year you’ll have entire sections of the beach to yourself.
- Pet-friendly: No.
- Permit required: A $50 special use permit is required if you have five or more people present, including vendors. No permit is needed for groups of fewer than five.
- Important information: The parking lot is small and can only accommodate around 10 cars. Be sure to plan your elopement here during low tide if you want to walk out to sea stacks or check out the tide pools!
Second Beach Elopement Packages
Whether it’s the tide pools, bonfires, or scenery that’s sold you on Second Beach, I would love to help you turn that vision into a reality. My name is Brianna, and I plan and photograph elopements throughout the Olympic region. I’ve been photographing elopements in the park for 7 years and am here to help suggest the best hidden gem locations, build a timeline, fill out permit applications, and more. Check out my elopement packages page here or take a look below to see how I can help make your Second Beach elopement dreams come true!
- 4 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage anywhere in Olympic
- 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
- Complimentary album design
- 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
- Travel fees to anywhere in Washington are already included
- Starting at $6,500
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. I’m a Pacific Northwest elopement photographer whose 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.
