Moody Hurricane Ridge lopement with Family and Friends

Hurricane Ridge Elopement | Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer | Intimate and safe wedding during COVID

Hurricane Ridge Elopement in the Fall with earthy color palette

Hurricane Ridge: The Best Mountain Location To Elope In The Olympic National Park

The Olympic National Park is one of the most beautiful places to elope in Washington State and it has such a diverse range of scenery. Whether you are looking for coastal or mountain-top views, or even a private, wooded backdrop, the Olympic National Park has it all.

If you don’t believe me, check out my blog post on How To Elope in Olympic National Park for even more info on other beautiful locations.

Hurricane Ridge is the most easily accessed mountain area within Olympic National Park. I do personally believe that it is one of the easiest mountain locations in Washington. Only about 17 miles south of Port Angeles, Hurricane Ridge Road would take you all the way to the Visitor Center where you would not only get to witness how beautiful the Olympic mountains are but also get to hang out with some cute deers. In clear weather, fantastic views can be enjoyed throughout the year. When it’s moody and foggy, this place is truly a Twilight elopement dream come true.

How The Couple End Up Choosing an Earthy Fall Hurricane Ridge Elopement

When Michelle and Spencer first inquired, the couple knew they wanted to elope in the Olympic National Park & Forest, but they didn’t have a specific location in mind. After our first initial phone call, we ended up with Plan A, B, and C just like many other couples I work with. On top of Hurricane Ridge, I also provided some of my secret locations I found over the years.

With COVID, the park remained closed for a while which made location scouting a bit harder for everyone.

Michelle and Spencer made multiple trips out to the park and of course with shutdowns and delay in re-opening, the couple ran into multiple obstacles.

One thing I do love the most about Michelle and Spencer is the fact that they didn’t let that get into their head or how they are going to get married. I often checked in with the couple prior to their wedding date and every time I do so, I can feel their excitement, their positive energy, their trust in what I can do for them despite so many unknowns.

As an elopement photographer, my couples often rely on me for not only beautiful locations for their adventure elopement but also vendors who can bring their vision to life. This is where the magic happened for Michelle and Spencer. I referred Rusted Vase Co to the couple and they had her create her masterpiece on these earthy fall color flowers and design.

How To Navigate A Wedding During COVID and Hold A Safe, Intimate Wedding Day With Family And Friends

There is no doubt that weddings this past year looked different than we all expected. The pandemic hit and many of my couples had to pivot and adjust their plans, sometimes multiple times. But just because circumstances changed doesn’t mean that your wedding day has to be canceled. You can still have a beautiful wedding and create an experience that is memorable for you and your spouse. A couple of tips below on how to hold a safe intimate wedding or reception.

Check the state guidelines where you are planning to get married, especially if you will be traveling from out of state. Some states require you to quarantine upon arrival and may have different requirements for how many people can be gathered together.

Talk to your vendors. By now, most vendors have likely learned how to navigate many different scenarios and will have several tips and ideas to help you plan for your special day.

Remember, you are not alone. You don’t have to cancel your wedding day. While COVID may have changed the way you thought your wedding would look like, it can also remind us to remember what is the most important and that is you and your partner creating a day that is memorable and celebrates your love for each other.

Click here for more tips on How To Get Married During The Coronavirus Pandemic

Foggy moody PNW elopement at Hurricane Ridge Olympic National Park

The Perfect Foggy Weather For The Perfect Hurricane Ridge Elopement

The day I photographed their engagement photos, it started snowing out of nowhere. The couple texted me and said “Fuck it. Let’s do it”. The week leading to their elopement, Washington was on fire and they are still super chill. Then the day of their elopement, the fog rolled in so thick and the temperature dropped so quickly and they still didn’t give a damn.

Life is a series of unexpected events and how we view them show who we are as humans and I aim to be carefree and loving like these gorgeous humans.

Henry went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our day was stress free and enjoyable.

Absolutely zero regrets hiring Henry for our wedding day + engagement photos. He went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure our day was stress free and enjoyable. In the process of hiring him, we’ve made a life long friend and you can’t put a price on that feeling. We can’t wait until we start expanding our family to hire him again! 12/10 would recommend.

Michelle & Spencer

Hurricane Ridge elopement