Lake Quinault Elopement
Sarah and Adam’s goal was to keep their elopement as stress-free and simple as possible. This might sound easy, but the more vendors you add and the more guests you invite, the more complicated everything gets.
They were true to their vision though. I was the only other person included in their day and it was the most spontaneous elopement I’ve photographed yet!
We met up in the Olympic National Park at the Lake Quinault Lodge where they were staying. After filling out the legal paperwork (I’m ordained!) and finding two ecstatic witnesses to sign, we headed outside to wander, take photos, and say their vows by self-solminization.
It was such a beautiful day — I’d nearly counted on rain, so it was a shock that there wasn’t a drop forecasted. We took a few shots with the lodge since it’s so gorgeous and then wandered through the forests nearby. They wanted to have their ceremony at the lake, so I led them to the most amazing spot. Not only was it lakeside, but it was so private, had more mountain views than the lodge did, and it sounded amazing — we were right next to a creek that fed into the lake.
They said their vows with the snowcapped Olympic Mountains in the background and shared lots of laughs and a few tears. Afterward, they goofed around while I took photos, and we made our way back to the lodge.
On the walk back, Sarah was telling me about how she had thought to do everything from putting a sixpence in her shoe to wearing something new and something blue. She’d thought to do everything but find something borrowed and was a little disappointed to have left that tradition out.
However, right as she was telling me this, she was wearing an extra pair of gloves I had in my camera bag, and I told her such. Having serendipitously found her “something borrowed” item made the day even more perfect for her!
Once back at the lodge, we hopped in our cars to drive to a nearby waterfall, passing by a herd of elk on the way. When we got to the falls, Adam and Sarah were already scrambling up the waterfall before I could even get out of my car! I’ve wanted to take photos at this waterfall ever since I first saw it, so I loved every second we spent here.
Then we decided to explore one more waterfall. This one I’d only driven past, but they were game to see what we could find. I’m so glad too because the shots we got here are my favorite of the whole day.
All in all, this was such a beautiful and fun day! We all agreed that we need to hike together soon, and I left them to enjoy the rest of their day having made two new friends. Congrats again, Sarah and Adam!
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