Blog
Lake Crescent Spring Engagement
The Olympic National Park is known for its rain — it is the United States’ wettest continental rainforest after all — so it was a delightful surprise when the forecast predicted sunshine for Maggie and Ryan’s engagement shoot. We arrived to see clear skies, a sparkling blue lake, and temps in the 60s! It was a wonderful change from the rainy spring we’ve had in western Washington this year.
Dramatic Olympic Coast Elopement
If you’re familiar with spring in Washington, you’ll probably know we can have some erratic weather. In spring, it can be snowing one day and sunny the next. That’s why I was relieved when Carly and Gavin reached out to me about eloping on the beach in the Olympic National Park and wanted moodier weather. We discussed the possibility of it raining and they were down for the adventure!
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.
Surprise Proposal at Priest Point Park, Olympia
One of the best things about living in the Pacific Northwest is having access to beautiful nature, close to home. We have some of the most beautiful city parks I’ve had the pleasure of exploring, so when Kalya reached out to me about photographing her surprise proposal somewhere close to Olympia, I knew that it would be gorgeous.
Road Tripping to Glacier National Park
Is anyone else feeling antsy from being home during the pandemic for so long!? Zach and I have found the perfect solution for safe and nearly hassle-free travel (no wild airports, extremely long waits for rental cars, etc.!). Road trips! Back in 2020, we road tripped to Moab with Zach’s family, and during the summer of 2021 Zach and I visited Glacier National Park.
Why Can’t I Start Planning My Wedding?
Having trouble getting started with wedding planning? First, I want you to know that you’re not alone. SO many of my couples have confessed to putting off wedding planning for months (or even years), and it’s not because they don’t want to get married, but because the stress of planning, financing, or just being responsible for hosting a wedding is extremely overwhelming.
Lake Cushman Elopement
Just a half-hour before photographing Nicole and Kamal’s newlywed and engagement photos, I was driving through a thick fog in Hoodsport. I was anxious for the rest of the drive — the weather is one of the only things out of my control when it comes to photoshoots, and all three of us were hoping to have gorgeous mountain views for these shots.
Small Wedding Venues in Washington State (updated for 2025)
This is the list you’ve been searching for! Here is a compilation of Washington’s most beautiful and intimate elopement venues, complete with lodging (for you and potential guests), gorgeous scenery for your ceremony, photos, and reception, as well as fun activities nearby.
Thru-hiking the Enchantments
Of the 394,000 acres in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in Washington state, the Enchantments are the crown jewel. Throughout the area, you’ll find jagged mountains, crystal clear lakes, and granite that has been worn smooth by glaciers. It’s common to spot fish jumping, goats climbing, and eagles soaring no matter where you go in the five zones.
Olympic Peninsula Surprise Proposal
When Eric reached out to me about photographing his proposal to Allison one week before their trip to Washington, I was ecstatic — I love photographing proposals! Growing up, he’d spent his summers visiting his grandparents living on the Olympic Peninsula, so he already had plenty of ideas of where to pop the question. He was debating between it happening on the Dungeness Spit or an iconic lavender farm when I told him about my secret gem of a spot. He was immediately sold!
How to Plan a Rock Climbing Elopement
You’re a total badass and want to rock climb on your wedding day? You’ve come to the right place!
After photographing a few different rock-climbing elopements (and many other adventure elopements), I’ve learned a few things along the way. Here’s everything you’ll need to know to make your climbing “I dos” a huge success.
Mount Baker Couples Adventure Session
Not just anyone will wake up in the middle of the night to capture photos at sunrise, but that’s exactly what Priyanka and Akshay wanted.
North Cascades Engagement Session
I love bragging about my couples! Hamsini and Abbhinav were not only smart and fun (she’s a resident at Seattle Children’s and he works in mission control at NASA!), but they’re also some of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of photographing.
Mount Rainier Forest Elopement
Have you ever hiked with someone who has so much joy they can’t help but skip, jump, and twirl up the path? That’s what hiking with Janette is like. As the rest of us walked, Joseph looked on admiringly, explaining that this is how she always hikes.
Mountain Elopement in Washington State
Meeting Erin and Kevin in person for the first time this month felt like meeting an old pen pal. We’ve been planning their elopement since November of 2019, so we’ve gotten to know each other well through the ups and downs of the pandemic. Let’s just say they are the kindest, most patient people ever.
Olympic Peninsula Newlywed Adventure
Alex and Ty chose to have their newlywed photos taken at one of my all-time favorite spots in Washington. I love it because it’s not only gorgeous, but it has so much variety within a short distance.
Camping in the Alvord Desert — A Southeast Oregon Road Trip
The Alvord Desert might just be Oregon’s best-kept secret. It’s 12 miles of beautiful desert and hot springs overlooked by the Steen Mountains in remote, southeastern Oregon. It’s like the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, but without the crowds. That’s why during the height of the pandemic, Zach and I knew dry camping there would make for the perfect way to celebrate our seventh wedding anniversary.
I Want to Elope. My Partner Doesn’t. What Do We Do?
Enough of the strained wedding planning conversations! It’s totally normal to have differing visions for your wedding day, but it doesn’t have to be one extreme or the other. With a little out-of-the-box thinking, you can have the elopement of your dreams while still giving your partner the wedding details that matter most to them. Below is a step-by-step process to combine your ideals.
How and Why to Marry Yourself — Self-Solemnization
It’s a little-known fact that you can actually marry yourselves without a judge or officiant. Really! That means your wedding could be as simple as picking up a marriage license, going on an adventure, and getting married. It could not be more stress-free!
Adventure Elopement Suits — The Style Guide for Every Body
What’s the difference between a wedding suit and an elopement suit? How you’ll be using it. On an adventure elopement, you could be hiking, jumping, and exploring all day. You’re going to want a suit that is comfortable, moves well, is packable, and will look great amongst the landscape.