When Nicole and John reached out to me for their Lake Crescent elopement, I knew right away that this was going to be an epic day! They booked my 4-hour mini elopement package, which comes with all my planning magic, from location scouting to timeline building and even a custom location guide tailored to what they want. And can I just say how much I LOVE being part of this journey with my couples?! The only thing I wish we had more of that day was time. 4 hours flew by and I was so sad for the day to end. (Check out this guide to read more about timelines & how your elopement deserves more than a few hours too).

Nicole and John were clear on one thing—they wanted their day to feel authentic and intimate. Originally, they had their hearts set on a sunrise ceremony at Hurricane Ridge, but Olympic National Park had other plans for us! A massive storm rolled in for both days we had set aside, and with Hurricane Ridge totally socked in with clouds and rain, we had to pivot. Luckily, I always buffer time between elopements for just this reason.

That’s when Lake Crescent became our plan B, and actually—it ended up being an even better choice! If we had stuck with the original timeline, a huge chunk of time would’ve been spent just driving, and it might’ve felt more like a photo shoot than an actual experience. Instead, we embraced the moody, mystical vibes of Lake Crescent, which set the perfect tone for their day.

Nicole & John’s Moody Lake Crescent Elopement Day

We started the day before sunrise and captured some moody lantern photos by the lake. The dock near the Lake Crescent Lodge was the perfect spot for those cozy pre-ceremony photos, and the mist over the water just added to the dreamy feel.

Then we walked down to the ceremony spot I had scoped out and picked for them the day before. They had the space completely to themselves. Their vows were so personal and heartfelt that you could just feel the love they have for each other. 

Afterward, we took a leisurely walk through the woods, stopping for photos along the trail and capturing all the beauty the area has to offer. The variety of the landscape you have here, between the lake and lush forest trails, is nothing short of breathtaking! 

Coffee Break and Waterfall Hike

After the ceremony, we headed over to Lake Crescent Lodge to sign their marriage license and grab some coffee. This little detail was so special because Nicole and John had spent many of their early dates bonding over coffee, so it just felt right to weave that into their elopement day. It’s all about the little things that make your day so special and uniquely yours!

Then, we geared up for a short hike to a nearby waterfall. Nicole asked me if it was okay to change into something more casual for the hike. (Spoiler alert: it’s ALWAYS okay to be comfy on your elopement day, and you don’t need my permission for things!) She rocked her “Sunday best” sweatpants, and honestly, it was the perfect vibe to end their day!

Kind Words from the Couple

“Erica was our best decision when it came to creating a seamless and beautifully documented wedding day experience, despite the weather not being as hoped for in the gloomy but magical Olympic National Park (Lake Crescent Lodge!)

Erica’s photos speak for themselves, but what complements those photos and makes it a whole lot easier to look happy;) is the patience, flexibility, and positivity that Erica brought to our wedding experience. While many photographers take great pictures because of their experience and perhaps education, Erica is able to take beautiful pictures because of the experience, education, and HEART you are equipped with.

In making the decision to get married, just the two of us, not having any friends or family in attendance to witness, we knew how crucial documenting the moments for ourselves and for our family would be. While in a traditional wedding, there are dances to arrange, bridal parties to organize, food to cater, etc – most of the time in an elopement setting (or at least ours), all of that doesn’t exist – so the photos of the ceremony are one of the only and considerably the most important decisions for the day. It is a way to demonstrate the love John and I share for one another that we can look back on for the rest of our lives….. 

Otherwise meaning – WOW – Erica is beyond amazing at her job. We planned for a sunrise elopement at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park and really wanted light and bright photos (quite the ambitious goal in the PNW), and Erica helped us pivot to an arguably even more beautiful location where she was able to research and execute on plans to optimize the light and thus the photos!

Erica makes couples feel seen and validated in what they are doing and goes beyond simply providing photos to someone! John and I felt SO seen and heard by Erica. We greatly appreciated her time spent learning what makes us US and so perfectly and subliminally incorporating those elements into the day/photos/overall experience.

Erica, thank you again for documenting and overall enhancing our wedding day experience 🙂 “

Nicole

Planning Your Lake Crescent Elopement

I absolutely LOVE Lake Crescent as an elopement spot! No matter the weather, the lake is stunning and has a variety of backdrops close by. Even though ONP is crazy busy in summer, they chose to elope at sunrise, and we hardly saw anyone until we made our way to the lodge. 

So, if you’re planning to elope during peak season, definitely consider a weekday elopement and sunrise! It’s also very accessible, there is no hiking to get to the lake, which can be good or bad, depending on how much adventuring you’d like to do on your day and whether you’d like to bring a few guests.

If you’d like to go on a longer hike, you can absolutely do that after having the ceremony here, so you can get these views AND the adventure. Just like this sweet couple did!

Do You Need a Permit?

Yes, you do need a permit to elope in Lake Crescent, as it is part of Olympic National Park. The National Park Service requires a Special Use Permit for any wedding or elopement within the park, including at Lake Crescent. It’s a straightforward process, and I help guide my couples through it to make sure everything is squared away!

Ready to Have the Lake Crescent Elopement of Your Dreams?!

Nicole and John’s day was a perfect reminder that elopements are all about making the day yours. Things don’t always go as planned, and that’s okay! What matters most is that at the end of the day, you’re having a blast and enjoying every moment to the fullest. And I’m here to make sure you do!

Hi, I’m Erica, a Washington and PNW elopement photographer! If you and your partner want to plan a dreamy, moody Lake Crescent elopement like John and Nicole, I’m here to create and document an experience you and your partner will remember forever! Be sure to check out my elopement packages and reach out via my inquiry form here!

If you want to learn more about eloping in the Olympic National Park, check out my guide!