Building the Perfect Elopement Vacation in Washington State

A love story meets adventure guide — nature, vows, and a whole lot of coffee.

The Heart Behind the Trip

This trip will forever be the one for me — not just because it was beautiful, but because it’s the one where we said “I do.” 🥹💍 Washington state will always hold a huge piece of my heart, not only because of the memories, but because it’s literally a nature-lover’s dream. Where else can you go from snowy mountain peaks to mossy rainforests to dramatic sea stacks — all within an hour? (Spoiler: nowhere. Washington wins.)

I can’t technically declare it the best state (I still have a few more to check off my 50-state bucket list ✈️), but I can promise that by the end of this post, you’ll be itching to plan your own Washington adventure — or at least have it on your “must-see before I kick the bucket” list. 👟🌲

Our "We Eloped in the Woods" Adventure Begins

We’re both big hikers and adventure-seekers — the kind of people who swoon over waterfalls, desert trails, mossy forests, and wide-open skies. So, when my wife suggested Olympic National Park for our elopement, I was instantly sold.

I mean… gorgeous beaches, towering sea stacks, dreamy green rainforests, and mountains just an hour away in Mount Rainier National Park? Yes, please. 🙌

We decided to turn our elopement into a full-blown adventure honeymoon. Here’s how it all went down:

Our Adventure Itinerary

  • Day 1: Seattle + Mount Rainier Magic

  • Day 2: Rainforest Vibes

  • Day 3: Elopement Day

  • Day 4: Whale Watching

  • Day 5: Quick Canada Trip

  • Day 6: Seattle Send-Off

Day 1: Touchdown in Seattle + Mt. Rainier Magic

We flew from Austin to Seattle and hit the ground running. We’re not the “sit on a beach and sip piña coladas” type — our vacations are go-go-go with lots of hiking, exploring, and coffee stops in between. ☕️

💡 Pro tip: We always start by booking budget-friendly flights (shoutout to @escape_atx for those great deals if you’re in the Austin/San Antonio area). Then we make a loose plan of must-do activities and bucket-list stops.

Our first day was all about exploring the beauty of Mount Rainier National Park. We set out on the Skyline Trail to Panorama Point — a route that treats you to vibrant wildflower meadows, dramatic glaciers, and breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks, all beneath the shadow of an active stratovolcano. The hike is moderately challenging, especially if you’re new to mountain trails, but every step rewards you with scenery that feels straight out of a postcard.

Post-hike, we followed our tried-and-true method for finding dinner: googling “best food near me” and going with whatever sounds good. 😋 We also always try to eat local — small businesses > chain restaurants, always. (The cozy coffee shop we loved here: Sky Espresso ☕️✨)

Day 2: Small-Town Charm + Rainforest Vibes

The next morning we drove to Port Angeles, our base for the rest of the trip. This town has the cutest small-town vibes — think charming streets, mountain views, and friendly locals. We stayed in an adorable tiny home Airbnb, which we absolutely adored. (Which, yes, meant we saw each other’s dresses before the big day 😅 — tiny living has no secrets).

We kept our hikes light to save our legs for the big ✨Wedding Day✨. Even the “easy” trails were storybook pretty:

  • 🌊 Lake Crescent — mirror-still waters surrounded by mountains

  • 💦 Sol Duc Falls — a dreamy waterfall hidden in the forest

  • 🌿 Marymere Falls — a short, magical walk through mossy trees

We wrapped up the day with cozy local eats before heading back to rest for the big day.

Day 3: Elopement Day — Rainbows, Rainforest, and Sea Stacks

Elopement prep started with picking up our bouquets from a local florist who nailed our rainbow bouquet vision. 🌸🌻🌹 Seriously, jaws dropped. Then came coffee (obviously) from our favorite Port Angeles shop (Fogtown Coffee Shop)— so good we went back the next day.

After hair and makeup (note to self: next time, do your own makeup 💄), we drove to Hoh Rainforest and met our photographer, Taylor (who, by the way, is LGBTQ+ friendly 🌈). She led us to the perfect hidden spot on the Hall of Mosses Trail — lush, green, and straight out of a fantasy novel.

We exchanged vows surrounded by ancient, moss-draped trees, cried, laughed, attracted curious stares, and took thousands of photos. Then we wrapped up our shoot at Beach 4, along the Kalaloch beaches, where we watched the sun melt into the horizon behind dramatic sea stacks. Pure magic. ✨

Vendor Spotlight:

  • Florist: Farm & Flower

  • Photographer: Taylor (Instagram: Taylor.m.photo)

  • Coffee: Fogtown Coffee Bar + The Coffee Box

Ceremony + Beach Moments

Day 4: Whale Watching + Ice Cream Dreams

The next afternoon was all about wildlife — we hopped on a whale watching tour with Puget Sound Express. It was magical: dolphins, orcas, sea lions, and the best hot chocolate (bring a sweater — even in August, this Texan was chilly).

We ended the day with dinner by the docks and the most delicious ice cream from Willy’s Real Fruit Ice Cream. 🍦💙

🐋 Tip: Whale watching season runs from May to October, so plan accordingly!

Day 5: A Quick Trip to Canada

Yes, we actually left the country mid-trip. 😅 We hopped a ferry to British Columbia for a spontaneous day trip and it was so worth it. We strolled along the waterfront, admired colorful street art, devoured fresh seafood, and tried local beers. 🍻 It was basically a bonus whale-watching cruise for the price of a ferry ticket. Don’t forget your passport! ✅

Day 6: Seattle Send-Off

For our final day, we returned to Seattle and checked into another adorable Airbnb. We spent the day exploring Pike Place Market, browsing quirky shops, and snapping touristy photos at the Space Needle. While we’re more “mountain trail” than “city street,” Seattle was the perfect way to wrap up our adventure. 🌆

Final Thoughts

Our Washington elopement trip was everything we dreamed of — magical, adventurous, romantic, and full of memories we’ll cherish forever. And the best part? There’s still so much we haven’t seen. We’re already planning our next visit to check off the rest of our Washington bucket list. 🌲💫

Whether you’re planning your own elopement, a nature-filled honeymoon, or just an epic outdoor getaway, Washington is the perfect place to do it. Go ahead — steal our itinerary (with or without the wedding vows 😉) and make it your own.

Scroll to capture the full essence of our adventure.