Cozy River Cabin Elopement With Hawaiian Traditions in Packwood, WA

Tia and Wil decided to plan an intimate elopement at Cozy River Cabin in Packwood, WA. This A-frame cabin was the perfect escape for this couple and their close family and friends who attended.

Cozy River Cabin is near Mount Rainier, one of Washington’s best places to elope. If you’re ready to start planning your own PNW wedding adventure, then team up with a wedding vendor today to start building your personal Washington elopement package.

About This Cozy River Cabin Elopement in the PNW

This intimate elopement at Cozy River Cabin in Packwood, WA was filled with Hawaiian traditions, s’mores, and the couple’s closest family and friends (along with their two pups).

“Planning our elopement was not as nearly as stressful as I could imagine it would have been if we went with a traditional wedding. The only vendors that we received services for our elopement are photography/videography, floral arrangements, hair/make-up, and our Airbnb. My sister became ordained and married us, which was even more special for us. Lastly, the decor/props that you see in the photos were put together by me and purchased from primarily Etsy shops.” [The couple]

Planning an Airbnb/Vrbo Wedding

Taylor, the photographer, actually tells us how after this elopement, this Airbnb stopped offering the option to do weddings on-site due to a new rule with the HOA. However, planning your wedding at a rental property near a national park is still very popular. Taylor shares with us her top tips when planning your wedding at one:

1. Reach out to the rental property to request permission before even booking the location.
2. Always be ready to pivot. In the world of Covid, the wedding industry has had to shift with rules, regulations, and personal preferences of clients and guests.

“At the end of the day, as long as you’re getting married to the love of your life, it can still be the best day ever! Having a support system + support team in your vendors will help you to pivot seamlessly in any given situation.” [Taylor, the photographer]

Learn more about planning an Airbnb/Vrbo elopement.

Deciding to Elope

“We always had the intention of our day being OUR day without hundreds of others there. While we wanted to celebrate with our families, it was much more meaningful to us to express our love for one another in an intimate way with our fur babies, Skye and Scout.

I would just like to share that if couples are exploring the idea of having an elopement or intimate wedding – you will not regret it. This day is about you and your partner and be sure to honor what you really want to do instead of doing what will make others happy.

To still include our friends and family, we asked each family/person to write us a letter on a card that shared any well-wishes, favorite memories, or marriage advice – and we opened these letters on our elopement night together. We now have hand-written letters from our loved ones that we can keep forever!” [the couple]

Memorable Moments During This Cozy River Cabin Elopement

From the photographer:

“Tia was hoping for it to snow on her wedding day. Given it was near Mt. Rainier in the middle of December, we all really thought it was going to happen! However, the forecast let us down and we got a beautiful day with just a smidge of rain (also not too shabby if you ask me). Though Tia was disappointed, she actually woke up that morning at their Airbnb with flurries of snow. She knew it wouldn’t stick but her heart was full of joy because she got the snow she had wanted for their best day ever.”

From the couple:

“Having our pups, Skye and Scout, with us on our special day and being able to just enjoy our time at the cabin with individuals that were present for our elopement. After the ceremony, we drank some champagne, made some s’mores (instead of a traditional cake), and ended the night by enjoying some amazing steaks that my husband cooked up for us. It was the most low-key ceremony and I would not have wanted it any other way!”

Vendors

Venue: Cozy River Cabin
Photographer: Taylor Ochoa, TMinspired Photography 
Videographer: Nathan Ochoa, Ochoa Wedding Films
Florist: Natalie Parks Floral Design
Hair & Makeup: Aleana Rivera, DT Bridal Artistry
Gown: Brides for a Cause 
Officiant: Brides sister

More Photos From This Wedding Day in Packwood, WA