Intimate Elopement Ceremony at Kalaloch Beach With Parents

Mad and Chris traveled from Michigan in their DIY adventure van to elope on the Washington coast. The two met while working as design professors at the same college. When they decided to get married, they knew they wanted it to be an adventure, and took advantage of their summer vacation to make the drive west. Their elopement took place on Kalaloch Beach in Olympic National Park with just their parents in attendance.

Are you ready to elope? Start planning your elopement here.

About This Elopement at Kalaloch Beach

“They began the day with a long walk down the beach to find the perfect spot to say “I do”. After the vows and final kiss, they shared champagne with their family and took a short hike in the nearby woods. We returned to the beach for them to enjoy a beer together and watch the sunset. While the sun set behind the clouds a bit earlier than we had hoped, the fog and mist from the waves brought in beautiful Pacific Northwest vibes.

I loved that Mad and Chris kept it low key and did things their own way. Mad’s beautiful blue dress looked gorgeous against the ocean backdrop, and their custom van was the cutest place for them to get ready. ” [Amy, the photographer]

Explore more places to elope in Washington. 

Permits and LNT for PNW Elopements

“For this elopement, the couple needed a Special Use Permit to get married in Olympic National Park. Like any other wilderness locations, we practiced LNT principles. We did not bring in any decor or flowers other than what Mad had in her bouquet and packed out all of our garbage.

Summer is the best time to elope on the Washington coast in Olympic National Park for best weather, however a weekday is essential if you want to avoid crowds. Kalaloch Beach and all other beaches are very busy on the weekends. Lodging options can be tough to come by, so pick a date and plan early on where to stay.” [Amy, the photographer]

Memorable Moments During This Elopement

From the photographer:

“When we took a hike through the woods after their ceremony on the beach. The trail was just across the street and we soaked in all the beautiful greenery of the Washington coast. We found a little spot off the trail that looked down into a small river and saw a couple of otters playing in the river! While this is something I see frequently living near the coast, it was new to this Midwest couple and they absolutely loved watching the otters. One of my favorite part about being a local to Olympic National Park is getting to share all of its creatures and beauty with my couples who are from out of state.”

Final Words of Advice

“If you’re getting married on the coast, check the tides! We planned a walk down the beach but also noticed that the tide was coming in pretty quickly. I did a quick search in the moment on my phone and realized we were getting a pretty high tide that evening and we didn’t venture much further. While we didn’t get stranded, this is something that happens frequently on the Washington coast since it is shaped by many seastacks and steep bluffs.” [Amy, the photographer]

Vendors 

Photography | Amy Galbraith Photography
Makeup | Liz Kellerman
Florist | Tin Can Floral

Photos From This Elopement