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What happens when you plan your wedding day around low tides instead of a venue? You end up with something wildly unique, deeply personal, and full of wonder. That’s exactly what Cheyanne and Sean envisioned, and beautifully lived out, during their adventure-packed Olympic National Park elopement.
From tide pooling at sunrise to saying “I do” on a mountaintop at sunset, their day was a celebration of intentionality, joy, and togetherness. With their photographer Mikalynn Amos of Venturing Vows helping guide every step, Cheyanne and Sean created an experience that felt like them in every possible way.
Are you ready to elope? Explore our Washington elopement packages.
Meet Cheyanne and Sean
Photography by Venturing Vows
From the beginning, Cheyanne and Sean knew they wanted a day that felt completely like them: calm, intentional, and connected. Eloping in Olympic National Park gave them the space to step away from tradition and create something deeply personal.
They shared, “Eloping simply felt like the right choice for us. We have always been introverted people who love the simplistic intimacy of being alone together. When we got engaged, the thought of planning an elaborate party for everyone just didn’t seem to fit us. We wanted to truly enjoy our wedding day without answering to anyone. We pursued an elopement because it meant we could experience our wedding day exactly how we wanted.”
That desire to be fully present led them to Mikalynn Amos of Venturing Vows, who helped them plan and photograph a day that honored their values, personalities, and connection.
“These two were the sweetest,” said photographer Mikalynn. “They emphasized wanting an experience-based day and picked Olympic so they could explore the area for the first time together.”
With Mikalynn’s guidance, their day became a sunrise-to-sunset journey through tide pools, mossy forests, and alpine ridges—with moments that felt both adventurous and intimate.
Check out these reasons to elope.
Permits and Leave No Trace in Olympic National Park
Photography by Venturing Vows
When Cheyanne and Sean chose Olympic National Park for their elopement, they weren’t just picking a stunning backdrop — they were choosing to celebrate their love in one of our most precious protected spaces. With that choice came the responsibility to care for the land they were enjoying.
Because their intimate ceremony included only the two of them and their photographer, no special permits were required. For couples planning ceremonies with more than five people present, however, permits are necessary and should be secured well in advance.
Even without a permit requirement, Cheyanne and Sean were deeply committed to following Leave No Trace principles. They stayed on designated trails during their Lake Crescent hike, packed out every piece of trash, and were careful not to disturb the delicate ecosystems around them — like nurse logs in the forest, which are living systems that support entire communities of plants and wildlife.
Beyond environmental responsibility, planning their route required understanding Olympic’s unique geography. Olympic’s most iconic locations are spread across two main regions: the north side (where they hiked around Lake Crescent and had their Hurricane Ridge ceremony) and the west side (home to the Hoh Rainforest and dramatic coastal scenes).
As their photographer Mikalynn explains, “Know that all those cool places popping up in your Olympic National Park searches are spread wide and can’t all fit in one day.”
This is exactly why Cheyanne and Sean’s thoughtful planning process was so crucial, and why working with a photographer who knows the park intimately made all the difference. Their thoughtfully planned day proved that you can create an absolutely magical elopement while being respectful stewards of the irreplaceable places that make it possible.
Learn how to leave no trace during your elopement.
Their Vision and Planning Process
Photography by Venturing Vows
This wasn’t a “just elope and wing it” kind of day. From the moment Cheyanne and Sean started planning, they knew they wanted something that felt completely them, which meant thinking beyond the typical elopement playbook.
It started with the tides. After seeing Mikalynn’s tidepooling videos on Instagram, they were hooked on the idea of beginning their wedding day with a mini ocean adventure.
“They even picked their date around low tides so I could take them tidepooling,” Mikalynn recalls.
Most couples choose their date based on venue availability or family schedules, but Cheyanne and Sean? They consulted tide charts.
The rest of their timeline flowed from there, built around the simple desire to slow down and savor every moment. They mapped out a day that included their favorite shared traditions—like hiking through the forest to Madison Falls, wandering the shores of Lake Crescent, and stamping their National Park passports together.
Cheyanne came prepared with thoughtful details for flat lay photos, transforming what could have been a rushed photo session into something collaborative and joyful. Her enthusiasm for capturing even the smallest pieces of their story made the whole creative process feel natural and fun.
What strikes us most about their approach is how they balanced spontaneity with intention. They wanted the freedom that comes with eloping—no guest lists, no rigid schedules, no pressure—but they also understood that a little thoughtful planning would make the experience even more meaningful.
From tide charts to trail maps, from sentimental keepsakes to spontaneous laughter, every element of their day reflected exactly the kind of experience they craved: purposeful, playful, and authentically theirs.
Explore more places to elope in Washington State.
Dawn Adventures: Tide Pooling at Kalaloch Beach
Photography by Venturing Vows
The world was still asleep when Cheyanne and Sean stepped onto the sand at Kalaloch Beach , the horizon glowing with the first blush of sunrise. This wasn’t just a casual morning stroll, they had chosen their wedding date around this exact moment, when the tide would pull back far enough to reveal a secret world beneath the waves.
“Tide pools can be a bit tricky,” Mikalynn explains. “Not all low tides are created equal. To see the most wildlife, you need an especially low negative tide, which often means picking your date based on the tide schedule.”
As the ocean breathed out, rocky pockets came alive with color; emerald sea anemones, tiny orange crabs, and swaying fronds of seaweed. Cheyanne and Sean wandered from pool to pool, laughing and pointing out each new discovery. It was the kind of quiet, shared wonder that instantly set the tone for the rest of the day: unhurried, playful, and completely present with each other.
The soft, golden light of morning wrapped around them, and without even trying, they began to relax into the camera. By the time they left the beach, the couple wasn’t just warmed by the sun, they were glowing from the inside out, ready for the adventures still ahead.
Getting Ready at Sol Duc River
Photography by Venturing Vows
After their seaside adventure, Cheyanne and Sean traded crashing waves for the gentle murmur of the Sol Duc River. Their cozy riverside cabin was nestled beneath towering evergreens, bathed in the soft glow of morning light streaming through the windows.
This part of the day carried the familiar rhythm of “getting ready” photos, but Cheyanne and Sean made it entirely their own. Details were a highlight: Cheyanne hand-embroidered their elopement date onto her boots, curated a selection of keepsakes and vintage stamps for invitations, and wore a hand-crocheted shawl made by her mother. The couple also included a custom handfasting cord, weaving meaningful touches into the start of their day. Her excitement was contagious, turning the moment into a playful, creative collaboration with their photographer.
Like many wedding mornings, their timeline shifted a bit. Behind the scenes, their photographer gently kept an eye on the clock and offered simple options when needed, so the couple could stay present and unruffled.
“Watching the time like a hawk is my job,” Mikalynn shares, “because I want couples to enjoy their day without worrying about every minute.”
Cheyanne and Sean later said they never once felt rushed, even running about an hour behind—a true testament to thoughtful guidance.
The river’s soft murmur became their soundtrack as they dressed and shared a quiet first look just steps from their cabin door. It wasn’t staged or hurried—it was simply them, savoring the calm before the next chapter of their adventure.
Forest Wanderings: Lake Crescent and Madison Falls
Photography by Venturing Vows
With the morning’s quiet moments behind them, Cheyanne and Sean stepped into the wild heart of the Olympic Peninsula. Their hike along Lake Crescent’s pristine shores felt like stepping into a living painting, ancient towering trees standing sentinel over crystal-clear waters that shimmered with every step. The old-growth forest around them created a natural cathedral, where dappled sunlight and rustling leaves framed some of their most tender, soulful portraits.
Their journey then led to Madison Falls, a hidden jewel tucked just a short stroll away. This easy, dog-friendly hike was the perfect pause—a moment to breathe in the forest’s energy and let the cascading waterfall become a dramatic yet intimate stage for their story. At just a quarter-mile round trip, it was an effortless way to add a touch of magic without breaking the flow of their day.
What are your top tips for couples eloping in Olympic National Park
Pick one section of Olympic National Park to visit during your elopement. There's two main sections: northern and western. The northern has Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, Marymere Falls, and some beach views. The western side has Ruby Beach, the Hoh Rainforest, Rialto Beach, etc. There's a lot of driving to get from one part to the other. Know that all those cool places popping up in your Olympic National Park searches are spread wide and can't all fit in one day. (We did have to go to both areas last minute for this one because the original tide pool spot was overgrown with seaweed).
Honoring Tradition: National Park Passport Stamps
Photography by Venturing Vows
Before heading to their ceremony location, they made a special stop at the visitor center in Port Angeles. For Cheyanne and Sean, collecting National Park passport stamps isn’t just a tourist activity—it’s a shared tradition that represents their love of adventure and exploration together.
Including this personal ritual in their wedding day timeline was such a thoughtful touch. It’s these kinds of details that make an elopement feel authentically yours rather than just borrowed from someone else’s idea of what a wedding should be.
Sunset Vows at Hurricane Ridge
Photography by Venturing Vows
Their day’s journey reached its breathtaking peak at Hurricane Ridge, where sweeping panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains stretched endlessly in every direction. Arriving just as golden hour bathed the landscape in warm, soft light, Cheyanne and Sean exchanged vows in a moment that felt both intimate and monumental.
“For both of us, the most memorable moment was our ceremony,” they shared. “We were blessed with an awe-inspiring cloud inversion atop the mountain where we wrote our vows together; it truly looked like we were on another planet or in a different world. The mountain top was entirely empty aside from us, and as we were writing, a pair of deer suddenly appeared to say hello. We stayed up there through golden hour and after the sun set. Truly magical, unbelievable.”
In that serene, windswept place, their ceremony felt deeply personal yet grand, embraced by the vastness of nature. The sunset portraits that followed captured not just their joy and connection, but the calm, wonder, and fulfillment of a day that reflected exactly who they are as a couple.
Estimated Cost for This Elopement
For couples curious about what it might cost to plan an Olympic National Park elopement like Cheyanne and Sean’s, here’s a breakdown of their real expenses:
📸 Photographer: $7,000
🎥 Videographer: $2,000
👗 Wedding Dress: $1,800
✂️ Dress Alterations: $800
👰 Veil: $530
💐 Hair Piece: $65
🤵 Suit: $700
🌸 Florals: $380
💄 Hair & Makeup: $725
📜 Officiant: $640
🪢 Handfasting Rope: $200
🎂 Cake: $105
🍽️ Family Dinner: $1,500
🏡 Airbnb: $1,000
🚗 Rental Car: $316
✈️ Flights: $772
Their total budget worked out to be just over $20,000—a perfect example that an elopement can be every bit as meaningful, personal, and beautiful as a traditional wedding, while still being tailored exactly to your priorities.
Thinking about your own elopement budget? Check out our elopement cost breakdowns and planning tips here.
Advice from the Couple
Photography by Venturing Vows
Planning an elopement can feel overwhelming at first, but Cheyanne and Sean’s experience shows that it’s all about focusing on what matters most. From choosing meaningful activities to embracing the moments that truly reflect your personalities, their approach was thoughtful, intentional, and entirely stress-free.
Here’s what they learned along the way, and the advice they’d share with other couples dreaming of their own elopement.
Focus on what matters to you
“It’s your special day, and it should be spent however you want. Decide what’s most important to you and your partner, and let the rest go. Do your research, talk to vendors, but don’t get bogged down in the details. Even if you’re eloping, you can still include as many—or as few—traditional elements as you like. Most importantly, be present—this day is about celebrating your love and commitment.”
Would you change anything?
“We wouldn’t change a thing! Our day was perfect for us, and everything unfolded just as we hoped.”
Advice for other couples dreaming of an elopement:
“Just go for it! Never regret it. Do what feels right for you, leave the rest behind, and savor every moment together.”
Final Reflection
Photography by Venturing Vows
Cheyanne and Sean’s elopement is a heartfelt reminder that your wedding day doesn’t have to fit a mold—it can be as unique and personal as the two of you. Their day wasn’t defined by tradition or checklist items, but by moments that truly mattered: quiet walks through tide pools, a meaningful ceremony with mountain views, and little touches like embroidered boots and stamped National Park passports that told their story.
Their choice to slow down, explore, and savor each part of their journey reflects the beauty of elopements done with intention. It’s proof that a day filled with thoughtful details and genuine connection can create memories far richer than any scripted event.
Olympic National Park, with its wild landscapes and peaceful corners, was the perfect backdrop for their adventure—inviting couples to step away from convention and step fully into their own kind of celebration.
For those dreaming of an elopement that feels both intimate and epic, full of wonder and joy, Cheyanne and Sean’s day offers inspiration: trust your vision, embrace the places and moments that speak to your heart, and let love guide your way.
If you’re dreaming of eloping in a National Park, Check out our Top 7 National Parks to Plan Your Elopement for inspiration.
Vendor Team
Photography: Venturing Vows | @venturingvows
Video: Sabrina Fitz Photo & Film | @sabrinafitz_
Officiant: Outshined Elopements | @outshinedelopements
Hair & Makeup: Anne Timms | @mstimssmakeupartist
Florals: Anthera Floral | @antherafloral
Cake: Florida Peach Sweets | @floridapeachsweets
Handfasting Cord: Ceotha | @ceothas_cords
Bride’s Rings: Oore Jewelry | @oorejewelry
Bride’s Dress: Brides by Young | @bridesbyyoung
Airbnb: Sol Duc Serenity | @sol_duc_serenity
Photos From this Elopement
