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The rings were in the car. Almost a mile away. But instead of panicking, Olivia wrapped a fern around Rowdy’s finger, and they laughed their way through the rest of their rainforest ceremony. That moment was spontaneous, real, and entirely unbothered by perfection. It captures exactly what their Olympic National Park elopement was all about: keeping it simple, staying grounded, and embracing the joy of a day that was truly theirs.
If you’re dreaming of an elopement that’s stripped down to what matters most, this story is for you. We’re sharing Olivia and Rowdy’s full elopement journey, along with helpful tips from their Photographer Meg Layman Photography, sweet personal reflections, and why the little things like a bottle of spring water can become part of a lasting memory.
Ready to plan your own adventure elopement? Start Here!
Meet Olivia and Rowdy
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
Olivia and Rowdy knew they wanted something simple, meaningful, and surrounded by nature —a day that felt like them. From the beginning, they envisioned a wedding free of pressure, full of presence, and centered on their relationship.
“When we were discussing our wedding plans, it was important to us to keep the focus on each other and our relationship,” Olivia shares. “We didn’t want to stress about making a guest list, planning a giant wedding, or worrying about what everyone else wanted us to do. We wanted to have a day about just the two of us, where we could give each other our undivided attention.”
That intention, to slow down and savor the moment, led them to the idea of eloping. With the freedom to shape their day however they wanted, they set out to find a place that matched their vision.
“We wanted to elope in a place that neither of us had ever been before, so we could create a special memory in a new place together,” Olivia explains.
Their planning process was organic, a mix of dreaming, research, and serendipity.
“We just made a list of the most beautiful places in the US and narrowed it down by 1) choosing the place we wanted to visit the most and 2) finding Meg Layman’s photos of an elopement at Olympic National Park on Pinterest.”
The moment they saw Meg’s imagery, they were hooked. The lush greens, misty forests, and raw beauty of Olympic National Park offered the exact kind of magic they were hoping to experience.
Check out these reasons to elope.
Their Vision and Planning Process
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
Olivia and Rowdy’s elopement planning was rooted in intention — a blend of spontaneity, simplicity, and personal touches.
“We found Meg Layman when we were researching elopements online,” Olivia shared. “We saw some beautiful photos that she had taken of an elopement in the Hoh Rainforest, so we decided on our photographer and our location at the same time! She knew exactly where to take us in the rainforest, so she was a photographer/tour guide at the same time.”
As a florist herself, Olivia put extra care into choosing the right floral designer for the day. “I did a lot of research on wedding florists in Washington. I chose Anthera Floral because of their organic, airy, and whimsical fine art florals. I was not disappointed!!”
Their attire came together just as effortlessly.
“I decided on my wedding dress because it was on sale for $700. Easy as that!” she said. “We rented Rowdy’s suit.”
Even the details of their post-ceremony picnic were handled with a mix of creativity and practicality.
“We bought all of our picnic decorations at Hobby Lobby the day before our elopement. Instead of buying a picnic blanket, we just bought a big piece of fabric. I later used the same fabric to sew myself a sweet little tote bag that reminds me of our wedding day.”
Planning everything from out of state came with some challenges, especially since they flew into Seattle just two days before the ceremony.
“We allotted one full day towards driving around and buying anything we needed for the big day,” Olivia explained. “We didn’t bring any picnic supplies or decorations with us, since we flew from out of state, so we just had to hope that the stores we went to would have what we envisioned for our elopement. This led to a more exciting adventure of not having hundreds of options to choose from and, instead, having just about three candlestick options to choose from.”
Are you ready to elope? Explore our Washington elopement packages.
Permits and LNT in Washington
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
Small elopements like Olivia and Rowdy’s typically don’t require a permit in Olympic National Park, but it’s always important to double-check the latest regulations.
As photographer Meg Layman explains, “You can get your permit for Olympic National Park on the National Park website for special use permits!”
Couples should contact the Olympic National Park office to obtain the permit, which can be submitted online. Fees generally range from $50 to $150 depending on group size and location.
Respecting the natural environment is key to keeping these sacred spaces open and beautiful for future visitors.
Meg emphasizes, “The forest and beach are magical, but fragile. Treading lightly ensures these places stay beautiful for couples to come.”
In the Hoh Rainforest, this means staying on designated trails and never stepping on greenery or moss. Packing out everything you bring in, including food scraps, decorations, and flower trimmings, is essential. Even well-meaning touches like tossing petals or rearranging logs can disrupt the delicate ecosystem.
For elopements involving any setup or larger groups, be sure to check the Olympic National Park website for current permit guidelines and Leave No Trace best practices.
Learn how to leave no trace during your elopement and help preserve the beauty of these incredible places for couples to enjoy for years to come.
A Slow Morning in a Riverside Cabin
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
Olivia and Rowdy’s day began in a quiet riverside cabin, bathed in the soft glow of sunrise. As the world slowly woke up outside, they shared a calm, unhurried morning together—Rowdy gently zipping up Olivia’s dress, their smiles saying more than words ever could. It was a simple, intimate moment full of warmth and connection, perfectly capturing who they are as a couple: laid-back, deeply in tune, and intentional in every way.
From there, they drove into Olympic National Park and set off on a hike, trekking just under a mile into the heart of the Hoh Rainforest.
“Neither of us had ever dressed so nice for a trail before,” they joked as they navigated the mossy forest floor.
Surrounded by towering trees dripping with emerald moss, they found the perfect clearing—a quiet sanctuary where they would say their vows.
The ceremony was simple and deeply meaningful, wrapped in the magic of the forest. But when it came time to exchange rings, a small surprise awaited—they realized the rings were still in the car, nearly a mile back.
What might have caused panic at a traditional wedding became one of their most treasured memories.
Without skipping a beat, Olivia tied a delicate fern leaf around Rowdy’s finger, and they laughed their way through the vows.
“At a big wedding, someone would’ve whispered, ‘I hope this isn’t a bad omen,’ but because it was just us, we had a good laugh about it” Olivia shared.
After the ceremony, their officiant went back to retrieve the rings so they could capture a few photos wearing them. Still, some of their favorite images show those charming makeshift rings made of moss and fern—symbols of a day that was perfectly imperfect and uniquely theirs.
Explore more places to elope in Washington State.
Coastal Celebrations and Champagne Kisses
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
After their ceremony in the forest, Olivia and Rowdy made their way west toward Ruby Beach, where the rugged Washington coast greeted them with sea breeze and salty air. Tucked between rocky outcroppings, they laid down a swath of fabric for a picnic and popped open a bottle of champagne to celebrate.
Their photographer, Meg Layman, shared, “It was quiet, romantic, and real—no fluff, no distractions, just them. One of the most honest and personality-filled elopements I’ve ever documented.”
From mossy forest floor to windblown coastline, every moment reflected who they are.
Even the smallest details held meaning. The water they drank wasn’t just any bottle, it was Mountain Valley Spring Water from Hot Springs, Arkansas, where Olivia had spent summers working at a camp.
“I have so many sweet memories from Hot Springs, and I met most of my best friends at that summer camp,” she said. “Finding that bottle in a Seattle store the day before felt like a little piece of home came with us.”
Not everything went perfectly, and that made it better.
“Our only regret is forgetting all the food except cherries and blackberries,” Olivia laughed. “We were starving after all the hiking!”
Still, it was the perfect way to close out their elopement: feet in the sand, wind in their hair, and a quiet toast to a day that felt entirely their own.
If you could give one piece of advice to a couple considering eloping, what would it be?
"Make your day your OWN. Whatever that means - spend time together that morning, play with your dogs, go on a picnic, take a helicopter ride, etc. But just plan a day that YOU love and don't feel like you have to follow any blueprint. Your day should be all about you!"
Cost of This Elopement
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
Every elopement looks a little different, but Olivia and Rowdy’s celebration is a great reminder that you don’t need a huge budget to create something deeply meaningful and beautiful. From park permits and travel to thoughtful details like picnic decor and attire, here’s what went into their day:
🌸 Flowers: $245
🚗 Rental car: $500
👰 Olivia’s dress: $700
💕 Veil: $20
🤵 Rowdy’s attire (rental): $200
🕯️ Picnic decor (candlesticks, candles, fabric, napkins, vases): approx. $70
✈️ Flights were gifted by family.
🧺 They also embraced the adventure by picking up picnic items locally the day before.
Advice from the Couple
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
Olivia shared practical wisdom for other couples planning elopements:
“It takes a lot of research, and it can be a bit overwhelming if you aren’t a planner! Just make a to-do list, pick a task, and work on things one at a time.”
Reflecting on the day, their biggest lesson was to keep perspective:
“Don’t forget why you’re getting married. For us, we were getting married because we are best friends and we want to spend the rest of our lives together. So that’s what our wedding was about. Us being together and celebrating our future.”
Final Reflection
Photography by Meg Layman Photography
Olivia and Rowdy’s elopement is proof that when you strip away the pressure of tradition, what’s left can be something truly magical. Their day, rooted in intention, full of laughter, and shaped by the unexpected, was a reflection of who they are and what they value most.
They didn’t just celebrate their marriage, but the beautiful unpredictability of love itself — quiet, romantic, and refreshingly real.
As Olivia shared, “Our day wasn’t perfect, but it was perfect for us.”
Vendor Team
Photographer | meglaymanphotography.com | Instagram
Bride’s Ring| hperryjewelers.com | Instagram
Groom’s Ring | rusticandmain.com | Instagram
Bride’s Dress | shesaidyesbridal.com | Instagram
Groom’s Suit & Shoes | beauknowstuxedos.com | Instagram
Florals | antherafloral.com | Instagram
Vow Book | dunecustomworks.com | Instagram
Water (Picnic Detail) | mountainvalleyspring.com | Instagram
Other Picnic Items | hobbylobby.com | Instagram
Photos from this Elopement
