Chris + Catherine’s springtime waterfall elopement on the Olympic Peninsula was the perfect way to kick off this past elopement season – I left with so many words, yet also with none at all. Documenting this intimate day, from capturing the quiet morning in their coastal Airbnb all the way to snapping candids of them cheersing with their loved ones at the end of the day, was a true privilege. I can’t wait for you to see this spectacular Washington waterfall adventure elopement and fall just as in love with this day as I did!

📍Land acknowledgement: Taken on the stolen ancestral lands of the Coast Salish and S’Kallam peoples

Chris + Catherine’s Adventure Elopement on the Olympic Peninsula

A beautifully-timed spring elopement in the PNW

I’m the biggest fan of spring elopements in Washington, when the temperatures begin to thaw, wildlife comes out of hibernation, and the summer sun begins to peek through the dreary PNW clouds. For reference, as you scroll through these images – Catherine + Chris eloped in mid-May, and lucked out with a day sans rain (albeit a bit cloudy). This was a pretty typical PNW spring day, so keep in mind that if you’re considering eloping in the spring, your day may look + feel like this: chilly mornings & evenings, a breeze by the ocean, and the vibrant colors of summer wildflowers beginning to show!

Getting ready in a cozy Olympic Peninsula beach house Airbnb

Like many adventurous, eloping couples do, Catherine and Chris began their day in a cozy Airbnb they’d booked for their time on the coast. This was the most adorable Olympic Peninsula Airbnb beach house, covered in blue shades of the ocean and filled with beachy yellow decor. I can’t recommend enough booking a private Airbnb for your elopement if you really want some time to be alone with your partner and celebrate + experience your trip to the fullest! Catherine and Chris got ready separately, but joined together when it was time to head out for our hike, Chris in his plaid vest and Catherine in a comfy hiking outfit.

If you’re on the hunt for a lovely Airbnb for your own elopement, take a look at these 9 Amazing Cabins for Your Adventure Elopement in Washington!

A private first look beneath a waterfall

Once we’d arrived at the waterfall for their first look, Chris put on his full suit and Catherine stepped into her dress, with a sentimental letter in hand, ready to be tearfully read. She headed down to the trail to meet Chris, and they had an incredibly sweet, private first look beneath a waterfall, surrounded by the luscious spring greenery of the Olympic Peninsula forest. We couldn’t have asked for a more stunning, secluded location for their pre-ceremony moment together!

A romantic beachside elopement ceremony

When the time came to make it official, we (along with just a few of their loved ones) made our way down to the water, where Catherine and Chris exchanged their vows atop the jagged oceanside cliffs. This ceremony was so serene and peaceful, with nothing to distract but the sounds of the water behind them and the quiet tears of their guests as they watched. The views were good, but the overflowing love between these two was better! 

Want some more stunning Olympic Peninsula beach elopement inspiration? Take a look at this breathtaking Ruby Beach Adventure Elopement!

An abundance of breathtaking waterfall elopement photos

And don’t you worry – we took full advantage of the stunning waterfall, the narrow streams flowing over the dark basalt rocks covered in bright green moss. These waterfall elopement photos have to be some of my absolute shots from the day, encapsulating the adventure, the love, the quietness, and the simple beauty of Chris and Catherine’s adventure elopement! If you’d like to find out how to plan your own waterfall elopement, I’d be more than happy to help you plan your ideal celebration and help you pick from all the beautiful waterfall elopement locations in Washington – reach out here and let’s chat!

What to Know About Waterfall Elopements

Can you get married at a waterfall?

Absolutely! You can legally get married beneath a waterfall as long as you have the appropriate wedding permits necessary for the specific location. Make sure that you follow Leave No Trace guidelines when eloping at a waterfall to ensure you protect the land and don’t disrupt the environment with your elopement!

When should you have a waterfall elopement?

If you love waterfalls, spring is definitely the best time for your waterfall elopement as all the snow melt is freshly running down the mountain. It’s also a beautiful time to elope on the coast, which will be sprinkled with wildflowers, or in some fantastic lower-elevation areas that still give you the quintessential Washington mountain vibes⚡️

What are the best waterfall elopement locations in Washington?

Great question – there are so many stunning waterfalls in Washington state!

Some of my personal favorite Washington waterfall elopement locations include:

• Myrtle Falls at Mount Rainier 
• Marymere Falls in Olympic National Park
• Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park

And I’ve got plenty more up my sleeve that are kept exclusively for my booked couples – you can inquire with me here, and I’ll be happy to share all of my favorite spots once we make things official!

I left this elopement so grateful for the wonderful people that accept me into their lives so intimately, who trust me and let me photograph them. Thank you to Catherine and Chris for inviting me to be a small part of this special day, and for making me want to photograph so many more Washington waterfall elopements in the future!

Thinking about planning your own elopement on the Olympic Peninsula? I’ve got the blog post for you – check out my Ultimate Guide to How to Elope in Olympic National Park!