Stunning Ruby Beach Elopement | Tips to Plan Yours

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September 1, 2024

a couple runs a long the rocky shore in wedding attire during their ruby beach elopement. the light from the sunset is golden and dramatic. the waves appear electric blue and the mist from the sea creates an atmospheric beam of light that cuts through the massive sea stacks

Alex and Hayase’s Ruby Beach elopement was the perfect mix of adventure and quality time exploring one of the most stunning places in the Pacific Northwest.

Olympic National Park holds a pretty special place in our hearts. It was where we had our first backpacking trip and fell in love with the staggering beauty of the Pacific Northwest. In fact, we stood on the rocky shores of the Olympic Coastline and decided that we’d happily uproot our lives in Texas for the dense forests, staggering waterfalls, snow capped mountains, and rocky beaches.

We always feel so excited to collaborate with our couples as they plan their Olympic National Park wedding, and share the places that hold so much meaning for us.

Ruby Beach is one of the most beautiful and iconic beaches in the entire world, making it an easy choice for couples that are drawn to the rugged beauty of Washington’s coast. Within this area, you have your pick of exploring the surrounding coastal forest, and mesmerizing tide pools that are nestled under the impressive sea stacks.

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Ruby Beach: The perfect Olympic National Park Elopement Location

Hayase and Alex knew before they reached out to us that they wanted an Olympic National Park wedding, having their closest family members join them for vows.

Avid adventurers, and having visited most of the National Parks in the lower 48, these two had never experienced Olympic National Park, and knew that they wanted that to change for their wedding day.

They were drawn to Ruby Beach for the jagged sea stacks, and the surrounding coastal forests that seems to spread all the way out to the icy Pacific.

at the end of their ruby beach elopement, a couple kiss as the waves roll behind them. The light is a pale blue and gold. they are illuminated by the last bit of sunset and the glow of lanterns. This moment is shot through a hole of a sea stack

Situated roughly 45 minutes from the surrounding rainforests like the Hoh and Quinault, this beach is a “don’t skip” location for anyone wanting to experience the beauty of the Olympics.

Ruby Beach Elopement Tips

during their ruby beach elopement, a couple in their wedding attire embrace in front of a golden sea stack

For couples planning a Ruby Beach elopement we have a ton of tips to share from years of experience as Washington Elopement Photographers.

And of course, we cannot help but share all our insider tips to help couples plan the most incredible Washington elopement.

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Ruby Beach Elopement Tip #1 | Skip busy season

When a beach is as stunning as Ruby, you can bank on crowds during the peak summer months. If privacy is important to you, you’ll want to avoid the summer months. June-Labor day weekend is when Olympic sees its biggest uptick in visitors. To increase your chances for privacy even more, elope on a weekday!

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Ruby Beach Elopement Tip #2 | Go at the right time

To really explore all that Ruby Beach has to offer, aim to visit during low tide when you’ll be able to peep the colorful tide pools and explore the craggy sea stacks. Ruby also really shines around sunset when the pinky-golden rays create cinematic light. If you’re a morning person, a sunrise elopement always stuns.

a couple in their wedding attire run in front of a gorgeous sea stack illuminated by the sunset. the waves are a pinky blue.

Ruby Beach Elopement Tip #3 | Where to stay

If you want to minimize your drive times, stay in Forks (yes, that Forks) or at the Kalaloch Lodge. Forks is roughly 30 minutes North and Kalaloch is about 15 minutes south!

Ruby Beach Elopement Tip #4 | Don’t miss the surrounding areas

Olympic National Park is incredibly diverse and also massive. Within its boundaries, you’ll not only be able to explore wild beaches, but also temperate rainforests, crystal clear lakes, gushing falls, and the gorgeous Olympic Mountains. We HIGHLY encourage you to see as much of this incredible place as you possibly can.

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Ruby Beach Elopement Tip #5 | Consider the weather

The Olympic Peninsula is known for that hoa hoa weather! Even during the sunniest months, you’ll want to always prepare for rain! On the coast, the winds and temps can be on the chillier side, so bring layers you’re stoked to be photographed in!

Exploring the Rainforest before heading to the coast

Alex and Hayase wanted to have a mix of rainforest and waterfalls before they headed out to Ruby Beach for their ceremony.

Wanting to avoid the crowds of the Hoh Rainforest, we opted for a different rainforest that was also super close to an easily accessible waterfall.

After exploring the dense canopy of the Quinault and scrambling up to the falls, Hayase and Alex headed to meet their fam jam for dinner at Creekside Restaurant.

a bride and groom embrace in a bed of ferns. tall trees tower all around them as they explore the rainforest in their wedding attire before their ruby beach elopement

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a groom and bride gaze lovingly at each other in front of a waterfall. the water from the falls behind them glitter in the sunlight. They are dressed in their wedding attire to prepare for their ruby beach elopement

a groom helps his bride through a fallen tree. They are dressed in their wedding attire to prepare for their ruby beach elopement

A shot of a baby waterfall in a green foliage covered canyon. It is framed by the faces of a bride and groom. They are dressed in their wedding attire to prepare for their ruby beach elopement

a groom kisses his brides forehead as water from the falls behind them glitter in the sunlight. They are dressed in their wedding attire to prepare for their ruby beach elopement

Ruby Beach Elopement Ceremony

After dinner, we all headed north towards Ruby beach. Walking through the stacks of driftwood, we made our way to the most gorgeous rock formations.

Surrounded by their family, Hayase and Alex said their vows and reflected on all the moments of their relationship that brought them to this special stretch of coast.

Related Content: Check out our guide on crafting a meaningful elopement ceremony.

Ruby Beach Elopement Pro Tip: If you have guests joining you, you’ll likely need to apply for a special use permit to have your ceremony in Olympic National Park. You can do that here.

a wide shot of this ruby beach elopement ceremony. A couple, in their wedding attire are surrounded by their family members. sea stacks tower in the background and glow with the light of the sunset

a groom smiles at his bride as they embrace on a sea stack during their ruby beach elopement

an over the should shot of their vows as they read them together during their ruby beach elopement. the pages of the vows are framed by their faces

the details of this ruby beach elopement are laid across a sea stack. the brown and cream leather vow books are illuminated by sunlight and the rings shine in the rays

As the sun began to set, their family headed back to the lodge and we played on the shores of Ruby Beach until the sun dipped behind the horizon.

Watching incredible couples like Alex and Hayase experience the beauty of the Olympics and bask in the vastness of this wild coastline is so much of why this job feels like a dream. It truly is always an honor to witness and celebrate stories like theirs.

a couple, in their wedding attire kisses and embrace on a large sea stack. the sun shines golden lighting up the sea stacks during their ruby beach elopement

a couple sits on a camp blanket on the rocky shore. They embrace in their wedding attire and read their vows from their ruby beach elopement

a couple in wedding attire stands on a massive, dark rock formation. they appear small in the landscape and are contrasted by the landscape both in color and size.

a black and white photo of a couple in wedding explorig the coastline after their ruby beach elopement. they walk hand in hand, the groom leading his bide. Her dress whips in the wind.

a black and white image of a couple in wedding attire dancing on the beach. water on the camera lens combined with light flares from the sun create an ambient affect as they celebrate their ruby beach elopement

after their ruby beach elopement ceremony, a couple in wedding attire stroll down the beach as they hold hands. they are contrasted by the dark sea-stacks behind them

a close up, black and white image of a couple in wedding attire embracing hands. the focus of the image is on the grooms wedding ring that his bride has placed on his hand during their ruby beach elopement

Here’s What They Said about their Day

Sam & Kyle did an incredible job with our adventure elopement.

Not only are they talented photographers with a clear vision and eye for beautiful shots and angles, they are so kind and easygoing.

We were immediately put at ease in their presence, which made the day such a fun and relaxing experience overall.

We also greatly appreciated the recommendations they provided for sites to visit and vendors in the area, and their prompt and consistent communication.

Thank you so much for capturing our special day with photos we will treasure for the rest of our lives!

Ruby Beach Elopement Packages

a couple in their wedding attire embrace as they gaze at the sun setting behind the ocean horizon

Ready to do this?! Us too! Finding the right Washington elopement photographers is a BFD and we want to make sure that you know exactly what you’re getting when you work with us!

All of our elopement packages include:

Curated location suggestions based on what you envision for your day.
Help you navigating the permit process.
An intentional timeline.
Access to our resources
Local vendor recommendations
Two photographers documenting your day.

Check out our elopement packages

at the end of their ruby beach elopement, a couple in their wedding attire walk hand in hand down the shores of the rocky beach. The sunset is a pink, golden glow that matches the glow of the lanterns they carry. Large sea stacks can be seen behind them.

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