Q&A: Olympic National Park Wedding

What makes Olympic National Park a great choice for a microwedding?

Olympic National Park offers diverse landscapes, from lush forests to rugged coastlines, creating stunning backdrops for your wedding photos. Whether you envision saying your vows in a moss-covered forest, on a serene beach, or with a mountain view, the park provides endless natural beauty.

How can couples ensure their microwedding is unique?

1. Venue Selection: Choose a location within the park that resonates with you. From Hurricane Ridge with its panoramic views to the serene beaches of Rialto and Ruby, each spot offers a different vibe.
2. Personal Touches: Incorporate elements that reflect your relationship. Custom vows, personalized decorations, and unique ceremony setups can make the day truly yours.
3. Local Vendors: Collaborate with local vendors who know the area well. They can help you find hidden gems within the park and ensure everything runs smoothly.

What logistical considerations should be kept in mind?

1. Permits: Ensure you obtain the necessary permits for your wedding. The park requires permits for ceremonies and photography to help protect the environment.
2. Weather: Be prepared for variable weather. Olympic National Park has diverse microclimates, so having a backup plan for rain or wind is essential.
3. Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of your chosen location for guests. Some areas may require a hike or a drive on unpaved roads.

What are some tips for planning a sustainable microwedding in Olympic National Park?

1. Leave No Trace: Follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize your impact. This includes packing out all trash, staying on designated trails, and respecting wildlife.
2. Eco-Friendly Choices: Opt for eco-friendly products and services, such as reusable decor, local flowers, and sustainable catering options.
3. Transportation: Encourage carpooling or shuttle services to reduce the carbon footprint of your event.

How can couples enhance their wedding experience in Olympic National Park?

1. Adventure Activities: Plan some adventure activities for your guests, like guided hikes, kayaking, or beach bonfires.
2. Accommodation: Choose unique accommodations like cozy cabins, yurts, or lodges within or near the park for an immersive experience.
3. Photography: Hire a photographer experienced with the park. They will know the best times and locations for capturing breathtaking photos.

Having a microwedding in Olympic National Park allows you to create a truly intimate and memorable experience, surrounded by the park’s natural beauty.

A little behind the scenes on how we helped plan this day for these two amazing humans!

Q&A with the Bride and Groom:

How did you two meet?

Our story began in the fall of 2009. Tim was a sophomore at California Baptist University and Vanessa was beginning her senior year of high school. Vanessa’s friend reached out one evening stating she had met the guy who was her “soulmate”, and if you knew her friend, then you know she also told the same thing to Tim! Skype and texting conversations began, but Vanessa and Tim didn’t officially meet until the summer of 2010 in Seattle, WA. Communication between us was hit or miss (the miss was mostly Vanessa’s fault!) until the Spring of 2015 when Vanessa began reaching out (Tim said it was him who started the conversation back up but we all know his memory isn’t that great!). Fast forward to that summer and Vanessa was moving back out to California and we were officially dating!

How did he propose? We all love a good proposal story!! 

It was Christmas Eve and Tim and I were visiting my family in Flagstaff, Az. The two of us decided to take a morning trip out to explore Sedona before all the Christmas festivities began. Tim suggested breakfast and then a small hike through the cathedral rock trail. Now, mind you, neither of us were in true hiking attire and I was hot. About 30 minutes into hiking I was done, but Tim kept saying well let’s go explore up here or things like that. He knew he was going to have a spot and quick because he knew how feisty I can get sometimes(oops!). I was leading ahead of Tim on the way back out and all the sudden he called out “babe” so I turn around and he’s kneeling on the ground with a ring in his hand asking me to be his wife! To say I was shocked would have been and understatement, but once I realized it was really happening I was beyond overjoyed(and obviously a crying mess!).

What was your favorite part of the day? Anything in particular stand out to you?

We are both pretty much on the same page about our favorite part: the first look! Tim was suppose to write a letter in a paper and hand it to me(like the one I had prepared for him) but instead he handed me his phone with his letter typed up in notes???? that instance pretty much sums up our relationship and is something we will never forget. Also, reading our personalized vows to each other and getting to hear the promises we wrote in front of our closest friends and family was another favorite part.

If you were to give one piece of advice to bride planning her wedding, what would it be?

When others ask you what they can do to help, TAKE THEM UP ON THEIR OFFER! I am a fairly independent person, and I know exactly what I like and how I want it done, but that kind of bit me in the butt the last week prior to the wedding. I was exhausted and running around like a chicken with my head cut off! We had a pretty intimate ceremony, but decided to throw a reception party with a few more friends back at our house the next day, and I truly wish I would have recruited more family and friends to help me get the final touches for the wedding and our house done so I could have relaxed and enjoyed it all a bit more.

You decided to have a pretty unique wedding, and stay true to you two as a couple. What made you decide to have an intimate wedding?

We we first got engaged, I did what every other typical bride probably does: go and research the most gorgeous wedding venues in our state, fall in love, and then get 100% discouraged when finding out how much it would cost to get married there. We initially planned on inviting way more people than we ended up with (like WAY more). The thing that first convinced us that this was not our route was the final cost of how much something like this would be. We didn’t have much help from either side of the family regarding finances, so the wedding was basically going to be out of our own wallets. We knew we wanted to get married, and when it came down to it, we decided we would rather have an intimate ceremony, the reception back at our own house, and then spend the money on our honeymoon celebrating each other and setting our marriage up for a great start. Looking back, we wish we would have came to the realization that neither of us actually wanted a big wedding, and that something tucked in the woods with those closest to us was what would be the most special.

We had absolutely NO complaints from our wedding day. Every little thing went perfectly and Ashley killed it at capturing all the photos we wanted! We are beyond grateful, and can’t wait to relive the day with the beautiful images.

-Timothy and Vanessa

Amazing vendor team:
Coordinator/Florals: Chloe Nicole Weddings + Events
Hair and Makeup: Urbanista Weddings
Gown: Grace Loves Lace
Cake: Trixie’s Cakes

Ashley with Beginning and End Photography is an Elopement + Intimate Wedding experience based out of the Seattle, Washington. We offer Pacific Northwest Elopement photography to surrounding PNW destinations such as Mt. Rainier, Oregon, Olympic National Park, Oregon Coast, Deception Pass Park, and so much more!

Interested in having Ashley as your Olympic Park Elopement Photographer? 

 

 

Interested in having me as your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographer? 

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