Lake Crescent in Olympic NP, Washington Elopement
Lake Crescent is a hidden gem located just 3-hours outside of Seattle in Olympic National Park. With it's deep blue waters and the surrounding forests. Several people come to Lake Crescent to enjoy all the outdoor activities there are. If you love nature, outdoor recreation, glacial lakes and are looking to have an adventurous elopement experience - lake crescent might just be the place for you.
About Lake Crescent
Lake Crescent is a deep lake located in the Northern foothills of Olympic National Park. It is known for its blue waters and clarity. This is caused by a lack of nitrogen in the water which stops the growth of algae. The lake is located with in a popular recreation area and has several hiking trails throughout. Many visitors enjoy water activities. The lake was formed when glaciers carved out deep valleys during the last Ice Age.
Delia + Josh's Lake Crescent Elopement
Delia and Josh has an intimate and romantic elopement at Crescent Lake in Olympic NP. They started off their day with getting ready together at their Airbnb. I thought it was really lovely for them to get ready together and spend the entirety of the day with each other.
Due to their parents not being able to be present on the day of, they had asked if they could write them letters. After getting ready they spent sometime reading the letters that their parents had written for them. It was so sweet!
Afterwards, we headed to Lake Crescent where Delia's sister officiated their ceremony. Delia and Josh's ceremony took place on the dock at the lake. After sharing their vows, they popped some champagne and enjoy a celebratory drink afterwards.
We took sometime to explore the forests which was covered in lush ferns. We also got a stunning sunset towards the end of their portraits making for some unbelievable photos. They wrapped up their day cooking together at their Airbnb and made some pizza for everyone to enjoy!
Overall, it was such a beautiful day, and while the weather can be unreliable at this time of year and change quickly, we were able to get clouds and some beautiful sunset skies.
Why You Should Elope at Lake Crescent
Aside from Lake Crescent being absolutely stunning - it is also accessible to people of all skill levels. There are many hiking trails and drive-up locations that you can visit. So if you are planning on eloping with family or friends who are older this can be a perfect location when considering them.
Additionally, the landscape is made up of several different kinds of topography. There are forests, lakes, waterfalls, and so much more to be explored here. Eloping somewhere with different types of landscapes can help add variety to your day - making your final gallery of images more interesting!
As previously mentioned, there are also several activities that you can find here. There is something everyone can enjoy. With it being only 3 hours from Seattle's Airport it makes it accessible in that sense too. There are several choices for lodging. One of the most popular being the Lake Crescent Lodge.
How to Get Married in Olympic National Park at Lake Crescent
If you decide to get married at Lake Crescent you will need to get your Olympic National Park wedding permit so your marriage will be legal. The permit you’ll need is a Special Use Permit.
How to Apply for your Special Use Permit:
Download the Special Use Permit application
Fill out the application
Send the completed application along with the $50 non-refundable processing fee through check or money order (made payable to the National Park Service) to the address below:
Olympic National Park: 600 East Park Ave. Port Angeles, WA 98362
4. If your permit request is approved, you’ll receive a permit in the mail. Sign this once you receive it & mail it back to the park for final approval.
You will want to do this as soon as you can. It can take sometime for the offices to approve your permit. You don't want to wait until only a month in advance and have to change all of your plans last minute.
Planning to Elope at Lake Crescent or Olympic NP?
I’d love to help you plan a memorable elopement experience in the wilds of Washington at this gorgeous glacial lake. Helping people find the perfect elopement location is kind of my thing — so if you’re interested in working together, reach out here to get started.
Also check out their elopement video below! Lucas from Evergreen Creative Co. shot this and it turned out awesome!