Ruby Beach Elopement | Adrien Craven Photography

I recently had the chance to work with some incredible PNW vendors on an adventurous Ruby Beach elopement shoot in Olympic National Park! If you’re not familiar with Ruby Beach, you’re in for a treat — while there might not be actual rubies to be found, this place is certainly a gem! (LOL, see what I did there? I’m hilarious.) The entirety of the Olympic Coastline is absolutely jaw-dropping, from the calmer tidal waters of the Puget Sound on the eastern side to the windswept North Olympic Peninsula shores, Dungeness Spit, Cape Flattery at the contiguous 48 States’ northwesternmost point, to the wild open ocean on the western edge of the continent. I had the unique experience of spending my childhood and adolescent years on the Olympic Peninsula. It shaped and nurtured me, and nowhere else will ever be “home” in the same way that the North Olympic Peninsula is in my mind and heart.

The centerpiece of the Olympic Peninsula is Olympic National Park and the Olympic Mountains. ONP is incredibly diverse, from snow-capped peaks to mossy rainforest cathedrals and emerald old-growth cedar and fir forests. But my favorite destinations have always been the beaches. ONP beaches are not what you envision when you think of warm, tropical California or Hawaii beaches. They’re moody, cold, and often temperamental. Peppered with seastacks and craggy boulders and tidepools, NW beaches are not always hospitable to humans. I’m used to a beach trip that requires rubber boots, a few pairs of thick wool socks, a parka or thick winter coat, and a thermos of warm cocoa. A beach trip where you actually get in the water and swim? Nahhh! On rare, mild summer days, you can roll up your pants and dip your toes in the frigid water, if you’re brave!

Ruby Beach Elopement Inspiration

Are you looking for Washington State Elopement Inspiration? You’ve come to the right place! This shoot was inspired by a deep love for the Washington State coastline and an adventurous, outdoorsy, off-the-beaten-track couple who would choose a remote location like Ruby Beach for an intimate elopement. Against a backdrop of rugged seastacks and towering coastal evergreens, we selected a handful of local vendors to showcase the stunning beauty of the ocean coastline with textural florals and a tablescape that echoed the subtle colors of the beach at sunset. Megan of Lake Farm Florals used pampas grass, eucalyptus, and foraged seed pods to complement the landscape and geometric triangular arbor. Daphnee of Deleon Design created a minimal tablescape that allowed the florals and natural accents to shine. Songbird Paperie provided luxe, hand-lettered stationary, and The PNW Bride created a gorgeous, dramatic hair and makeup look on our stunning model. American Party Place provided rentals, and our three-tier cake came from Celebrity Cake Studio

Vendors

Photographer | Adrien Craven Photography
Planning and Design | Deleon Design
Hair and Makeup | The PNW Bride
Dress and Accessories | A&BÉ Bridal Shop Seattle
Gown | Madi Lane Bridal
Floral | Lake Farm Florals
Rental | American Party Place
Stationery | Songbird Paperie
Desserts | Celebrity Cake Studio

Adrien Craven is a passionate and wildly creative Pacific Northwest wedding photographer. She specializes in natural light wedding photography and is best known for romantic, timeless images of couples against the backdrop of the scenic beauty of Washington State and the greater Puget Sound. With a heart of service and friendly demeanor, Adrien is able to connect with her clients and help them to feel beautiful and at ease while in front of the camera. Her photographs are often described as timeless, romantic, and full of emotion. Interested in booking Adrien for your wedding day? Get in touch here!

Love this wild and romantic northwest coast inspiration shoot? Check out more here:

Erin & John’s Olympic National Park Elopement

Laura & Bobby’s La Push Engagement Session

Tiffany & Brett’s Crescent Beach First Look

Abby & Mike’s Northwest Beach Engagement