The Most Romantic Olympic Peninsula Wedding Venues

Being one of the last places to be mapped & explored in the Contiguous United States, the Olympic Peninsula in the northwestern region of Washington State has some of the most enchanted landscapes in the country. Thanks to its unique geography, the peninsula has a mixed subpolar & Mediterranean climate, making it a perfect destination for couples looking for the perfect forest wedding venue. 

As an experienced wedding photographer, I know a location can sometimes make allll the difference, so choosing the right venue can help make your dream wedding a reality. With some of the most beautiful landscapes & a wide variety of locations to choose from, picking the perfect wedding venue in Washington State can be a bit overwhelming! As a wedding & elopement photographer, I can confidently say that there are no wrong picks when it comes to choosing an Olympic Peninsula wedding venue.

Types of Olympic Peninsula Wedding Venues

With most of the peninsula only being mapped & explored a century ago, it still retains a mysterious allure for many, making it one of the top choices for a lot of couples wanting a unique wedding experience in the lush landscapes of the PNW. It has also been a great pick for elopements & smaller, more intimate indoor ceremonies. Both indoor & outdoor settings have their perks, & Olympic Peninsula has great selections for each category.

Indoor Venues

Having an indoor venue gives you & your wedding planner lots of control. If you’re more accustomed to having things go a certain way, indoor weddings should be your top consideration. Indoor venues give you comfort, decoration flexibility, easy access to sounds & lights, & an overall controlled environment. Places like Manresa Castle, the Red Lion, & Fort Worden are fantastic options. 

Outdoor Venues

Many would argue they would prefer an outdoor ceremony. I myself had an all outdoor wedding so I totally get it! Natural light, spaciousness, & the natural beauty are some of the benefits of having an outdoor venue. Places like Fern Acres or Agate Beach Lodge are some of the best spots for outdoor weddings. Just a side note, a wedding on the Olympic Peninsula might mean you’d have to keep a close eye on the weather, especially if you’re planning to hold the ceremony in the Olympic National Park.

Olympic Peninsula Elopement Locations

The Olympic Peninsula around Port Angeles, Forks, & from the mountains to the coast is one of my favorite places to explore. The rugged coasts of Rialto & Ruby Beaches & the Olympic Mountains contain such a vast array of places to elope. The mix of lush greenery & dramatic landscapes makes it a place where your wedding can feel truly connected to nature.

Top Olympic Peninsula Wedding Venues

The Olympic Peninsula of Washington state is vast & has a variety of scenery & landscapes. Some of the top/most popular wedding venues are located closer to the town of Port Angeles.

Agate Beach Lodge

Found along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Agate Beach Lodge is a beautiful location for an intimate Port Angeles wedding. The three-room beach house is nestled at the shores facing Pacific waters. The venue is secluded, tucked away in a hidden cove along the Washington coast. You can even explore the surrounding lands & long stretch of private pebble beach that is all yours for the day! The beach house has three fully stocked modern rooms with kitchens & a common room where people can rest, work, & admire the beach view. Agate Beach Lodge also has a large internal room on the main level where you can hold a reception or even a full indoor wedding for up to 75 people.

Red Lion Hotel

If you’re planning a bigger wedding with more guests, the Red Lion Hotel may be a good consideration. The hotel sits on the banks of the Pacific waters & has a view of the bay. Additionally, the hotel is only two miles, about a thirty-minute walk, from the Olympic National Park visitor’s center. Perks & amenities such as an exercise room, a spa, bike rentals, & a fancy dining experience are included in your stay. If you’re a pet lover, you’ll be happy to know that the hotel welcomes pets!

Forest Olympic Peninsula Wedding Venues

The Olympic Peninsula offers some of the most enchanting forest venues in the Pacific Northwest. With its lush green forests, towering trees, & misty mountain views, this area creates a magical backdrop for couples who want an earthy, laid-back celebration. From hidden groves & quiet trails to more established spots, the Olympic Peninsula has forest venues that make you feel like you’re stepping into a fairytale!

Fern Acres

Fern Acres has some of the most impressive forests on this list.  The area is a mix of man-made gardens & natural forest. Located in the heart of the Olympic Peninsula, the venue is perfect for a small ceremony & reception gathering. Your guests would be surrounded by acres of gardens & orchards with collections of flowers, plants, & trees, as well as diverse wildlife. The forests had started as a passion project for Tena & Brent Gagnon as they began planting a garden in the area. It eventually evolved into this beautiful Olympic National Park wedding venue, & of course you can expect a lot of ferns!

Quileute Oceanside Resort

Another great option for smaller wedding celebrations is Quileute Oceanside Resort. The beachfront lodges are located just outside of Olympic Nature Park. The resort serves as a starting point & gateway to exploring the Olympic Nature Park. The lands upon which the venue is located hold thousands of years of historical & cultural significance as it had been home to the Quileute people.

The resort overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca & is the perfect location for viewing the rugged Pacific Northwest coastline. It also makes for a fantastic outdoor wedding venue with an impressive view of the ocean. Guests are also encouraged to maintain respectful behavior towards Quileute traditions. Wanting for its visitors & guests to have an immersive & disconnected experience, TV & Wifi are not offered in the cabins.

Beautiful Lakefront Olympic Wedding Venues

Imagine exchanging vows by a vast lake with blue, clear waters– surrounded by evergreens & mountain views. The Olympic Peninsula’s lakefront venues offer settings next to lake such as Lake Crescent, which is ideal for couples love the water views.

NatureBridge

NatureBridge is located within Olympic National Park & contains many indoor & outdoor spaces perfect for wedding ceremonies. With access to beautiful lake shores & a lush rainforest, Nature Bridge is the perfect place if you want a bigger wedding in the outdoors in the national park. NatureBridge offers Rosemary Inn, various outdoor spaces, historic cabins, & Storm King Hall.

The sheer size of the place ensures you’ll have privacy for your wedding ceremony, you also have exclusive use of the private property here so there won’t be people around like there would be in the rest of Olympic National Park. The retreat & conference hall make for a gorgeous wedding space, especially against the backdrop of the Olympic forests. It also makes for a good backup indoor space if you do want an outdoor wedding & it rains.

Lake Quinault Lodge

You’ll get solid holiday getaway vibes at the Lake Quinault Lodge if you pick this as your wedding venue in Olympic. The building has a historic charm, looking like a massive hunting lodge. It’s built on a small hill overlooking Lake Quinault & is surrounded by pristine pine forests. Guests can paddle board & fish by the lake or explore the temperate rainforests before dining at the historic Roosevelt Dining Room. Built in 1929, the rustic building still retains most of its original charm, appearing to be suspended in time. Whether you want to plan a smaller wedding with friends & family, or thinking of a large wedding with dozens of guests, Lake Quinault Lodge is the perfect venue for your special day.

Best Elopement Locations on the Olympic Peninsula

Many couples want a grand wedding at an Olympic Peninsula wedding venue with lots of guests & revelry, but if you’re looking for Olympic Peninsula elopement locations, you may not need a venue. The Olympic Peninsula has a lot of outdoor ceremony spaces you can choose from for your elopement. Here’s a few of the elopement locations you may want to look into around Olympic National Park, Forks, & Port Angeles. BUT. If you’re looking for those hidden gems of elopement locations, wellll… I’m not going to blast every location I know of online, so if you’d like my expertise, contact me to schedule a consultation & when you book with me you get access to all my client resources, exclusive location guides, & all sorts of other planning help!

Hurricane Ridge

About 18 miles from Port Angeles, the mountainous areas of Hurricane Ridge is open to hikers, skiers, campers &, of course, weddings & elopements. The mountain views serving as a backdrop will definitely make for gorgeous wedding photos in the PNW. I absolutely love how the clouds can roll in, out, & through these mountains. You’ll also need to have a special use permit if you plan to have a ceremony here in the mountains, so just keep that in mind.

Closest Town: Port Angeles, WA

Capacity: around 20 or less

Learn more about Hurricane Ridge

Lake Crescent & Lake Crescent Lodge

Another great Olympic Peninsula wedding venue is Lake Crescent & Lake Crescent Lodge. With Crescent Lake, pine forests, rain forests, rolling hills, & green peak mountains are options as your wedding day locations. There are several spots around the space that are great locations for your wedding ceremony. Guests can also take part in several water activities such as boating, fishing, & kayaking. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you could explore & hike the nearby woods or even up to Mount Storm King. The main attraction, the lodge itself, is also a wonderful space for a more intimate wedding ceremony & reception. 

Closest Town: Port Angeles, WA

Capacity: around 30 or less

Learn more about Lake Crescent

Coastal Areas of Port Angeles

If you’re looking for an Olympic Peninsula elopement destination on the ocean, some of the go to places are located outside of Olympic National Park at various beaches & coastal areas near Port Angeles. You can spend the weekend camping at the beach shores while admiring the strait & beaches every morning. Diving to other scenic areas, boating, & hiking are just some of the activities you can plan out for your wedding day in Port Angeles.

Closest Town: Port Angeles, WA

Capacity: around 10-40, depending on exact locations

Ruby Beach & Rialto Beach

Ruby Beach & Rialto Beach are two incredible spots for Washington elopement locations. I love the rugged coastline, dramatic rock formations rising from the water, & waves crashing against the shore. It’s the kind of place that brings a natural, untamed energy to your day. With you, your partner, & maybe a few close friends gathered at the water’s edge, these beaches create a stunning, one-of-a-kind backdrop for unforgettable photos & a laid-back celebration.

Closest Town: Forks, Washington

Capacity: around 20-30

Learn more about Ruby Beach

Hoh Rainforest

When looking for Olympic Peninsula wedding venues, you can’t forget about the Hoh Rainforest. Getting married in the Olympic Peninsula’s largest rainforest, one of the largest rainforests in the United States, can take a bit of planning due to how busy this location can be & the permit required. Having an elopement here feels as though you & your guests have been transported somewhere else. Make sure you plan for the weather as rain can come at any time. It is a rainforest after all! But if you want a rainforest location that’s less busy, I know of some hidden gems in Olympic. 😉

Closest Town: Forks, WA

Capacity: under 15

Learn more about the Hoh Rainforest

Getting Married on the Olympic Peninsula

These are some of the best wedding venues in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Whether you’re going for a “just you” elopement or an intimate wedding, there are a lot of location options for your dream wedding day in the Olympic Peninsula.

Why Have an All Day or Multi-Day Celebration?

A lot of couples who get married on the Olympic Peninsula have a hard time narrowing down locations of where they want to go because when you can choose between various coastal areas, beaches, gorgeous blue lakes, & the Olympic mountains– it’s hard to pick! Booking your photographer for a full day or even multi days of coverage can ensure you get all the photos you want in all the locations you want. You could even do a multi day elopement split between Olympic National Park & Mount Baker.