How to elope at Ruby Beach in Washington | Olympic National Park
Eloping at Ruby Beach in Washington
Eloping has become popular for couples who want an intimate and romantic wedding experience. I personally LOVE the intimacy of elopements and would love to help you plan your dream elopement. While I give my couples extra tips and tricks, along with questionnaires and planning guides, you probably found this post because you’re hoping to elope at Ruby Beach, and I’m happy to share some important tips.
First, let’s dive into Ruby Beach. What is Ruby Beach?: Ruby Beach is an iconic landscape with sea stacks, tide pools, crashing waves, sitting opposite of amazing forestry (The Olympic National Park). It is a breathtaking sight to see.
The black rock formations provide a moody backdrop, and the sun coming through the rock formations during sunrise and sunset are unlike anything else. There are driftwood logs along Ruby Beach, some of which you’ll need to walk on and over to the most iconic areas of Ruby Beach.
Where is Ruby Beach? Ruby Beach is part of Olympic National Park, although unlike some parks, you don’t drive through a park entrance to access Ruby Beach. Ruby Beach is in Jefferson County about 27 miles South of Forks, Washington. If you’re driving from Seattle, Washington, it’s at 3 1/2 hour drive to the West (and North) of Washington. If you’re driving from Forks, Washington, it’s a 30 minute drive South. There is no cell service as you drive through most of Olympic National Forest as you drive through Highway 101. There is a parking lot with bathrooms once you arrive at Ruby Beach, and is the best spot to meet before your elopement. To get down to Ruby Beach from the parking lot, there is a downhill trail (more like a path) to the West that leads to the beach.
Do I need a special pass or permit to elope at Ruby Beach?: YES.
Although you won’t pass a park entrance with a kiosk when eloping at Ruby Beach, you will want to purchase the $30 private vehicle pass here. The pass will be valid for seven days and is per-vehicle. To elope on Ruby Beach, you will also need a special use permit. When applying for a permit, timing is important. Don’t wait too long to apply for your permit! I recommend getting your special use permit application submitted 3 months before your Ruby Beach elopement at the latest. If you hire me as your elopement photographer, I help you with obtaining the right permits for Ruby Beach. The process to get a special use permits is to email the parks here. The application you will want to download and fill out for your special use permit can be found here. You will then follow the instructions they send you by email and send your completed application along with a fee of $50-$100.
Your elopement photographer (me!) will also need a still photography permit. The permit is $50/day for 1-10 people and the application fee is $100. The still photography permit can be found here.
What is the best time of day to elope at Ruby Beach?: The absolute best time to elope at Ruby Beach is either at sunrise or sunset. Keep in mind, this can be a popular time for landscape photographers, other photo sessions, and tourists. However, the beach itself stretches a ways and offers plenty of space for everyone. Sunrise will always have less people at Ruby Beach.
If you’re looking for moody elopement photos at Ruby Beach, the dark rocks are a great natural backdrop for your elopement ceremony. Keep in mind, you are not permitted to bring any props or decor for your elopement at Ruby Beach. However, the gorgeous landscape is the perfect backdrop for your Ruby Beach elopement. On one side you have the gorgeous coastline on Ruby Beach, and on the other there is forestry, all among reddish sands and logs.
Golden hour at either sunrise or sunset is the perfect time to exchange vows. In my Ruby Beach adventure elopement package, the timeline consists of getting ready photos, details, first look, exchanging of vows (usually symbolic in elopements, however you can actually get married there with additional guidelines), followed by a “Champagne” pop and toasts using water to follow the Leave No Trace principles. We then have a charcuterie picnic followed by your first dance, some additional dancing, lantern photos across the Ruby Beach seascape, and then star gazing if the weather allows. (If this sounds like your dream Ruby Beach elopement package, reach out to us here!)
Things to bring for your elopement at Ruby Beach:
-wedding attire and dress/suit bags and a belt to make travel easier
-rings and ring box(es)
-additional jewelry you’d like to wear
-veil if wearing one
-vow books/handwritten vows
-a gift for your partner if you choose to do a gift exchange
-opt for comfortable shoes or barefoot instead of heels on Ruby Beach
-emergency pack with safety pins, bobby pins, makeup for touchups, and bandaids.
-portable steamer (just in case!)
-Backpack for storing vow books, jewelry, emergency kit, etc. (opt to have everything in one backpack instead of several bags.)
Tips for Wedding Attire during a Ruby Beach Elopement:
Your dress may get dirty, but it is SO worth it for the photos, and those are how you’ll remember your Ruby Beach elopement for the rest of your life. If you’re staying on Ruby Beach for your elopement, there really isn’t “hiking” you’ll be doing. Anyone in mildly decent shape can get around Ruby Beach, I would recommend keeping your dress and suit in their original bags, folding them in half, and tying a belt around the bag and your waist so it’s easier to walk down to Ruby Beach (it’s a very short walk down steps). Once there, we can pop open a portable dressing pod for you to change if we’re doing a first look. If you’re wearing a veil, keep it in the same garment bag, preferably on its own hanger.
You can keep all of your jewelry and vow books in a ziplock bag inside of a backpack. Keep all your necklaces, bracelets, and earrings in their original packaging so they don’t tangle inside the ziplock bag. We’ll capture you putting on any jewelry you’re going to wear.
Bring a portable steamer just in case your dress and/or suit wrinkled up (this is more helpful if we’re doing a 7-mile hike for your elopement).
After the Elopement Ceremony at Ruby Beach:
After exchanging vows, you can celebrate with a private picnic or a romantic dinner at a nearby coastal town. There are beautiful beachfront cabins not too far away.
We do a gorgeous Ruby Beach elopement package that consists of getting ready photos, first look photos, exchanging of vows, followed by a “champagne” spray (using water to follow Leave No Trace principles), a charcuterie picnic for two, your first dance, some additional fun dancing for photos to a curated playlist we make together, and finally star-gazing if the weather allows. (Reach out here if this sounds like your dream elopement!)
Make sure you adhere to the Leave No Trace principles:
When eloping at Ruby Beach, ensure you’re following the Leave No Trace principles. That includes not leaving garbage anywhere, using water instead of actual champagne for champagne spray photos, not carving rocks, and leaving the beach in the same, if not better, condition than you found it.
What month is the best to elope at Ruby Beach?:
March through October are the best months to elope on Ruby Beach. But you can elope at Ruby Beach any month of the year and still get breathtaking photos.
Eloping during the Summer months at Ruby Beach (June to August):
Mild Weather: Summer is the most popular time to elope at Ruby Beach. The months of June, July, and August have milder temperatures, and stunning sunsets.
Longer Days: Take advantage of the longer daylight hours during summer for a sunset elopement. The extended golden hour provides a romantic setting as the sun dips below the horizon, casting vibrant hues across the sky.
Eloping during the Fall at Ruby Beach (September to November):
Vibrant Colors: Fall brings a burst of vibrant colors to the surrounding landscapes. The changing foliage in the nearby forests creates a picturesque backdrop for your elopement, adding warmth and richness to your photos.
Fewer Crowds: While summer is popular, the fall months offer a quieter and more intimate atmosphere. It’s a more serene experience at Ruby Beach during the fall, and your Ruby Beach elopement photos will be gorgeous.
Eloping during the Winter at Ruby Beach (December to February):
Dramatic Storms: You may see winter storms rolling in from the Pacific Ocean. While temperatures may be cooler, the moody atmosphere and crashing waves create a unique and unforgettable elopement experience. If you can handle the cold, and love the fog, eloping at Ruby Beach in the winter might be for you.
Get Cozy After your elopement ceremony, you can cozy up in nearby accommodations to enjoy the winter charm. A winter elopement at Ruby Beach provides a romantic escape for couples who appreciate the beauty of the season. I would recommend bringing hot cocoa and hand and feet warmers. Depending on the weather, we’ll likely want to move the rest of your elopement timeline indoors, and there usually will not be opportunity to star-gaze during the winter months by Ruby Beach.
Eloping during the Spring at Ruby Beach (March to May):
Mild Temperatures: Spring has mild temperatures, which makes it a comfortable time to elope. The days aren’t as long as summer, but long enough that you can sleep in a little for a sunrise elopement or go to bed at a decent time (if you’re crazy enough to do that on such an exciting day) if you’re planning a sunset elopement.
I hope these tips for your Ruby Beach elopement were helpful! If a Ruby Beach elopement sounds up your alley, please reach out and I would love to learn about your love story and help plan the perfect Ruby Beach elopement with you.
XOXO
Datura Photo (Jules Wagstaff) is a wedding and elopement photographer in Utah and the PNW. Datura Photo travels worldwide to document weddings and elopements in an artistic style through photography and videography. Contact us to learn more! (We can’t wait to meet you!!)
