If you’re picturing a serene wedding day at the beach and walking barefoot in the sand, I’m here to reset that expectation and tell you what it’s really like to elope on the Washington Coast.

A Ruby Beach elopement is windy, rocky, a little bit unpredictable, and somehow still perfect in a way a sandy beach could never be. The tide rolls out and suddenly the beach triples in size, the wind will pick up any lightweight fabric and dramatically toss it around, and you get to feel like you’re in the wild Pacific Northwest without needing a long hike to get there.

K+B’s day leaned allllll the way into what Ruby Beach has to offer and their energy matched the coast perfectly. I’ll walk you through what their elopement day looked and felt like, plus what you need to know if you’re thinking about planning your own Ruby Beach elopement.

Why Ruby Beach is Perfect for an Elopement

Ruby Beach is one of those places in Olympic National Park that feels way more remote than it actually is. You won’t need a long hike or a full-day commitment to get somewhere that looks like this, which makes it one of the best options if you want something that feels wild without having your entire day revolve around getting there.

The dark sea stacks, driftwood that’s in a new position every time you’re there, and a shoreline that refuses to stay the same all give you tons of variety without having to move on to a second location. You can have a quiet moment at sunset close to the water, walk up and down the beach (and maybe even cross a piece of driftwood over a river!), watch the tides change, and still feel like you haven’t seen the same view twice.

Ruby Beach also works well for a wide range of elopement styles. Whether you’re keeping things to just the two of you or bringing a small group, there’s enough space to spread out and find some privacy. It’s not a hidden location by any means, but if you time it right, it doesn’t feel crowded in the way people might expect.

That being said, this isn’t a “show up and just hope for the best” location! The tide can cut off entire portions of the beach and the parking lot can fill up in a matter of minutes. When you plan for the unexpected ahead of time, it becomes one of the easiest places on the Washington Coast to have an elopement that feels both relaxed and completely unreal.

Considering Olympic National Park for your elopement? Read my full guide!→

Getting Ready Near Olympic National Park

K+B kept the afternoon slow and simple, which felt like the exact right call for a day like this. No packed timeline, no rushing to get out the door, just a quiet start before heading toward the coast. The kind of afternoon where you can button up your partner’s dress, have a snack, and then sit down to copy your vows into vow books without feeling overwhelmed.

They got ready at a quaint AirBNB in Forks (yes, Twilight town 🧛🏻), which is just a 40 minute drive away from Ruby Beach. B was wrapping up getting her hair and makeup done by a family member, K was at the table scribbling vows, and the guests were packing up the car and entertaining the sweet elopement rescue dog, Leroy. Once K helped B button up the back of her wedding gown, it hit them both that they were about to get married.

One of the things I highly recommend for a Ruby Beach elopement is building in that kind of buffer before heading off to your ceremony. Giving yourselves that calm starting point can make a huge difference for how the day unfolds.

Once the group was ready to hit the road, we all loaded up and set our GPS to Ruby Beach. Getting to spend 40 minutes together driving the Washington Coast with your elopement day playlist on and the sun starting to set really sets the vibe for the rest of the evening! We all watched a few raindrops turn to warm sunlight and insane clouds on the drive and I KNEW it was going to make for great photos.

Ceremony at Ruby Beach

The walk down to Ruby Beach is short and sweet - a ¼ mile downhill on a well-maintained trail, then weaving your way through the maze of driftwood until you reach the rocky shore. The tide was on its way out, which means we had tons of space to spread out and get away from other visitors. When the tide is low, you can walk right up to and in between the dark sea stacks (and climb on them if you’re feeling adventurous!).

We took a few minutes to asses the beach and picked out a spot that wasn’t busy at all, away from the entrance to the beach where most people tend to set up to watch the sunset. There was enough space to spread out without feeling like we were getting in the way of anyone else’s time at Ruby Beach. No setup, no aisle, just a stretch of Washington Coast behind them and a moment that didn’t need anything else.

The ceremony itself was simple in the best way. A family member was their officiant and even brought a pink battery-powered microphone for dramatic effect (she definitely nailed it) and walked them through their vows and a few sweet words before exchanging rings. You could still see a few people in the distance, but they were far enough away that it didn’t interrupt K+B at all.

It wasn’t quiet or perfectly still, but it felt grounded and fully theirs.

If you’re envisioning an elopement with no guests, the ocean really lends a hand in creating privacy: the waves crashing tend to drown out your vows for anyone in the vicinity, while still being able to hear your person’s words.

One thing that can make a huge difference at Ruby Beach is knowing how the tide is moving throughout your ceremony window. The beach can completely change, and a spot that felt wide open when you visited the day before can look totally different from your elopement day. Keep an eye on tide charts and plan for mid to low tide!

Exploring the Beach After Their “I Do”

After the ceremony, K+B signed their marriage license on a piece of driftwood together and the guests brought out champagne and glasses for everyone (even one for me, which is the cutest thing ever) so they could celebrate the moment together. There wasn’t any rush to get to the next spot, which is a huge blessing on a day that can be chaotic if you don’t plan it intentionally. We took a few group photos with the sun starting to set, and shortly after the guests headed back to Forks while K+B stayed for sunset photos.

They spent time walking the shoreline, weaving through driftwood, climbing on some sea stacks (B in a gown with a train, which is totally badass), and stopping whenever something caught their attention. This part of the day always feels the most natural. There’s no timeline pressure to be anywhere else, but plenty of time to exist together in a place that doesn’t feel real. Working with the steady wind and the changing light can make for some incredibly varied photos, and it all was a part of the experience that the couple expected because we planned for it.

One thing I always keep in mind here is how quickly the beach can change. As the tide moves, the river feeding into the ocean can completely shift locations. It can go from something you can cross on driftwood to fast-moving water that cuts off access to huge parts of the beach.

A Queer Elopement at Ruby Beach

There’s something about the Washington Coast that makes it easier to just exist without overthinking anything. Maybe it’s the scale of the place or the fact that no one’s really paying attention to anything other than the ocean itself. Either way, it creates a kind of space where you don’t feel like you’re performing at all.

That felt especially true during this Ruby Beach elopement. Nothing about the day felt staged or forced. It truly was just two people showing up as themselves with a few of their favorite people around them, in a place that didn’t ask anything from them other than to enjoy the day.

For a lot of queer couples, that kind of environment matters more than people realize. Not needing to adjust how you’re showing up on your own wedding day, not wondering how something will be received, and not feeling like you’re on display. Having the space to fully bask in it and lock in a core memory.

That’s always the goal for me, no matter where the day is happening. Creating a space where you don’t have to think about anything other than each other, even in a public place. Ruby Beach just happens to make that feel a little more natural. And not every location feels this easy, which is why choosing the right place really matters.

If you’re looking for queer-affirming (and totally badass) elopement vendors, I’ve got an entire list of them for you here!

What to Know About Planning a Ruby Beach Elopement

Planning a Ruby Beach elopement is pretty straightforward once you understand how Olympic National Park works. Most of it comes down to timing because of the sunset, tides, and crowds - this is where experience really matters.

Here are the biggest things to keep in mind:

The tide matters more than any other logistic

It changes the entire layout of Ruby Beach. At high tide, large sections of the beach disappear and some of the best spots for photos and exploring aren’t even accessible.

At low tide, the beach opens up significantly. You’ll have more space around you, more breathing room away from other people, better access to sea stacks, and more flexibility for your day.

Expect wind, somewhat uneven terrain, and changing weather

Ruby Beach isn’t a soft, sandy shoreline. It’s rocky, uneven, and constantly shifting.

Wind is almost always a factor
Walking in heels is difficult, if not impossible
Weather can change at a moment’s notice

The best approach is to plan for it instead of hoping for clear and calm conditions. The “imperfect” weather is usually what makes it feel most like the Washington Coast anyways.

The beach is accessible, but not effortless

Getting to Ruby Beach is relatively easy compared to a lot of other elopement locations in Washington.

There’s a maintained ¼ mile trail from the parking lot to the beach, but it does include:

About 60 feet of elevation change
Some moderately steep sections that require a little more attention
Driftwood and rocks to walk over and through once you’re there

It is a trail that many people would consider easy because of it’s length, but not something you want to underestimate if you or anyone in your group has mobility limitations or has difficulty walking up or down steep terrain.

Its popular, but timing makes all the difference

Ruby Beach is one of the more well-known spots in Olympic National Park, so you won’t have it completely to yourselves.

That said, it rarely feels overwhelming if you know when to go!:

Weekdays will always be quieter than weekends, especially for a place made for watching the sunset
Moving away from the first part of the beach close to the trail helps a lot
The size of the beach gives you room to spread out

You don’t need total isolation for it to feel private and meaningful. You just need the right timing and positioning!

Permits are sometimes required for ceremonies

Because Ruby Beach is within Olympic National Park, you may need a permit for your elopement ceremony.

When you DO need a permit: If your entire group, including yourselves and your photographer, is 6 or more people, you’ll need to get a Special Use Permit.

When you DON’T need a permit: If you are eloping alone or only have 1 or 2 guests, you won’t need a Special Use Permit. Just keep that group size under 6!

Applying for a Special Use Permit is pretty straightforward - you fill out an application, pay the permit fee, and wait to hear back from the park. Usually someone will get back to you pretty quickly, but it’s better to apply early instead of rushing at the last second.

Ruby Beach is dog-friendly!

One of the biggest surprises for couples planning an Olympic National Park elopement is that dogs aren’t allowed in most areas of the park. Trails, alpine areas, and a lot of the more iconic locations are completely off-limits to pets.

Ruby Beach is one of the rare exceptions!

Dog’s are allowed on-leash here, which makes it an amazing option if you can’t imagine your day without them. Make sure your dog is comfortable in a beach environment before committing to Ruby Beach, and don’t forget to pack out all waste.

Read all about how to plan a dog-friendly elopement here→

Leave No Trace is still important

Even though it feels rugged and wild, Ruby Beach is still a part of nature that deserves our respect and should be visited with care.

That means:

Don’t leave anything behind - trash, flowers, wrappers, champagne corks
Don’t disturb any wildlife, tidepool creatures, or damage natural features
Keep your elopement simple and low impact
Respect other visitors’ and don’t block off any areas for photos or ceremonies

It’s a part of what keeps this place looking the way it does, and it’s on all of us to make sure it’s here for future generations. LeaveNoTrace.org is a great resource for more information!

What you wear matters

This is one of those locations where practical choices in clothes and shoes can make a huge difference.

Sturdy footwear is absolutely necessary - heels or backless shoes will make moving around the beach nearly impossible
Bring layers for changes in the wind and temperature
For dramatic photos, consider wearing fabrics that are lightweight and move in the wind (it will photograph amazingly!)

You can still look exactly how you want, just with a little more intention ahead of time.

Once you understand how all of this works together, planning a Ruby Beach elopement becomes a lot simpler than it seems at first.

Planning Your Own Ruby Beach Elopement

If you’re thinking about planning your own Ruby Beach elopement, it’s a lot more doable than it might seem! Most of it comes down to the timing of the tide, choosing the right part of the beach, and building a timeline that gives you space to actually enjoy it.

That’s where having someone who knows how this location works makes a massive difference in how your day unfolds. The small decisions really shape how the day feels, and when those are handled ahead of time, everything comes together a lot more easily.

If you’re drawn to this kind of day, I’ll help you plan something that works and feels like yours from start to finish.

Reach out to plan your Ruby Beach elopement→

Want to keep planning your elopement?

These guides can help you keep things moving ⬇️

A Queer Ruby Beach Elopement on the Washington Coast