Meet your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographers:
Book a free planning Call!
Hi, we're Sammie & Micah!
We're the Chaffins, a married elopement photography team that helps adventurous and laid-back couples plan their elopements in the most beautiful nature!
If you want something more than the stress and pressure of a big wedding, then you're in good company: Our story started when we eloped 6 years ago and fell in love with elopements!
Olympic is one of our favorite places and it holds a special place in our hearts since we grew up exploring the Pacific Northwest!
Why Choose Olympic? Getting married here is a nature-lover's dream come true! Olympic's got it all: towering mountains, lush rainforests, wild coastline, cascading waterfalls, moody evergreens, and alpine lakes!
We've been photographing and planning elopements in Olympic for years and we LOVE this park so much. Showing couples the beauty of places like Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rainforest, and Ruby Beach is the best!
We're passionate about creating a meaningful wedding experience for you while we capture artistic photos that document your connection:
Let's Plan Your Olympic Elopement!
As Seen On:
We know why You're eloping:
Because your wedding day should FEel 100% like YOU.
You want a wedding that's intimate and adventurous.
You feel at home in nature and you want to celebrate it.
You want a wedding that feels authentic to who you are.
We're here to help you make it happen:
What It's Like To Elope With Us:
1. Elopement planning that isn't stressful:
One of the reasons you're eloping is probably to avoid the stress and pressure that big weddings can bring. So we're here to make your elopement planning process as stress-free as possible!
We'll help you every step of the way: choosing your locations, getting permits, building a timeline, finding vendors, and ANYTHING else you need.
2. No forced moments. No stiff poses. Just the real you:
We combine both documentary and cinematic photography by using artistic prompts to capture your genuine laughter, tears, and intimacy.
Instead of awkward poses, we create experiences that evoke real emotion: recalling your first road trip, hiking through the mountains together, whispering what you love most about each other. Looking at your photos, you'll be transported back to those special moments.
3. You deserve more than just good photos:
Your elopement is going to be intimate. Maybe you have 15 guests, or maybe it's just you two. Either way, here's the thing: Eloping is about the experience first, then photos second. Which means you need elopement photographers whose presence adds to your day.
You deserve photographers who bring joy, peace, and adventure into your experience while keeping the focus on your marriage where it belongs! They should be people you genuinely enjoy spending time with.
Sound Like What you're looking for?
Let's Plan Your Elopement!
"Sammie and Micah helped us every step of the way. Our Olympic National Park wedding would not have been what it was without them."
"When we got off the first zoom meeting with Sammie and Micah, we knew they were the best fit for us.
What separates Sammie and Micah from your typical photographers is the bond we developed along the way. It was a blessing that we found them. And WOW, the photos were just unbelievable.”
Dan + Amanda
"They made us feel so comfortable in our photos. We couldn't have picked a better couple to capture our day! To Sammie and Micah: THANK YOU
"Sammie and Micah were absolutely amazing from beginning to end. Throughout the booking, planning, phone calls with questions about permits and scheduling, to even reminding us to eat the day of our elopement! You guys are freaking amazing and the absolute best at what you do!"
Amanda & Victor
"Our experience with Sammie and Micah was special and incredible. I can't imagine our day with any other photographer! "
“ I would recommend them 1000x over for an adventure elopement.We never could have planned our elopement adventure without them!
The vibe they brought on our wedding day was perfect. We always felt loved and supported and there was no discomfort behind the camera."
Caitlyn + John
We Love elopements so much,
we went viral for them:
Because being Olympic National Park elopement photographers is personal for us.
We eloped in a National Park ourselves so we know how meaningful the experience is, and how hard it can be to start the planning process.
That's why we're so much more than just your photographers, we'll be your planning guides, your hiking friends, and your biggest supporters throughout the entire process.
You're not in this alone anymore. From planning your elopement to saying your vows: you'll have another couple by your side who truly gets you.
4.4M
Olympic National Park Elopement Packages:
Our elopement packages range from 8-hour to 2+ day elopements to ensure we capture all of your precious moments, and you two have time to relax and be fully present during your elopement.
Included in All our Packages:
Stress-Free Planning Assistance
We'll guide you through each step of the planning process to make sure it's as stress-free as possible!
70+ Page Planning Guide
Our in-depth guide with everything you need to know to plan your elopement or micro-wedding.
Cinematic Photo Coverage
Your entire elopement, documented in authentic, artistic photos. You'll get preview photos within just a few days and all your final photos within 2 months.
Vendor and Activity Research
We’ll point you to the best vendors, and recommend life-giving activities based on who you uniquely are.
Location Recommendations
Whether it's specific spots in Olympic, or if you're not sure what location you want, we're here to help.
Permit Assistance
We'll walk you through the process of getting your wedding permit for Olympic, we'll make it simple and stress-free!
Complimentary Album Design
We do the hardest part for you: a custom album design that tells the whole story of your elopement. When you order your fine-art album you can customize the design.
Custom Elopement Timeline
We co-create your timeline with you, intentionally designed to prioritize your experience above all else.
Next Step: Book a Call!
You two fell in love going on adventures together...
So Let's make your Elopement your best adventure yet.
5 Expert Tips from Your Olympic National Park Elopement Photographers:
1. Plan Ahead to Avoid the Crowds
Olympic is popular, so to avoid crowds we recommend eloping in late Spring or early Fall on a weekday. You'll avoid summer and weekend crowds while still having full access to mountain locations like Hurricane Ridge. The weather is ideal (50-75°F) with less rain, and waterfalls still flowing beautifully. Plan for early morning or late afternoon: you'll have more intimate moments at iconic spots with better lighting, without being rushed or overwhelmed.
2. Choose Locations You Connect With
Instead of choosing a location only for the photos, choose locations in Olympic that really resonate you personally. As Olympic National Park elopement photographers, we know that the best photos happen when you feel like yourself and you're truly enjoying the nature around you! Some of our favorite locations are Ruby Beach, Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rainforest, and Lake Crescent, but there's dozens to choose from! (We'll help you pick the best ones!)
3. Get Your Wedding Permit Early:
Olympic requires a $50 Special Use Permit for weddings with more than five people total, including vendors. The approval process takes 4 weeks minimum, but park staff get busy and in our own experience processing times are longer. We recommend you start at least 3-6 months out, the earlier the better. This gives you time for back-and-forth communication and ensures your permit is approved before your date. Download the application from the NPS website and email it to olym_permits@nps.gov to get started.
4. Plan around Olympic National Park's Size
Locations in Olympic can be far apart (wedding road trip!!) for example: Ruby Beach is 2 hours from Hurricane Ridge and 1 hour from Hoh Rainforest, so plan accordingly. Weather varies greatly between locations, so research your specific spots ahead of time and make sure you and your guests plan your attire accordingly.
5. Leave No Trace in Olympic National Park
To keep Olympic beautiful, it's important to follow all Leave No Trace principles. This means staying on established trails, packing out everything you bring in, and respecting wildlife. Read the LNT 7 Principles and Olympic Safety page on the NPS website for more.
Olympic National Park Elopement Planning Guide
Ready to start planning?
Let us help:
Let's Get started!
*(99% of our couples reach out to us before they feel like they "have it figured out" because that's what we're here to help with!)
"Planning our special day felt effortless with Sammie & Micah's guidance and expertise. Their shooting style is pure magic: nothing felt posed or forced; every laugh, tear, and smile was authentic"
- Eva & Arturo
Let's Plan Your Elopement!
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