Why Ksenia and Jordan Chose a Two-Day Fantasy-Inspired Elopement

This is what happens when you throw out the wedding rule book and plan the dream wedding that actually feels like YOU.

Having attended multiple traditional weddings as a couple, they always acknowledged they were beautiful but agreed “that just isn’t for us.” As hardcore national park explorers who’d traveled the country checking parks off their list and always taking pictures with the entrance sign, they knew their hearts belonged somewhere wild.

Olympic National Park had always been high on their bucket list, but they saved that first visit for something extraordinary: their wedding day. And Olympic did not let them down! The park was literally made for their love story: Ksenia works as a biology researcher and lives for the forest, while Jordan wrote his master’s paper on underwater shipwrecks and loves the ocean. Forest meets sea? Olympic delivered both.

Here’s what made their elopement unique (and what can make yours unique too!): They chose a two-day celebration to fully immerse themselves in everything the park offered, jam-packing their wedding with details that were 100% them: from morning board games to fantasy-inspired rings, to custom quilts showing their interests, to spending time with loved ones, and also exploring the park all by themselves!

Checkout our full Olympic National Park Elopement Guide to learn how to plan your own elopement!

Their Elopement:

Day One: Board Games, Loved Ones, and Hidden Mountains With Perfect Timing

They started their Day 1 doing what they often do: drinking coffee and playing a national parks-themed board game! After we photographed their incredible details: cascading bouquets, Olympic-themed invitations, nature-inspired rings that looked straight out of their favorite fantasy novels, D&D dice, etc. they got into their wedding attire and shared a private first look overlooking a turquoise glacier-fed river.

Then came their tradition: the national park sign photo they’ take all over the country, but this time they got to do it on their wedding day! It was such a beautiful testament to their relationship!

Their Hurricane Ridge ceremony began foggy and ethereal, trees disappearing into Pacific Northwest clouds, like something from the enchanted forests they love reading about. Then halfway through their vows, the clouds parted like a curtain, revealing breathtaking mountain views: a gift that felt meant just for them. With letters from family and K’s hand-woven tapestry woven into the ceremony, it was so authentically them.

Day Two: Group Rainforest Hikes, Ancient Trees, and Wild Beach Sunsets

Day 2 brought the Hoh Rainforest adventure. Ksenia and Jordan invited everyone to come hike with them, but expected only a few guests to join. Their hearts were touched when almost everyone showed up, even the non-outdoorsy ones! Watching Ksenia share her forest expertise, pointing out trees and sharing incredible facts with people she loved? That’s the heart of what adventure weddings should be.

After friends left, they hiked deeper into the rainforest alone, then visited the famous Tree of Life, an ancient giant suspended over a canyon for decades, estimated to fall within the next couple years. It felt like it had been holding on just for them.

Their finale at Ruby Beach wasn’t the typical moody Olympic National Park scene, instead, they got a rare, stunning sunset that lit up ocean mist and sea stacks. Wind-chilled and full of joy, they danced and ran along the shore, warming up at their picnic setup before taking a final lantern-lit stroll in the twilight with stars sparkling over their heads.

This wasn’t just a wedding. It was proof that when you stop trying to “fit the mold” with your wedding and start honoring what makes your hearts sing, magic happens. Ksenia and Jordan created something luxurious in the way that actually matters: perfectly crafted for who they are and what they love most.

Thinking about eloping? We’ll help you plan an experience that’s 100% you, then capture every precious memory with artistic photos!

Photos From Their Amazing Elopement: