A groom dips his bride on a dock at Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park at his wedding.

Lake Crescent Wedding in Olympic National Park

Elegant Intimate NatureBridge Wedding on Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park

This Lake Crescent wedding in Olympic National Park had everything from stunning mountain views to peaceful forest vibes, and even a very cold jump in the lake the day after the wedding. When Shannon first reached out about her wedding at NatureBridge, I was instantly excited. After meeting her in person, I was completely on board. She and her fiancé, Taylor, are absolutely my kind of people. From the beginning, I loved their adventurous spirits and fun-loving energy. They chose a more intimate and intentional celebration with about 50 guests who traveled from all over the country to attend. Their wedding featured some of the most beautiful florals I have ever seen, and the ceremony setup was absolutely stunning. The reception was filled with spirited first dances, and there wasn’t a dry eye during the speeches. The father-daughter dance, in particular, wins “most entertaining” in my over a decade of photographing weddings. It was truly a weekend I will always remember.

Why They Chose NatureBridge For Their Wedding

Shannon and Taylor met at an airport, which feels so fitting for two people who live life on the move. They’ve done the van life, love the outdoors, and have spent much of their relationship adventuring together. When it came time to choose a wedding venue, they knew they wanted a place that reflected their love for nature and gave their friends and family a chance to celebrate all weekend in one beautiful spot.

NatureBridge was the perfect choice. While it is primarily used for outdoor education programs for kids and teens, as well as work retreats and conferences, it also hosts weddings and is truly one of the most unique venues in the Pacific Northwest. The campus has a mix of historic and modern cabins, creating a rustic camping vibe, and it sits right on the shores of Lake Crescent. The water is a stunning turquoise blue (seriously, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I first saw it), and it’s all surrounded by the vibrant forests of Olympic National Park. It was an easy decision for Shannon and Taylor and an absolute dream location for a wedding photographer.

Shannon and Taylor have a tradition of jumping into the lakes they visit together, and they knew they wanted to keep that tradition alive at Lake Crescent. To memorialize the moment, we planned to meet the morning after the wedding for a celebratory jump into the water. It was such a fun and unforgettable way to wrap up an incredible weekend.

Planning Your Wedding Photography at Nature Bridge

One of my favorite things about this venue is the variety of incredible photo locations available throughout the entire day. As any wedding photographer will tell you, finding good light at all times can be a challenge at many venues. NatureBridge, however, offers beautiful spots that work in any weather and during every part of the day, even in harsh direct sunlight. Your photos will look amazing.

There is a short trail that connects NatureBridge to Lake Crescent Lodge, and along that path are a few meadows and side trails that make perfect locations for portraits, first looks, family photos, and wedding party shots. If you are planning to jump in the lake, and I highly recommend it, you will need to make the short walk to Lake Crescent Lodge since swimming is not allowed at NatureBridge.

We used the lakeshore at NatureBridge as the ceremony backdrop and for couples portraits after the ceremony, then walked the trail to the Lodge for sunset photos with an absolutely stunning view of the mountains. Make sure to budget time in your timeline to take advantage of that location during golden hour. You will not regret it.

If you are planning your wedding at Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park, or NatureBridge and have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out here. I’m always happy to share insights and help however I can.

If you’d like to see another stunning forested wedding at a camp-style venue located on the McKenzie River in Oregon, click here!

Venue: NatureBridge
Florals: Glenna Joy Flowers
Planner: Jubilee Weddings and Events

  • A sign at the entrance of NatureBridge wedding venue that says "The Rosemary"
  • Cabins at NatureBridge in Olympic National Park.
  • Close up of a bride and groom's wedding day stationary, florals and jewelry.
  • A brides dress hangs on the wall next to her wedding veil arranged on a chair.
  • A close up of a brides veil arranged on a chair.
  • A groom puts on his tie while looking into a mirror.
  • A groom buttons his jacket inside NatureBridge wedding venue.
  • A bride looks at her wedding dress straps as she puts her dress on.
  • A mom helps her daughter get into her wedding dress in a cabin.
  • A close up of a bride's back necklace.
  • A bride looks in the bathroom mirror in a cabin and puts on lipstick.
  • Bridesmaids looking out the windows and front door of a cabin.
  • A bride walks behind her groom during their first look on their wedding day.
  • Bride and groom kiss on the beach of Lake Crescent.
  • A closeup of a bride's bouquet with white flowers.
  • A groom looks intently straight ahead during his portrait.
  • A bride and groom stand on top of a tree stub in Olympic National Park.
  • A wide view of a bride looking down at her bouquet in the forest.
  • A bride smiles while holding her bouquet.
  • A bride and groom pose together for a portrait in Olympic National Park.
  • A bride and groom kiss in the forest surrounded by ferns.
  • A close up of a bride and groom kissing in the forest.
  • Groomsmen stand together in a forest and laugh.
  • Groomsmen walk past groom with blurred motion.
  • A wedding party stands together and look straight ahead in a forest.
  • A bride and her bridemaids stand close together and smile in a forest.
  • A bride and her bridesmaids look at each other and laugh in Olympic National Park.
  • Ceremony setup at a NatureBridge wedding venue on Lake Crescent.
  • Wedding ceremony floral arrangement next to wooden chairs.
  • Ceremony site with florals at a Lake Crescent wedding in Olympic National Park.
  • The floral wedding alter with a lake and mountains in the background.
  • Close up of wedding floral arrangement set up at the ceremony.
  • Wooden chairs next to floral arrangements at an outdoor wedding.
  • Two boats at the Dock of NatureBridge with mountains in the background.
  • A groom hugs his mother after she walks him down the aisle at his wedding ceremony.
  • A father walks his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.
  • A dad hugs his daughter before giving her away at her wedding ceremony.
  • A bride and groom at the alter of their wedding with a lake and mountains in the background.
  • A wide view of a wedding ceremony showcasing the couple and all of the guests.
  • A bride and groom stand together and smile at their wedding guests.
  • A bride and groom cheer after they are married at their floral alter.
  • A groom dips and kisses his bride at the altar of their wedding on Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.
  • A bride throws her flowers up in the air as she walks up the aisle with her groom.
  • A groom hugs his groomsman outside a cabin after his wedding ceremony.
  • A bride hugs her bridesmaid inside a cabin after she gets married.
  • A close up of a dinner menu stationary at a wedding reception.
  • A tablescape featuring a wood table, wood chairs, plates and florals.
  • A close up of orange table florals setup of for a wedding reception.
  • A guest table arranged at a wedding reception decorated with napkins, florals and candles.
  • A close up of the head table of the bride and groom with florals and candles.
  • A bride and groom walk hand and hand on Lake Crescent at NatureBridge.
  • A bride's veil flows in the wind as her and the groom walk away.
  • A sign at a wedding reception that says "Welcome to the Wedding of Shannon and Taylor"
  • Wedding guests enter a reception tent during a wedding at NatureBridge.
  • A bride talks with her wedding guests at NatureBridge wedding venue.
  • A bride and groom dance together during their wedding reception.
  • A close up of a bride looking lovingly at her groom while they dance.
  • A groom dips his new wife during their first dance during their wedding reception.
  • A bride and her dad dance together during the reception.
  • A bride and her father during their specaility dances on her wedding day.
  • The father of the bride gives a toast with the bride and groom behind him.
  • A wedding guest claps after he hears a toast during the reception.
  • A bride wips away a tear as she listens to a toast at her wedding reception.
  • Wedding guests laugh during a reception toast.
  • A bride hugs her dad after he gives a speech at her wedding reception.
  • A woman gives a toast during a wedding reception.
  • A bride wipes a tear with her hand as she listens to a speech.
  • A groomsman smiles while he gives a speech at a wedding reception.
  • A woman spiritedly say cheers during a wedding speech.
  • A bride and groom embrace and kiss on a dock with Lake Crescent in the background.
  • A groom dips and kisses his bride during couples portraits at their Lake Crescent wedding in Olympic National Park.
  • A close up of a bride and groom embracing with a lake in the backdrop.
  • A couple walks away from the lake hand and hand.
  • A bride throws up and hands and says "cheers".
  • A bride dances at her wedding reception inside NatureBridge wedding venue.
  • A wedding guest dances at a reception while wearing sunglasses.
  • A man in a captians hat dances during a wedding reception.
  • A man laughs while dancing at a wedding reception.
  • A husband and wife dance and laugh together at a wedding reception.
  • A wedding welcome sign that is lit up at night by cafe lights.
  • A couple embraces and kisses on the dock of Lake Crescent while her hair blows in the wind.
  • Newlyweds kiss on a dock before they jump into a lake.
  • A newlywed couple jump into Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.
  • A man and woman embrace and laugh while floating in a lake.
  • A man and women climb up a ladder from the lake after swimming.
  • A man towel dries his wife after they swim in a lake.

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