a winter elopement in port townsend

☽

southern belle style, a barefoot bride, and lots of silly sunset moments with these two in a historic victorian destination

Romantic elopement at the historic Jefferson County Courthouse on the Olympic Peninsula in Port Townsend, Washington.

Elopement at historic courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.

Port Townsend waterfront couples elopement portraits.

PNW destination elopement in Port Townsend, Washington.

The intimacy, the raw emotion, the real-deal-vibe of it all. It’s a down-to-earth yet romantic event; two people, completely wild about each other, deciding that love is all they really need. Count me in.

When it came to this sweet couple’s nuptials, they were focused on heart and fun. They’re both incredibly kind, thoughtful, and so in love with each other that when you see them together, it just makes sense. Catherine + Ryan wanted an elopement that fit them well: stylish, down-to-earth, and adventurous. They incorporated their Southern roots into their wedding day style, and somehow the sunshine decided to play along…in winter…in the PNW. I would say it was too good to be true, but I saw it with my own eyes.

A huge thanks to these two for trusting me to document their adventure. It’s such an honor to be a part of something so special. ♡

Here’s how it all went down:

Water Street Hotel entrance in historic Port Townsend, WA.

Historic Water Street Hotel in Port Townsend, Washington.

Historic hotel in Port Townsend, Washington, with bride getting ready to elope on a sunny winter day.

Bride getting ready to elope in Port Townsend, WA.

Ferry views from the historic Water Street Hotel in Port Townsend, WA.

Elopement bride getting ready at Water Street Hotel in Port Townsend, Washington.

Partial updo with braid crown and baby's breath for a Port Townsend elopement.

Bridal getting ready at Historic Water Street Hotel for an Olympic Peninsula elopement.

Vintage-inspired wedding ring set with pavé band and double halo engagement ring.

Beautiful embroidered v-neck wedding dress with peep toe heels, for winter elopement in Port Townsend.

Sentimental custom handkerchief for the mother of the bride.

Special moments between the bride and her mom, for a sweet winter elopement in Port Townsend.

Bride wearing a sweet lace v-neck wedding dress, at Water Street Hotel in Port Townsend, WA.

Bride getting ready at Water Street Hotel with her mom's help, for an elopement in Port Townsend, WA.

Bride getting ready with her mom before a winter elopement in Port Townsend, WA.

Bride getting ready for a winter elopement in the Pacific Northwest, wearing a lace dress.

Winter bride getting ready at Water Street Hotel in Port Townsend, WA before a courthouse elopement.

Winter bride wearing a lace v-neck dress, with a sweet braided half up-do and Baby's Breath.

Groom getting ready in a seersucker suit at Water Street Hotel in Port Townsend, WA.

Groom with Southern Charm, wearing a blue seersucker suit and coral bow tie in Port Townsend, WA.

Water Street Hotel in historic Port Townsend, WA.

Groom wearing blue seersucker suit and coral bow tie for a Port Townsend winter elopement.

Winter bride inspiration with a lace v-neck gown and tan shawl, in Port Townsend, WA.

Winter bride with a tan shawl, crossing the road in Port Townsend, WA.

Elopement first look in Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula.

Sweet first look moment in Port Townsend, WA for a winter elopement.

Port Townsend winter elopement first look.

Winter elopement with groom in a seersucker suit, and bride with a braided half up-do.

Pacific Northwest elopement with Southern Charm, with groom in a blue seersucker suit, and bride with a braided half up-do.

Winter elopement in Port Townsend, WA, with bride in a lace dress and tan shawl, and groom in a seersucker suit.

Romantic winter elopement with groom in a blue seersucker suit, in Port Townsend, WA.

Port Townsend elopement, with bride in a lace v-neck dress and a braided half up-do.

Elopement first look on the Olympic Peninsula.

Port Townsend wedding, with bride in a lace dress and groom in a seersucker suit.

Elopement bride and groom kiss on the Port Townsend waterfront.

Sunny winter elopement in Port Townsend, Washington.

Sweet Port Townsend elopement, with bride wearing a braided half up-do with Baby's Breath.

Sunny waterfront elopement portraits in Port Townsend, Washington.

Pre-elopement excitement at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.

Lovely Port Townsend elopement at the historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

Courthouse wedding in Port Townsend, WA.

Courthouse elopement in Port Townsend, WA.

Elopement at an historic courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.

Courthouse elopement wedding at Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend, Washington.

Jefferson County Courthouse elopement, in Port Townsend, WA.

Simple wedding ceremony at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.

Bride and groom prepare to sign papers for their courthouse wedding in Port Townsend, WA.

Bride's brother walking her down the aisle at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

Bride and groom signing marriage license at Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.

Sweet courthouse wedding in the Pacific Northwest.

Bride and groom exchanging rings during their ceremony at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend, WA.

Small elopement ceremony at the courthouse.

Small courthouse wedding, with groom in a seersucker suit and bow tie.

Courthouse wedding ceremony in Port Townsend, WA.

Port Townsend courthouse elopement first kiss.

Port Townsend courthouse elopement, with bride and groom dressed to the nines.

Pacific Northwest elopement at historic Port Townsend courthouse on the Olympic Peninsula.

Historic Jefferson County Courthouse elopement photos in Port Townsend, Washington.

Historic courthouse wedding, with bride in a lace dress and groom in a light suit.

Romantic Port Townsend elopement at Jefferson County Courthouse.

Historic Jefferson County Courthouse with elopement couple on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.

Sunny courthouse elopement in Port Townsend with just a few family members.

Romantic courthouse elopement with southern charm in the Pacific Northwest.

Sunset elopement portraits outside the Jefferson County Courthouse in Port Townsend.

Adorable elopement couple, with groom in a seersucker suit, in Port Townsend, WA.

Cute, sunny winter elopement in Port Townsend, Washington.

Romantic elopement, with groom in a blue seersucker suit and coral bow tie.

Just married elopement in Port Townsend, Washington.

Fun bride and groom, with groom wearing a seersucker suit and bow tie.

Sweet elopement couple, with bride holding a simple bouquet, and groom in a seersucker suit.

Playful Port Townsend elopement in winter.

Adventurous couple married at the courthouse in Port Townsend, with bride in a v-neck dress and groom in a suit.

Adventurous winter elopement in Port Townsend, Washington.

Barefoot bride running with her groom, in Port Townsend, WA.

Historic Jefferson County courthouse in Victorian-era Port Townsend, WA.

Waterfront sunset elopement in Port Townsend, Washington.

Sunset elopement on the waterfront in Port Townsend, WA.

Simple pink bouquet, with Roses, Alstroemeria, and Hydrangea in Port Townsend.

Romantic elopement on the Port Townsend waterfront, with bride in a floor-length gown, and groom in a light suit.

Dramatic sunset view of the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry.

Bride and groom walk down a dock on the Port Townsend waterfront at sunset.

Romantic sunset elopement in Port Townsend, with groom in a blue seersucker suit and coral bow tie.

Playful Port Townsend waterfront elopement at sunset.

Bride and groom in a silent moment at sunset, on the Port Townsend waterfront.

Groom in a seersucker suit and bride wearing a tan shawl at sunset in Port Townsend.

Sweet sunset elopement on the waterfront in Port Townsend, Washington.

Heartfelt moments of eloping couple on the Port Townsend waterfront.

Adventurous PNW destination elopement in Port Townsend, Washington.

Sunset winter elopement in Port Townsend with couple in southern belle style.

Southern belle elopement style in the PNW.

Adventurous Port Townsend elopement on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state.

Moody sunset destination elopement on the Olympic Peninsula waterfront.

Non-traditional waterfront elopement at sunset in Port Townsend, Washington.

Port Townsend waterfront elopement at sunset.

Quirky eloping couple with barefoot bride on the Port Townsend waterfront.

Adventurous, non-traditional elopement on the Port Townsend waterfront in Washington state.

Small reception for Port Townsend elopement at Silverwater Cafe.

Simple one-tier frosted elopement cake, topped with Alstroemeria and Baby's Breath

Small, simple frosted elopement cake topped with flowers.

Vintage-inspired custom-stamped "I do" forks for elopement reception.

Small elopement reception cake cutting in Port Townsend, Washington.

Simple elopement reception at Silverwater Cafe in Port Townsend, Washington.

Fun elopement cake cutting in Port Townsend, Washington.

Elopement cake cutting face smash in Port Townsend.

Elopement bride and groom reception toast.

Small elopement reception in Port Townsend, Washington.

Simple elopement reception wedding toast.

Simple elopement reception in Port Townsend.

about the author

Hey, I’m Meg!

I’m a PNW-based elopement & lifestyle photographer with a special focus on helping people believe in their own magic and fall in love with their own story. Reach out to start planning your session or elopement!