Orcas Island Elopement Photos at Outlook Inn

Marina and Ryan had the most beautiful Orcas Island elopement at Outlook Inn! We took the ferry to the San Juans, creating a memorable, scenic elopement experience from the very beginning. Everything from the size of the wedding to the location to the vibes was just so intimate and intentional – two of my favorite things. If you’re in the process of (or thinking about!) planning an elopement on Orcas Island, keep reading to hear how these two planned theirs! 

Marina and Ryan’s Orcas Island elopement at Outlook Inn

Where do I begin?? First off, M & R are some of the most kind, generous people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. They made it a point to make sure I was comfortable and having a good time, which I always appreciate from couples! I really value having a relationship with the couples I work with, so it meant a lot to me that they didn’t just treat me like a paid vendor. It made it that much easier and more natural for me to document their love in an authentic, joyful way. 

Although they had that quiet, semi-shy type of love, it was still as beautiful as ever. This might surprise you, but I kind of love it when couples are a little awkward in front of the camera because I get to help them come out of their shell and get more comfortable! The transformation from the beginning of the day to the end is always a fun one to witness, as I can see the love shine through more and more. Mariana and Ryan were absolutely no exception to this!

M & R weren’t the only people feelin’ the love, though. The immediate family members they invited were also full of love, joy, and all the other warm and fuzzy emotions you could think of. You could even feel the love from the extended friends and family that were watching via live stream!  Due to the intimate nature of their Orcas Island elopement, everyone was able to soak up each other’s company and truly celebrate the marriage of Mariana and Ryan. Most of their family traveled from California or the East Coast to be there, M & R really wanted to make this day special for not just them, but for everyone involved. How sweet is that?! Since Ryan proposed to Mariana on Orcas Island, it was important that they got to share this sentimental location with the people they loved most! 

Outlook Inn – An Orcas Island elopement venue

Okay, but we have to talk about the beautiful location for their Orcas Island elopement; Outlook Inn! It’s a cute little area with tons of shops, cafes, and bars to explore nearby, making it the perfect spot for a destination elopement. You and your people will have such a fun time walking around and finding things to do for the weekend! Plus, if anyone’s looking for a relaxing getaway, this is definitely the place to go. 

Some of the places I’d recommend stopping by are:

Doe Bay Wine Company – Wine tasting with a view? Heck yeah! This company features a handful of local PNW vineyards and winemakers paired with custom bottle labels designed by local Orcas Island artists. Picking one of these up would be a great keepsake for you or your guests! 

Darvill’s Bookstore – The one-stop-shop for books, espresso, and pastries. Stop by the day before or even the morning of your elopement with your boo for a little cafe date! Before you ask… yes, I would love to tag along and take photos. 

Orcas Island Farmer’s Market – Who doesn’t love a good Farmer’s Market? Whether you’re just going for the vibes or want to pick up a few locally-sourced ingredients for your extended stay, heading to a local market like this is always so much fun. 

Doe Bay Soaking Tubs and Spa – For when you want to destress or pamper yourself before or after your elopement! 

Brown Bear Baking: A cozy little French pastry stop with baked goods that are to DIE for! They make small batches throughout the day to ensure you’ll always get your goods fresh when you stop by. 

The Barnacle: For when you and your people want to go out for a drink! The Barnacle specializes in handcrafted cocktails and has a total “under the sea” vibe when you walk in.  Before you ask; yes, of course I’ll join you for a shot or two!

Roots Orcas Island: Coffee, pastires, oysters, charcuetier, paninins, this place has it all! Roots is a cultural hub that also doubles as a gathering space for small events. When it gets close to your elopement date, check out what events they’ve got going on and see if you’re able to attend one of them! 

Their wedding ceremony was actually held behind Outlook Inn in a small garden that was totally hidden away from everyone. It was such a stunning location that incorporated their love for nature, which was non-negotiable for them. Even though this was an intimate elopement, M & R put so much thought and detail into the planning process. In fact, Mariana used to be an event planner, so she took the lead in the styling and decor! They even included aspects of their Orthodox Greek religion in their details, with hints of blue and white designs, the candles & holders, and The Traditional Bombonier, which are sachets of Jordan almond party favors, meant to represent five wishes for the happy couples: health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life. Oh, and they had a “Sip and Solve” crossword puzzle for their guests to play during cocktail hour, which I’ve never seen before! 

Their intimate reception dinner was held in this adorable little cottage with the most scenic view of the Eastsound on the water’s edge. Everything was so simple, yet so well-thought-out and aesthetically pleasing. It just goes to show that you don’t have to have an extravagant wedding in order for it to be memorable and stylish. Everyone was able to bond over seeing M & R tie the knot (including their pup Dixie who was in attendance!) since the setting was so intimate and inclusive, which was one of my favorite parts of their day. Their Orcas Island elopement ended with watching the sun set over the Eastbound – truly the most magical ending to the most magical day. 

Their elopement vendor team

Hair & Makeup: Pacific Brides & That Bridal Girl

Florals: Neston Orcas

Venue + Caterer: Outlook Inn

Dress: The Dress Theory Seattle

Ready to plan your Orcas Island elopement?

Would I recommend eloping on Orcas Island? HECK YES!! To get in touch with me about photographing your elopement, you can fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you soon to get this party started!