Wedding Only

Ceremony

Reception

Full Wedding Weekend

Wedding Overnight

Weekend-long Celebration

You are invited to a weekend-long celebration of our love in Olympic National Park. The wedding will be held on the shores of Lake Crescent at NatureBridge Camp and will kick off on Friday, July 24 and wrap up on Sunday, July 26. You are welcome to spend the whole weekend with us at the camp as our guests with lodging and meals provided or just attend part of the wedding weekend. The three attendance options are listed below. To help decide which option is best for you, please visit the other pages on this website to learn more about the type of lodging, meals, and activities included in the weekend. When you RSVP, please accept the option that reflects the days you will attend and decline the other two options.

Please feel free to reach out to Nicki or Max if you have any questions. We would love to hear from you.

Our Wedding

NatureBridge Camp

The wedding will be held on the shores of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park at Nature Bridge Camp. This location holds special meaning to us and we look forward to sharing the beauty and magic of this place with you.

We have taken many trips hiking, kayaking, swimming, and camping around Lake Crescent. It is one of our favorite places in the Pacific Northwest. The photograph above was taken during our first trip together to the area. We hiked to the top of Mt. Storm King which overlooks Lake Crescent and the Nature Bridge Campus. Little did we know at the time that we were looking down on the location of our future wedding.

Please be our guests

You are invited to stay at the camp as our guests for the wedding weekend but it is not required. NatureBridge is first and foremost a camp and not necessarily a wedding venue so think rustic. Think summer camp style accommodations with bunkbeds and a shared bathhouse.

The standard cabins are heated and air-conditioned. Each cabin has four or six private rooms and each room sleeps two to six guests. Some cabins have their own restrooms and showers while others are located adjacent to a shared bathhouse. Each wedding guest party or family will have a private room (as pictured below).

In addition to lodging, meals will be provided for the duration of your stay at the camp. We hope you can join us for the whole weekend but we are also happy to welcome you to the ceremony and reception on Saturday.

If you prefer more private or traditional accommodations there are other options in the area. See the "Travel" page for more details. We reserved a small block of rooms at the historic Lake Crescent Lodge for those people that prefer more traditional accommodations. The lodge is a 10 min walk from the camp along the lake. Please let us know if you want to book one of these limited number of rooms. You are also welcome to make your own reservation but they sell out fast and reservations open 366 days before the date of your arrival. Below are a couple links to further orient you to the venue and area.

NatureBridge address: 111 Barnes Point Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98363 NatureBridge website: <a href="https://naturebridge.org/retreat-space/olympic-wedding" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://naturebridge.org/retreat-space/olympic-wedding</a> Map of NatureBridge Campus: <a href="https://naturebridge.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/OLYMmaps.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://naturebridge.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/OLYMmaps.pdf</a>

Venue

Weekend Schedule

FRIDAY4:30 PM Check into cabins5:00 PM Welcome reception6:00 PM Dinner7:30 PM Lawn games tournament9:00 PM Campfire by the lake SATURDAY7:00 AM Plunge before the plunge8:00 AM Breakfast &amp; pack your sack lunch -Enjoy the day! Choose group or solo activites-See "Things to Do" for solo options-See below for group options 10:00 AM Group canoe outing12:00 PM Group lunch on the lawn1:00 PM Group hike to waterfall 4:00 PM Ceremony by the lake5:00 PM Cocktail hour6:00 PM Wedding Dinner and Reception SUNDAY9:00 AM Farewell Brunch10:00 AM Check-out of cabins but enjoy the grounds until 1:00pm

Events

Lodging & Amenities

Cabin assignments: Accommodations are rustic summer camp-style with bunk beds and shared bathrooms, but you will not be sleeping with strangers. We may ask some family members to share a room but we will make every effort to give each party their own private room. Check-in: Greeters will be available at 5:00 pm on Friday to welcome you to the camp and give you your cabin assignment. Check-out: Guests will vacate their cabins by 10:00 am on Sunday, however, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the camp property and lakefront until 1:00 pm. You are welcome to store your belongings in the gazebo until you are ready to depart. Bedding is provided including pillows, sheets, and a duvet (remember think rustic) but please feel free to bring your own for increased comfort. Bath towels are provided (one per person for the weekend) so you may also want to bring a beach towel if you anticipate swimming. Toiletries are NOT provided and there are no hair dryers so please bring your own. Think summer camp :) Please be aware that there are no locks on the cabin doors just like when you went to summer camp so be mindful of your personal property.

Food & Drink

If you stay with us at NatureBridge then meals will be provided for the duration of your stay. Therefore, based on your RSVP selection, meals will include up to the following: -Friday dinner-Saturday breakfast-Saturday Lunch-Saturday Wedding Dinner-Sunday Wedding Brunch Meals will be served in the dining hall located in the Rosemary Inn. See “Events” for specific meal times. If you skip or miss a meal then alternative food options would be the Lake Crescent Lodge next door (food service is limited to a couple hours around each meal time) or drive 25 minutes to Port Angeles. Coffee and tea will be available throughout the day in the dining hall. Alcohol will be provided at the Welcome Reception on Friday and during the Wedding Reception on Saturday but please feel free to bring your own adult beverages to enjoy throughout the weekend. Dietary restrictions: The kitchen can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free requests with advance notice. You will be prompted to add dietary restrictions when you RSVP.

Parking

There is parking at the NatureBridge Campus but it is limited so we ask that you are mindful and conservative with the space you take when parking. Thank you!

we are excited to celebrate with you

on the shores of lake crescent

Things to Know

Activities in the area

There are a number of activities to enjoy while you are here for the wedding weekend without getting in your car. Several walks and hikes start from or near the NatureBridge campus.&nbsp;Here is a list of some recommended sights and hikes in the area.&nbsp;See the map below to orient you to activities in the immediate vicinity.

Kayaking on Lake Crescent

general activities

Lounge by the lakeFeel free to bring your favorite beach and water gear to enjoy over the weekend. This includes bathing suit, beach towel, lounge chair, boats, floats, lawn games. etc. The shoreline includes easy access for swimming or launching your kayak or SUP. There is NOT a sandy beach but rather a sprawling lawn that leads to a rocky shoreline. Water entry is easier with shoes due to the rocky shoreline. Stroll to Lake Crescent LodgeThe lodge is a short 10 minute walk through the woods and along the water from the NatureBridge Campus. The lodge was built in 1916 and has cabins, motel rooms and rooms in the historic lodge building available for rent. There is also a dining room, lounge and coffee bar, gift shop and kayak rentals. The lodge has great lake and mountain views. Walk the Moments in Time Nature LoopThis is a flat and easy 1/2 mile trail with interpretive signs along the way and can be accessed from the NatureBridge Campus. You can also take the trail to the Lake Crescent Lodge.Link: <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/moments-in-time-trail?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/moments-in-time-trail?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d</a> Drive to the top of Hurricane RidgeThis drive will take some time but is worth it if you have never been to the top. Hurricane Ridge is located at 5,000 ft elevation and it is 40 miles from NatureBridge Campus. It will take about an hour to drive there due to the last section being up a slow winding road. If you travel from the Seattle area then you will pass by the road to Hurricane Ridge on your way to Nature Bridge. You can check the weather before making the drive up to ensure you will have a view. Here is a link to the webcam to check the weather: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/media/webcam/view.htm?id=81B46251-1DD8-B71B-0B29B9750DE273B5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nps.gov/media/webcam/view.htm?id=81B46251-1DD8-B71B-0B29B9750DE273B5</a>

Hiking in the Olympic Mountains

Hiking options

Marymere FallsThis trail is an easy and mostly flat walk through the rainforest to Marymere waterfall. It is about 2 miles roundtrip and the trailhead is within walking distance from NatureBridge Campus via the Mt Storm King Ranger Station.Link: <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/marymere-falls-trail" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/marymere-falls-trail</a> Mt Storm KingThe views from Mt Storm King are absolutely beautiful but you have to work for them. The hike is about 5 miles roundtrip and 2,500 ft elevation gain. It is a steep climb up switchbacks to an unmaintained section of the trail with ropes and finishes with a scramble. You are rewarded with views of Lake Crescent, the Olympic Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. It is an extremely popular hike so we recommend starting your day VERY early to beat the crowds. The trailhead is within walking distance from NatureBridge Campus via the Mt Storm King Ranger Station.Link: <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/mount-storm-king?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/mount-storm-king?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d</a> Devil's Punch Bowl via Spruce Railroad Trail (bring your bathing suit!)This trail is on the north side of the lake and you can follow it for 10+ miles and access it from either the east or west side of the north shore. You can also cut the walk down to 3-6 miles out-and-back if you drive to the furthest point on either the east or west side and walk to Devil's Punch Bowl. The trail to Devil's Punch Bowl is quieter if you start on the west end but shorter if you start on the east end. There is parking at both ends. You can also bike this trail and will find you are probably sharing the trail with a few bicyclists. It is a pleasant and mostly flat stroll along the lake and through the woods. Devil's punch bowl will be marked by a bridge and lots of people jump into the bowl from the bridge or scramble up nearby cliffs to jump into the deep well of water.Link: <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/devils-punchbowl-via-spruce-railroad-trail?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/devils-punchbowl-via-spruce-railroad-trail?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d</a> Hurricane Hill via Hurricane RidgeThis hike is about 40 miles away and takes about an hour to drive to the top of Hurricane Ridge from NatureBridge. If you make the drive then you should also take the time to walk up Hurricane Hill. It is a paved 3.5 mile path that climbs about 850ft to stunning views of the Olympic Mountains.Link: <a href="https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/hurricane-hill-via-hurricane-ridge?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington/hurricane-hill-via-hurricane-ridge?u=i&amp;sh=tyez3d</a>

View from Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge

Map of NatureBridge

The NatureBridge Campus is organized around the Rosemary Inn which is pictured in the map below. To the east of the campus is the Storm King Ranger Station which is where the trailhead is for hiking to Marymere Falls and/or Mt Storm King. The Lake Crescent Lodge is west of NatureBridge and separated by the Moments in Time Nature Loop Trail.

Map of NatureBridge Campus: <a href="https://naturebridge.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/OLYMmaps.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://naturebridge.org/sites/default/files/2018-12/OLYMmaps.pdf</a>

Things to Do

all things travel

Washington and Olympic National Park are both very popular tourist destinations and you will be traveling during peak season so we encourage you to make all of your reservations well in advance of the wedding weekend. NatureBridge is about 3 hours from Seattle. To access the Olympic Peninsula from the Seattle area you will either drive south around the Puget Sound or take a ferry across the Sound. The two ferries most easily accessed from Seattle do not require (or allow) reservations, however, vehicle delays are frequent during the summer season and on weekends. We recommend arriving earlier in the day rather than later for the ferry because you may have to wait a few rounds for a place on the boat. The two ferries are: -Edmonds/Kinston Ferry which is north of Seattle, crossing time ~30 minutes-Seattle/Bainbridge Ferry which is downtown Seattle, crossing time ~35 minutes You can see the three typical routes below. We personally always prefer the ferry routes because they are more scenic, you can get out of the car and walk around the boat to take in the views so it is less time in the car, and you can avoid Tacoma traffic and sprawl.

You can find ferry schedules as well as real-time updates regarding how many spaces are left on the next ferry on the WSDOT website: <a href="https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries</a> Port Angeles is the last town of significant size that you drive through prior to arriving at NatureBridge. If you want to pick up any last minute food, drinks, toiletries, etc. this will be your best option. There is a Safeway, Country Aire Natural Foods store, and many restaurants near the center of town. The next town after NatureBridge is Forks which is 45 minutes away and has fewer and less appealing options.

Alternative accommodations

If you rather not stay in the rustic, summer-camp style cabins with bunkbeds, then here is a list of other lodging options in the area. The closest town to NatureBridge is Port Angeles which is about 25 minutes away. Port Angeles has all basic amenities like grocery stores and well-known motel/hotel chains. You will also find a couple locally owned and operated motels between Port Angeles and NatureBridge such as Emerald Valley Inn which is connected to Granny's Cafe. I would suggest you use your favorite travel website (VRBO.com, AirBnB.com, Kayak.com, Hotels.com, etc) to see if you find anything that meets your needs. The Lake Crescent Lodge is a 10 minute walk away from NatureBridge and is a part of the National Park System. The lodge was built in 1916 and has cabins, motel rooms and rooms in the historic lodge building available for rent. There is also a dining room, lounge and coffee bar, gift shop and boat rentals. We reserved a small block of rooms at the lodge for those people that prefer more traditional accommodations and privacy. Please let us know if you want one of these rooms. You are also welcome to make your own reservation but they sell out fast and reservations open 366 days before the date of your arrival.

Campgrounds Recommendations

NatureBridge is part of the National Park System and camping is not allowed anywhere on the campus. If you want to bring your own tent, van, or RV to stay in while attending the wedding or after the weekend, then here is a brief list of campgrounds. See the link below for a complete list of campgrounds in the National Park. Keep in mind that most campgrounds are booked out for the summer so check when the reservation system opens if you are interested in camping nearby. -Fairholme is the closest campground to NatureBridge and located on the west end of the lake. We love this campground in the off-season. -Heart of the Hills is located at the base of Hurricane Ridge and is about 25 minutes from NatureBridge. This campground is great because it is first come, first serve and quite large so sometimes it is easy to snag a last minute spot. -Kalaloch is on the ocean and has several oceanfront campsites. The beach is wild and magical. There are some great coves to the north of the campground within walking distance that are great for a private skinny dip if you don't mind cold water. This campground is 90 minutes from NatureBridge. This would be a great option before or after the wedding if you are interested in staying in the area. Here is a link to camping in Olympic National Park: <a href="https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/camping.htm#CP_JUMP_755146?wwpath=www.theknot.com/us/nicki-harris-and-max-aristov-sep-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/camping.htm#CP_JUMP_755146</a>

Nicki & Max

Nicki & Max

N&M

Weekend-long Celebration

Wedding Only

Full Wedding Weekend

Wedding Overnight