Have you dreamed of a romantic wedding in a beautiful setting, with the ocean or rainforest as your backdrop? Perhaps you’re planning an anniversary trip, or a getaway for you and someone special?
Forks, on the West End of the Olympic Peninsula, is your perfect place for romancing the rain since it’s the rainiest town in the contiguous United States. But this “liquid sunshine” also creates a magic all its own. Surrounded by lush rainforest, Forks is home to more than 73 miles of rugged, wilderness coastline. Crashing waves, breathtaking waterfalls, and mysterious forests are in abundance.
Embrace the good luck rain
Worried about rain on your special day? According to Brides Magazine, “Rain on your wedding day is something that all couples will stress over, but according to several cultures’ canons, it represents a streak of luck for your special day. If you see dark clouds gathering and raindrops coming down, don’t fret as you’re getting wet: It symbolizes fertility and cleansing, and if ever there were a perfect day to start with a clean slate, it’s your wedding day.” Grab a transparent umbrella for that rainy photo op!
Avoiding the crowds
Want to avoid crowds? With so many Olympic National Park destinations, tribal areas, privately-owned properties, and venues, you are sure to find something in or around Forks that fits your dream—and with fewer people too! Permits are required for the national park and tribal areas. Local photographers and wedding coordinators, catering services, and rentals can be readily found on the Forks Chamber of Commerce website.
Finding that perfect setting
Whether you are planning a large gathering, a micro wedding, or a couple’s retreat, Forks offers romantic getaways ready to host you. Nearby venues include Lake Crescent Lodge in Olympic National Park or Quileute Oceanside Resort in La Push and many independently owned properties, like Miller Tree Inn Bed & Breakfast, Misty Valley Inn Bed & Breakfast, and Quillayute River Resort. You’re sure to find a perfect setting for your special day.
Other places to explore
Book a sightseeing trip down a local river, surf First Beach, visit our local museums and galleries, explore the Olympic Discovery Trail, climb Mt. Storm King, visit the tribal areas of the Quileute in La Push or the Makah in Neah Bay. Experience the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States. Witness the Tree of Life hanging delicately on the bluff of Kalaloch Beach. Take a magical misty tour of our local waterfalls, including Madison, Marymere, Sol Duc, and Beaver Falls, which roar in the winter and early spring from rain and snowmelt. You can find a complete list and map on the Olympic Peninsula Waterfall Trail website.
Cozy up and rekindle the romance
Start your life together here in Forks, or celebrate the priceless treasure of a special relationship. Walk hand-in-hand on the beach while whales breach offshore. Enjoy a romantic hike with a picnic along a trail to a waterfall. Shop along the idyllic streets in our town with only one stoplight! Cuddle up in front of a fire, while enjoying a glass of wine. And remember the rain? It only adds to the ambiance.
Forks is a town that is well-known for a famous love story, and now it can be known for your love story too.
By Lissy Andros, Executive Director, Forks Chamber of Commerce
