How to Elope in Washington - A Complete Guide to Eloping in Washington State
If you’re considering eloping in Washington, then I think it’s fair to say you’ve maid a fantastic choice! Washington State is one of my absolute favorite places for elopements because it is so dang beautiful and diverse in scenery! Whether you want the ocean, a forest, a stunning beach, mountain peaks, or a waterfall as your backdrop when you say your vows—Washington truly has it all.
Washington is a state where your elopement dreams will come true! When eloping in the outdoors and especially in the mountains there are things to consider and a mindset you should go in with as even the summer weather can be a bit unpredictable—but that’s part of the fun right?! So without further ado, here’s my tips and advice on eloping in Washington State!
STEP 1: CHOOSE A LOCATION
HOW TO FIND YOUR WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT LOCATION:
This is the brainstorming part of the process that I find to be so fun!! Start dreaming up exactly what scenery you would like to see and even what activities you might like to do on your elopement day! Here are some questions to ask yourself when choosing an elopement location:
What type of scenery do you want to be surrounded by on your elopement day? (mountains, lakes, forests, ocean, wildflowers, etc.)
What type of activities do you want to do on your day? (hiking, skiing, camping, road tripping, swimming, canoeing, biking, stargazing, picnic, etc)
Are you looking for a more accessible location or are you looking to hike/adventure out to a spot? How far are you looking to hike?
How far are you willing to drive from your lodging to your ceremony location?
What’s most important to you on your elopement day?
The answers you come up with might give you a better ideas of which area is the best place for you. Each location has its own unique features to it, some are easier to get to, while others are more ‘out there’ so it’s important to consider all these factors before choosing your location.
Don’t worry if you can’t decide exactly where yet. Part of what I do is personal location scouting for my couples! You tell me what you’re looking for & what your dream elopement day looks like & I’ll help narrow down the locations for you. I want you to be able to have a relaxing, fun, and stress-free planning experience. Contact me to get started today!
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN CHOOSING WHERE TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON:
Certain hikes and spots are well-known and popular, but that can also mean serious crowds. There are ways to avoid crowds when eloping outdoors, but some of the best spots are the ones off the beaten path and aren’t well known! I’m passionate about finding these peaceful, secluded locations for my couples.
You don’t have to pick just one type of scenery or location! If you love waterfalls, but also want those 360 mountain views, you can incorporate both. A few ways to include multiple locations are: a two-day elopement or finding an area where different types of scenery are closely to each other so you can explore both in one day. Couples with family will have their ceremony in a certain type of scenery/nature then explore a different area all by themselves to get some alone time on their wedding day.
Make sure to check the permit requirements before finalizing your location. Different lands/parks have different wedding permit rules depending on the location, guest count, and activities being held. I talk more about permits below, but it's something to think about when researching locations.
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
Mt. Rainier is a single jaw-dropping mountain that can be seen from many cities, including Seattle. This is a great location for a dreamy winter elopement, but during the summer you’ll be greeted with loads of wildflowers. I always feel like I am in a Dr. Seuss book with all the vast variety of wildflowers and loads of colors. The hiking trails are endless giving you many options for locations and places to have a more private spot to say your vows. The road to Longmire and Paradise on the west side of the mountain will take you right up to the snow on behemoth mountain, and this road typically remains open throughout the winter. Then, the east side of the mountain typically remains closed during the winter, but in the summertime when it’s open, it has some of the most gorgeous views.
Mt. Rainier is a 2 hour drive from Seattle. If you want a more central location for your elopement, checkout Enumclaw, WA. However, be sure to check out Airbnb and VRBO for some incredibly cute cabins and places to stay for a cozy mountain vibe.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Olympic National Park is one of the most stunning and diverse parks making it one of the best places to elope in Washington! The park has the most variety in landscape options to choose from. If you want cliffs, the ocean, mountain peaks, alpine lakes, rain forests, or waterfalls—you name it, they got it! If you really wanted to, you could hit up the coast, the mountains, and the rain forest all in one day. If you’re a Twilight lover, you can even visit the small little town of Forks, WA featured in the movies. A few of the best places to elope in Olympic National Park would include Ruby Beach, Lake Crescent, Hoh Rainforest, Hurricane Ridge, and Lake Cushman. The list could go on and on, but you get the idea!
Olympic National Park is a 3-4 hour drive from Seattle. Port Angeles is the best places to stay for exploring the park & the rest of the peninsula.
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
North Cascades is so underrated in my opinion! The park is one of the least visited national parks, but it has some of the most epic, jagged mountain views in Washington. If you want a true PNW adventure, this is the park for you! It’s the prettiest during the summer and early fall months. Artist Point is one of the most popular viewpoints in the area and for a good reason—you get epic views of Mt. Baker as well as Mt. Shuksan. There’s also Diablo Lake, Nooksack Falls, and Withdrop. The hiking trails truly seem never-ending here, so there is plenty opportunity to have a more personal and unique experience.
Most locations in North Cascades are 2-3 hours from Seattle. I would recommend choosing your exact location first, then finding the closest lodging to that spot.
MT. BAKER SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST
Snoqualmie Pass and Mt Baker are the closest to Seattle and provide some seriously gorgeous PNW views. Snoqualmie is a pretty popular ski area, but it’s also equally stunning during the summer months. However, because of the easy access to stunning alpine lakes, it tends to be on the busier side especially during summer. The best time to elope here would be during a weekday. You have incredible hikes and locations like Franklin Falls, Snoqualmie Falls, Rattlesnake Ledge, Stevens Pass, and Gold Creek Pond.
The area is only about 30-90 minutes from Seattle depending on where you go! There are some great areas to stay in depending on where you elope, but Leavensworth has easy access to some of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the state.
STEP 2: PICK A DATE OR TIMEFRAME
The next step in planning your Washington elopement is to pick a date/time frame. When it comes to picking a date, it’s important to consider two things: weather & crowds.
WEATHER:
Washington’s four seasons are a bit different than a traditional four seasons climate. In this section, I’m going to talk about Eastern Washington’s climate (where the mountains are) because most couples looking to elope in Washington are interested in the mountainous areas.
Here’s how I would break down the seasons:
Summer: July - Mid September
Fall: Late September - End of October
Winter: November-April
Spring: May-End of June
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON?
The best time to elope in Washington State is from July to October. This is when the forests are green, wildflowers start blooming, and there is minimal snow on the trails. Washington has its best weather in the summer and early fall, making it the best time for an adventure elopement. Depending on snowfall, the mountains can still be covered in snow in June and maybe even early July, so your safest bet is Mid-Juy through September. This time of year is when Washington is at its best. This is when there is the least amount of rainfall, wildflowers come out from hibernation, the weather is beautiful, and the mountains are stunning and visible.
WHAT ABOUT A WASHINGTON WINTER ELOPEMENT?
If you’re looking for a winter elopement in Washington State, then I would consider eloping between December-February. This guarantees plenty of snowfall, snow-capped mountains, and basically a winter wonderland. If you’re willing to put on some layers, throw on some snowshoes (or some skis/snowboards), then a winter elopement is the perfect way to guarantee limited crowds and breathtaking winter views. Here are my top 3 locations for a winter elopement in Washington:
Not only does Leavenworth have some amazing snowshoeing trails & winter hikes, the town itself (that’s built like a German Bavarian village) is decorated with holiday lights, making it a true winter wonderland.
Artist Point is one of the best viewpoints in Washington with close up views of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker. In the summer this area is drivable, but the road closes down in the winter making it a 4 mile roundtrip snowshoe/hike up, but is doable even for beginner snowshoers. This time of year you’ll be surrounded by sparkling white snow and breath-taking snow-capped mountains.
Want to plan an ultra-adventurous ski or snowboard elopement? Steven’s Pass is one of the best ski mountains in Washington, making it a perfect place for your adventurous ski elopement.
FALL WASHINGTON ELOPEMENTS:
Fall is the shortest season in Washington, because the weather quickly turns to snowy/winter conditions. If you’re looking for a fall elopement in Washington, then I would recommend the middle of October for the best weather conditions. Fall in Washington is beautiful as the trees turn yellow & orange—but the weather can get cold pretty quick.
SPRING WASHINGTON ELOPEMENTS:
The weather is the most unpredictable in November and April-June. April-June is Washington’s spring time, but in high mountain altitudes, there is still plenty of snow on the ground and a high chance of rain/snow at this time of year. Personally, I think it is the most challenging time to plan an elopement. However, if you want a spring elopement in Washington, I would recommend May-June and choosing a location closer to the coast like Olympic National Park!
CROWDS:
In Washington, summer is the most ideal weather, making it also the most crowded time to visit national parks / mountainous areas. To avoid crowds at popular parks / areas in the summer, I would consider planning your elopement on a weekday. If you can’t elope on a weekday, then I would consider eloping at sunrise or early morning (to avoid weekend tourists) or to pick a lesser known location / elope on private land. Another way to avoid crowds is to elope during the ‘off-season’, which would be mid fall (after Labor Day) until May/June. The weather won’t be as predictable, but you’re guaranteed less crowds!
There are a lot of different way to avoid crowds, but it’s something to be conscious of when picking an elopement day! Summer weekend days and holidays will be the most crowded time of the year in Washington, so I would especially avoid eloping on Memorial Day weekend, Labor Day weekend, and Fourth of July week.
STEP 3: FIND YOUR CEREMONY LOCATION & OBTAIN PROPER PERMITS
Once you have your location and date figured out, it’s time to pick a ceremony spot! I know I mentioned this earlier, but it’s important to figure out permit requirements in the area you are looking to elope at before you finalize a ceremony location. A lot of National Parks have a list of specific locations you ca have your ceremony, but you can take photos afterwards anywhere in the park. Each park/land management has their own specific rules, so make sure to do your research!
If the thought of doing this all by yourself is overwhelming, I can help! As an elopement photographer, I help all my couples with permits, locations, planning, timelines, and vendor recommendations. If you’re interested in hiring an elopement photographer who can help you with all of this, fill out my contact form below to get in touch!
WASHINGTON MARRIAGE LICENSES:
Couples can either choose to legalize their marriage on their elopement day, or just have a symbolic ceremony. If you are interested in legalizing your marriage during your actual elopement, Washington marriage laws require 2 witnesses and an officiant to sign the license.
Washington marriage laws require a 3 day waiting period before your license is active. This can either involve picking up the license 3 days before your elopement or mailing it in notarized from your home state. You will need two witnesses to sign at the ceremony.
STEP 4: PLAN YOUR ELOPEMENT ACTIVITIES
The next step in planning your Washington elopement is to decide what type of activities to include on your day! One of the best parts about eloping is you can do whatever you want during the day.
Adventure elopements are all about turning your whole day into an experience. The best way to brainstorm activities is to ask yourself, ‘If you could create your dream day from the time you wake up to the time you fall asleep, what type of things would you do that would make you the happiest?’
If you’re thinking of eloping in Washington, there are SO many different types of activities you can include. Hiking is probably the most obvious & most popular among couples, but don’t limit yourself to just hiking (and don’t feel like you have to hike if you’re not a big hiker!). here’s a few ideas to get you thinking:
Hiking
Camping
Stargazing
Canoe
Campfire & S’mores
Relax in a Hot Spring
Swim in an Alpine Lake
Cook Together
Hot Tub
Hire a Private Chef
Ride in a Hot Air Balloon
Skiing / Snowboarding / Snowshoeing, Ski Touring
Backyard Celebration with Family
Have a Fancy Picnic
STEP 5: NAIL DOWN VENDORS & FIND LODGING
Now that you have your location, date, permits, activities figured out—the nest step is to lock in some vendors for your day! Even though you’re not having a traditional wedding, plenty elopements still include a handful of wedding vendors. Here are the most common types of vendors that eloping couples hire for their day:
Florist
Photographer
Officiant
Hair & Makeup Artist
Videographer
Baker / Caterer
Planner / Stylist
ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER ADVICE:
I know I listed hiring your vendors as step 5, but really you can start to research and hire them whenever you want! My recommendation would be to hire your photographer ASAP. I know it sounds biased saying this (because I am an elopement photographer) but hiring an elopement photographer first can save you A LOT of work because most elopement photographers help their couples with ALL the things I mentioned in the previous steps. So when looking at elopement photographers, make sure you pick someone who actually helps with planning and is experienced in elopements!
For my elopement couples, I help them find customized locations, get permits, choose other vendors, think of activities, find lodging, create a custom timeline, and SO much more. So if you’re looking for a photographer who will not only capture your day but also guide you through the planning process—learn more about my process below:
STEP 6: CREATE A TIMELINE
One of the last steps in planning an EPIC Washington elopement is creating a timeline! Timelines can vary depending on what activities you plan to do, where your ceremony location is, how you want to celebrate afterwards, what time of day you want to elope at, etc. As a rule of thumb for hiking, I always plan 45 minutes per each mile spent hiking (so you don’t feel like you need to be rushing or pushing yourself up the trail) and to put in buffer times because things typically take longer than you expect.
SAMPLE TIMELINE FOR A SUNSET HIKING ELOPEMENT IN WASHINGTON:
1:00pm: Getting Ready at Airbnb
2:30pm: First Look in Airbnb Backyard
3:00pm: Drive to Trailhead
3:45pm: Start Hiking Up
5:00pm: Vow Ceremony
5:30pm: Celebratory Picnic
6:30pm: Sunset Exploring & Photos
8:30pm: Start Hike Back Down
9:30pm Stargazing & Photos
10:30pm Finish Descent
11:00pm End Photography Coverage
STEP 7: HAVE THE MOST EPIC ELOPEMENT DAY!
YOU MADE IT!! Once you’ve finished all these steps you are well on your way to an EPIC Washington elopement. If you have any questions or are looking for an elopement photographer who can help guide you through the planning process, get in touch with me below! I would love to be a part of your wedding day.