How to Elope in Washington State: Locations, Legalities, and more!
Hey there friend! If you’re looking to figure out how to elope in Washington State or you’re just here to figure out what’s possible, I got you. Elopements are such a beautiful way for an intentional celebration that allows you to celebrate yourselves.
What You’ll Learn in this Article!
Adventure is for Everyone and doesn’t have to be a hike for you to elope in Washington State.
While the thing that draws you to Washington is the incredible outdoors, adventure doesn’t have to be anything crazy strenuous. It can literally be anything you find to be an adventure.
- You’re having your wedding in a state that’s not where you live – that’s an adventure! (we have some super cool venues here – check out this blog post here!)
- Maybe you like scenic spot touring with easy access views. That’s an option!
- Love the adventure of a hike? There are unlimited options!
- Maybe you wine tasting and want to rent a room for a private dinner.
- Maybe you are a foodie and want a beautiful picnic on the beach!
- Maybe you love camping, making s’mores and want to get married around the campfire.
- Love sailboating? Rent a sailboat and get married at sea! Or grab a private whale watching tour and get married amongst the whales!
- Want a bucket list adventure? Hire a sea plane to take you somewhere remote that not a lot of people get to access!
You can’t go wrong with Washington.
If you haven’t picked Washington as your elopement location yet, let me tell you why you should choose here: There are SO many beautiful spots.
- We have 2 rugged and rolling mountain ranges and several volcanoes!
- If you love the beach our coast has some amazing spots with lots of different topography and tidepools and wildlife!
- The tall pine trees, the ferns, the GREEN! Yeah, that’s all around us! Twilight anyone?
- We have desert country on the eastern side of the state and amazing wine country!
- Island life is so relaxing in the San Juan Islands for gorgeous views of the sound!
Is an elopement right for you?
Making the decision to elope can be a tough one. If you’re here because you’ve made that decision already – kudos, that’s freakin’ badass that you’re choosing an experience that is an extension of your life. If you still haven’t figured it out, check out my blog post here on pros and cons of eloping, what exactly it means to elope, and the cost of eloping vs a larger wedding! And if you’re here because you want to cancel a wedding and elope, I also got you 🙂
Brainstorm first
Ask yourself these questions to get the ball rolling to figure out how to elope in Washington State.
- What does your scenery or venue look like?
- What are you wearing?
- Is it hot, cold, rainy, sunny?
- What activities do you think would be amazing to incorporate on your day?
- Does it need to be dog-friendly? (I’ve got a whole other blog post on how to safely incorporate your dog in your elopement!)
- Who are you inviting?
- Do you want to get married in a specific park?
Guest Count
Who do you want to invite to celebrate with you? You deserve to be celebrated on your elopement day, and you deserve to have a space where you feel comfortable, so I encourage you to invite only those you have to have at your wedding. And if that’s just the two of you? That’s ok. Hell yeah friend.
When it comes to elopements, guests will play into your location choices. Venues are amazing for guests for obvious reasons. Outdoor elopements may put guests out of their comfort or ability zones so keep them in mind as you’re thinking through ideas. Don’t forget though, there are tons of easy access areas for those with mobility issues, and then you can adventure yourselves more!
Looking for ideas on how to narrow your guest list, manage outside opinons on your elopement day, or figure out different ways you can incorporate your families near or from afar? Check out these blog posts!
Do you want to be Outdoors or at a Venue?
When thinking of what you want to do for your elopement there are pros and cons to renting a venue or having it on a trail or other activity.
| Venue Pros | Venue Cons |
|---|---|
| Private and yours for the time period you book | Not as personal |
| Everything in one place | Can invite more guests |
| Bathrooms, amenities and food for your guests | |
| Liscencsed and insured to handle events |
| Nature Trail Pros | Nature Trail Cons |
|---|---|
| 100% nature wedding | Have to be prepared to deal with elements of nature and everything that goes with it |
| Very unique | No guaranteed Privacy – you share the trail with others and it could be busy |
| Fun way to celebrate your day | Need to workwith in the laws and apply for permits for special use of public land |
| If inviting guests, need to worry about ability levels for everyone in your party and local restrictions for group sizes (I can help you with this!) |
So venue or no venue?
If you’re wanting to rent a venue, check out my blog post here on some amazing venues I think would be perfect for elopements. If you want to elope in the outdoors on a trail with a photographer, they can help you location scout and suggest spots based on lighting and accessiblilty! And don’t forget, you can do a hybrid option of both to make sure you get your adventure and the reception for your family!
Leave No Trace
If you’re deciding on a trail our anything outdoors, be sure to Leave No Trace! Leave No Trace is a set of ethics set out by the Leave No Trace organization to help preserve and enjoy the outdoors. It is on recreators to protect nature! And this extends to any gatherings, elopements/weddings included. Let’s be good stewards even during big important, celebratory moments.
Decide on General Location & Season
Seasonaility and locations go hand in hand when thinking about how to elope in Washington State. In general the best time to elope in Washington State is from June – October with most chances for warmer weather and clearer skies, however, there are plenty of other areas you can elope throughout the year! I’ve pulled a few of my favorite general areas so you can get an idea of how location and season go hand in hand! If you decide to have a micro wedding at a venue, considering adding on an adventure day to say your vows privately amongst our gorgeous scenery!
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is one of the few parks you can access year-round. The Olympic Mountains will get annual snowfall, but tons of areas around the park, like the Coast, the Hoh Rainforest, and Lake Crescent area, actually stay snow-free except for a rogue storm.
General Accessibility
The lowlands are accessible year-round without snow. Mountains will keep snow until mid-June to early July, depending on the season. There’s actually a fun phenomenon called the rain shadow effect, which happens around the Port Angeles area. To simplify it, due to the Olympic mountains, the weather systems come in, dumps all the rain (making the rainforest) before it comes over the mountains, which means drier weather in parts of the park! This means the park has built in backup areas!
Weather
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
| When | April – June | July – September | October – November | December – March |
| Temps | 50s – 60s | 70s – 80s | 40s – 70s | 30s – 50s |
| Typical Weather | Cool and Rainy, with some periods of sunshine. Weather can shift on a dime so be prepared! | More sunny days than rainy days! | A possibility for everything from sun to rain. Always be prepared! | Snow in the mountains, rain along the coast and lowlands! |
Other things to consider:
Wildfire season is typically better in Olympic National Park due to the ocean, but we can experience fires in the mountains in this park.
Here’s a full guide on how to elope in Olympic National Park and specifically how to elope in the Hoh Rainforest!
The Puget Sound / San Juan Islands
The Puget sound and the San Juan islands are one of the areas I love most just because the landscape is so unique. Think costal bluffs, waterfalls, forests, wildlife – all things that make this area look extremely Pacific Northwest! There are a ton of wedding venues in the Puget Sound too!
General Accessibility
Accessible year-round without snow. Rare chances for snow.
Weather
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
| When | April – June | July – September | October – November | December – March |
| Temps | 50s – 60s | 70s – 80s | 40s – 70s | 30s – 50s |
| Typical Weather | Cool and Rainy, with some periods of sunshine. Weather can shift on a dime so be prepared! | More sunny days than rainy days! | A possibility for everything from sun to rain. Always be prepared! | Cool and Rainy! |
Other things to consider:
Here’s a full guide on how to elope at the San Juan Islands!
The North Cascades
Rugged, remote, the ultimate place for high altitude adventure. The North Cascades are made up of 3 different regions. Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, North Cascades National Park, and Okanagan – Wenatchee National Forest.
General Accessibility
If you’re looking for a snow-free experience, your best bet is July – early October. There are a few high alpine roads that close for the winter season and a few areas that stay open for snowshoeing.
Weather
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
| When | April – June | July – September | October – November | December – March |
| Temps | 20s – 50s | 40s – 60s | 30s – 40s | 20s – 30s |
| Typical Weather | Cool and Snowy with weather that can shift on a dime! | More sunny days than rainy days! | A possibility for everything from sun to rain to snow. Always be prepared! | Cool and Snowy with weather that can shift on a dime! |
Other things to consider:
Wildfire season is typical year to year in the North Cascades. Plan for smoke and always have a backup plan!
Here’s a full guide on how to elope in the North Cascades!
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier (Tahoma), Mother of all waters, gives life to high alpine tundras that sweep over the rolling mountains around her. This park is an incredibly special place and on takes extra care when visiting due to the sensitivity of the high alpine environment. There are 2 main areas to this park, Paradise and Sunrise, which have vastly different geographical features but provide stunning backdrops for all adventures.
General Accessibility
If you’re looking for a snow-free experience, your best bet is July – early October. The Sunrise side closes due to snow and ice in the early fall. Paradise remains open for winter snowshoeing, pending park hours, which I’ve seen change season to season.
Weather
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
| When | April – June | July – September | October – November | December – March |
| Temps | 20s – 50s | 40s – 60s | 20s – 30s | 10s – 30s |
| Typical Weather | Cool and Snowy with weather that can shift on a dime! | More sunny days than rainy days! | A possibility for everything from sun to rain to snow. Always be prepared! | Cool and Snowy with weather that can shift on a dime! |
Other things to consider:
Leave no Trace should be the top priority in this park due to the sensitive high alpine environment.
The Mountain is not always guaranteed to be out, and is so special when it is. Come with a sense of adventure around this!
Wildfire season is typical year to year in Mount Rainier National Park. Plan for smoke and always have a backup plan!
Here’s a full guide on how to elope in Mount Rainier National Park and then a guide specifically geared toward everything you need to think about for wildflower elopements in the park!
Snoqualmie Valley
The Snoqualmie Valley is a gem. Only about 40 minutes to an hour from Seattle, this area is full of lush rainforests, rolling mountains, waterfalls, and tons of beautiful spots that make it perfect for elopements. You’ll find tons of wedding venues here too!
General Accessibility
Accessible year-round without snow in the lowlands. In the mountains, you’ll encounter snow and avalanche territory!
Weather
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
| When | April – June | July – September | October – November | December – March |
| Temps | 50s – 60s | 70s – 80s | 40s – 70s | 30s – 50s |
| Typical Weather | Cool and Rainy, with some periods of sunshine. Weather can shift on a dime so be prepared! | More sunny days than rainy days! | A possibility for everything from sun to rain. Always be prepared! | Cool and Rainy! |
Other things to consider:
Here’s a full guide on how to elope in the Snoqualmie Valley!
The Western & Eastern side of the Cascades
Underrated in terms of elopements but oh so popular in terms of hiking, is the large chain of the Cascades themselves. On the western side you’ll find lush forests and rugged mountains and rain. On the Eastern side, you’ll find more arid weather, more akin to the high alpine tundra of Colorado. The color is more brown with sparser trees, and you even get into the desert towards the middle of the state. We have a robust wine country on the eastern side and tons of wedding venues throughout!
General Accessibility
Accessible year-round without snow in the lowlands. In the mountains, you’ll encounter snow and avalanche territory!
Weather
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter | |
| When | April – June | July – September | October – November | December – March |
| Temps | 30s – 70s | 50s – 80s | 30s – 60s | 20s – 50s |
| Typical Weather | Cool to mild, sunny weather | Sunny and warm! | Warm and cooling off. Snow can start in this season. | Snowy and cool! |
Other things to consider:
Wildfire season is typical year to year. Plan for smoke and always have a backup plan!
If you’re considering hiring a vendor for the eastern side of the mountains and they live on the western side, everyone needs to plan for our mountain passes closing on occasion due to winter snow.
Decision time: Are you booking a venue or planning an outdoor adventure?
You’ve considered guest count, locations and season. Are you going to book a venue with guests, adventure out in nature, or do a combination of both?
Hire your elopement photographer and choose a date with them to elope in Washington State.
Elopements are typically pretty out of the box and can involve a nature element. And a lot of times that can be extremely overwhelming if you’re not familiar with areas, the nuances of areas, or you’re looking for ways to make you’re elopement special and an extension of your relationship. All the guides above are a starting point but don’t replace an elopement photographer who has tons of experience.
Elopement photographers are very different from wedding photographers. Wedding photographers jump in around timeline time in the planning process. Elopement photographers who help with planning are generally there from the start and tend to be better practiced in photographing landscapes and couples. And if they are local? They are going to have a ton of information that’s built up research over time!
Pro Tip: Choose a weekday – as areas are super popular, weekdays are the best chances for some privacy if you want to be in nature!
Here’s what I offer to my couples who want to elope in Washington State!
- Customized Planning experience
- Location Ideas & local nuances
- Planning Resources
- Leave No Trace Resources
- Planning Calls
- Permit help
- Customized Timeline
- Activity suggestions
- Marriage License Assistance & Complimentary Ordination Services
- 4 – 16 hours of a photo experience that embraces an unscripted vibe and balances posing guidance so you get to experience your full day and showcase your personalities!
- Edited photos curated in a storytelling format delivered in an online, downloadable gallery with personal printing rights – keep and love your moments forever!
Work with your photographer to pick a date and have some flexibilty in mind. My dates are first come first serve! Package start at $4,200 for 4 hours in 2025. Check out my full details here, as I’d love to help you!
Finalize your location and book your Lodging
Think of your lodging as an extension of your day. Find somewhere that would add an extra umph element and feels ultra special. You wouldn’t just stay here on a normal vacation but for an elopement? You would. Think of extra amenities you’d like to enjoy and something that would be beautiful to photograph!
Your photographer my also have a suggestion on cities to stay in, so definitely ask for their recommendation on city. For nature-based elopements, 1-2 hours is pretty common of a drive in some of our parks to get to where you’re looking to go for your ceremony adventure!
Here’s everything you need to think about when it comes to utilizing a vacation rental for your elopement or wedding!
Think about the other vendors you can hire
Elopements are way more chill but you can still hire similar vendors to weddings!
- Officiant (or someone close to you could officiate!)
- Florist
- Caterer, Private Chef, or just cooking yourself!
- Hair & Makeup Artist
- Dress/Tux/Attire you want to wear
- Videographer
Think of other activities in Washington State
The beauty of elopements is it should be an extension of your life. Your relationship was built on day dates, why wouldn’t you make that your elopement day too? Here are a few examples!
- Hiking (Check out how to plan a hiking elopement here!)
- Chase the sunset
- Stargaze
- Picnic it up
- Rent a private seaplane charter
- Rent a private boat or whale watching tour
- Take a hot airballon ride and watch the sun rise
- Go fishing
- Make a charcuterie spread and enjoy it on the beach
- Build a campfire and make smores
- Have your first dance under the twinkle lights
- Go wine tasting
- Grab a beer at a local brewery
- Paint or read
- Hire private chef to cook you dinner
Create a timeline
You’ve got your location, your activities, your vendors so now it’s time to make your timeline! Your elopement photographer will help you with this but always add more time than you think especially if you don’t want to feel rushed or stressed! I’ve never had an elopement end early because we’ve had too much time!
Dont forget: Work with a photogarpher who will help you create a backup plan. Weather can turn unsafe quickly. A lot of areas in Washington can be single access roads and can close for a variety of reasons and very suddenly!
Check out some unique washington elopement timelines here!
Apply for Permits
Every land manager will be different in terms of special use permits to hold your ceremony in order to elope in Washington State. But you need to have one if required so you and your vendors don’t get in trouble. It can range from $0 – $300 depending on the location!
Legalize it: Marriage Licenses in WA state!
Disclaimer: This is my suggestion and should not be taken as fact. Always do your own research and check local laws as they do change!
- Apply and get a marriage license
- Have a ceremony – there must be an officiant and 2 witnesses (and no your officiant cannot be a witness)
- Complete and return the Department of Health Certificate of Marriage
To elope in Washington State, you can get your license in any county and use it in any county! So if you’re flying in from out of state, King County is always a great option as it’s closest to the Airport. Some counties allow you to apply online and get your marriage packet mailed to you so have everything ready to go when you land! When you do get your license, you have a 3 day waiting period before you can officially use it, and then 60 days to officially get married!!
Pro Tip – IF you don’t want to deal with the legalities on your elopement day and want to have it private, just the two of you, you can go to the courthouse and get the legal marriage done, and then do your vows and elopement on your day. That way you aren’t bound by those rules!
If you’re adventuring in nature, gear up
Think about a list of things you’ll need for your elopement!
- Vows
- Partner 1 & Partner 2 outfits & Accessories
- Marriage license
- GPS/navigational system
- Hiking Boots
- Backpack
- Permit / Parking permit
- Picnic Blanket
- Bug Spray
- Suntan Lotion and other sun gear
- Warm Layers
- Umbrellas
…and so much more! Check out this list of 10 essentials so you have the proper safety gear for any outdoor adventure!
Celebrate, it’s your elopement day!
You’ve done it, all of your plans will come to light! You deserve to slow down, and savor every moment of your day.
Tell your family you eloped in Washington State!
Did you know sharing your elopement and how you decided to elope in Washington State can be a fun moment too? Here are some ideas!
- Send a postcard to everyone saying “We eloped!”
- Announce a party! Or have a party, and then announce it!
- Share some of your photos at the party so they can see why you did what you did!
- Call your favorite people!
- Share the gallery of photos!
Additional FAQs!
- Will my outfit get dirty?
- Potentially! You’ll never walk away with a perfectly pristine outfit even at a venue. They make “bridal buddies” if you want to hold skirts while walking. But honestly I’ve seen way too many people stay concerned about the cleanliness of their outfit rather than being present in the moment. If you can, embrace it!
- What happens if it rains?
- We will pull out the clear umbrellas, splash in the puddles (if you want), and embrace the rain! It’s good luck for a wedding day!
- How far ahead should we start planning in order to elope in Washington State?
- I would suggest no shorter than 3 months to a year, depending on the location you choose and how quickly you want to plan!
