How To Elope in Washington
How To Plan Your Washington Elopement
Dreaming of an elopement in Washington State? You’ve picked an incredible destination. With three national parks and diverse landscapes, there is so much adventure in the Evergreen state.
Imagine this: It’s your wedding day. You wake up in an incredible A-Frame surrounded by pine trees and have a slow morning with your partner. Breakfast, champagne, a hot tub soak or a bubble bath. Now it’s time to prepare for your adventure elopement! You get ready and make sure you have everything you need packed and head to the National Park. First stop, the temperate rainforest. You share your private vows and dance among the mosses. Next stop, the Pacific coast! On the beach, you share a ceremony with family and friends present, and then watch the sunset over the ocean with charcuterie and drinks in the company of your loved ones. The next day, we head to the mountains for an adventure session! Multiple day elopement experiences are the best way to pack in more locations and stay present, while keeping spontaneity as an option.
Planning Your Washington Elopement
Why Washington is one of the best places to elope
How to choose the perfect Washington elopement location
Best Places to Elope in Washington
Best Time To Elope in Washington
How to get a Washington marriage license
How much does an elopement cost in Washington
Experiences to plan during your Washington elopement
Adventure Wedding essentials
The best time of year to elope in Washington
As you may have heard, the PNW gets a bad rap for its weather patterns. The reality is that no matter what type of weather you experience in Washington state, it still packs a huge punch in terms of beauty. The summers rarely get too hot and the winters are never too cold. It is the perfect temperature balance for year round adventure, and even when it does rain, Washington provides stunning backdrops that will have you forgetting that rain was ever a bad thing. The PNW moody vibes are real, and they look great in photographs.
The best time for an elopement in Washington is between June and October. As the summer season approaches, most trails and roads at elevation have been fully cleared and are easily accessible. The early fall is a perfect time of year to experience Washington state, as the trails will be less trafficked and we love the fall foliage in the mountains. If skiing or snowboarding is more your thing, consider planning your epic winter elopement at Mt. Baker or Snoqualmie ski areas.
Some of Washington’s most beautiful areas include:
Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Baker
Olympic National Park
Mount St. Helens
North Cascades National Park
Pacific Coast
Summer Elopements in Washington
Hiking trails will be easily accessible and the days will be the longest.
Wildflowers are abundant in the mountains making for an exciting and colorful backdrop. The best time to experience wildflowers will be in the months of July & August.
Alpine lakes are no longer frozen, so you can experience the beautiful clear blue water.
The only true downfall of eloping in the summer is the potential crowds, as Washington experiences a lot of outdoor recreation!
Fall Elopements in Washington
The fall colors in Washington are incredible. Throw in some moody PNW weather or a golden hour sunset and we will be there for it.
We recommend National Park elopements to occur in the fall for the dip in tourist traffic from the summer.
The fall weather is perfect in Washington. Rarely very hot and never too cold, you’ll be comfortable on just about any adventure.
Winter Elopements in Washington
Frozen alpine lakes.
Popular destinations and trailheads will be less crowded than in the summer.
Mild temperatures that are much more forgiving than most winters.
You can go skiing/snowboarding, book an epic snowmobile tour, or plan a relaxing hot springs soak.
Some trails and mountain passes might not be accessible.
Spring Elopements in Washington
During early Spring, you may still encounter some snow especially at elevation! If you want to avoid snow altogether, aim for the summertime or the fall instead!
For outdoor recreation, Spring will be the shoulder season and will be less crowded. Springtime is also when the wildflowers begin to bloom in certain areas.
Hire your dream Washington Elopement Vendors
When searching for your dream vendors, make sure that they have experience with elopements. If you are hiking on your elopement day, make sure to hire a florist who can create a bouquet that can sustain the elements (wind, rain, etc.) When searching for a venue to host your closest friends and family, rather than investing in a traditional venue, consider booking a cozy Airbnb/VRBO to host everyone.
We believe that booking a photographer is the most important task and it should be completed first. Not all wedding photographers are created equal! Some photographers specialize in traditional weddings and some photographers specialize in adventure elopements (like us!). We provide couples with more than just beautiful photos of their elopement. We will help you find an epic location for your ceremony & portraits. If you choose to work with Love, Lorraine, you will also receive a recommended vendors list and a list of experiences that you can plan based on the location you are getting married in. If you want to learn more about our services, inquire with us!
Book Your Washington Elopement with Love, Lorraine
The Best Places to Elope in Washington
With so many options to choose from in Washington, you and your partner can dream up all kinds of fun adventures in this diverse state. With three national parks and some of our favorite mountain ranges in the country, you can’t go wrong choosing Washington to host your small wedding or adventure elopement. Continue reading to learn more about all of our favorite Washington elopement locations!
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is the most diverse of the national parks in Washington state. Its distinct ecosystems; the temperate rainforest, the rugged coastline, the subalpine forests and the wildflower meadows make for an incredible elopement destination. This park can offer you multiple locations that will have you feeling like you are transported to a different place entirely.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is known for hosting the highest point in the Cascade Range, Mount Rainier! This stratovolcano is surrounded by thousands of miles of old growth forest, making it a great place for adventure. Mount Rainier is the host of 25 glaciers! Being the highest point in the Cascade Range brings dense clouds that are constantly dumping rain and snow on the area. Mount Rainier is a very striking feature in the sky, and it is all alone without other competing landscapes. This makes it a great place for an elopement, an iconic peak in the Cascade Range!
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park has to be one of the most underrated National Parks in the country. The natural beauty in the North Cascades often gets shadowed by other surrounding, more iconic landscapes. But the North Cascades provide some of (in our opinion) the most epic mountain views we have experienced. One of the most popular areas, Artist Point, is reminiscent of the Italian alps in some ways, the jagged mountains, views for miles, and diverse landscape make for an amazing adventure experience. It feels otherworldly. In North Cascades National Park, there are tons of beautiful alpine lakes, mountain views for miles, and dense forest making for remote wilderness hiking.
Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Park
The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest spans much of Washington’s outdoor recreation areas. Starting up north at Mt. Baker, this national forest area travels south through the North Cascades, all the way down to Seattle and even to Mt Rainier. Covering nearly 140 miles, you will find an easily accessible outdoor adventure at every turn. If you are planning to stay in Seattle for your elopement, we highly recommend the Snoqualmie resort area, just 45 minutes outside of the city. This area is full of picturesque hikes and wilderness to explore. Want to add a little extra adventure? There are a great number of cabins and A frames outside of Seattle that you can stay in as part of your elopement experience.
Pacific Coast
If you are hoping for epic sunsets over the ocean, the Washington coast is a must experience. Most of the iconic spots on the Washington coast are a part of the Olympic peninsula, and they don’t disappoint. Keep in mind that this landscape is oftentimes overcast, giving that quintessential moody vibe the PNW is known for. Some days, especially in the summertime, the skies stay blue and you will be rewarded with beautiful golden hour light and sunsets you won’t forget.
HOH Rainforest
The temperate rainforest in Washington is such a mystical place. How is it that this state is home to incredible mountains, volcanoes, the pacific coast, AND this rainforest? This is what makes Washington such a great place to elope. The Hoh Rainforest is nestled in western side of Olympic National Park. It is about a 2 hour drive to get to the rainforest from Port Angeles, but the trip is well worth it. Hike the Hall of Mosses during the day for the dreamiest light while experiencing one of the last examples of temperate rainforest in the United States.
Experiences for your Washington Elopement
Choosing to elope doesn’t mean that you have to go on an epic adventure or do something strenuous to celebrate your marriage. You can go on an adventure, or simply find an A-Frame in the woods and have a cozy weekend in while sightseeing easily accessible lookouts, which Washington has plenty of.
There are an unlimited number of ways to approach an elopement in Washington, and there is no RIGHT way, only YOUR way! Let’s dive into some of the experiences you can have during your elopement in Washington.
Hiking
Camping
Have a Picnic at Artist Point
Rent a cabin in the woods!
Soak in a natural hot spring
Rock Climbing
Skydiving
Skiing & Snowboarding
Snowshoeing
Check out our favorite Washington Breweries
Rent a camper van and explore multiple locations throughout Washington: (this also gives you a place to get ready before your elopement - and it makes for a great photo opportunity!)
Here are a few elopement day ideas to spark some inspiration!
Have a slow morning in your A-Frame cabin, soaking in the hot tub or sharing a bubble bath to start your day. After lunch, head up towards Mt. Baker National Forest to explore and enjoy 360 degree views of the North Cascades.
Start your day off on the slopes! Kick off your wedding day at Mt Baker resort. After some turns, have lunch and head further into Mt Baker National Forest to explore the North Cascades views. End your day with a ceremony with Mt Shuksan in the background, portraits and a picnic at Golden Hour, and a first dance at Blue Hour. End your day looking up at the stars.
To kick things off, head to the Pacific coast to enjoy the rocky beaches within Olympic National Park. Make a pit stop at the Rainforest for portraits and grab lunch in La Push, a cute waterfront town with incredible views. End your day atop Hurricane Ridge for sunset, a picnic and star gazing.
How to acquire a permit and marriage license for your Washington Elopement
To Elope in Washington state, you will need an officiant and two witnesses present to sign your marriage license.
Washington Marriage License Information
You must apply for your wedding license at least 3 days prior to your elopements, and no more than 60 days before your elopement date. The application fee is $67 and you can apply in person or by mail. For more information regarding your marriage license, visit King County’s website for more information.
Special Use Permits Information
Washington National Parks require that you acquire a Special Use Permit (SUP) for wedding ceremonies held within park boundaries. Each park has certain specific limitations, like guest count and ceremony location, so make sure to chat with your photographer to get a better understanding of what your options are like! As your photographers, we help you with getting all of this information.
How much does it cost to Elope in Washington?
We have truly seen it all when it comes to eloping in Washington. On average, our couple’s spend anywhere from $7,500 - $15,000 on their elopement. Some spend as little as $7,500, others get over $15,000 in a hurry! It all depends on how you want your day to look, what you want to experience and if you plan to host guests as part of the experience!
Photographer $5,000 - $10,000
Hair & Makeup $600 - $1000
Flowers $400 - $800
Marriage License $30
Special Use Permit $300
Lodging $400 - $1200
Flights & Car Rental $500 - $800
What to wear to your Washington Elopement
Preparing for your Washington elopement is different than preparing for a traditional wedding day. Yes, you’ll need all of the necessities: a dress, a suit, shoes, socks, rings, etc. but you’ll also need a few extra items and you’ll want to consider some important details!
How to find the perfect dress for your Washington Elopement
Pro tip: Don’t plan your wedding day around your dress, plan your dress around your wedding day. Far too often brides plan their wedding day around their attire and are limited to what they can do on their wedding day!
Things to consider when searching for your dream elopement dress:
Mobility: Make sure that you can move, walk, run, jump, twirl, step-up, step-down, and sit down in your wedding dress.
Wind & Flow: Do you want a dress that is snug to your body? Or, do you want a dress that flows beautifully in the wind? We think the more fabric and flow it has, the better it will look in an epic outdoor environment. Plus, it’ll be way more comfortable if you are hiking and moving around a lot!
Forgiving Fabrics: If you plan to pack your wedding dress in your backpack, make sure the fabric is forgiving and doesn’t wrinkle or can easily be unwrinkled. Consider choosing fabrics that stretch, have some give, and that are lightweight.
How to find the perfect suit for your Washington Elopement
Just like finding the perfect wedding dress, you should be consciously thinking about a few factors when finding the perfect suit for your Washington elopement.
Mobility: Just like a wedding dress, you should make sure that you can move freely. Think about all of the activities that you could potentially do on your elopement day. Suits that are stretchy can give you flexibility and comfort so you can run, jump, squat, sit down, pick up your partner, and do awesome air kicks (sorry, we can’t be liable for ripped pants).
Breathability & Weight: Depending on the time of year, you’ll want a suit that is breathable. If you are planning a Washington elopement in the winter, heavier blazers and jackets of wool may make for a nice insulator.
Packability: The heavier the fabric, the bulkier it’ll be and the more difficult it will be to pack. You want to consider how much you will be packing, and wedding attire takes up a lot of space! If you choose a lighter fabric that’s stretchy and breathable, it will result in a much lighter load. There are many ways you can pack your suit in your backpack or outside of your backpack. You can even explore using bungee cords to hold your suit bag in place on the front of your pack.
Don’t forget about footwear!
Along with finding the perfect dress or suit that is comfortable and suitable for your Washington elopement, finding the best footwear is just as important. Wearing the proper footwear outside, especially on trails and in rugged terrain, will help your stability on the trail and you’ll be much more comfortable and confident, no matter how long or short the hike may be.
You might think that wearing a dress or a suit and hiking boots is unflattering, but we absolutely love it! For your hike up & back down, we personally think hiking boots are a must. There are plenty of brands that offer stylish boot options that you can pack and swap out when you arrive at your location. Wearing stiletto heels and uncomfortable dress shoes isn’t recommended, so we’ve provided some of our favorite boots that have great traction and can complete your adventurous look!
Lauren & Travis’ favorite adventure footwear!
We also advocate for sending it barefoot (post hike) — if the terrain & weather allows for it!
If you are planning a hiking elopement in Washington, make sure to check out the blog on Planning for Your Hiking Elopement for more advice about gear and preparation!
