Your Complete Guide to Eloping in Washington State
01: WHY CHOOSE TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON
02: BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON
03: WHERE TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON
04: BUILDING YOUR PERFECT PNW ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE
01: WHY CHOOSE TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON
Why Elope?
Eloping lets you toss the traditions that don’t serve you and build a wedding day that actually feels like you. No pressure, no rules — just you two, your love, and a whole lot of intention.
Why Washington?
Washington State is where wild beauty meets pure magic. From its lush rainforests and snow-capped peaks to rugged coastlines and alpine lakes, it’s the dream backdrop for couples craving intimacy, adventure, and something wildly their own.
Think:
- Towering moss-covered forests
- Rocky coastlines + hidden driftwood beaches
- Foggy mountain peaks + vibrant wildflower meadows
- Cascading waterfalls + turquoise alpine lakes
- All-season wonder (yep, even the rain feels romantic here)
Note: Washington’s natural variety means there’s a perfect spot for every elopement vision — whether that’s barefoot on the beach or lacing up hiking boots for an alpine adventure.
Types of Elopements in the PNW
- Sunrise Vows at an Alpine Lake
Quiet, misty mornings with golden light and total privacy. - Moody Forest Elopements
Say “I do” surrounded by ancient trees and soft, mossy ground. - Coastal Adventures
Driftwood beaches, crashing waves, barefoot ceremonies at golden hour. - Two-Day Elopement Road Trips
Hit the mountains, rainforest, and coast in one just-married weekend. - Winter Lodge Elopements
Cabins, hot cocoa, and snow falling during your vows? Yes please.
Need help narrowing it down? That’s what I’m here for.
02: BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON
When to Elope in Washington
Each season in Washington brings something magical. Here’s how to pick what fits your vibe:
🌱 Spring (March–May)
Vibe: Waterfalls, fresh greens, moody magic
Best for: Rainforest elopements, coastal cliffs, quiet trails
Top Spots: Olympic Peninsula, Panther Creek Falls, Mount Rainier (lower elevation)
✔️ Pros: Fewer crowds, vibrant moss + ferns
❌ Cons: Rainy, lingering snow in mountains
☀️ Summer (June–August)
Vibe: Clear skies, wildflowers, turquoise lakes
Best for: Alpine elopements, backpacking, paddleboarding
Top Spots: Diablo Lake, Mount Rainier meadows, North Cascades
✔️ Pros: Long days, dry trails, epic views
❌ Cons: Busy season, wildfire risk later in summer
🍂 Fall (September–October)
Vibe: Golden light, colorful leaves, cozy vibes
Best for: Forest elopements, mountain views without the summer crowds
Top Spots: Lake Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Snoqualmie Region
✔️ Pros: Crisp temps, fewer tourists
❌ Cons: Shorter days, chance of early snow
❄️ Winter (November–February)
Vibe: Cozy cabins, snowy trees, misty coasts
Best for: Snowshoe vows, lodge stays, stormy beach ceremonies
Top Spots: Gold Creek Pond, Mt. Baker area, Ruby Beach
✔️ Pros: Zero crowds, moody magic
❌ Cons: Limited trail access, cold temps
Time of Day Tips
- Sunrise Elopements – Soft golden light, max privacy, serene AF
- Sunset Elopements – Warm tones, blue hour magic, ideal for post-vow celebrations
- Weekday Elopements – Skip the crowds at iconic spots like Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, and Diablo Lake
03: WHERE TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON
The Best Elopement Locations in Washington
⛰️ Mountains
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades National Park
- Mount Baker Wilderness
- Leavenworth & Alpine Lakes Wilderness
🌲 Forests + Waterfalls
- Hoh Rainforest (Olympic National Park)
- Snoqualmie Region (Twin Falls, Franklin Falls, Rattlesnake Lake)
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Wallace Falls State Park
🌊 Coastlines
- Ruby Beach
- Rialto Beach
- Second Beach (La Push)
- Kalaloch area
Do You Need a Permit?
Most likely, yes — especially in:
- National Parks (Olympic, Rainier, North Cascades)
- State Parks
- Wilderness & Forest Service Areas
- Coastal beaches within protected areas
Don’t worry — I’ll walk you through the permit process, including:
- Location-specific rules
- Group size limits
- Leave No Trace guidelines
- What you can and can’t bring to your ceremony spot
04: BUILDING YOUR PERFECT WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE
Activity Ideas:
- Rent a campervan for a weekend roadtrip
- Hike to a secret alpine lake for your vows
- Canoe or paddleboard together after your ceremony
- Camp overnight under the stars
- Picnic on the beach with a private chef
- Snowshoe to a cozy cabin elopement
- Bring your dog along for the adventure
Dreamy Elopement Stays in WA:
- Kalaloch Lodge – Oceanfront cabins near Ruby Beach
- TreeHouse Point – Dreamy treehouses in the Snoqualmie forest
- Stormking Spa Cottages – Romantic rainforest cabins in Forks
- LOGE Camps – Laid-back spots in Leavenworth, Westport, and more
- Goldmyer Hot Springs – Remote hot spring retreat near North Bend
- Fire Lookouts – Rustic towers with panoramic views
GETTING LEGALLY MARRIED IN WASHINGTON STATE
- Apply online or in person
- 3-day waiting period
- License valid for 60 days
- 2 witnesses required
Officiant Tip:
I’m ordained and can legally marry you and document your whole day — it’s a two-for-one adventure experience.
Other options:
- Ask a friend to get ordained online (it’s free + easy)
- Hire a pro officiant (I’ve got recs!)
BONUS: HIRING YOUR IDEAL WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT VENDORS
You deserve a vendor crew that gets you — your style, your story, your love.
I work with:
- Adventure elopement officiants
- LGBTQIA+ affirming florists & stylists
- Body-inclusive HMUAs
- Elopement planners + picnic pros
- Private chefs for post-vow dinners
WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES
📸 Elopement Packages start at $4500
All packages include:
- Custom planning + expert location help
- Permit and timeline guidance
- Film + digital photography
- Sneak peeks in 72 hours
- Vendor recommendations
- Me: your Type-A goofball + built-in adventure BFF
Bonus? I photograph and officiate. You just show up and be in love.
READY TO PLAN YOUR WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT?
From mossy forests and alpine peaks to driftwood beaches and wildflower meadows — Washington is overflowing with soul-stirring places to say “hell yes” to each other.
Let’s create a day that’s full of heart, color, connection, and adventure.
📍 Based in Washington
📷 @BlakeKelloggPhotography
🌈 For the colorful & the queer
💌 Let’s chat!
