How to Elope in Washington [Updated for 2025]

The Ultimate Guide on How to Plan a Washington State elopement

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Call us biased, but we believe that Washington State is truly one of the best places to elope in the U.S. (maybe even the world!). Whether you’re here for an engagement session or an elopement adventure, this state truly has some of the most gorgeous locations that will make your heart skip a beat when you get to see them in real life.

From diverse national parks to forests, mountains, waterfalls, and more, Washington has something for everyone.

Also, did you know that Washington State was listed as the Best State In The U.S. 2 years in a row? See, it’s not just us being biased, it’s a FACT 😍.

How To Elope In Washington State: Everything You Need To Know To Plan For An Unforgettable Elopement Experience

1) Determine Whether an Elopement is the Right Decision for You

Anyone can elope but elopements are not for everyone. You don’t have to know exactly where, when, or even how many guests you want to invite to your Washington elopement. One thing you do want to understand though is: Is Eloping The Right Decision for You and Your Partner?

If you are unsure if eloping is right for you, read our article, 6 Things To Consider Before Eloping. You can also explore the Elopement Stories on our blog to learn more about what an elopement day can look like.

You don’t want to regret anything about the day you marry your partner for life.

2) Find the Right Washington Elopement Photographer & Book Your Washington Elopement Package

This is usually the part where we are supposed to “sell” ourselves. However, we don’t enjoy talking about ourselves or trying to “sell” you anything you don’t need.

We do, however, love sharing with you how we view and live our lives. Adventure elopements have been quite trendy lately but for us, it was never a trend. Henry and his husband Viet eloped when eloping meant one thing: running to the courthouse to get it done. And Sergio and his wife Pamela eloped because they wanted to have an intimate wedding day that was truly THEIRS!

We give 110% of ourselves into all our elopement couples because we were in your shoes not so long ago.

We understand the importance of intimacy and intentional experience that couples seek when they elope. Eloping is so, so, so much more than epic photos. It’s about you and whom you love. All of you together, experiencing one of the most important moments in life.

Last but not least, we believe the right Washington elopement photographer does more than just take pictures on your wedding day. They capture the important moments but also know how to prepare you for the experience of eloping. They also assist with location scouting, elopement planning, photography permits, and so much more.

3) Choose the Best Location to Elope in Washington

This post wouldn’t be complete without sharing some of the best locations to elope in Washington. Scroll down to read all about the beautiful landscapes Washington has to offer.

One of our favorite things about Washington State is that it has EVERYTHING! We have snowy mountains, wildflowers, rugged beaches, moody forests, dramatic coastlines, and even deserts! (Fun fact: Most of eastern Washington is considered desert.).

If you know that you want to elope in Washington but don’t have an exact location in mind, it’s ok. Feel free to reach out anytime. We have way more beautiful locations in our little notebook that we’ve been waiting for the right couple to elope at.

You can also check out our complete guide on all the best places to elope in Washington by clicking on the link below.

*Pro Tip: While Washington does have some of the most beautiful elopement locations, keep in mind that most of these areas are at least 2 hours drive from downtown Seattle. What can we say? You gotta work for the gorgeous views, but trust us – it’s worth it 😘.

4) Book Your Elopement Date

The landscape you love will primarily determine when you should elope.

For example, some mountain trails stay frozen until late summer. For these types of locations, you might need to be flexible when choosing a date. We can’t guarantee the weather, but choosing your elopement date based on the most optimal time of year will allow you to enjoy the experience more fully.

Once you are ready to take the next step, please reach out. We can provide insights, tips and tricks, plus our top recommendations for your Washington elopement plan.

*Pro Tip: Whether you consider us for your Washington elopement or any other photographer, the sooner you find and book a photographer, the better. Most photographers book out anywhere between 6 – 18 months in advance, so we always recommend couples reach out as soon as possible to secure their preferred date.

5) Continue Your Washington Elopement Planning: Wedding Permit, Marriage License, Elopement Checklist, and Everything Else

With a traditional wedding, your venue is your private event site. With an elopement, we use public lands like National Parks, National Forests, or State Parks. This usually means some sort of wedding permit will be required.

As adventure elopement photographers, oftentimes, we are the only resource for couples. Therefore, part of our service is to help you navigate permits and licenses to make your marriage official. We also help by equipping you with elopement resources and checklists so you have everything you need to plan your elopement day.

6) Elope & Celebrate Your Marriage YOUR WAY

Once your elopement day arrives we’ll adventure around the location you picked, take in the beauty of Washington, create memories, and photograph the heck out of you guys.

Eat the cake, pop the champagne, and celebrate your marriage! It’s as simple as that!!!

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Our Top 5 Picks for Where to Elope in Washington State

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT

Why Elope in Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is a personal favorite because the park is HUGEEEEE (not to mention it is also open year-round). Plus, Olympic is the only place that offers ALL the landscapes: beaches, rugged mountains, rainforests, alpine lakes, etc… You name it, we’ll take you there 🙂.

Best Places to Elope Around Olympic National Park

If you are looking for rugged beaches or lake views, Ruby Beach, La Push Beach, Lake Crescent, Cape Flattery, and Lake Cushman our some of our favorite locations. And, a trip to Olympic National Park wouldn’t be complete without visiting the Hoh Rainforest or Hurricane Ridge if you are looking for epic mountain views!

Best Time of Year to Elope at Olympic National Park

Being the only national park in Washington you can visit year-round, anytime to elope at Olympic National Park is a good time. But truly, the best time to visit all depends on what scenery and vibes speak to your heart the most.

• June – September: These months typically get more sunny days than cloudy or rainy days so you can go anywhere you want.
• October – February: The weather starts to get moodier around this time. But even with cloudy skies or a bit of rain, the soft even light is perfect for photos at any time of day. The mountain roads are also still drivable but covered with a dusting of snow, creating a magical scene.
• March – May: The weather around this time is more unpredictable than the rest of the year. It could be sunny one day and moody the next. While you may not know what you’re going to get at any given time, we promise the result will be worth it!

Important Information You Should Know About Eloping at Olympic National Park

Not gonna lie, Olympic National Park is so huge and so diverse that it can overwhelm people. To get there, it could take 2 hours or up to 4 hours from Sea-Tac Airport. It all just depends on the exact location you’re thinking of. Let us know what speaks to your heart and we can provide more accurate information.

Olympic National Park Wedding and Elopement Permits

For weddings and elopements in Olympic National Park, you will need a Washington State marriage license. You will also need a special use park permit to get married inside the park. Information regarding park permits can change, so please check the national park website for the most up-to-date information. For most of Olympic National Park, you don’t need a parking permit.

If all this seems like a lot of information, don’t worry. We help couples with permits as part of our elopement planning process.

Check out our Olympic National Park Elopement Guide for more information on how to plan an Olympic National Park elopement

See more beautiful elopements at Olympic National Park

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NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT

Why Elope in North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is most beautiful during the summer months when the snow is all gone. This place is also a bit underrated for its beauty. Truly, if you want the ultimate PNW hiking elopement, you came to the right place. Some of our all-time favorite mountain elopements took place right here among the North Cascades mountains.

Best Places to Elope Around North Cascades National Park

Winthrop, Lake Diablo, Artist Point. How long of a hike are you interested in? Whatever you’re into, we gotchu 🙂

Best Time of Year to Elope at North Cascades National Park

We are adventurers at heart and we believe any time of year is a good time to elope. However, our favorite time of year is during the summer months. From June – September we will get more sunny days than cloudy or rainy days and most of the snow will have melted off the trails making them more accessible.

Important Information You Should Know About Eloping at North Cascades National Park

North Cascades is also a huge national park. Depending on the exact location, you are looking at around 2 – 4 hrs drive from Sea-Tac Airport. Snow and rain are the two things you would often hear about this place. But don’t let that scare you. Did you know that snow and rain are actually the best kind of weather to photograph in? It’s moody and it’s super romantic.

North Cascades National Park Wedding and Elopement Permits

For weddings and elopements in North Cascades National Park, you will need a Washington state marriage license as well as a special use park permit. Information regarding park permits can change, so please check the national park website for the most up-to-date information. You will also need a parking permit. Check out the park’s official website for the most up-to-date info. If all this seems like a lot of information, don’t worry. At Henry Tieu Photography we help couples with permits during the planning process.

Update on Lake Diablo: If you have done a quick Google search, you can see multiple photos at Lake Diablo in the North Cascades, you can even see photos on our website there. In 2020, we got in touch with the National Park services and currently, the meadow area at Lake Diablo Overlook is now off-limits. Many might try to get to that meadow area for photos but it is currently considered illegal to do so. Others might still take photos there but we are no longer taking on elopements at this location out of respect for the National Park services. There are plenty of other gorgeous locations in the park that we have gathered over the years that we are confident you will fall in love with as well.

Check out our North Cascades Elopement Guide for more information on how to plan a North Cascades elopement

See more adventure elopements at North Cascades National Park

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MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK ELOPEMENT

Why Elope in Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier National Park is the most iconic spots around here. Heck, the mountain itself is on every single license plate 🙂

Best Places to Elope Around Mount Rainier National Park

There are two popular entrances – Sunrise and Paradise. Sunrise is accessible around May – September whereas Paradise is open year round. Depending on how long of a hike you’re interested in, we can provide some customized recommendations.

Best Time of Year to Elope at Mount Rainier National Park

Summer months are hands down the best time of year to visit the park. The park is full of wildflowers with surrounding epic views and this time of the year, all entrances are open and ready for all kinds of visitors.

Late October – Mid June would be a bit more limited in terms of where we can do due to snow on trials or even snow on the roads up to the mountain. In the winter, this is where you can get your winter wonderland elopement photos, we will just have to plan on packing some extra gears to keep us warm and safe. But don’t worry, we’ll be there to help you through it all 🙂

Important Information You Should Know About Eloping at Mount Rainier National Park

This place is endless. There are so so so many trails we can hike that would give us all kinds of epic and stunning mountain views. Truly, let us know how far of a hike you’re interested in and we can provide some tips and tricks.

Mount Rainier National Park Wedding and Elopement Permits

There are several options for getting married around Mt Rainier including in the park or outside the park. For weddings and elopements in Mount Rainier National Park, you will need a Washington state marriage license as well as a special use park permit. Information regarding park permits can change, so please check the national park website for the most up-to-date information. You will also need a parking permit. Check out the park’s official website for the most up-to-date info. If all this seems like a lot of information, don’t worry. At Henry Tieu Photography we help couples with permits during the planning process.

Update for 2024

This year, Mt Rainier National Park is testing a new system where all park visitors will be required to make a timed entry reservation before entering the park. This reservation will help the park flow during the busy season. Reservations will be required between 7am and 3pm during the months of May through September.. To learn more about the reservation system, visit our Mt Rainier National Park elopement guide for the complete step-by-step guide.

Check out our Mount Rainier Elopement Guide for more information on how to plan a Mount Rainier elopement

Check out some of our beautiful couples at Mount Rainier National Park

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SNOQUALMIE PASS ELOPEMENT

Why Elope in Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass is the closest place to downtown Seattle that provides some epic PNW vibes. If you are into alpine lakes, this is the perfect spot for you.

Best Places to Elope Around Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Falls, Rattlesnake Ledge, Gold Creek Pond, and so so so many more.

Best Time of Year to Elope at Snoqualmie Pass

The winter months are a prime time to visit Snoqualmie Pass. The mountains are covered in snow and with snow tires, we can access the most epic trails and views. Fall provides that classic PNW mood and you can never go wrong with planning your elopement in the spring or summer months.

Important Information You Should Know About Eloping at Snoqualmie Pass

Snoqualmie Pass is the closest location to downtown Seattle. The closest location + fairly easy hike + beautiful view is Rattlesnake Ledge and it’s only around 40 mins from Seattle. So what does that mean? That means this place CAN GET CROWDED EASILY. If you come here on a sunny weekend, you can’t even park. So what can we do? Timing is crucial with this one specific place so you can have the most intimate elopement with beautiful views. But we also know some other locations nearby we can help with. From Snoqualmie Falls, North Bend, to Cle Elum, truly, we are so excited to share with you soon.

Snoqualmie Pass Wedding and Elopement Permits

For weddings and elopements at Snoqualmie Pass, you will need a Washington state marriage license. You won’t need a permit to elope but depending on the exact location, you might need a parking permit. Check out this website for more information on Northwest Forest Parking Permits. If all this seems like a lot of information, don’t worry. At Henry Tieu Photography we help couples with permits during the planning process.

Check out this gorgeous fall anniversary session by Rattlesnake Lake for more inspo

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GIFFORD PINCHOT NATIONAL FOREST ELOPEMENT

Why Elope in Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Gifford Pinchot National Forest will bring your PNW forest vibes to life.  And since it’s a national forest, you’ll find yourself among beautiful campgrounds with lots of waterfalls.

Best Places to Elope Around Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Mount St Helens, Mt. Adams, Packwood Lake, etc…

Best Time of Year to Elope at Gifford Pinchot National Forest

You might get tired of hearing us say this but the spring and summer months truly are some of the most beautiful months in the PNW so you can’t go wrong with planning your elopement between June – September

Important Information You Should Know About Eloping at Gifford Pinchot National Forest

This area by far is the furthest place from Seattle compared to all the locations listed above. If you’re interested in visiting a couple of places before your elopement day, you can fly into Seattle and find a cute A-Frame cabin to stay in. But if you don’t have enough time to explore, flying into Portland and staying around Portland may be a better option.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest Wedding and Elopement Permits

For weddings and elopements in Gifford Pinchot National Forest, you will need a Washington state marriage license. You won’t need a permit to elope but you will need a parking permit. You can either use a Northwest Forest Pass or the National Park Pass. More info can be found here. If all this seems like a lot of information, don’t worry. At Henry Tieu Photography we help couples with permits during the planning process. 

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Best Time of Year to Elope in Washington

While we’ve already touched a bit on the best times to elope in each location, the best time to elope in Washington really does depend on what kind of beautiful landscapes and visions you have in mind.

• November – February would give you a snowy magical winter wonderland kind of elopement.
• March – May and October – November would provide us with overcast/rainy weather that makes an epic moody elopement.
• July – September is truly our favorite time of the year since you can hike all the way up anywhere you want and all the trails would be snow-free. This is also the best time to see wildflowers. Check out this beautiful elopement to see what we are talking about.

Rain, sun, fog, snow, what should we do?

• The thing about Washington is that the weather is so unpredictable. We can look up the weather app and everything is fine but then the next day, it could turn a complete 180 degrees.
• Whatever it is, we are skilled at photographing AND making sure you guys look beautiful in any weather condition. We’ve gotcha 🙂
• If it rains, dance in the rain. If it’s sunny, feel the sun on your skin. If your cake fell over, play with it. If your dress got dirty, get it dirtier. Focus on what’s important, not the little things. And we will take care of the rest and make sure you look epic as heck.

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Marriage License, Guests, Transportation, Accommodation, Pets, and EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW to elope in Washington:

Marriage License: How to Apply for a Marriage License to Elope in Washington

Obtaining a marriage license in Washington is a relatively straightforward process.

• Per state law, you will need to apply for a marriage license at least 3 days before your elopement date. You can only apply for a license within 60 days of your elopement date.
• If you are from Washington or if you arrive at least 3 days before your elopement date, you can visit any local office to get one. If you are from out of state and don’t have enough time to arrive early and wait, the BEST WAY IS TO APPLY ONLINE AND HAVE IT MAILED TO YOU.
• More Information on your marriage license can be found HERE (including the current application fee).
• You will also need an officiant and 2 witnesses. If you have family and/or friends who can be there for you, that’s amazing. If not, it’s ok, often time, we act as one or both of the witnesses, and we can recommend a list of officiants for you.

Permits: How to Apply For a Wedding Permit in Washington

If you are eloping in a Washington national park/forest, chances are you will need a permit to get married. Each park has its own requirements, so once you have decided on a location, you will want to research the requirements for your chosen location. Typically though, here is what you might need when eloping in a national park:

1) Entrance Fee: You can choose to pay for a one-time visit or you can use your America The Beautiful Pass to enter the park

2) Permit to have a wedding inside the national park. You will need to fill out an application form and submit an application fee which can usually be done online.

Guests: Can We Invite Guests? How Many People Should We Have at Our Washington Elopement?

We’ve photographed elopements that consist of just the couple and we have also photographed intimate weddings where 150 family members and friends also came along with the couple. There are no rules when it comes to having your wedding day as you have envisioned it. If you want to read more on this topic, we have written a blog post on 6 Things To Consider Before Eloping.

In terms of legality and paperwork, you will need 2 adults who are 18 or older to sign as your witnesses. If you choose to not have guests, it’s ok. Oftentimes, we become one or both of the 2 witnesses and we have a list of options for the second witness if needed for when we plan together.

Accommodation: The Best Places to Stay for Your Elopement in Washington

Where you decide to elope in Washington will help determine the best place to stay. Since these areas are quite spread hard, it’s hard to name the locations one by one here (feel free to check out each of our elopement guides for the national parks in Washington for more detailed information). However, two things we do want you to think about when renting an Airbnb for your elopement:

1. We will be using this Airbnb for your getting-ready photos and potentially first look. If you do choose to have family and friends attending your elopement, you might use this space to host a cute backyard reception or picnic.
2. Especially in places like Olympic National Park, it’s not uncommon to drive 1.5-2 hours to get from your Airbnb to your ceremony location so keep this in mind when planning your elopement timeline.

If all this feels like a lot of information, don’t worry! When we start planning your adventure elopement, we will provide recommendations and help narrow down places that are more relevant to your needs.

Pets: We Have a Dog or Two – Can We Bring Our Pets Along With Us to Our Washington Elopement?

If you are thinking about bringing your pets to Washington, follow the BARK acronym:

• B: Bag your pet’s poop
• A: Always wear a leash
• R: Respect wildlife
• K: Know where you can go: Not all trails are dog-friendly

As a dog father of 3 fur babies, Henry knows how important it is to include your pets on your elopement day. This is why our job is more than just photographing your day; rather, by assisting you from day one with planning and finding the right resources for your elopement day, we can help make sure you guys can include everything that’s important to you.

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Hire Your Washington Elopement Vendors

A common misconception about elopements is that it is just the couple and an officiant. While this is sometimes true, elopements can also take just as much planning as a small wedding.

While it’s not required to hire any particular vendors, oftentimes the couples we work with choose to work with a few vendors for their special day. Hiring high-quality vendors who can help you bring your vision to life will not only elevate your experience but also showcase your unique style, making your elopement day truly your own.

Below is a list of the most common vendors that you might want to consider for your Washington elopement or intimate wedding as well as links to a few vendors that we absolutely love!

• Florist
  • Rain and Pines
  • Goldenrod Floral Design
  • Fire and Blooms
• Hair & Makeup Artist
  • Fancy as Nancy
• Officiant
  • Officiant Jimmie
  • Rain and Pines
  • The Greatest Adventure Weddings
• Elopement or Wedding Planner
  • Rain and Pines
  • The Greatest Adventure Weddings
  • Tapestry Event Co
• Cake Artist
  • Sift and Gather
• Chef / Caterer
• Videographer
  • Caleb Clayton
  • Wild Hare Films
  • Jeffrey H Le

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Plan Your Washington Elopement Activities

Eloping is all about creating a day filled with meaning and intention and one of the best ways to fill your elopement day with meaning is by incorporating activities that you love and that SCREAM YOU!!

Intentional activities allow you to spend intentional time together and therefore, create an intentional experience where you get to immerse yourselves into the day.

Activities can be as simple as getting ready together, hiking, or picnicking or it can also mean going offroading, taking a helicopter ride, or kayaking together.

We’ve written a blog post on Unique Elopement Ideas where we share some tips you can read to help you choose activities for your Washington elopement, but one of the most important things we tell couples is that you don’t have to pick activities that you think an elopement “should have”. Your activities should reflect you so if hiking isn’t you, you don’t have to hike. If you’re afraid of heights, you don’t have to do a cliffside picnic.

Elopement activities can mean trying something you’ve never done before or revisiting a favorite activity that you both love! This is the time to get creative and dream big! There isn’t a right or a wrong way to elope. Elopement means freedom so don’t feel like you have to do something just because other couples have done it.

WHAT IS “LEAVE NO TRACE” AND WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT IT?

As experts in adventure elopement photography, we care a whole lot about “Leave No Trace”, which is where we go on adventures for photos but also make sure we leave things the way they are by doing our parts to preserve the beauty of nature. Here are something we do and expect our couples to do (not limiting to):

• Stay on trails
• Not climbing over fences, roped-off areas, or places with visible signs of “Do Not Trespass”
• No meadow stomping
• No confetti inside national parks or any other places with fragile plants, flowers, and wildlife (doesn’t matter if they are bio-degradable or not): Each of these beautiful places has its own living organisms, plants, animals, etc… By us leaving things behind, we can harm these living organisms. Bio-degradable confetti takes a while to degrade and might need rain or water to speed up that process. In the meantime, other animals might still be able to ingest them. If you are thinking about confetti, we can do so at your cabin/Airbnb (if allowed)

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Sample Washington Elopement Timelines

The best thing about planning your Washington elopement timeline is that we can customize it completely to whatever you envision for your day.

Want to have a reception meal before your ceremony? We can do that! Want to wake up early for a sunrise first look and then go hiking for adventure photos at sunset? Anything is possible!

Below are a few sample timelines to give you an idea of what’s possible for your Washington elopement.

Half Day Elopement

Half Day elopements are one of the most common elopement options. This timeline includes 6 hours of coverage and allows us to experience a beautiful location at either sunrise or sunset.

• 2:00 pm: Photographer arrives at cabin for getting ready and detail moments
• 3:00 pm: First look & travel to ceremony location
• 3:30 pm: Intimate vow exchange ceremony
• 4:00 pm: Sunset adventure portraits / Activity
• 7:00 pm: Travel back to cabin
• 7:30 pm: Reception, eating, dancing, celebrating
• 8:00 pm: End of a beautiful day. Start of a whole new beginning!

Full-Day Elopement

A Full-day elopement is great for couples who want to experience multiple locations or include lots of activities into their day. It’s also a great option for elopements or intimate weddings with guests as you will need more time for everyone to get to each location.

• 10:00 am: Photographer arrives at cabin for getting ready and detail moments
• 11:30 pm: First look & travel to ceremony location
• 1:30 pm: Ceremony
• 2:00 pm: Formal portraits with family and friends
• 3:00 pm: Reception, eating, dancing, celebrating
• 3:30 pm: Travel/Driving/Hiking
• 5:30 pm: Private vow exchange
• 6:00 pm: Sunset adventure portraits and private first dance
• 8:00 pm: End of a beautiful day. Start of a whole new beginning!

Two-Day Elopement

When you want to get the best light for both sunrise and sunset, or there are so many locations you want to try, or you have family and friends traveling to be there for your special day, then a two-day elopement is often the best fit. There are so many ways a two-day elopement can look and it all comes down to what you want!

Day 1: Intimate Wedding with guests

• 12:30 pm: Photographer arrives at cabin for getting ready and detail moments
• 2:00 pm: First look & travel to ceremony location
• 3:30 pm: Intimate vow exchange ceremony
• 4:30 pm: Formal portraits with family and friends 
• 5:30 pm: Travel back to cabin
• 6:30 pm: Reception, eating, dancing, celebrating
• 8:00 pm: End of Day 1

Day 2: Private Adventure Elopement Portraits

• 2:30 pm: Getting ready together + cute indoor portraits
• 4:00 pm: Travel/Driving/Hiking
• 6:00 pm: Private vow exchange
• 6:30 pm: Sunset adventure portraits and private first dance
• 8:30 pm: End of a beautiful day. Start of a whole new beginning!

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Washington Elopement Packages

– Explore anywhere within the state of Washington such as the rugged coast of Olympic National Park, the iconic Mount Rainier, or the jagged peaks of the North Cascades National Park

– Coverage from 4 hours to Full Day

– A personalized elopement experience with unlimited guides and resources as promised above (click here to see everything that is included)

– All your breath-taking photos in a secure & private online gallery

– Travel fees included for anywhere in Washington

Starting at $6,900

(Ranges between $6,900 – $13,200)

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Washington Elopement FAQs

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Ready to elope? Need our help in finding the most perfect location for you? Need more clarifications about how to elope in Washington?