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the ultimate washington state elopement guide: PERMITS, LOCATIONS, CHECKLISTS, VENDORS + MORE!
WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER | THE CARDINALS
Hi! I'm Natasha! Your elopement photographer, dog petter and donut eater. While photography is my first love, connecting with people is my love language. You'll find me lovin' on the big moments, the quiet moments, the silly moments – but especially the in between moments. The moments that are unadulterated and unfiltered. The ones where you are the real you. Here on the blog you'll find all of my favorite tips, tricks and resources for planning a wedding that's all about those moments.
NATASHA CARDINAL
WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER
YOUR ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ELOPING IN WASHINGTON
Dreaming about saying your vows under towering evergreens or on a misty mountain cliff? This Washington elopement guide covers everything you need to plan the stress-free, adventurous wedding day of your dreams. Whether you want a foggy forest ceremony or a sunny alpine adventure, Washington is packed with locations that'll make you wonder why you ever considered a traditional wedding in the first place.
FAQs About Eloping in Washington
Is Washington a good place to elope?
1000% yes. With rainforests, mountains, glaciers, and a dreamy coastline, Washington offers year-round jaw-dropping backdrops for an unforgettable elopement.
But now you might be thinking, how the hell do I even plan a Washington elopement? Don't sweat it.
That's where we come in.
In this blog you'll find everything you need to know on how to elope in Washington state. Let's get right into it!
IN THIS GUIDE
How to Elope in Washington: Your Checklist
The Best Time of Year to Elope in Washington
The Best Elopement Locations in Washington and Permits
Where to Stay for Your Washington Elopement
How to Get Married in Washington: WA Marriage License Laws
The Best Elopement Vendors in Washington
Elopement Photography Packages
HOW TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON: YOUR ELOPEMENT CHECKLIST
Just starting your elopement planning journey? This is your no BS roadmap:
- Choose the time of year you want to elope.
- Hire your Washington elopement photographer.
- Pick a date.
- Choose an amazing elopement location.
- Book your lodging.
- Hire your badass vendor team.
- Apply for any national park, state park, or city wedding permits (we'll talk about how to know if you need one later in this blog)
- Apply for a Washington marriage license.
- Get married! Woohoo!
CHOOSE WHAT TIME OF
YEAR YOU WANT TO GET MARRIED
Washington State has year round beauty and options for every season! Let's go over the pros and cons of every season to see what the best fit for your dream elopement is.
SUMMER
Why It's the Most Popular Season: Long days, mild temperatures (70s-80s and nice and dry), and sunshine until 9:30pm? Sign us up. June, July, and August are peak elopement months. Think epic wildflowers, green meadows, and snow-capped mountains. Yes, it's busier — but worth it.
Pro Tip: Mid-late August can bring wildfire smoke. We always have a Plan B, no worries. June, July, and August are the three top months of the year to elope, and for good reason!
Snow often doesn't melt in the mountains until mid-July, this is also the busiest time of year on the trails, so you'll have some other travelers to contend with, but if you're dreaming of a magical summer elopement it's worth braving the crowds!
FALL
Foggy mornings, golden larches, and cozy sweater weather? Fall elopements in Washington are peak romantic. September through early November offers dreamy temps and a riot of color — minus the summer crowds.
Leaves begin their color change in late September and usually are in peak color by the second week of October. Washington has spectacular larch trees that glow a fiery yellow up in the Northern Cascades! In September, October, and early November temperatures range in the 50s-60s, with some cloudy and misty days.
The colors and temperatures in the mountains are perfect for the romantic cozy feels. If you're planning on eloping in November, you might even have some snow in certain locations! Soup mode is in full swing.
WINTER
Cue the cozy Airbnb fireplaces and snow-dusted vows. Winter (December-March) means moody mist, snowshoe adventures, and having some of the most beautiful places all to yourselves. Perfect for lovers of snow, mist, and intimate vibes. The quintessential Pacific Northwest weather.
In December through March you'll have the moodiest days perfect for sitting around a fireplace, drinking hot cider or cocoa, saying your vows with misty skies or huge snow drifts. If you're a snow bunny, this is also the perfect time to slap on some snowshoes, skiis, or snowboards and make your elopement a badass winter adventure.
Temperatures can be in the 40s in lower elevations and in Seattle where snow is unusual, but are often in the 20s or negatives in the mountains. But it's the BEST time of year to plan the coziest Airbnb elopement deep in the forest.
SPRING
Spring (March-May) is prime time for rainforest glow and coastal moody magic. Expect lots of green, misty days, and very few crowds. Mountain access can be tricky, but coastal spots and city elopements (cherry blossoms. YES) are gorgeous.
You'll most likely have cloudy, rainy days in most of Washington, buuuut it's perfect for those that want to embrace the coming warm weather, avoid pretty much all crowds. A perfect time of year for a Seattle city elopement when the cherry blossoms are in bloom in March and early April, a moody coastal elopement, or a cozy Airbnb elopement on the Olympic Peninsula (rainforests!).
WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT
LOCATIONS AND PERMITS
This wouldn't be a guide on how to elope in Washington without tackling the most important part! WHERE to elope! There is absolutely no shortage of breathtaking elopement locations in Washington. In fact, there's so many that it can be overwhelming to choose! But in this list below you'll find my top recommendations and my favorite trails or places nearby to elope, and permit requirements for all of them.
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
An icon, a legend, Mt. Rainier is the pinnacle of PNW mountains. Not only is Mt. Rainier a badass volcano, but she's the tallest mountain in Washington at 14, 411 feet!
Permits
- special use permit needed for elopements of any size (you can find it here!) $175
- Mt. Rainier NP entrance pass needed ($30) or an America the Beautiful pass ($80 annually for all national parks)
Recommended Locations (all very popular trails but worth it if you're willing to brave some crowds):
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
Olympic National Park is extremely diverse in landscape and is the biggest National Park in Washington! You'll find everything from rainforest to glaciers, snow capped mountain, to rocky coast and sandy beaches here.
Permits
- special use permit needed for elopements of any size (you can find it here!) $50-100
- Olympic NP entrance pass ($30) is needed or an annual America the Beautiful Pass ($80)
Recommended Locations
- Rialto Beach (I have a blog about planning engagement photos here but same things apply to an elopement: you can find it here!)
- Ruby Beach
- Hoh Rainforest (see photos here!)
- Hurricane Hill via Hurricane Ridge Trail
- Lake Crescent
- Kalaloch Beach / The Tree of Life
- Lake Cushman
MT. BAKER
Mt. Baker is one of my favorite places in all of Washington. Brian and I even eloped here ourselves! We know all of the best spots for an elopement any time of year here, so you can't go wrong with a Mt. Baker elopement. Below you'll find a link to our Ultimate Guide to Eloping at Mt. Baker also!
Permits
- no permits needed for weddings under 75 people
- you'll need a Northwest Forest Pass ($35 annually) or a $5 day-pass that you can get at any of the Mt. Baker parking areas if you bring cash.
Recommended Locations
- Twin Lakes / Iceberg Lake via the Chain Lakes Loop
- Artist Point / Huntoon Point
- Heather Meadows / Fire and Ice Trail
- Bagley Lakes
- Picture Lake
ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS NEAR SEATTLE
If you're not up for a hike but still looking for a beautiful private place to elope, there are so many beautiful locations under two hours drive from Seattle! Some of my favorite types of elopements are ones that are in cozy tucked away Airbnbs and backyards. So here are my top picks for the perfect places just outside of Seattle, that are a full on experience themselves!
- Canyon Creek Cabins
- The Canyon Creek Cabins are my absolute top choice for any rental in the PNW. If you can book Cabin #1 you won't be disappointed, but honestly all of their cabins are stunning. Dog friendly, tucked in a mossy forest just an hour and half from Seattle, with some of the most unique architecture out there, it's undeniably one of the most gorgeous places you can elope that's not a national park. (photo credit: Canyon Creek Cabins)
- The Canyon Creek Cabins are my absolute top choice for any rental in the PNW. If you can book Cabin #1 you won't be disappointed, but honestly all of their cabins are stunning. Dog friendly, tucked in a mossy forest just an hour and half from Seattle, with some of the most unique architecture out there, it's undeniably one of the most gorgeous places you can elope that's not a national park. (photo credit: Canyon Creek Cabins)
- Timberstilts Treehouse
- An extremely unique set up that would be a true PNW unique experience and not just a stay! If there's enough snow in the winter you have the option to be snowmobiled in with all of your stuff. This location would be insane for photos, and you could do your ceremony right on the property! Luxurious, but still with a cabin-y feel and a very cool way to spend your elopement time. (photo credit: Timber Stilts Airbnb)
WHERE TO STAY FOR YOUR WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT
Not sure where to stay for your Washington elopement? No problem! I've put together lists of all of my favorite Airbnbs for all of the best elopement locations. Check them out below!
HOW TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON:
MARRIAGE LICENSE LAWS
In Washington state you can pick up a marriage license from any county office and it's valid throughout the whole state! You do not need to get a marriage license in the county you're getting married in. The state of Washington has these requirements for a couple to legally get married:
- Application fee is $62.00
- Minimum age to marry is 18.
- Waiting Period: There’s a 3 day waiting period.
- License Validity Time: You'll have 60 days from the day you get the license to return it to the auditors office.
- Residency: You do not need to be a Washington resident to apply for a license or be married in the state.
- Witnesses: Witnesses are not necessary to apply for a license, but state law requires that at least two witnesses be present at the ceremony. Witnesses should be at least 12 years of age. Need an extra witness? I'm happy to witness your ceremony!
Couples planning to getting married in the state of Washington may be obtained a wedding license from the Whatcom County Auditors office. All of the necessary forms can be obtained in person or online: Whatcom County Auditors Office, 311 Grand Ave #103, Bellingham WA 98225.
VENDORS
Need to hire some vendors still? Check out some of my favorites below!
Florists:
- Noctua Floral - Bellingham Florist
- Tangled Roots Floral Design
- Goldenrod Floral Design - Seattle Florist (Carlee even did my own elopement bouquet!)
- Bugs Flowers - Seattle
- Kylie Hale Designs - Skagit/Seattle
- Briar & Ivy
- Flora Pacifica
Hair/Makeup Artists:
Pet Wedding Day Coordinator:
Personal/Group Charcuterie Boards:
Bakeries/Cakes
- Emma Cakes
- Silky Cakes
- Dream Cakes PNW
- Honey Crumb Cakes (great gluten free options!)
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Eloping in Washington
Is Washington a good place to elope?
1000% yes. From misty beaches to glacier-capped mountains to mossy rainforests, Washington is basically Mother Nature’s flex reel. There's no better place to craft a day that actually feels like you.
How do you legally elope in Washington?
You'll need to snag a marriage license from any county office (easy peasy — you don’t have to get married in the same county you apply). There’s a 3-day waiting period, and you'll need two witnesses for the ceremony. No residency requirements, no officiant drama — just love, paperwork, and good vibes.
When is the best time of year to elope in Washington?
Short answer: It depends on your vibe.
- Summer = sunny trails, wildflowers, busy parks.
- Fall = cozy forests, golden leaves, cooler temps.
- Winter = snowy mountains, moody beaches, ultra-intimate feels.
- Spring = green green forests, cherry blossoms, and misty mornings.
Pick your aesthetic and we’ll find your perfect spot.
Can we bring guests to our elopement?
Absolutely — elopements aren't "just us two" unless you want them to be. You can totally bring a few of your favorite humans (or pups). Some parks have guest limits or extra permit requirements, but we’ll help you figure all that out, stress-free.
Do we need a permit to elope in a national park?
Usually, yes. Most Washington national parks (like Mt. Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic) require a Special Use Permit for ceremonies. The good news? It's not complicated, and we guide you through the whole process. We’re basically your elopement Sherpas.
What should we pack for a Washington elopement?
Layers, baby. The PNW weather is predictably unpredictable
- Comfy shoes for trails
- Cute jacket or shawl for cool mornings
- Clear umbrellas (if you want to keep the misty mood without being soaked)
- Snacks and water (hiking = hungry)- Marriage license + rings
- Champagne (because duh)
Can we include a Super 8mm film of our day?
Yes. And you should. Super 8mm adds a dreamy, nostalgic vibe to your day that regular video just can’t touch. It’s like your love story got directed by Wes Anderson, but without the awkward posing (no shade, we love him, but you're proooobably not used to being in front of the camera, right?). Just completely candid, 100% you.
MEET YOUR
WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHERS
We're Natasha and Brian! Your Washington elopement photographers, dog petters, and donut eaters focused on creating the dreamiest and intentional photos of your elopement. But we're so much more than just photographers. When you work with us, you get built in Washington elopement planning experts, guides for all of the parks most beautiful trails, snack holders, dress fluffers, tissue providers, and friends.
We know exactly what it's like to elope, because that's what we did too! We eloped on a misty August day on Mt. Baker with our sweet dog Fern, 7 of our closest friends, and it couldn't have been more us. Creating an experience that's undeniably you and honors your relationship is what we know best.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES FOR ALL OF THE BEST ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS IN THE PNW
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITES!
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE ELOPEMENT SPOTS IN THE PNW
MT. RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
THE OREGON COAST
ECOLA STATE PARK
MT. BAKER
BROOKINGS, OREGON
OSWALD WEST STATE PARK
HOYT ARBORETUM
+ ALL OF THE BEST SECRET LOCATIONS
