Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
Want to know about one of Washington’s best-kept secrets for elopements and micro weddings? State parks! Yup, that’s right. While a lot of couples gravitate to the national parks (and don’t get us wrong, we absolutely love those too!), Washington state park wedding venues are some of the most under-the-radar places to get married in the PNW. Think jaw-dropping views, smaller crowds, and amenities that’ll make your celebration feel like an adult summer camp (complete with cozy cabins and lakeside ceremonies!).
If you’re dreaming of an intimate, off-the-beaten-path celebration without sacrificing incredible scenery, these state park wedding venues might just be your perfect match. Keep scrolling to discover our top four hidden gem state parks that are perfect for intimate weddings in nature!
Table of Contents
- Why We Love Washington State Park Wedding Venues
- Things to Know Before Booking Your Washington State Park Wedding Venue
- 4 Hidden Gem Washington State Park Wedding Venues
- Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Day at Your State Park Wedding Venue
- Washington State Park Wedding Venues vs. National Parks: Where Should You Elope?
- So, which Washington park is right for you?
- FAQs about Washington State Park Weddings
- Want Help Choosing Your Washington State Park Wedding Venue?
- Meet Your Washington State Park Wedding Photographers
- More Wedding Planning Resources
Why We Love Washington State Park Wedding Venues
Washington state park wedding venues are some of the Pacific Northwest’s hidden treasures! Here are a few reasons you might want to consider getting married at a state park wedding venue.
Budget-Friendly Venue Option
State park wedding venues are way more budget-friendly than most traditional venues (and even some national park permits). They give you access to some of Washington’s best natural beauty without a big price tag. More money for your honeymoon adventure? Yes, please!
Built-in Amenities That Make Planning Easier
Many state park wedding venues in Washington have pavilions, lodges, covered picnic shelters, cabins, and established campsites. Basically, you can rent out an entire area and create your own private celebration space. Imagine having all your favorite people stay in cabins around a central gathering spot – it’s like hosting the most epic adult summer camp for your best day ever!
Fewer Crowds, More Privacy
One of our favorite things about state park weddings is that you’re way more likely to have your ceremony location to yourselves (especially on weekdays!). Getting married at a state park means less potential for hikers in the background of your vows. Instead, it’s just you, your partner, and the stunning PNW landscapes.
Ideal for Micro Weddings
If you’re planning a micro wedding with 15-50+ guests, state parks can totally accommodate! Those pavilions and lodges we mentioned are perfect for larger, intimate celebrations. You get the outdoor adventure vibe with the infrastructure to bring in catering or host a proper celebratory meal.
Things to Know Before Booking Your Washington State Park Wedding Venue
Before you fall head over hiking boots for a Washington state park wedding venue, here are a few important things to keep in mind:
Permit Process
You’ll need a permit to get married at a Washington state park (but don’t worry, the process is pretty straightforward!). Most state parks require you to reserve a day-use area, pavilion, or lodge for your ceremony and celebration. You can typically book these online through the Washington State Parks reservation system. We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance, especially for popular summer dates.
Insurance Requirements
Washington State Parks requires liability insurance for weddings held at state parks. Basically, you need insurance that covers up to $1 million in case someone gets hurt at your celebration (we know, not the fun part of planning, but it’s important!). You can get a one-day special event insurance policy for $100-$300, and, in some cases, you may already be covered through your wedding planner or other vendors, so it’s worth checking! When you get your insurance certificate, just make sure Washington State Parks is listed on it, and you’re all set.
Discover Pass Requirements
In addition to your wedding permit, you’ll also need a Discover Pass for vehicle access to state parks. You can either get a day-use pass ($10 per vehicle) or an annual Discover Pass ($45). If you’re planning to visit the park multiple times for scouting or you’re staying for a weekend celebration, the annual pass is totally worth it! Plus, it gives you access to all Washington state parks for a full year (hello, honeymoon adventures!).
Group Size and Capacity
Different areas within state parks have different capacity limits. Small ceremony spots might accommodate 10-30 people, while larger pavilions and lodges can handle 50+ guests. Make sure to check the specific capacity for the area you’re interested in!
Amenities to Expect
One of the biggest perks of booking a Washington state park wedding venue is the amenities they typically have to offer. Here are some common amenities you will find at most state parks:
- Designated parking areas (huge plus for guests!)
- Restroom facilities
- Picnic tables and benches
- Some have electricity and running water
- Many have covered shelters (hello, weather backup plan!)
- Cabins and campsites for overnight stays
Accessibility Considerations
Many state parks have paved paths and ADA-accessible facilities, making them great options if you have guests with mobility considerations. If accessibility is a factor for your wedding, be sure to check with your chosen state park for accessibility features! For more ADA-accessible elopement locations, check out our planning guide here!
4 Hidden Gem Washington State Park Wedding Venues
Ready to discover some of our favorite Washington state park wedding venues? Here are four spots that offer incredible scenery, awesome amenities, and that picture-perfect blend of adventure and convenience!
Kitsap Memorial State Park
Kitsap Memorial State Park is one of our favorite Washington state park wedding venues (seriously, it’s so cool!)! The park has a dedicated ceremony location in the forest with benches already set up (like, they literally created a ceremony space for you!). Plus, they have an outdoor covered picnic shelter, an entire lodge you can rent, and cabins surrounding the area. You can basically rent all the cabins and have your whole crew stay together. Oh, and it’s right on the Hood Canal, so you get those gorgeous water views too!
Where It’s Located:
The park is nestled in the Hood Canal area on the Kitsap Peninsula (about an hour and a half from Seattle). The easiest way to get there is to take a ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge (or from Edmonds to Kingston if you’re coming from northern Seattle). The ferry ride adds a fun element to your celebration and automatically makes the experience feel more like an adventure!
Best Time of Year to Visit:
May through October typically offers the most reliable weather, with July and August being peak season. However, if you want fewer crowds and those gorgeous soft spring or fall colors, we love the shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October). The Hood Canal area stays relatively mild year-round, so even winter elopements are possible if you’re willing to embrace some cozy, moody vibes!
Best For Couples Who:
If you want a state park wedding venue with a ready-made ceremony spot and the option to host a full weekend celebration, this state park is for you! It’s the perfect outdoor venue for couples who love the idea of renting out a bunch of cabins and creating that summer camp vibe for their friends and family. (Want more ides for including loved ones in your elopement? Check out our guide here!). Plus, the covered shelter also makes it an excellent choice if you’re worried about Pacific Northwest weather.
Insider Tip: The forest ceremony site at this Washington state park wedding venue is seriously so dreamy and intimate. It feels like you’re in a secret woodland wedding venue!
Lake Wenatchee State Park
Lake Wenatchee State Park is a Washington state park wedding venue that we’ve worked at multiple times and absolutely love! The park sits right on the shores of stunning Lake Wenatchee in Central Washington with epic mountain views in every direction. They have great campground facilities, day-use areas that are perfect for ceremonies, and access to a gorgeous lake for photos. The best part is that you can have a lakeside ceremony with the Cascades as your backdrop – pretty jaw-dropping if you ask us!
Where It’s Located:
Lake Wenatchee State Park is located near Central Washington and the beautiful Cascade Mountains near Leavenworth (about 2.5 hours from Seattle). It’s a little bit of a drive, but you can easily make a weekend or even a whole week out of it and explore a few of the many hiking trails and cute mountain towns around the area.
Best Time of Year to Visit:
July through September is a prime time to visit Lake Wenatchee! The roads are fully accessible, the weather is warm, and the lake is perfect for swimming or paddleboarding. That said, late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-early October) offer incredible shoulder season perks with fewer crowds, still-beautiful weather, and those stunning larch trees turning golden in fall!
Best For Couples Who:
This park is ideal for couples who want alpine lake vibes and that classic PNW mountain wedding experience. This spot is especially ideal if you want to combine your wedding with camping (either for you or your guests) or if you’re planning a summer celebration when the weather is warm enough for lakeside activities.
Insider Tip: The shoulder seasons (late spring and early fall) offer way fewer crowds while still maintaining beautiful weather. Plus, the larch trees in fall? Chef’s kiss!
Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass is probably one of the most dramatic and iconic Washington state park wedding venues on this list! The famous Deception Pass Bridge is absolutely stunning (and makes for incredible photos), and the park has several large rental areas perfect for ceremonies and receptions. You’ll find day-use areas, picnic shelters, and beach access, not to mention that the rugged coastline here is unlike anywhere else in Washington!
Where It’s Located:
Deception Pass is located on Whidbey Island (one of the best islands in the Puget Sound!). You have two options to get there: drive north through Mount Vernon and across the Deception Pass Bridge (this is the scenic route with epic bridge views!), or take the ferry from Mukilteo to Clinton on the southern end of Whidbey Island and drive north to the park. Both routes are beautiful, but driving across the bridge gives you that dramatic first impression of the park!
Best Time of Year to Visit:
Deception Pass is actually stunning year-round! Summer (June-September) definitely offer the warmest weather and longest days, but don’t sleep on the shoulder seasons. Spring brings wildflowers and dramatic cloud formations, while fall offers incredible moody skies perfect for photos. Winter elopements here are also doable if you’re into that stormy, windswept coastal aesthetic (just bring layers and embrace the adventure!).
Best For Couples Who:
If you want that moody, dramatic PNW coastal vibe without going out to the Washington coast, this is your spot. You’ll find windswept beaches, rocky shores, and iconic Pacific Northwest scenery.
Insider Tip: The bridge itself is an incredible backdrop, but there are also hidden beach coves throughout the park that are perfect for intimate ceremony moments or adventure photos!
Moran State Park
Moran State Park is the crown jewel of the San Juan Islands! This park offers mountain lakes, old-growth forests, and the famous Mount Constitution lookout tower with 360-degree views. They have camping facilities, cabins you can rent, picnic areas, and some of the most diverse landscapes you’ll find in a single state park. Getting here requires a bit more planning (hello, ferry schedules!), but the island is absolutely worth it.
Where It’s Located:
This is another Washington state park wedding venue that is located on an island. To get there from Seattle, you’ll need to drive to Anacortes (about 1.5 hours north of the city) and catch the Washington State Ferry to Orcas Island (and trust us, the ferry ride itself is part of the magic!). Once you arrive on Orcas, it’s about a 15-minute drive to Moran State Park.
Best Time of Year to Visit:
Late spring through early fall (May-October) is one of our favorite times to visit Moran State Park. July and August offer the warmest, most reliable weather, but we’re big fans of September and early October when the summer crowds thin out but the weather is still gorgeous. The San Juan Islands have a slightly drier microclimate than mainland Washington, which means you often get lucky with beautiful weather!
Best For Couples Who:
This Washington state park wedding venue gives you a true destination elopement feel without leaving the state. It’s perfect for couples who love the idea of taking a ferry to an island for their celebration. Plus, it offers a variety of landscapes, meaning you can have a forest ceremony, lakeside photos, and mountaintop sunset views all in one day.
Insider Tip: Plan your ferry times carefully and communicate them clearly with guests well in advance, as reservations fill up quickly (especially during the summer months).
Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Day at Your State Park Wedding Venue
Parking and Guest Logistics
One of the best things about Washington state park wedding venues is that most of them have designated parking areas! If you’re including guests in your celebration, be sure to communicate parking details clearly, especially if your ceremony site requires a short walk from the parking lot.
Restroom Facilities
Unlike some remote hiking trail elopements, state parks have actual restroom facilities. Check ahead of time where the nearest facilities are to your ceremony location and let guests know. This is one of those details that isn’t glamorous, but is always appreciated!
Leave No Trace Practices
Even though you’re in a developed park area, Leave No Trace principles still apply! Plan to pack out all decorations, trash, and any food waste. We recommend having a designated cleanup crew (maybe rope in a few helpful friends or family members!) to make sure you leave the space better than you found it. To learn more about how to plan a Leave No Trace wedding, visit this blog post!
Quiet Hours and Park Rules
Most state parks have quiet hours (typically 10 PM) and alcohol regulations. Check with your specific park about their rules so there are no surprises on your big day. If your wedding is taking place later in the day, factor in these timing considerations when planning your evening celebration.
Weather Backup Plans
No matter what state park wedding venue you choose, this is the Pacific Northwest, so having a weather backup plan is essential! Many state parks have covered pavilions or shelters you can reserve as a backup. However, if your heart is set on an outdoor ceremony, we always recommend having a “rain or shine” mentality and bringing clear umbrellas as they photograph beautifully and keep you and your guests dry.
Washington State Park Wedding Venues vs. National Parks: Where Should You Elope?
Okay, so you’re torn between a state park wedding and a national park elopement (we get it – they’re both incredible!). Each one has its own strengths depending on what matters most to you. To help you decide, we’ve broken down which park “wins” for each of the categories below:
Permit Process: National Parks
This might surprise you, but national park permits are actually simpler to obtain than state park permits. You can apply for most national park permits online within 2-4 weeks of your wedding (though we recommend applying earlier so it has plenty of time to process). State parks, on the other hand, require reserving specific facilities 60+ days in advance and come with a few more requirements (like that insurance we mentioned earlier).
Cost: It Depends
Washington state park wedding permits are only $45 (way cheaper than national parks at $150-$300!), but you’ll also need insurance ($100-$300). Plus, if you want to reserve a pavilion, lodge, or specific ceremony space, those reservations range from a few dollars to $1,000+ depending on the facility. National parks are simpler – one permit fee and you’re done. So for a basic ceremony, state parks might be cheaper, but if you’re renting facilities, national parks often come out ahead.
Crowd Control: State Parks
If you want more privacy on your best day ever, then state parks take this one! They’re generally much quieter, especially on weekdays. National parks can get very crowded, especially during peak summer months.
Amenities & Infrastructure: State Parks
State parks offer more developed amenities – think pavilions, lodges, restrooms, parking areas, picnic tables, and sometimes even cabins you can rent. This is a huge perk if you’re having guests or want to take advantage of those conveniences for your celebration! National parks keep things more natural and raw with minimal facilities, creating that incredible backcountry adventure feel we absolutely love. Just keep in mind that you may need to plan a bit more for logistics.
Iconic Photo Ops: National Parks
National parks are iconic for a reason! There’s something special about those instantly recognizable landscapes. Mount Rainier, Olympic National Park, and the North Cascades are bucket-list backdrops that photograph beautifully – we’re talking those epic, frame-worthy shots you’ll want to hang on every wall in your house. State parks are absolutely stunning (and might even surprise you with how epic they are!), but national parks bring that “wow, we got married THERE” factor.
Best for Micro Weddings: State Parks
Planning to invite 15+ guests? State parks are your best bet! The facilities and infrastructure of these parks make hosting larger groups so much easier. National parks are better suited for smaller, more intimate elopements (just the two of you or under 15 guests) due to permit restrictions and limited amenities.
So, which Washington park is right for you?
State parks are ideal if you want more guests, better amenities, privacy, and budget-friendly options. National parks are perfect if you’re after those iconic, dramatic landscapes and planning a smaller, more intimate celebration. Both are absolutely incredible, so it really just depends on what matters most to you!
Want to explore national park options? Check out some of our favorite national park wedding venues here!
FAQs about Washington State Park Weddings
Can you get married at a state park?
Yes! You absolutely can get married at Washington state parks. You’ll need to reserve a day-use area, pavilion, or facility through the Washington State Parks reservation system. Many parks have designated areas perfect for ceremonies, and some (like Kitsap Memorial) even have dedicated wedding ceremony spots!
Which state parks can you get married in in Washington State?
Most Washington state parks allow weddings! Some of our favorites include Kitsap Memorial State Park, Lake Wenatchee State Park, Deception Pass State Park, and Moran State Park. The key is finding a park with facilities that match your vision and guest count. We recommend visiting the Washington State Parks website to explore your options and see which parks have the amenities you need.
What do you need to get married in Washington State?
To legally get married in Washington, you’ll need a Washington State marriage license, an officiant, and two witnesses. Your Washington marriage license has a 3-day waiting period and is valid for 60 days. You can apply for your license in any Washington county, and it’ll be valid statewide. Learn more about Washington marriage licenses here.
Are there photographers that include permits with their elopement packages?
At Between the Pine, we help guide our couples through the entire permit and reservation process for state parks (and national parks!). While the permit fees themselves are separate, we handle the research, timing recommendations, and application guidance so you know exactly what to do and when. We know these parks like the back of our hands, so we’ll make sure you have everything you need for a smooth, stress-free experience. Basically, we’re your local experts who’ll make sure all the logistics are sorted so you can focus on the fun stuff!
Want Help Choosing Your Washington State Park Wedding Venue?
Choosing between all these incredible Washington state park wedding venues can feel overwhelming (we know – they’re all so stunning!). That’s where we come in! As your local Washington elopement photographers, we know these parks intimately – from the best ceremony spots and ideal times of day to hidden gem photo locations that’ll take your breath away.
We’d be stoked to help you choose the perfect state park venue that matches your vision, guest count, and adventure style. Whether you’re dreaming of a lakeside ceremony, forest vows, coastal celebration, or mountaintop views, we’ll help you plan your best day ever with the most jaw-dropping backdrop.
Contact us to start planning your Washington state park wedding – we can’t wait to help you create something epic!
Meet Your Washington State Park Wedding Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that it’s where we gravitate towards as your Washington State Park wedding photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018, and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their best day ever. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and continue to hire even more incredible photographers!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your best day ever. We know the Pacific Northwest like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the mountains, forest, and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your Washington State Park wedding photographers!
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