Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy

We are huge fans of the PNW and (in our opinion) planning to elope in Washington state is truly one of the best decisions you can make! The Evergreen State truly has it all – from rugged beaches to snow capped mountain peaks, to moody old-growth forest trails. Not many places allow you to start your day with a hike to an amazing mountaintop view and end your day watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. And, to top it all off, Washington state has not one, not two, but THREE national parks just waiting for you to explore on your best day ever!

In this blog, we are breaking down all the things you need to know about eloping in Washington! From where to elope in Washington to state marriage license requirements and more, we hope this guide will help you get into full planning mode for your very own Washington elopement!

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How to Elope in Washington State

• Choose the Best Time of Year to Elope in Washington State
• Hire Your Dream Washington Elopement Photographer and Vendor Team and Choose Your Washington Elopement Package
• Choose Where to Elope in Washington
• Apply for Your Washington State Marriage License
• Plan Activities for Your Elopement in Washington State
• Washington State Elopement Inspiration
• Meet Your Washington Elopement Photographers
• Are You Ready to Elope in Washington?

Eloping in Washington doesn’t have to be hard! We’re going to help break down how to elope in Washington step-by-step. So, if you’re ready to start planning your best day ever, keep scrolling!

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Choose the Best Time of Year to Elope in Washington State

Deciding when to elope in Washington is one of the first (and most important) steps to planning your Washington state elopement. We believe there is truly no bad time of year to elope, however, there are some things to consider about each season.

Summer

Summer is, by far, the most popular season to elope in Washington. Picture snow free trails, wildflowers, and (mostly) sunny skies with warmer temperatures. July – September are the peak months to elope in Washington and for good reason. Check out this summer elopement below to see what we mean!

Fall

Fall is Mollie’s personal favorite season to elope in Washington! Late September through November brings changing colors and larch season! If you are thinking of planning an autumn Washington elopement, we highly recommend the Snoqualmie region. Leavenworth, a small Bavarian-themed town hosts Oktoberfest (which is a must-visit!) and, this part of Washington has some of the most underrated (and totally epic) mountain trails! Just imagine a crisp autumn day with blue skies, fall colors, and gorgeous mountain views as your backdrop. Sounds pretty incredible, right? If you need help picturing what a fall elopement in Washington might look like, check out the blog post below.

Winter

Winter can be pretty diverse in Washington depending on the location you choose. On the Olympic coast you’ll have cooler temperatures, but snow free trails. We can also make our way up the mountains where you’ll have that winter wonderland backdrop you may be dreaming about (keep in mind some trails may not be accessible due to road closures during the winter months). Or, we can adventure to an old-growth forest that is snow free year-round! One of the other reasons we love winter elopements in Washington is that there are fewer crowds. If you’re looking for more privacy for your best day ever, winter may be the perfect season for you!

Spring

Spring has some of the most diverse weather, from sunshine to cloudy skies to snow. You never quite know what you are going to get and it’s very possible to experience all three weather patterns in one day. However, don’t let the weather scare you from eloping in Washington during springtime. We know some incredible locations for a spring elopement that are great to visit no matter the weather. Plus, during these months, the days start to become longer (earlier sunrise and later sunset) making it the perfect time of year for a sunrise to sunset elopement!

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Hire Your Dream Washington Elopement Photographer and Vendor Team and Choose Your Washington Elopement Package

We happen to know a pretty awesome team of Washington elopement photographers who would love to document your day (oh, and did we mention there are snacks involved?). Truly though, hiring the right elopement photographer is one of the most important steps when eloping in Washington. Not only will you want photos of your day to treasure for years to come, but, you’ll also want someone who is experienced in adventure elopements for the area you choose (aka Washington state). Our team is based out of Washington and we know these trails like the back of our hand, so it’s safe to say you are in good hands when you choose to elope with us!

We help all our couples walk through the entire Washington elopement process from start to finish. Some of the planning elements we help out with are scouting and choosing where to elope in Washington, creating your custom elopement timeline, helping you with permits, and providing accommodation and vendor recommendations.

Other Washington Elopement Vendors You Might Need

Speaking of vendors, hiring the right vendor team for your Washington elopement can make a huge difference in how your elopement day plays out. A common myth about elopements and adventure weddings is that they don’t require any planning, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. While some elopements may have fewer details to think through than a traditional wedding, there are some major to-do’s that you and your partner will not want to gloss over. Some of the most common vendors our couples work with are:

• Officiant
• Florist
• Hair and Makeup Artist
• Planner
• Videographer
• Cake Baker
• Caterer

Of course, these are just a few of the vendors you might need for your elopement in Washington. During the planning process, we’ll help you refine your elopement vision and create a personal planning guide that includes the best of the best vendors in the area!

Choose Your Washington Elopement Package

Once you’ve found your dream Washington elopement photographer (aka us) it’s time to choose your Washington elopement package. Every couple’s elopement day is different and, part of our process is helping you decide what makes sense for you. We provide a variety of package options ranging from half-day to multi-day elopements.

By now you might be wondering, “How much does it cost to elope in Washington?”. On average, a Washington elopement costs around $15,000-$40,000, including wedding attire, photography, florals, and marriage license. Considering the average wedding costs $30,000, it’s no surprise that more and more couples are choosing to elope! Want to learn more about how much it costs to elope in Washington? Check out our guide below!

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Choose Where to Elope in Washington

The 4 Best Places to Elope in Washington

It’s true – the Pacific Northwest is one of the most stunning and diverse places to elope in the world! This region truly is so beautiful! But, narrowing down all of the beauty can become overwhelming when trying to choose where to elope in Washington. We work with each of our couples to narrow down their Washington elopement location list based on their preferences of backdrop, length of hike, time of year and more! But, if you’re looking for the overall best places to elope in Washington, here are our top four choices!

1. Mt Rainier National Park
2. North Cascades National Park
3. Olympic National Park
4. Snoqualmie Pass / Snoqualmie Valley

Mt Rainier National Park

Washington’s tallest (and most iconic) mountain peak truly has something to offer everyone! From stunning fire lookout views to multi-day backpacking hikes, picturesque lakes, colorful wildflower fields, and more this national park is one Washington elopement location you don’t want to miss! Ready to elope in Mt Rainier National Park? Check out our guide below!

North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park is one of the most underrated national parks in the U.S. (but you won’t hear us complaining!). Known as the Alps of America, it is no surprise that this is one of our top recommendations for the best places to elope in Washington. In the North Cascades you’ll find jagged peaks, snow capped mountains, historic fire lookouts and the bluest alpine lakes you can imagine. Our couples love the North Cascades! In fact, we do over half of our elopements in this area every single year and we can’t wait to show you some of our favorite trails! If eloping in the North Cascades sounds like your best day ever, check out our planning guide below!

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is the most diverse elopement location on this list! Truly, this national park has it all from hot springs, old-growth rainforests, snow capped mountains and, of course, Washington’s rugged coastline. One of the best parts about eloping here is that you can experience all of these diverse landscapes in one day! Pretty incredible, right? If you want to learn more about what this national park has to offer and see more Olympic National Park elopement inspiration, click on the link below!

Snoqualmie Pass / Snoqualmie Valley

As we mentioned earlier, Snoqualmie is one of our absolute favorite places to elope in Washington! Not only is this area located near Seattle (making it a convenient elopement destination), but it has some of the most breathtaking landscape views! We’re talking old-growth forests with giant douglas fir trees, massive waterfalls, and beautiful mountain peaks just to name a few. Plus, this area is accessible year-round so rain or shine, sun or snow, you can elope in Snoqualmie anytime. And we haven’t even shared the best part yet! We designed our very own A-frame elopement cabin (the Riverbend Retreat) that is the perfect place for eloping couples to stay during their Snoqualmie elopement. Click here to learn more about the cabin or, visit the link below to start planning your elopement in Snoqualmie.

These are just a handful of our favorite places to elope in Washington. For more location inspiration, check out the resources below!

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Apply for Your Washington State Marriage License

You’ve got your incredible partner, your stunning wedding attire, and an epic Washington elopement backdrop. But, you cannot forget one of the most important items for your best day ever: your marriage license! If you want to officially elope in Washington, here are some thing you need to know:

• You can apply for your Washington marriage license online or in person (we highly recommend applying online).
  • The application fee is $69
  • You can apply for a marriage license in any county and it will be valid throughout the entire state.
• Once you receive your marriage license, there is a three-day waiting period so you cannot get married the same day you receive your Washington marriage license.
  • If you are traveling from out of state, be sure to have arrive early or complete your application online at least three days prior.
• The marriage license is valid for up to 60 days.
• All elopements in Washington require an officiant to perform the ceremony and at least two witnesses.
  • You can either hire an officiant or have a friend or family member become ordained to legally marry you. If you choose to have a family member or friend officiate, they can get ordained online (for free) at the Universal Life Church.
  • We are happy to be a witness for you, if needed and we have recommendations we can provide for the second witness as well.
• After your Washington elopement ceremony, you, your officiant, and your witnesses will need to sign the marriage license. Your officiant has 30 days to complete and return the certificate to the recorder’s office where it will be processed.

For more information about how to get your Washington marriage license, click here.

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Plan Activities for Your Elopement in Washington State

There are so many adventures for you to choose when you elope in Washington! From camping, to hiking, to picnic celebrations and more, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy! Here are some ideas to help you plan the best elopement (and post elopement) adventure ever!

Go camping

Why not go camping after your elopement? This is a great option to keep the elopement day or weekend relaxed and easy-going. If this elopement activity sounds like something you would enjoy, we can help you find the best campsites for the location or area you choose.

Rent a cabin

If pitching a tent is not your cup of tea, we’ve got you! There are some amazing cabins for rent throughout the mountain ranges of Washington that will allow you to continue to enjoy the surrounding area. Over the years, we’ve worked at some amazing cabin and can recommend a few cabin hosts that are incredible to work with. And, if you’re thinking about eloping at your Airbnb or cabin rental, check out the post below for planning ideas and inspiration!

Enjoy a celebratory meal with loved ones

After you’ve tied the knot at an epic Washington elopement location, what better way to celebrate than with a celebratory meal? Whether it’s at your Airbnb, your campsite, or even a day-use picnic area, we think this is a great way to celebrate your elopement with loved ones. Want to know other ways you can include your friends and family in your adventure elopement? Click the link below to learn how to include your best people on your best day!

Celebrate on the mountain

Speaking of celebrations, you don’t have to have a fancy meal if that’s not your cup of tea. You can lay out an epic picnic spread at your ceremony location after you’ve said, “I do!” This is such a fun way to enjoy a snack or meal with your partner (and the amazing views don’t hurt either!). by just packing your picnic and hiking it up to your elopement location. For an example of a post-elopement picnic celebration, check out this gorgeous picnic at Mount Rainier.

Plan your honeymoon

After your best day ever you may be wondering what adventures you and your new spouse can go on. The adventure doesn’t have to end with your elopement day. You can continue exploring all the amazing locations and activities our state has to offer! Click on the links below for our Washington honeymoon guide and even more elopement ideas that are also perfect for your post-elopement celebration.

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Washington State Elopement Inspiration

Ready to explore more weddings and elopements in Washington State? Wander away below!

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Meet Your Washington Elopement Photographers

We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your Washington state elopement 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 elopement photographers!

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Are You Ready to Elope in Washington?

Wherever you choose to elope in Washington, we’re here to help you plan your best day ever with the most stunning backdrop. Contact us if you have questions about planning an elopement in Washington state. We’d love to help you plan your greatest adventure yet!