Off the northwestern coast, nestled between the Washington mainland and Canada’s Vancouver Island, the San Juan Islands float in a temperate climate. It turns out “island time” doesn’t apply just to Hawaii and other tropical islands. Anyone who’s been to the San Juans can confirm that things move at a more relaxed pace there. That’s not to say there’s no opportunity for adventure there – just the opposite in fact. Hiking, camping, biking, kayaking and whale watching are some of the most popular activities. If the ocean or Washington beaches are special to your relationship, you might want to consider eloping in the San Juans. 

Which island should we elope on?

There are over 100 islands that make up the San Juans, but the three main islands are San Juan, Orcas and Lopez. Each of these islands have a bit of a different vibe, and which one is best for you completely depends on what you’re looking for. 

San Juan Island

The most populated and visited island in the San Juans. Friday Harbor is a walkable port-town that draws visitors from mainland Washington for day-trips, especially in the summer months. There are tons of restaurants, breweries, shops and museums here to explore. Plus, rentable mopeds allow you to explore the island without paying the price of driving your vehicle on the ferry. 

Best for: small-town exploring

Orcas Island

The largest of the San Juan Islands, Orcas offers acres of woodlands, freshwater lakes, beaches and trails to explore. It’s great for kayaking, and hosts Moran State Park – an ideal spot for camping, hiking, biking and other outdoor adventures. Bringing a vehicle is a must though, since the ferry terminal is just over eight miles from the main town on-island, Eastsound. 

Best for: kayaking

Lopez Island

Lopez is the most rural island of the larger San Juans. You’ll find lots of farm land on-island, including an old-fashioned horse-plowed farm. Lopez is also relatively flat compared to the other islands, so it’s a popular destination for bikers. There’s also miles of coastline, and a quaint downtown area to explore. 

Best for: cycling

Best Season for a San Juan Elopement

Summer is the most popular time to visit the San Juans due to the temperate weather (summer highs reaching mid to high seventies) and copious amounts of sunshine. Water activities such as kayaking and whale watching are more enjoyable in this warmer weather, but it is certainly more crowded. If you’re looking for a quiet spot to tie the knot, summer on the islands might not be for you. 

Spring and fall, however, are both equally as lovely and less crowded. Both seasons have fairly moderate weather, and spring brings wildflowers while fall has colorful foliage. As long as you come prepared and bring layers with you, the shoulder seasons on the San Juans are my favorite. 

Note: if you’re planning an elopement for a weekday or the off-season, make sure to check that any vendors you want or places you’re looking forward to visiting are still open! Much of the island closes shop during the week or in the winter months.

How to Elope on the San Juan Islands: Permits

If you’re eloping in a State Park on the San Juans, then you’ll need a special use permit. The application cost is $45, and it can take up to 60 days to process, so be sure to plan ahead to allow this timing. Otherwise, if you’re looking to elope or have an intimate wedding at a more traditional venue somewhere on the islands, you’ll just need to contact the venue directly to find out their requirements. 

You can find more information on Washington State Park Special Use Permits here. 

How to Elope on the San Juan Islands: Marriage Laws & Paperwork

The nice thing about Washington state is that you can get your marriage license in any county. You don’t need to be a resident of the county (or the state for that matter), and you don’t even need to have your ceremony in that county. You just need to be able to apply for the license and return it after the ceremony.

If you’re traveling to Washington for your San Juan Islands elopement, you’ll likely be flying into Sea-Tac airport. Depending on what time you get in, and what other plans you have, you can either stay in Seattle and get your paperwork through King County, drive a bit north and stay in Mt. Vernon and get your paperwork through Skagit County, or head over to Friday Harbor and get your paperwork through San Juan County. Either way, you’ll need to adhere to the 3-day waiting period before you can hold the ceremony. 

From there, you’ll have your ceremony and get two witnesses to sign your certificate. Then all that’s left is to return the license to the same County you chose, and that’s it! You’ll be official! 
Still have questions? You can read my full legal guide to eloping in Washington here.

Your San Juan Islands Elopement Photographer

If you’re eloping in the San Juan Islands and don’t know where to begin, then I’m your gal! More than just your photographer, I’m also your road trip navigator, hiking-gear carrier, wine expert, officiant and local expert on all things Washington elopements! Elopement photography packages start at $2,000. Let’s do this thing! 

How to get to the San Juans

There are two ways to get to the San Juan islands – by sea or by air. 

The more popular of the two, the Washington Ferry System has regular service to the islands from Anacortes. The system is finicky, and trust me when I say that you’ll likely be waiting for several hours if you’re planning to drive on the ferry during peak travel times in the summer. There is a reservation system that opens a few months in advance, which I highly recommend looking into. Another way to avoid waiting in this line is to walk on the ferry! This means that you’ll be without a vehicle on the islands though, and there are no Lyfts or Ubers to take you from place to place. So unless you’re planning to stay in Friday Harbor, you’ll likely want to brave the lines to take your vehicle. 

San Juan Islands Visitors’ Bureau has a ton of information about the ferry system here. 

Another way to get to the islands is through a private flight. There are a few companies that offer charters to different islands, Kenmore Air being the most popular. However, I recommend saving your money and using it to take a scenic flight during your trip instead. 

Where to Stay for your San Juan Islands Elopement

Camp Sites

• Posey Island – San Juan Island
• Spencer Spit – Lopez Island
• Obstruction Pass – Orcas Island

Hotels

• Bird Rock Hotel – San Juan Island
• Edenwild Garden Cottages – Lopez Island 
• The Outlook Inn – Orcas Island

AirBnbs

• This Stunning Beach House – San Juan Island
• This Cozy Tiny Home – San Juan Island
• This Ocean View Cottage – Lopez Island
• This Farm Stay – Lopez Island 
• This One-of-a-Kind Forrest House – Orcas Island
• This Historical Sunroom – Orcas Island

Including Guests in Your San Juan Islands Elopement

There are tons of ways to include your loved ones in your elopement. You can invite a few guests and turn it into an intimate wedding experience, which will limit your location options but you could still find some stunning spaces for your day. Or, if planning that kind of thing is exactly why you decided to elope, you could break up the day (or even do multiple days) or hold a reception. That way you get the best of an elopement with a private ceremony focused on just you and your love, and you also get to celebrate with your friends and family. 

If you’re wanting to spend your wedding day just with your partner, there are still a lot of ways to include your loved ones. You could ask your friends and family to write a note or record a video for you to watch during your day. You could wear something that reminds you of home, and the people there. You could Facetime a few people during your celebratory meal. Or, you could focus completely on you during your big day, and share photos with your loved ones after, so they can see just how happy you two are. 

San Juan Islands Elopement Timeline Examples

A 12-hour elopement? What would we even do all day?

Oh my friend, the options are endless! Finding the love of your life is a HUGE deal, and you deserve to celebrate your love to the fullest as you confirm your commitment to each other. Here are some San Juan Islands elopement timeline examples. 

Other Resources for your San Juan Islands Elopement

Your Seasonal Guide to Eloping in Washington

How to Elope Quickly in Washington: Your Last-Minute Planning Guide