Washington is a great place to elope for many reasons, and its equality laws are certainly one of them. Washington is one of the best states for LGBTQIA+ people to live in. With that being said, there are some spots in the state that are more supportive (i.e. not homophobic or transphobic) than others. As a bi-girlie, let me share some beautiful elopement locations in Washington that would be great for a gay elopement.
Bellingham
I’ll start with my own backyard. Bellingham is such a great spot to elope. It’s location off of I-5 and Mt. Baker Highway makes it a convenient town to base an adventure out of. There’s plenty of spots in town (Whatcom Falls, Birch Bay and Teddy Bear Cove) and tons of other destinations (North Cascades National Park, San Juan Islands and Mt. Baker) are relatively short drives away. Bellingham is a college town, so there’s a pretty active queer community here. I’ve never gotten any side-eyes at any photoshoot I’ve done with a gay couple, and we’ve even received compliments from strangers passing by.
Friday Harbor, San Juan Island
If you’re looking for more of an adventure to get to your elopement destination, you might consider Friday Harbor. You can take a small seaplane or ride the ferry into town. Once you’re there, there’s tons of restaurants, shops and activities to choose from. You could even rent a moped and explore the island a bit more. It's a pretty popular tourist destination, so there's always different kinds of people around, especially in the summer.
Woodinville Wineries
If a Walla Walla winery was on your list (and I mean, why wouldn’t it be if you like wine), you may want to consider somewhere a bit more urban. Woodinville has tons of wineries, and the surrounding town is much more supportive of LGBTQIA+ couples. There are some wineries that have lovely outdoor spaces, or you can always break up the day and start in a more remote location if you’re looking for more wilderness or privacy.
National Parks & The Backcountry
Mt. Rainier is one of the most visited National Parks, so it draws all kinds of people. Olympic National Park is similar as well, and there’s a lot of different locations to choose from within the park. The North Cascades are a bit more remote (and one of the least visited National Parks). I've hiked over 500 miles in Washington, and I've never experienced, seen or heard about anything less than supportive on a trail. At the end of the day, the wilderness is for everyone, and there’s always a way to find a private spot.
Everyone deserves the kind of love that feels best to them, and your elopement should be a celebration of finding that love. Let me worry about the details for you so you can focus on dreaming up that adventure!
It's not too late to elope in 2024!
If there’s a spot or a town you’re interested in but you’re worried about the culture, I am your gal! I grew up halfway between Woodinville and Duvall, lived in Snohomish, Seattle and Bellingham, and have visited every corner of the state. Hit me up and we can chat about locations that will feel the best for you!
