What is an elopement?
An elopement is an alternative way to get married that’s more meaningful, and (when you have a professional in your corner) less stressful.
Weddings have become so much more personalized in the past several years. Since COVID changed so many weddings in 2020, more people are deciding to get married in a way that feels good to them instead of having that traditional big wedding that’s expected. As a result, elopements and micro-weddings are allowing couples like you to have a more meaningful wedding day. Yay!
When you choose to elope, you’re deciding to throw out the rule book, which is both hella empowering and a bit overwhelming. When there’s no blueprint, it can be easy to get lost in all the different possibilities. That’s why I put together this guide - to help couples like you plan the perfect Washington state elopement without all the stress.
How to Plan a Washington Elopement
Popular Washington Elopement Planning Questions
Washington Elopement Laws
Washington Elopement Inspiration
More Blogs & Resources
How to Elope in washington
PLANNING THE PERFECT WASHINGTON STATE ELOPEMENT
Hey, I'm Allison
Your elopement photographer who lives for planning. With a background of 10 years in project management, I love a good spreadsheet, a calendar organizing session and a timeline outline. Planning a Washington state elopement can be overwhelming, so I gathered a bunch of resources for you here to help reduce the stress.
How to Elope in Washington
planning a washington state elopement
Hey, I'm Allison
Your elopement photographer who lives for planning. With a background of 10 years in project management, I love a good spreadsheet, a calendar organizing session and a timeline outline. Planning a Washington state elopement can be overwhelming, so I gathered a bunch of resources for you here to help reduce the stress.
What is an elopement?
An elopement is an alternative way to get married that's more meaningful, and less stressful.
Weddings have become so much more personalized in the past several years. Since COVID changed so many weddings in 2020, more people are deciding to get married in a way that feels good to them instead of having that traditional big wedding that’s expected. As a result, elopements and micro-weddings are allowing couples like you to have a more meaningful wedding day. Yay!
When you choose to elope, you’re deciding to throw out the rule book, which is both hella empowering and a bit overwhelming. When there’s no blueprint, it can be easy to get lost in all the different possibilities. That’s why I put together this guide - to help couples like you plan the perfect Washington state elopement without all the stress.
A 6-STEP PROCESS FOR PLANNING A SOUL-DEEP, STRESS-FREE ELOPEMENT
How to Plan a Washington State Elopement
1
When there’s so many options for your elopement day, you need to start with a clear vision of what you want. So, what’s most important to you for your elopement experience? Is there a specific time of year or date? A certain kind of scenery or weather you want for your day? An activity you want to structure your day around? A general vibe you’re going for? Start with what you want.
get clear on your vision.
Example: We want to promise our lives to each other in the middle of a wildflower meadow.
2
This is where a lot of couples start to get overwhelmed trying to figure things out themselves. Trust me when I say hiring an expert (usually an elopement photographer) will make the planning process so much smoother and actually fun. Someone with local knowledge can give you quick answers to some of the most complicated questions, and can guide you to have the best experience possible.
FIND SOMEONE TO HELP BRING YOUR VISION TO LIFE.
3
Once you have an expert in your corner, focus on the biggest decisions first. Work with your photographer or other expert to figure out a general where and when that matches your vision. Then decide if you want to include guests and any activities you want during your day.
Example: We decide on a high-alpine wildflower location, which blooms in mid-August. We’ll do a private ceremony and picnic, and then we’ll meet up with friends and family later on in the day.
MAKE THE BIG DECISIONS FIRST.
4
From here, it’s all just details! Finding specific trails or location options that match your vision, setting a specific date that gives us the best chance of avoiding crowds, and booking lodging and travel. Then purchasing attire that matches the wildflower vibes and is lightweight enough to hike in, ordering rings, hiring any other vendors and planning any other celebrations with guests.
FILL IN THE DETAILS.
5
Learn the basics of Washington marriage laws - it’s simpler than you might think! You can do the paperwork before your trip, during your elopement, or after you get back home, depending if you think worrying about paperwork might add stress to your elopement day. All of my couples who have done the paperwork bit before or after their elopement have said it didn’t take away any magic of their big day.
MAKE IT LEGALLY LEGIT.
6
From here, it’s all just details! Finding specific trails or location options that match your vision, setting a specific date that gives us the best chance of avoiding crowds, and booking lodging and travel. Then purchasing attire that matches the wildflower vibes and is lightweight enough to hike in, ordering rings, hiring any other vendors and planning any other celebrations with guests.
have the celebration of a lifetime.
How to Plan a Washington State Elopement
When there’s so many options for your elopement day, you need to start with a clear vision of what you want. So, what’s most important to you for your elopement experience? Is there a specific time of year or date? A certain kind of scenery or weather you want for your day? An activity you want to structure your day around? A general vibe you’re going for? Start with what you want.
get clear on your vision.
Example: We want to promise our lives to each other in the middle of a wildflower meadow.
1
This is where a lot of couples start to get overwhelmed trying to figure things out themselves. Trust me when I say hiring an expert (usually an elopement photographer) will make the planning process so much smoother and actually fun. Someone with local knowledge can give you quick answers to some of the most complicated questions, and can guide you to have the best experience possible.
FIND SOMEONE TO HELP BRING YOUR VISION TO LIFE.
2
Once you have an expert in your corner, focus on the biggest decisions first. Work with your photographer or other expert to figure out a general where and when that matches your vision. Then decide if you want to include guests and any activities you want during your day.
MAKE THE BIG DECISIONS FIRST.
Example: We decide on a high-alpine wildflower location, which blooms in mid-August. We’ll do a private ceremony and picnic, and then we’ll meet up with friends and family later on in the day.
3
From here, it’s all just details! Finding specific trails or location options that match your vision, setting a specific date that gives us the best chance of avoiding crowds, and booking lodging and travel. Then purchasing attire that matches the wildflower vibes and is lightweight enough to hike in, ordering rings, hiring any other vendors and planning any other celebrations with guests.
FILL IN THE DETAILS.
4
Learn the basics of Washington marriage laws - it’s simpler than you might think! You can do the paperwork before your trip, during your elopement, or after you get back home, depending if you think worrying about paperwork might add stress to your elopement day. All of my couples who have done the paperwork bit before or after their elopement have said it didn’t take away any magic of their big day.
MAKE IT LEGALLY LEGIT.
5
From here, it’s all just details! Finding specific trails or location options that match your vision, setting a specific date that gives us the best chance of avoiding crowds, and booking lodging and travel. Then purchasing attire that matches the wildflower vibes and is lightweight enough to hike in, ordering rings, hiring any other vendors and planning any other celebrations with guests.
HAVE THE CELEBRATION OF A LIFETIME.
6
I’M ALLISON, YOUR WASHINGTON STATE ELOPEMENT EXPERT
Often times couples get lost in all of the possibilities of what their elopement day could look like, or they’re overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to bring their vision to life. If that sounds like you, I’m here to help! Fill out the contact form and let me know what questions are on your mind. I’m happy to answer everything I can during a free consultation.
I’M ALLISON
Often times couples get lost in all of the possibilities of what their elopement day could look like, or they’re overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to bring their vision to life. If that sounds like you, I’m here to help! Fill out the contact form and let me know what questions are on your mind. I’m happy to answer everything I can during a free consultation.
YOUR WASHINGTON STATE ELOPEMENT EXPERT
Popular Elopement Planning Questions
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ELOPING IN WASHINGTON
Can we elope in Washington state if we don’t live there?
Yes! You don’t need to be a Washington state resident to get married in the state. This makes Washington a great place for a destination elopement.
Where can we elope in Washington?
Almost anywhere! You just need to hold your ceremony within the state, no matter the county you get your marriage license from. The best location for you depends on the vision for your day, the scenery you want, how private you want it to be, your group size, if you want to hike, etc. You can learn more about the best places to elope in Washington here.
How do we pick an elopement location?
It’s all about balancing views, seasons, and crowds. You can learn more about the how to choose the best Washington elopement spot here.
What is considered a micro-wedding vs. elopement?
The definition changes depending on who you ask. A microwedding typically has up to 30 guests and can take place at a more traditional venue, lodge or AirBnb. If you’re planning to stay in one spot your whole day, that’s a good sign that you’re likely planning a micro-wedding.
Can we invite guests to our elopement?
Yes, elopements can definitely include guests as well! If you’re looking to adventure into the backcountry, we’re typically talking about a max group size of around 15 (depending on the location). Another option is to break up your day and do some adventuring with just you two, and then meeting up with guests at a frontcountry location or AirBnb to celebrate.
Do we need witnesses to elope in Washington?
Yes, but that doesn’t mean you need to invite guests. A Washington marriage license requires five signatures: yours, an officiant (or just someone who is ordained), and two witnesses. If you’re trying to keep your group size as small as possible, you can find witnesses on trail or at your location, and have your photographer sign as the minister (as long as they’re ordained).
How long does it take to plan a Washington elopement?
The more time you have to plan, the less stressful it will be, but most couples find that between 3-12 months is the sweet spot.
How do we pick an elopement date?
The perfect date for you will depend on your vision. For example, if you want a moody Olympic National Park elopement that’s super private and you want to end the day tide-pooling, we need to consider the weather, amount of light in a day, the least popular days for those locations and tide charts to make sure we have low-tide during the day. Hiring an expert can really be a game-changer here!
When should we hire a photographer?
Once you have a clear vision for your elopement, meaning you know what you want but haven’t started the research into how to make it happen. This might be a year or more out from your planned date, or closer to three months. It honestly depends on what your vision is and how quickly you want to tie the knot!
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
Not at all! There are plenty of front-country locations, locations on private property, or alternative transportation methods (hello scenic flight or private boat charter!).
Popular Elopement Planning Questions
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ELOPING IN WA
Can we elope in Washington state if we don’t live there?
Yes! You don’t need to be a Washington state resident to get married in the state. This makes Washington a great place for a destination elopement.
Where can we elope in Washington?
Almost anywhere! You just need to hold your ceremony within the state, no matter the county you get your marriage license from. The best location for you depends on the vision for your day, the scenery you want, how private you want it to be, your group size, if you want to hike, etc. You can learn more about the best places to elope in Washington here.
How do we pick an elopement location?
It’s all about balancing views, seasons, and crowds. You can learn more about the how to choose the best Washington elopement spot here.
What is considered a micro-wedding vs. elopement?
The definition changes depending on who you ask. A microwedding typically has up to 30 guests and can take place at a more traditional venue, lodge or AirBnb. If you’re planning to stay in one spot your whole day, that’s a good sign that you’re likely planning a micro-wedding.
Can we invite guests to our elopement?
Yes, elopements can definitely include guests as well! If you’re looking to adventure into the backcountry, we’re typically talking about a max group size of around 15 (depending on the location). Another option is to break up your day and do some adventuring with just you two, and then meeting up with guests at a frontcountry location or AirBnb to celebrate.
Do we need witnesses to elope in Washington?
Yes, but that doesn’t mean you need to invite guests. A Washington marriage license requires five signatures: yours, an officiant (or just someone who is ordained), and two witnesses. If you’re trying to keep your group size as small as possible, you can find witnesses on trail or at your location, and have your photographer sign as the minister (as long as they’re ordained).
How long does it take to plan a Washington elopement?
The more time you have to plan, the less stressful it will be, but most couples find that between 3-12 months is the sweet spot.
How do we pick an elopement date?
The perfect date for you will depend on your vision. For example, if you want a moody Olympic National Park elopement that’s super private and you want to end the day tide-pooling, we need to consider the weather, amount of light in a day, the least popular days for those locations and tide charts to make sure we have low-tide during the day. Hiring an expert can really be a game-changer here!
When should we hire a photographer?
Once you have a clear vision for your elopement, meaning you know what you want but haven’t started the research into how to make it happen. This might be a year or more out from your planned date, or closer to three months. It honestly depends on what your vision is and how quickly you want to tie the knot!
Do we have to hike on our elopement day?
Not at all! There are plenty of front-country locations, locations on private property, or alternative transportation methods (hello scenic flight or private boat charter!).
More Resources for Washington Elopement Planning
Check out these other resources for planning a Washington state elopement, from Washington marriage laws to queer-friendly locations. I’m always adding to this library, so if there’s a guide you’d like to see, shoot me an email or hit me up on Instagram!
Explore some of the best Washington elopement locations.
WHERE TO ELOPE IN WASHINGTON
If you’re starting to feel the itch to just do the damn thing already, here’s a few tips to help you elope quickly in Washington.
HOW TO ELOPE QUICKLY
Eloping doesn’t have to mean leaving out your friends and family, even if they’re not physically there with you.
HOW TO INCLUDE OTHERS IN YOUR ELOPEMENT
Learn the basics of Washington state marriage laws to make your elopement legal.
WA MARRIAGE LAWS
Washington is a very LGBTQ+ friendly state, but some places are more welcoming than others for your big day.
QUEER-FRIENDLY ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS
More Resources for Washington Elopement Planning
Check out these other resources for planning a Washington state elopement, from Washington marriage laws to queer-friendly locations. I’m always adding to this library, so if there’s a guide you’d like to see, shoot me an email or hit me up on Instagram!
Washington is a very LGBTQ+ friendly state, but some places are more welcoming than others for your big day.
QUEER-FRIENDLY ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS
Eloping doesn’t have to mean leaving out your friends and family, even if they’re not physically there with you.
HOW TO INCLUDE OTHERS IN YOUR ELOPEMENT
Washington Marriage Law Basics
- Choose a county based on your travel plans.
- Get your marriage license (online and by mail or in person).
- After the 3-day waiting period, have your ceremony anywhere in Washington state, and get the following signatures:
- Both of yours (existing names, not new ones if you’re changing your name)
- Your officiant (anyone who is ordained)
- Two witnesses (can be guests you invited, or anyone you bump into throughout your elopement day)
Washington Marriage Law Basics
- Choose a county based on your travel plans.
- Get your marriage license (online and by mail or in person).
- After the 3-day waiting period, have your ceremony anywhere in Washington state, and get the following signatures:
- Both of yours (existing names, not new ones if you’re changing your name)
- Your officiant (anyone who is ordained)
- Two witnesses (can be guests you invited, or anyone you bump into throughout your elopement day)
Explore Washington Elopements
Get inspiration from real couples I’ve helped elope in Washington.
Explore Washington Elopements
Get inspiration from real couples I’ve helped elope in Washington.
Peaceful and private beach elopement in Deception Pass state park.
Catryce + REese
Misty Bellingham hike and backyard microwedding.
Anabel + Dash
Cloudy Mt. Rainier elopement with blue hour first dance and campfire.
KEELIE + KEEFER
A simple sunset elopement on Samish Island with guests.
REBECCA + ANIDA
Smokey sunrise mountain elopement with coffee picnic & letters from family.
