Washington has towering snow-capped volcanoes and mountains, lush rainforests, a rugged coastline, a stunning desert (yes, there’s a desert here), and just about everything else you can imagine. The landscape is reminiscent of New Zealand and it just feels otherworldly. How can so many amazing landscapes exist in one place? For that reason, it’s one of the most epic, scenic, and memorable destinations to elope in the United States.
Does that sound like the kind of place you want to elope? I thought so.
Best Time of Year to Get Married In Washington
Usually, the best time of year to get married in Washington is late June through early October. Although since Washington is a coastal state with lush rainforests, it is beautiful year-round. The peak elopement season is mid-July through late August when the snow is gone and the trails are filled with wildflowers. Nothing beats hiking green trails with wildflowers while looking out at snow-capped volcanoes and mountains.
You can roughly expect warm summer days in the mountains (70-85 degrees) and cool weather (40-50 degrees) around sunrise or sunset. There are dramatic changes in elevation throughout Washington. So your cabin might sit in a forest at 2,000 ft but you’ll drive up to 5,000 ft for your elopement hike where it’ll be cooler (which is always nice).
Top Tips for Washington Locations
#1 The trails in the mountains are covered in snow until July
We often have snow packed trails in the mountains until early to mid-July. That surprises a lot of couples who come from places where it’s already 90 degrees by May or June. So if you want snow-free trails, wildflowers, and easy access to the most epic trails in the mountains, it’s best to elope in July – early October. That being said, all of the rainforest and coastal trails are accessible year-round and there is rarely any snow.
#2 July through early September is the sunniest (best chance to see the mountains and volcanoes)
Washington is quite famous for it’s moody weather. And July tends to be the sunniest month of the year with the best chance of enjoying views of Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, or Mt. St. Helens. On a clear day, the mountain views here can’t be beat. But it’s worth remembering, the marine layer coming in off the coast that can hide the mountain views at any time. I absolutely love the moody weather, but aim for July through early September if you want your best chance at sunshine.
#3 We have lots of daylight hours in the summer for adventuring
Being this far north, sunset can be as late as 9 pm. So there are a lot more daylight hours in the summer. If you’re planning a sunrise to sunset elopement, you’ll have lots of time for hiking and adventuring. The summer sun in the Pacific-Northwest is magical. I’ll be sure to let you know when sunrise/sunset is for your day and help you make the most out of the experience. I’ve helped lots of couples get the most out of sunrise/sunset in Washington while keeping plans easygoing and stress-free.
#4 Get a photographer who is an ordained minister
Washington requires an ordained minister and two witnesses for your ceremony. I am an ordained minister and can sign as the officiant, which just makes the process so much easier on couples. If you’re looking for someone to lead your ceremony and provide more of a traditional wedding ceremony structure, than you can hire an officiant like Kate at Tapestry Event Co.
Why get married in Washington?
Washington is one of the few places where you can go from the coast, to the rainforest, to an alpine lake, to towering volcanoes. It really has every landscape imaginable and should be on anybody’s bucket list! One of the best parts about visiting the Pacific-Northwest is that so many amazing destinations are just a few hours from each other. You can explore so much and have an amazing elopement adventure together. Couples that elope here are drawn to the majestic volcanoes, the lush ferns and rainforests, and the rugged coastline.
Best Places to Get Married in Washington
There are so many unique places to get married in Washington. There truly is every landscape imaginable to explore. So let’s figure out what location gets you most excited!
Olympic National Park
Best Time of Year to Elope: Year-round for the rainforest, waterfalls, coast, and lower elevation areas. The road leading up to the popular Hurricane Ridge area opens up in early June and stays open until early to mid October depending on the weather.
Popularity/Crowds: Somewhat Busy
Olympic National Park truly has every landscape in Washington all rolled into one stunning National Park. I used to live in the Port Angeles area at the edge of the National Park and absolutely love getting to share my favorite local spots with couples. It feels remote, quiet, and everything is lush green. If your heart is set on exploring the coast or the rainforest, Olympic is probably the best place to elope! The mountains here are not quite as dramatic as Mt. Baker or Mt. Rainier, but it’s truly incredible to explore three different landscapes in the same day.
Mt. Baker National Forest
Best Time of Year to Elope: late June – early October
Popularity/Crowds: Becoming More Popular
The most visited National Forest in the US for good reason…because it probably should be a National Park. Some of the best mountain views and hiking trail in the US are in the Mt. Baker National Forest. The mountain you’ll see in a lot of photos is actually Mt. Shuksan, but Mt. Baker is just as epic and incredible. This area is remote without a ton of food options. But if you’re looking for epic hiking trails, unparalleled views, and a cozy cabin tucked in the forest–Mt. Baker is easily the most epic mountain area you can elope.
Mt. Rainier National Park
Best Time of Year: late June – early October
Popularity/Crowds: The Busiest Destination
Mt. Rainier is the most iconic view in Washington towering over 14,000 ft. In the summer, the meadows are filled to the brim with wildflowers, the waterfalls are gushing, and it feels like a mountain paradise. Maybe that’s why one area in the National Park is called Paradise. There are so many areas to explore and has tons of cute cabins and A-Frames to be cozy and celebrate your elopement. Mt. Rainier National Park does require a special-use permit and they can be very competitive. I’ll be sure to walk you through your options and help you plan an elopement with those logistics in mind. It’ll be incredibly easy and you’ll know exactly what to expect. You can learn more about their special-use permits here.
Leavenworth
Best Time of Year to Elope: late June – October
Popularity/Crowds: Can be popular for locals visiting, but not as busy for elopements
Leavenworth is a cute Bavarian town surrounded by gorgeous mountains at the edge of the Enchantments. The hiking options can be a bit limited compared to other destinations on this list, but the views are incredible. There are lots of stunning alpine lakes to explore (like Colchuck Lake), and a family-friendly ceremony spot at a gorgeous lake in the area. This isn’t as popular of an elopement destination, but it can be a great fit for larger groups, those who really want a “cute mountain town” experience, or for those who have some nostalgic memories exploring Leavenworth.
Washington Coast
Best Time of Year to Elope: May through early October is best but accessible year-round
Popularity/Crowds: More Popular
The Washington Coast is a rugged and remote coastal paradise. One moment you’re in a dense rainforest covered in ferns, and the next you’re standing on a beach looking out at incredible sea-stacks (those large rock formations you see along the coast). Some couples who elope in Olympic National Park split their day between Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent, and the coast. But I’ve also had lots of couples so enamored by the forests and the coast, they spent their entire elopement day out on the Washington Coast. I don’t blame them. It’s such a stunning place to elope.
Oregon Coast
Best Time of Year to Elope: May through early October
Popularity/Crowds: Becoming More Popular
If you imagine dramatic cliffs and remote beaches, Oregon is where you want to elope. While the Washington coast is rugged with stunning sea-stacks, it doesn’t have any cliffs or the dramatic oceanside views that some couples envision. However, the Oregon coastline has tons of cliffs, incredible viewpoints, lighthouses, and cute oceanside towns. The beaches here are remote and there are lots of great hiking options. Not to mention, some of the best views along the coast are in the Samuel Boardman area at the Oregon/California border. So you can say your vows in a grove of Redwoods and have a picnic along the cliffs of the Oregon Coast. So there’s a huge appeal to this scenic area since you can explore both the Oregon Coast and the Redwoods for your elopement. How amazing is that?! It’s worth noting that getting to the Samual Boardman area is more remote than most elopements. But if you’re okay with a little more travel, you’ll be rewarded with a remote and gorgeous landscape.
Hidden Gems & New Locations
While this guide goes over some of the best places to get married in Washington, every year I’m always scouting out new amazing trails and destinations for my couples. I have a questionnaire and custom location guide in the planning process where I’ll share locations that I think will be a great fit for your day. So if you’re looking for a hidden gem or to get off the beaten path, I’d love to help you plan your elopement adventure. Whether you want an easy-going ceremony with family or an adventurous hike to an alpine lake–Washington really has it all. You can reach out using my contact form to get started.
Marriage License for Washington State
Washington State actually has a helpful website to walk you through the marriage license process. You can visit the King County Marriage License website and follow their steps. You can file and pick up your marriage license for any county in Washington. Most couples file and pick up their marriage license in King County (Seattle) even though they’re eloping in a National Park or somewhere else in the state. It’s really convenient for couples who live in Seattle or who are planning a few days to visit the area during their elopement.
What You Need to Do:
- You’ll need to schedule an appointment in-person, online, or via mail via the website I linked above.
- If you’re from out of state, I highly recommend using the online/mail option. It’s so much easier already having the marriage license and not having to make an extra stop during your trip! If you need to get it notarized, call a local UPS Store and schedule a time to come in and use their notary service.
- If you’re local, it’s easiest probably just to do this in person setting up your appointment using QLess (they have instructions on the site).
- Go pick up your marriage license from the County Clerk Office before your wedding day or receive it in the mail.
- Remember to bring it on your day so you can sign it and make it official.
Marriage License Details:
- Washington State requires an officiant + 2 witnesses. I am ordained and can act as your officiant.
- There is a 3 waiting period to pick up your marriage license. It’s valid to sign within 60 days.
- It costs $69 with an added fee for certified copies. You can pay with cash or credit card in most counties.
- I always advise emailing the County Clerk’s Office if you’re ever confused (KCROMarriage@kingcounty.gov)
Marriage License Tips:
For some reason, the “Social Security section” of the application is printed on the backside. When you receive your official marriage license, just double-check the backside to see if it auto-filled your social security numbers (or if you need to write it). It’s really easy to miss.
When you receive your marriage license, it’ll have a lot of other documents/papers with it. The only one that matters is the one that looks like an application. The “pretty” document included is your marriage certificate which is just for decoration (not an official document). You can fill it out as a keepsake if you’d like but it’s not required.
Special-Use Permits for Washington Elopements
Some elopement locations (such as National Parks) require a special-use permit. But don’t fret! I’ll walk you through the permit process for your Washington elopement. It’ll be easy peasy. I promise! Elopement permits cost between $25 – $100 depending on location and can be completed online.
Here’s what that planning process looks like:
- We’ll chat about the available ceremony locations and decide on a ceremony time (typically a 1-2 hour block for the permit).
- I will pre-fill out your special-use permit with all of the correct planning information. I’ve helped tons of couples fill out their permit. So I totally understand not wanting to mess this up. So I’ll fill out everything related to your locations and timeline.
- I’ll send you the pre-filled out permit for you to add your personal information (names, address, and 3 professional references — just kidding on the last one). National Parks require couples to submit their own permits. But I do all of the planning work on your behalf.
- You’ll submit your permit (I’ll give you all of the information you need for this).
- You should receive an email confirming your permit has been approved or if you need to decide on an alternative location or time (in case it’s already booked or unavailable).
- Final important step. You’ll send me your finalized permit and we’ll make sure to bring it for your elopement day in case a park ranger asks (that has happened before).
