If you’re looking to elope in Washington State, you’re in the right place! I eloped here a few years ago and had the most magical experience. And as an elopement photographer, I also love joining other couples for their special day in Washington.
From towering mountains to lush rainforests and dramatic coastlines, Washington offers endless picture-perfect backdrops. You can enjoy adventure, privacy, and stunning scenery all in one incredible place!
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about how to elope in Washington State. You’ll get tips on locations, planning, and legalities so your day is stress-free and fun.
Why elope in Washington State?
Washington State offers diverse landscapes, from mountains to beaches to rainforests. Whether you’re planning an adventurous elopement or laid-back experience, there’s something for every couple.
It’s also easy to legally marry in Washington. The online application process is relatively straightforward, and there aren’t any residency requirements.
How to Elope in Washington State
From choosing your dream location to handling the legalities, a little preparation can help you plan the perfect elopement experience.
Book an Elopement Photographer
Hiring an elopement photographer who also helps with planning is the best way to simplify your elopement and bring your vision to life.
Many photographers, like myself, offer guidance leading up to and during your elopement. When I work with couples, I not only capture the special moments of your wedding day but also offer location scouting, timeline creation, and vendor recommendations to help you plan your elopement.
Choose the Best Location
Washington State has tons of picture-perfect locations, from mountains and beaches to lush rainforests. When choosing your ideal spot, focus on the vibe that feels most authentic to you as a couple. For example, if you love hiking, a mountain elopement could be the perfect fit.
Some of my favorite places for a Washington elopement include:
- Olympic National Park – Stunning mountain scenery and lush rainforests with some pet-friendly areas
- North Cascades National Park – Dramatic peaks, quiet trails, and the perfect location for adventurous couples
- Mount Rainier National Park – Magical scenery with glaciers, wildflowers, and lakes
- The Washington Coast – Beaches, stunning sunsets, and endless photo opportunities
- Hoh Rainforest – Lush greenery, mossy trails, and a fairytale vibe
Plan Your Elopement Day
To plan your elopement, start by picturing what your perfect day would look like. Consider personal touches and activities that would be special for you and your partner.
When you’re planning, consider the following:
- Time – Choose the time of day based on lighting, scenery, and your ideal vibe. Sunrise and golden hour make for some of the best photos. You could also have a multi-day elopement if you want to add in some extra adventure!
- Guests – Decide if you want a just-us elopement or to invite a few loved ones. You can always keep it just the two of you for an intimate, special day, then celebrate with friends and family afterward.
- Activities – Include activities that feel meaningful to you and your partner. My husband and I did a sunrise hike, had coffee together, and relaxed in a hammock on our elopement day, and it was perfect!
- Vows – Share traditional wedding vows or write your own vows for a personal touch.
- Flexibility – Leave some extra time for spontaneity. Weather or other surprises might change plans, and that’s okay because this sometimes makes for the best memories!
Take Care of the Legalities
Some couples from out of state prefer to handle legalities at home for a relaxed elopement experience. Otherwise, it’s pretty straightforward to legally get married in Washington State.
Here’s what the legal marriage process looks like for Washington:
- Apply for a marriage license online – Apply in the county you plan to have your ceremony. Submit your application at least three days before your wedding. Then, your license is valid for 60 days from the date of issue.
- Schedule an appointment – To pick up your license, you both need to go to show your photo IDs and pay the license fee.
- Gather two witnesses and an officiant – I officiate for couples I work with, and witnesses can be loved ones or bystanders at your location.
- Apply for a ceremony permit – National parks and other locations may require special use permits and entrance fees.
Book Travel and Accomodations
If you’re traveling to elope in Washington State, book your flights and accommodations as soon as possible. You might also consider working your elopement date around this, as flexible dates can save money on flights. There are many vacation rentals, hotels, and campgrounds in Washington State, depending on your ideal elopement experience.
When I work with couples, I offer travel and lodging tips if needed to make planning easier and stress-free.
Enjoy Your Special Day
Now for the best part — enjoy your special day! The most important part of your elopement is to be present and celebrate your love. Here are some helpful tips for making this happen:
- Be prepared but flexible – Know that plans may change due to weather or timing
- Pack accordingly – Bring extra layers and clothing for any adventure
- Embrace spontaneity – Enjoy last-minute adventures, detours, or photo opportunities
- Include traditions – First dances, celebratory champagne, or other meaningful rituals can make the day extra memorable
- Include loved ones – Celebrate with family and friends on your time, whether that’s before, during, or after your elopement
When to Elope in Washington State
Washington is beautiful no matter the season! The best timing depends on your ideal location and aesthetic.
Here’s what you can expect for each season:
- Summer – Warm weather and vibrant mountain scenery
- Fall – Cozy, romantic, and colorful foliage
- Winter – Magical snow-covered landscapes
- Spring – Lush rainforests and fewer crowds
Washington State Elopement Packages
I offer mini, full-day, and two-day elopement packages so you can choose the experience that best fits your vision — from a short, simple celebration to a full adventure or multi-day elopement.
Each Washington elopement package includes:
- My travel expenses to anywhere in Washington state
- A phone consultation
- Location scouting
- Timeline planning
- Vendor recommendations
- Wedding planning resources
- Sneak peek photos
- Custom online gallery with all edited high-resolution images
- Rights to printing
Elope in Washington State: FAQs
What are the rules for elopement in Washington state?
To elope in Washington State, you must be at least 18 years old. Apply online for a marriage license in the county you plan to elope. Once you pick up your marriage license, your ceremony must be held within three to sixty days of getting your license with an officiant and two witnesses.
Can you get married the same day in Washington State?
You usually can’t get married the same day in Washington. There’s a three-day waiting period unless otherwise waived.
How much is a courthouse wedding in Washington state?
The cost of a courthouse wedding in Washington varies by county, but is typically under $100, including the license and ceremony. This is a great option if you want a simple, affordable way to make things legal. Then, you can head out to celebrate and take photos afterward.
How much is it to elope in Washington State?
A Washington State elopement typically starts at a few thousand dollars, which includes your photographer and location. The exact cost to elope depends on various factors, like travel, accommodations, and activities. Whether you want to keep it simple with a free scenic location or splurge on a multi-day adventure filled with unique experiences, it’s easy to elope on almost any budget.
Let’s Plan Your Washington State Elopement
I love helping adventurous couples plan the perfect elopement. From timeline and location to day-of activities and photos, I can help you have a memorable wedding day in one of my favorite places!
kinsley + caden
“Brooke was the perfect choice for our wedding day! We had a micro wedding at Sapphire Point in August. I had never been to Sapphire Point and Brooke was so helpful suggesting vendors, picture locations, parking, marriage license info etc. She was so kind and helpful before and during the whole process and was a large part of why the day went so smooth. She does so much more than just show up and take pictures, Brooke will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect! The photos are gorgeous and I keep getting so many compliments! I truly cannot recommend her enough!”
"Brooke was a large part of why our day went so smooth and will truly go out of her way to make your wedding day perfect!"
We chose Brooke to capture our Colorado elopement and she did exactly that and more. She made it easy to plan our day out with locations and timelines so that we could focus on ourselves. We decided last minute to change our afternoon/evening elopement to a 6am sunrise one so beat the heat of the day. Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise. She was kind and understood what we wanted in terms of our elopement and we are so grateful to have her capture the day. Our photos turned out beautiful and truly helped us relive the day. I would recommend Brooke to anyone wanting their special day photographed.
"Brooke accommodated us without hesitation and even created a new timeline for us so that we knew where to be for the perfect sunrise."
erica + stacy
kirstie + colin
Brooke not only photographed our mountain elopement beautifully, but she put so much thought into the details and knew all of the answers the questions I didn’t even know to ask. She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had. She even helped pick the perfect spot for us and advised us on the logistical details like securing a reservation at the mountain lake where we wanted our ceremony. She is SO easy to work with and very friendly and chill. My husband and I are super awkward in front of a camera but she made it so natural and easy - and the shots came out better than we could have imagined.
"She really puts a lot of thought into each photo and brings her expertise while still remaining very open to what we wanted and ideas we had."
amanda + jace
Brooke is many things; talented, calm, flexible, experienced/ knowledgeable, patient, incredibly responsive, organized, resourceful in a pinch, supportive, creative, professional yet a blast to work with, and goes above & beyond w her clients. Our wedding was a spectacular dream and we couldn't be more grateful that she made that single day last forever. Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be. We couldn't recommend her more and we look forward to booking with her for all of our vow renewals, seasonal and family pictures for as long as she'll have us.
"Whether she's photographing nature or an intimate event, her pictures tell a story of peace, love, whatever your vision may be."
linden + brent
Working with Brooke was a dream come true! Before we even met, my husband Brent and I were impressed by her portfolio. After meeting, we were even more convinced that her photography skills and knowledge, and her fun and easygoing personality were exactly what we were looking for in an elopement photographer. Brooke was able to take our vision and facilitate everything so that it worked out beautifully, especially when it came to finding the perfect location (the incredible mountains surrounding Ouray). Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible, and made it clear that her goal was for us to be 100% happy. In the end, her creativity and our happiness totally shine through in every single photo.
"Throughout the entire planning process, she was honest and flexible."
lauren + branden
I can't begin to express my gratitude for the intimacy and beauty behind Brooke's photographs. In capturing our wedding day, she went above and beyond to document our story, our families, and the depths of our love in ways that I'll forever be grateful for. Brooke has an eye for not only capturing the adventure and magic of your love, but deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way. She is truly an artist and tells your story in an authentic and creative way for you to look back on for years to come. We are forever grateful to Brooke for spending the time to get to know us, our story, and capturing the memories that we'll relive for years to come.
"Brooke deeply connects with your personal story, understands your relationship, and then gives that back in the most incredible way."
heather + jedd
“If you're contemplating which photographer to go with, THIS IS YOUR SIGN TO CHOOSE BROOKE!!!! She is so so so talented and was able to capture our elopement exactly how I pictured and wanted! We eloped in Ridgway, CO this past September and she was so helpful figuring out picture locations, recommendations of timeline for the day, and just made the whole day feel so smooth. She schedules multiple check ins, phone calls, etc., leading up to the big day to ensure everything is as you want it. Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever after just the first time of meeting."
"Brooke has such a calming, down to earth presence and is one of those awesome people you feel like you've known forever."
christy + austin
Brooke is the absolute best. She truly went above and beyond for my fiancé and I to be able to get our engagement photos taken with the fall colors. Brooke is so sweet, fun, personable and incredibly talented. We could not be more in love with our engagement photos! Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever.
"Our engagement session with Brooke was such a special experience and a memory we will cherish forever."
