Where to Elope in Washington State
When it comes to doing my job, one of the most common questions I get asked is ‘where should we elope?’ OR ‘what’s your favorite spot for an elopement in Washington?’ The answer to both of these questions is ‘it depends,’ which is why I almost always start by answering this question with a series of other questions.
Afterall, I don’t want your elopement to be perfect — I want it to be perfect for you and your partner. Let’s dive in and talk about how to make that happen…
Choose Your Vibe
To elope in Washington State is to have countless choices in front of you. I tell my couples to start by considering the vibe they’re trying to achieve. Some examples include:
- Quiet and intimate
- Epic and elegant
- Relaxed and carefree
There’s no ‘right’ answer here. Consider your vibe and which types of locations embody that vibe. Then, you can start narrowing your list from there: do you want to hike? Not hike? Invite a group of people? Invite no one?
Start with the general vibe and then you can get down to what will work best with your specifics.
Forest Elopements
Maybe it’s just me, but when I think of an ‘elopement,’ I picture running off to the woods for a very quiet and intimate ceremony. Fortunately, Washington State has plenty of beautiful forests to choose from. This includes different types of forests such as old-growth forests, subalpine forests, and even a temperate rainforest.
Here are just a few of my favorite spots for a forest elopement:
- Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest
- Olympic National Forest
Mountain View Elopements
If your vibe is something epic and elegant, you can’t go wrong with a stunning mount view elopement in Washington State. In fact, the mountain views are one of the most iconic aspects of our beautiful state.
Let’s start with the most obvious spot for a mount view elopement…
Mt. Rainier is getting it’s own section because there are many spots within the park to consider. Plus, putting Mt. Rainier down as a blanket statement seems unjust. Here are a few of my favorite, easy-access spots within this PNW icon.
- Chinook Pass
- Tipsoo Lake
- Paradise
- Reflection Lakes
- Sunrise
- Mt. Freemont Lookout
Other awe-inspiring mountain view spots include:
- Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
- Mount St. Helens
- North Cascades National Park
Coastal/Lakeside Elopements
If you’ve looked through my portfolio, you know I work around water a LOT!
I love the easy access to so many different kinds of water sources in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve shot at waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and the ocean. With so many options, it can be difficult to decide which body of water you want let alone which location.
I find lakes relaxing and low-key. In the right areas, the water can be so still that you get an almost perfect reflection of the trees and mountains. When I think of a lake elopement, I think of a luxury picnic with an elegant charcuterie board.
In contrast, an oceanfront wedding is dramatic (only in the best ways, of course) and exciting. Certain spots along the coast offer a backdrop of swirling, frothy water that adds beautiful dimension and visual interest to your elopement gallery.
Here are some of my favorite water-based locations:
- Deception Pass
- Juan de Fuca Strait
- Lake Crescent
- Rattlesnake Lake
- Ruby Beach
Elope in Washington State YOUR Way
There’s no shortage of beauty in the PNW. When you elope in Washington state, the key is to find your vibe and then choose your location. Still not sure what you want? I help all of my clients find the perfect location for their elopement when they book with me. I can also help guide you through the permitting process to make it as easy as possible.
Contact me today and we can start planning YOUR perfect Washington elopement.