All Elopement Planning Blogs
Some of the most stunning elopement locations in Washington aren't parks or venues: they're private cabins with decks overlooking the Cascades or nestled up next to Olympic National Park. Here's how to find and book the right one, plus my favorite properties by region.
You decided you're eloping — now you just need to know how fast you can actually pull it off. The answer? Four weeks is plenty. Here's your full planning timeline.
Yes, you can absolutely elope with guests. Here’s how to include your favorite people without losing the adventure, intimacy, or freedom that makes eloping so special!
Eloping in Washington means mountains, weather, and a little unpredictability. This is your complete elopement packing list, including the things no one tells you until you’re halfway up a trail.
If you’re wondering when to book your elopement photographer and low-key panicking about timelines, this one’s for you. Let’s talk seasons, availability, and why you don’t need a perfect plan to get started.
Should you elope on a weekday or weekend? Here’s what actually changes in Washington’s national parks, including crowds, vendors, holiday weekends, and guest logistics.
Trying to choose between a sunrise or sunset elopement in Washington? From mountain visibility to summer crowds, here’s how to decide what time of day will feel best for your wedding experience.
Want your dog at your elopement? Here’s what to consider before you commit, from location rules and permits to stress levels, logistics, and how to make it actually fun for everyone involved.
Hiking elopements are adventurous, intimate, and wildly meaningful - but they require real planning. This updated 2026 guide walks you through trails, permits, guests, packing, timing, and how to actually enjoy the day!
Elopements in Washington can cost anywhere from simple and intimate to fully immersive, multi-day experiences. Here’s what couples actually spend and why.
Finding affirming elopement vendors shouldn’t be exhausting. This curated list features queer and LGBTQ+ affirming elopement vendors across Washington who show up with care, respect, and intention. Every vendor is vetted for inclusivity and values, so you can focus on planning a day that feels safe, meaningful, and true to you.
Trying to figure out the best time of year to elope in Washington? This guide breaks down every season, month, and tradeoff so you can choose what actually fits your priorities, not just what looks good online.
Planning an outdoor elopement comes with responsibility, especially in fragile places across Washington State. This complete Leave No Trace guide breaks down how to ethically and intentionally elope outdoors, covering permits, trail etiquette, wildlife, social media sharing, and how to protect the places you love.
Everything you need to know about eloping in Washington in 2026 - from seasons and locations to permits, costs, and what your day can really look like.
Everything you need to know about how to get legally married in Washington State — from applying for your marriage license to choosing an officiant and finding witnesses. This simple guide walks you through every step.
Planning an elopement with no officiant? This guide walks you through writing your own elopement ceremony script, with ideas, sample scripts, and creative ways to make the moment meaningful.
If you and your partner are dreaming of an intimate elopement with jaw-dropping mountain views, a fire lookout in Washington might just be the perfect spot. These historic structures sit high above the tree line, offering panoramic views of rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and endless sky. Whether you’re after an adventurous day hike or a romantic overnight stay, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about eloping at a Washington fire lookout—without having to trek too far!
Picture this: You and your boo have a love of riding on the various ferries around Washington, not only as an alternative type of transportation, but to enjoy the sights and experience as well! There’s nothing quite like sipping coffee atop a ferry deck on a cool morning while watching the shore behind you disappear, is there? You think to yourselves “what if we spent part of our elopement day on the ferry?!” Whether that be having your actual elopement ceremony on the ferry deck itself or taking a few portraits of the two of you all dressed up in your wedding outfits between elopement locations, you absolutely can incorporate a Washington state ferry into your wedding day.
If you’ve never taken a ferry in Washington state, add it to your bucket list friend!
If you’re someone who has been dreaming about eloping (or has just learned that eloping is an option nowadays!) but are nervous about being able to find a beautiful location that meets your accessibility needs, this post is for you.
I firmly stand behind the belief that everyone should have access to the outdoors to recreate. Full stop. Whether that’s just to explore somewhere new, to immerse yourself in all nature has to offer, or if you’re planning to elope.
Also, let’s get one thing straight about eloping: You do NOT have to hike to elope! I promise!!
Many couples choose to do a short walk around a beautiful area to take in the scenery without having to strap on hiking boots and get miles and miles away from civilization. There are plenty of locations and trails in Washington that are fairly level and paved or have packed gravel for the majority of the hike. Which means many more folks can access these locations regardless of ability or knowledge about the outdoors!
I’ve put together a list of my favorite ways to make your day memorable, elevated, and beyond anything you’ve ever dreamed of. There are SEVEN ideas here, you don’t wanna skip this one!
If you’ve decided that you want to elope by yourselves rather than throw a traditional, large wedding that is basically a giant party for everyone you know, don’t even think for a second it was a mistake. Sometimes it’s a hard decision to make, but sometimes it makes sense right off the bat!
I might be the first to tell you this, but it’s important, so listen up:
You have full permission to plan your elopement however the hell you want
Even if it’s not how everyone else wants to get married, your decision is valid. I’m here to be your biggest supporter!!
From iconic peaks to quieter alpine trails, Washington has some of the best mountain elopement locations out there. Here’s how to choose the right one and avoid the common planning pitfalls along the way.
Hello my little adventurers! I wanted to write a blog post that will get sent to all of my couples before their elopement day to make sure they’re getting a 100/10 experience with me, so I compiled this list of the best ways to slow down and really, really relish your time together so that it’s truly remarkable and totally unforgettable.
So you’ve done it: You’ve decided to elope instead of having a big wedding, and now you’re preparing for the big day in every way you can. Because eloping in this meaningful way is still relatively new and underreported on, you might have a hard time finding blog posts like “How to Keep Stress Levels Low on your Elopement Day” or “How to Prepare for Your Elopement Day Hike”, this is where I come in!
After helping dozens and dozens of couples plan their elopement and make it one of THE all-time best days of their lives, I’ve learned a thing or two about what pushes the day towards incredible and unforgettable, and I’m here to share their experiences with you. Everything from managing your expectations when getting married outdoors to showing you how to really relish the day and make it deeply memorable.
So, you’ve just pulled the ultimate romantic move and eloped with your bestie, your favorite person, your forever love. I’m sure it’s been a whirlwind in one way or another! Elopements are definitely less stress than huge weddings, but that doesn’t mean they’re stress free. Your probably thinking….
NOW WHAT DO WE DO?!
Don’t worry, don’t worry. I have some ideas for you!!
I know when I’m planning for something super exciting, I’m so focused on it that I don’t even consider what it’s going to feel like once it’s all said and done, nor do I plan anything for the timeframe immediately after the event. And you might be in that position as well! I’ve put together a few different things to do after your elopement is finished and you’ve head home after the celebrations.
Some of these happen right away, some are in the months after, and some can be done literally any time in the future. So pick a few for now, save a few for later!
If you’ve decided eloping outdoors is your jam, there’s no doubt you’ve thought “what if the weather is horrible on our elopement day?!”
I know it can be super nerve-wracking to be at the mercy of Mother Nature when planning such an important day. You’re worried about so many factors that the weather can change, and I see you and hear you!
But I’m here to tell you that you’ve got this.
With these steps, you’re going to feel more prepared to face icky weather head on AND be reassured that you’re still going to have one kickass experience and get some seriously kickass photos, too. Pinky promise!!
In the last 5 or so years, the definition of eloping has vastly shifted to something WAY cooler than secretly running away to Las Vegas to get married in front of Elvis without your family. Even though you could still do that, I think everyone agrees the new kind of eloping is so much more personal and filled with joy (and leaves out a lot of stress!).
Choosing to elope by yourselves is a HUGE decision, and sometimes it’s super easy and all you’ve ever dreamed of. But for some couples, it’s going to be SO hard to get married to their favorite person without their other favorite people there like parents, besties, siblings, and other loved ones. And that’s why I’m here! To show you how to bridge that gap and include your friends and family in your elopement without them being physically present.
One of *THE* most common questions I get from my couples is “how do I hike in my wedding dress?”. It’s totally valid - most people haven’t ever hiked in dress clothes, let alone a dress on their actual wedding day! And that’s where I come in. I’ve helped dozens of people plan the logistics of hiking in their wedding dress, and that’s what this blog post is all about!
Whether you’re thinking about eloping, aren’t sure whats feasible on an elopement day, or you’re ready to elope and are considering last minute logistics, this info is going to help you have the best, most comfortable day (with amazing photos to document it all!).
If you’re here, you’re probably trying to get a feel for Washington’s climate, including what to expect when it comes to temperatures, snow and rain, being in the mountains in the winter months, and just generally get an idea of when is going to be the best month to elope in Washington. I’m here to share tips about making decisions, areas that are more tricky to plan for, mountain passes that close and when they typically open, where to find webcams that will show you a live feed of the weather, and suggest places to elope that are accessible all year round. Listen- I’ve got you!! There are a ton of weather anomalies out here that you wouldn’t know if you didn’t live here, and probably wouldn’t think to ask! I’m here to answer your questions and hopefully help you to narrow down exactly what month of the year to elope in the beautiful state of Washington.
Not every Washington elopement needs a trailhead. Here are the most stunning locations and creative ideas for couples who want beauty, adventure, and a day that feels completely like them, with no hiking boots required.