If ferries already hold a special place in your relationship, incorporating one into your elopement day can feel incredibly meaningful. Washington State ferries are more than just transportation! They offer sweeping views, quiet moments on the water, and a sense of movement that feels fitting for the start of a marriage.

Whether you are imagining exchanging vows on the ferry deck itself or simply using the ferry as part of your elopement day travel between locations, it is absolutely possible to include a Washington State ferry in your wedding plans. This guide walks through how ferry elopements work, what to consider ahead of time, and how to plan a day that feels intentional while still respecting the shared public space. If you want help figuring out how a ferry could fit into your overall elopement experience, I also help couples plan Washington elopements that feel calm, creative, and deeply personal.

And if you have never ridden a ferry in Washington before, consider this your sign to add it to your list.

Fun facts about the Washington ferry system:

Washington State Ferries are the single largest tourist attraction in Washington State
WSF has nine routes that connect 20 destinations, including 19 ferry terminals in Washington and one in Sidney, British Columbia
In 2010, there were about 22.5 million riders on Washington ferries!!
You can ride the ferry on foot, on your bicycle, or with your car, motorcycle, RV, moving truck, or even a semi!

Benefits of Getting Married on a Washington Ferry

Riding a ferry makes it easy to get to a fun elopement location such as the San Juan Islands, Bainbridge Island, or even out to the Olympic Peninsula!
There is no permit or fee required to get married on a ferry
What better way to immerse yourself in the Washington scenery than riding across Puget Sound and taking in the sights of some islands along the way?

Do I need a permit to get married on a Washington Ferry?

Good news: No permit required! The only guidelines the WSDOT gives are that you cannot bring outside alcohol or catering, you cannot block any walkways or pedestrian areas, and you must return to your vehicles at the appropriate time to disembark the ferry.

Eloping on a ferry will require payment like any other passenger, which varies by route and type of transport.

Tips for Getting Married on a Washington Ferry

Keep it low-key! All ferry rides allow for ceremonies to take place, but setting up decor, additional seating, or any other wedding things is generally not recommended.
Choose a longer route - some ferry rides, such as the route to and from Whidbey Island, are short! You’ll want enough time to park, get to the deck, prepare for your ceremony, have the ceremony, spend time enjoying the ride, and get back to your car before it’s time to drive off the ferry.
Take your ferry route ahead of time to get a feel for the boat and how much time you’ll actually have. Scope out places that could work for your ceremony based on how many guests you’ll have and where would offer great views without greatly impacting others’ ferry experience.
Plan for non-peak days and hours! A lot of Washington workers use the ferries for their commute to work Monday through Friday, so you’ll see peak ridership right around when rush hour would hit the Interstates around Seattle and Tacoma.
Be prepared for all kinds of weather: heavy rain, strong winds (that can cause the boat to move a lot!), the hot sun, thick fog, and even snow are all possibilities when riding the ferry. Some routes have a partially covered deck area that is perfect for inclement weather, just make sure you’re on a boat that has one like the MV Puyallup.
Plan ahead for ferry delays and cancellations. They can happen any time and without any notice, even if you’re already waiting in line for the ferry! Make alternate plans as a backup just in case, such as driving a longer route to your destination without the use of a ferry, or wait until the next boat is available.

Accessibility on Washington Ferries

If you or your guests uses a wheelchair or has mobility needs, make sure to plan your ferry elopement carefully. Many of the ferries have very narrow walkways between cars to get to the stairs and elevators and the ferry deck can be slippery when wet. You can let the ferry employees know that you’d like a vehicle space onboard that allows for specific access, but they cannot be reserved ahead of time.

Read more about Washington ferry accessibility details here.

Do I Need an Officiant and Marriage License for a Ferry Elopement?

If you’re planning to legally wed on the ferry, then you will need a marriage license and an officiant. You can apply online or in person through any county in Washington, and the application fee is about $70. Apply for your marriage license up to 60 days in advance (and make sure you fulfill the 3 day waiting period!) so you have the paperwork in your hands and ready to go on the elopement day.

The captain and employees of the Washington State Ferry cannot perform or officiate your elopement or wedding, so be sure to plan ahead.

You have three options when it comes to the legal aspect of eloping on a ferry:

Hire a seasoned officiant like Another One Ties the Knot, Officiant Jimmie, or Officiant Grace to make planning the ceremony straightforward and custom to you!
Have a friend or family member get ordained ahead of time through the Universal Life Church. They can then perform your ceremony on the ferry and sign as the officiant on the marriage license!
Have your ceremony on the ferry, but sign the marriage license and paperwork at another date or time.

You’ll need two witnesses to sign the marriage license as well, and I’m happy to be one of them! Your guests or other ferry passengers can sign as a witness as well.

Did you know?: All of my couples get a complimentary officiant services when they book me! If you don’t want to hire an officiant or have a friend/family member present for your ceremony, I can be the one to sign your marriage license. I can’t lead you through the ceremony and stand up there with you (I’ll be hard at work taking photos!), but I can make it legal 🙂

Fun Ideas for Your Washington State Ferry Elopement

Book a San Juan Island ferry (you’ll need both a reservation for your car and payment for the trip) and spend a few days island hopping around the main island, Orcas Island, and Lopez island! The San Juan ferry trip is perfect for a wedding ceremony, as it’s one of the longer rides lasting about an hour. Before or after your ferry elopement, you can also spend time at Deception Pass State Park exploring the trails and waterfront, and walk across the Deception Pass Bridge if you’re feeling adventurous.
Take the Bremerton ferry from Seattle and head towards Olympic National Park to spend time among the Hoh Rainforest, at Rialto Beach, or along the crystal clear waters of Lake Crescent. Explore Port Angeles or Forks (for my Twilight fans!), drive the scenic coastal Highway 101, or visit the most Northwest Point of the contiguous 48 states: Cape Flattery. Don’t forget to read my full guide to eloping at Olympic National Park!
A shorter ferry ride to take is the route to Vashon Island from either the Tacoma terminal or the southern Seattle Fauntleroy terminal. Vashon island has its own farmer’s market, plenty of breweries, miles and miles of bike trails, and some seriously incredible restaurants!

Are you ready to get married on a Washington ferry?

It can be such a beautiful way to embrace adventure, simplicity, and stunning scenery. With a little planning and a love for the journey, your ferry elopement can be a stress-free and unforgettable experience.

If you love the idea of getting married on a boat but would love to have more guests, time, and flexibility, consider a boat venue! Seattle has two amazing boat venues: The MV Skansonia and The Hiyu. While I don’t typically photograph weddings with more than about 25 guests, I know an extremely talented and wonderful wedding photographer that you’ll love: Lindsey Paradiso!

Book your Washington Ferry elopement photographer

If you’re looking for the most incredible elopement experience, look no further! I’m Van and I think you’re going to love what we can create together.