Elopement Planning Resources

Planning an elopement can feel exciting, emotional, sentimental, weirdly overwhelming, and honestly, a little hard to know where to start sometimes.

Think of this page as your compass - start with the guides that feel most helpful right now, and follow the rabbit holes from there 💛

START HERE

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START HERE ✨

If you’re not sure where to begin, these are the best paths to start your journey!

Featured

When to Book Your Elopement Photographer

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.

Best Time of Year to Elope in Washington

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.

How to Elope in Washington State (2026 Guide)

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.

How to Legally Elope in Washington State: Your 2026 Guide

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.

Map of Africa highlighting the continent in beige with surrounding water depicted in black.

(this one’s important)

A dotted arrow pointing to the right, with a spiral loop in the middle, all in a brown color.

(the guide I’d hand
you first IRL)

A smiling couple, a woman with long brown hair and pearl earrings and a man with a beard and a suit, are face to face outdoors with mountain snow in the background, appearing joyful and close.

Washington Elopement Packages and Planning Support

Person standing on snow-covered mountain peak, raising arms with a view of distant mountains and a snow-capped volcano in the background.

Behind the Camera + How I Approach Elopements

Black and white illustration of a plant with multiple tall flower stalks and round flowers at the base.

the guide i’d hand you first IRL

Planning Your Elopement

The logistics matter.
But so does how your day actually feels.

These guides cover the emotional, practical, and real-world parts of creating your day.

Featured

The Best Washington Elopement Ideas If Hiking Isn't Your Thing

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.

Best Washington Airbnbs to Elope At: What to Look For + My Favorites by Region

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.

How to Plan a Last-Minute Elopement (in 4 weeks or less!)

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.

Eloping With Guests (Without It Feeling Like a Wedding)

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!

What to Pack For Your Elopement in Washington (Things No One Tells You)

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.

Map of Madagascar showing the main island in brown with a dashed line indicating the coastline.

this is totally doable

Explore More Planning Resources→

Couple walking along a forest trail, holding hands, with sunlight shining through tall trees, one woman in a wedding dress holding a bouquet, and a man in a suit.

✋ Hold up a sec!

Before you get too deep into the archive, grab my free guide:

➡️ The Elopement Reality Check

Six things couples almost always learn the hard way (that you can learn right now).

Get the guide!

Choosing Where to Elope

The “best” place to elope isn’t just the prettiest one.
It’s the place that fits the kind of experience you want to have.

Start exploring!

Featured

Wildflower Elopement Locations in Washington by Month: The Complete Seasonal Guide

Wildflowers are Washington’s hidden advantage for elopement photos. But timing and location matter, and so does protecting the meadows you’ll be enjoying. Here’s exactly where to elope for wildflowers across Washington, when each region peaks, and how we’ll capture those dreamy shots without trampling the very thing that makes them magic.

Best Dog-Friendly Elopement Locations in Washington

Your dog is family, so naturally they should be there on your wedding day. Discover the best dog-friendly elopement locations across Washington, from alpine lakes to dramatic coastlines, plus expert tips for making your furry friend part of the adventure.

Where to Elope at Artist Point: A Complete Mount Baker Wedding Guide

Artist Point might be the only place in Washington where you can drive straight up to a glacier view and get married twenty minutes later. Here's everything you need to know.

Wheelchair and ADA-Accessible Elopement Locations + Hikes in Washington

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!

Best Mountain Elopement Locations in Washington State

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.

The Complete Guide for Your Olympic National Park Elopement (2026 Update)

Olympic National Park is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure elopement spot. Think rainforest vows, moody beaches, mountain views, and crystal-clear lakes, sometimes all in the same day. This guide covers the best locations, seasons, permits, logistics, and what to pack so your day feels wildly epic and zero percent chaotic.

Featured

Wildflower Elopement Locations in Washington by Month: The Complete Seasonal Guide

Best Dog-Friendly Elopement Locations in Washington

Where to Elope at Artist Point: A Complete Mount Baker Wedding Guide

Artist Point might be the only place in Washington where you can drive straight up to a glacier view and get married twenty minutes later. Here's everything you need to know.

Wheelchair and ADA-Accessible Elopement Locations + Hikes in Washington

Also, let’s get one thing straight about eloping: You do NOT have to hike to elope! I promise!!

Best Mountain Elopement Locations in Washington State

The Complete Guide for Your Olympic National Park Elopement (2026 Update)

(adventure doesn’t have to mean suffering, btw)

Keep Exploring Washington→

Real Elopement Days

Real couples, real weather, real timelines, real emotions, and real PNW landscapes.

These stories are here to help you imagine what your own day could turn into.

Featured

A Queer Ruby Beach Elopement on the Washington Coast

A sunny, windswept Ruby Beach queer elopement on the Washington coast, plus everything you need to know about planning your own Olympic National Park beach elopement.

A Weekday Sunrise Elopement at Artist Point (Planned in Just 3 Weeks)

A weekday sunrise elopement at Artist Point with two dogs, planned in just three weeks and designed for privacy, calm, and unforgettable mountain light.

A Slow, Intentional All-Day Mountain Elopement That Felt Like Home in the North Cascades

Two-Day Mount Baker + Artist Point Elopement With Guests

If you want an easy-to-get-to elopement ceremony AND all the epic mountain views while actually standing on top of a mountain, this Mount Baker and Artist Point two-day elopement is going to knock your socks off. We had everything from pouring rain, a perfectly clear sunrise, chillier than expected weather, all the way to a cloud inversion where the North Cascades really showed off for us.

All Day Mt. Baker and Artist Point Elopement

Wheeeeeeew, this elopement was notable for quite a few things: Watching the glowing sun go from being hidden behind a North Cascade peak to peeking out as a full sphere over the course of just a few minutes, the lack of any people around us (no seriously, we had 3 hours all to ourselves out there), and being able to see both Mount Baker and Mount Shuksan so vividly from this super secret spot that I love taking couples and their guests.

A dashed gold arrow pointing to the right

gold illustration of a hand drawn dotted arrow pointing left

(absolutely feral wake up call, worth it)

There’s no ‘right’ way to elope.

Long story short?

Two women in elegant black dresses celebrating on a rocky beach at night, opening a champagne bottle with champagne bubbles and spray in the air.

The goal isn’t to create the most adventurous day of all time.
It’s to create a day that feels honest to who you are.

Whatever that looks like to you, you’re allowed to do this your own way.

And if you want help dreaming it up, I’m you girl 💛

Start Planning Your Day

Elopement Planning Resources

Planning Your Elopement

✋ Hold up a sec!

Choosing Where to Elope

Real Elopement Days

There’s no ‘right’ way to elope.

Pricing + Info

Contact

Meet Van

For Photographers

Resources

Van Gachnang

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