How to Elope in Washington | PNW Elopement Photographer
A while back I wrote a blog listing out my 12 Best Elopement Locations in the U.S. and the very first place that came to mind was Olympic National Park in Washington State. But Olympic National Park is a HUGE park! It spans over nearly one million acres! And that got me thinking about the specific spots within the park for eloping as well as other locations within Washington State. So if “How to elope in Washington State” is in your Google history, buckle up, this is right up your alley!
To best know how to elope in Washington we need to cover the basics. Such as permits, marriage licenses, and officiants laws.
Let’s go over marriage licenses first. Like in most states, in Washington marriage licenses have to be applied for at the county level, usually at the county auditor's office. Marriage licenses are valid for 60 days after the three-day waiting period is up. But be careful to not let the license go past the 60 days because once the license expires, you’ll have to purchase a new one. As far as pricing goes, it varies by county! But it ranges from $33 to $72 depending on where you apply for your license. (You’ll most likely find yourself in the $69-72 range.)
Officiants will have 30 days after the ceremony is completed to return the signed license to the county for it to be valid! (Or face a possible misdemeanor and fine.) So be sure to follow up with your officiant if you choose to hire one. Which brings us to our next topic!
What about officiants in Washington State?
Well, Washington State Law (RCW 26.04.050) specifies who can officiate marriages within the state. To be officiated in Washington you have to be over 18 and fall into one of the categories approved in Washington State Legislature. Such as judges, commissioners, and any regularly licensed or ordained minister or similar official of any religious organization.
If you don’t want to hire an officiant or have your ceremony preformed by a religious official no worries! You can have a friend, family member, or loved one get ordained to preform your wedding!
And last but not least, PERMITS.
Permits are going to work a tad different! These will be based more on your location. So we will go right into the exciting part…
The locations!
Let’s start out with the locations within the magnificent Olympic National Park.
To get married in Olympic National Park, you’re going to need a “special use permit.” The permit costs around $50 and can be submitted online. Just be sure to submit your permit at least 3-4 weeks before your wedding date to allow enough time for processing.
Fill out the application and email it. After the permit application is received, you’ll get a link where you can pay the permit fee online. Just check out the official park website to fill out the application, email it, and get familiar with what is required to use the National Park grounds.
So where within Olympic National Park could you chose to elope in Washington?
One of the most popular locations is Hurricane Ridge.
This is because of how easy it is to access and because of it's visual variety! You can find trails, meadows, mountains, and wildlife here. And if you two are more on the adventurous side this is also perfect since you can access the area in the winter for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. And as long as we are gifted with clear weather, the fantastic views can be enjoyed all year long.
Another favorite is the Hoh Rainforest.
Welcome to both the most unique rainforest in the Pacific Northwest and one of the quietest places in the United States. The Hoh Rainforest is a must-see location, (even if its not your ceremony location). The lush greenery attracts visitors constantly so this is one of the most visited spots in the park. But be sure to be prepare for the loads of traffic in the summer months. (And lots of rain once winter comes around.) It’s everything the Pacific Northwest promises. Say hello to the moody fog, rain, green ferns, and lush forest.
We can’t forget about Lake Cushman.
Covering over a vast 4014 acres, this lake and reservoir is the absolutely beautiful Lake Cushman. This lake sits on the southeast side of the park and attracts lots of visitors. This is especially true in the summer months thanks to picnics, BBQs, water sports, and camping under the stars. I recommend coming here in the spring or fall (maybe even winter if you’re a brave soul) to really take in the spectacular sights.
Of course we have to mention Ruby Beach.
If you are familiar with the town of Forks, Washington you might be a Twilight fan! The iconic Ruby beach can be found near Forks and it’s a popular wedding destination for eloping couples. Full of that well-known and loved Pacific Northwest vibe of driftwood, moody fog, and unique rock formations. There is a good reason why Ruby Beach continues to be one of Washington’s most loved elopement locations.
And lastly, the famous La Push Beach.
La Push is a series of three different beaches. (They are actually named First Beach, Second Beach, and Third Beach). They all have their own signature look, but yet they share a similar vibe. (And they definitely deliver on the promised Twilight nostalgia.) Another selling point is that all 3 La Push beaches are open year round. So you can enjoy a (Twilight) La Push elopement all year.
Now let’s go over some locations to elope in Washington outside of Olympic National Park.
Two other beautiful National Parks are Mt. Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park. For both Mt. Rainier and North Cascade you will need to get a Special Permit for your elopement.
Mt. Rainier has lots of stunning locations within the park. (With some really cool names!)
If you desire a awesome lake view for your dream elopement, I have a couple suggestions in mind. My top two recommendations are Reflection Lake and Snow Lake for some stunning views of Mount Rainier.
If lake views aren’t a priority, Mt. Rainier still has some lovely spots for you. First up there is Paradise! This location within Mt. Rainier is home to rolling green meadows that are abundant in wildflowers. Perfect for the dreamiest elopement in the whole park.
Neck in neck for the dreamiest location is Sunrise. This has the highest elevation in the park with a 360 degree view of the all the surrounding valleys. And a huge plus is that this location is easy to access by car (Just imagine those high altitude views without a long hike.)
And lastly, if you’re looking for a more adventurous and unique side of Mt. Rainier for your elopement, you have to check out the fire lookouts. There are 4 within the park and they have some of the most astounding 360 degree views of the mountains. Keep in mind that you will have a steep hike to get up there, the payoff will absolutely be worth it!
What about North Cascade National Park?
North Cascade is one of the most underrated National Parks. Making an elopement here a more private experience compared to other National parks. And as beautiful, if not more so!
Many people make the error of mixing up Mt. Baker for North Cascade because they’re side by side! But North Cascades National Park is more known for the rugged landscape, glaciers, and many waterfalls.
Some of my favorite locations to elope in Washington within the National Park are Blue Lake, Picture Lake, Artist Point, and Winchester Mountain.
I cannot recommend North Cascade enough, not only for the privacy but also because of the unmatched beauty!
The Pacific Northwest as a whole has my heart and I can’t wait to explore it with you!