Washington is home to breathtaking views, beautiful landscapes and dream-worthy elopement locations. If you haven’t already checked them out or added them to your list this is absolutely your sign to do so!! Washington is a gem filled with a ton of locations so I get it; figuring out where to start looking can be tough! Lucky for you I’ve whipped together some of our absolute favorite elopement locations in Washington. Without a doubt these are, in our opinion, the BEST places to elope in Washington.
On our list you’ll find Olympic National Park (NP), Stevens Pass, Mt. Rainier NP, and North Cascades NP, these are just four of the many amazing destinations Washington has to offer. So don’t worry if any of these don’t fully fit your cup of tea, the location for you is out there!! If you’re not local to the Washington area there are going to be some elements you’ll want to keep in mind when planning your destination elopement. It can be tricky trying to navigate through the rules and restrictions so we’re here to help! After photographing many elopements we know a thing or two about what you definitely should keep in mind when selecting a destination elopement in a location like Washington.
Olympic National Park
What a destination. Olympic National Park is a gorgeous spot and an incredible option when it comes to eloping in Washington! This park is close to the coast and offers many locations to choose from. The beautiful landscapes range from roaring mountains and coastal views to magical forests. You truly can have the best of both worlds here!
Our gorgeous couple, Kristen and Tyler, were totally down for the adventure. We were able to hit the whimsical forests of Olympic NP AND the beautiful coast. The photos we captured of their Washington elopement were absolutely stunning. There’s just something about the way that golden hour glow hits Olympic NP that is just oh so delicious!!
Stevens Pass
We absolutely adore Stevens Pass, it is such a beautiful elopement location in Washington! One of Stevens Pass’ best traits is that it offers a ton of options for different types of photos and videos. So, during your elopement you can really do it all! But with a wide variety of options does sometimes come limitations, which brings me to the first thing you should keep in mind when eloping in Washington: The Season.
Seasons In Washington
Washington is gorgeous year-round, but depending on the vibe you’re going for (and if you’re okay with the cold) you’re definitely going to want to look into which season suits your expectations. Stevens Pass is stunning in the summer!! I’m talking lush green forests and epic views if you’re adventurous enough for the sweet little hike to the top. But, if you choose the winter months you definitely need to prepare for the cooler weather, and even snow! In addition to the beauty of Stevens Pass, we LOVE the fact that it is surrounded by the cutest little towns with local diners and dive bars for the ideal wedding reception dinner. In Stevens Pass, you really can have everything you’ve been dreaming of!
Mt. Rainier National Park
Mt. Rainier NP is a STUNNER and we want to explore a lot more of it! If Mt. Rainier is on your elopement destination dream list like it is ours, send us an inquiry for our discounted bucket list elopement packages! Mt. Rainier is full of hidden treasures around every corner and features a little bit of everything: cliffside’s, meadows, forest, snow-capped mountains, lakes, streams, and MORE! I mean truly if you’re looking for the epitome of a Pacific Northwest elopement, then Mt. Rainier NP may just be the perfect place for you.
Obtaining Permits
National parks provide many locations to choose from and that is partially what makes them SOO desirable. But, keep in mind that with national parks you’re definitely going to run into one very important detail: Obtaining Permits. The beauty of Washington does sometimes come at a cost, so be sure to do your research and see if you’ll need a permit and what kind. Many locations in Washington do require a permit and with some locations you’ll need to request the permit in advance. But, don’t let that scare you! We would love to guide you through that process.
North Cascades National Park
Helloooo beautiful. We haven’t yet had the chance to photograph an elopement at the National Cascades NP but we are seriously dying to!! North Cascades NP is one of the best places to elope in Washington and we are just hoping one of our clients chooses it soon. We had to add National Cascades NP to the list due to its beauty, the mountains are covered in evergreens, are capped with snow, and surround one stunning lake. If you’re as obsessed with the thought of a North Cascades NP elopement let us know because we will BE THERE!!
One last thing we do want to point out to you when planning your Washington elopement is hiking. Do you want to hike on your wedding day? For some couples a hike to their elopement destination is a no-brainer, they absolutely HAVE to do it to get those views. But, others may just want to pull up to their destination without trekking out far. Be sure to keep yourselves and any guests you may have in mind as well when deciding whether or not to have a destination that requires a bit of a hike. As your photographers, we are absolutely up for the challenge!! But, some of your friends and family may just not be as comfortable with that.
Isn’t Washington just the best?! When we say we love photographing elopements here we mean it. The versatility of the natural landscapes, stunning seasons, and fun little towns add up to create the perfect elopement. Don’t see a destination you’re dreaming of on our list? No problem!! No location in the Pacific Northwest is a bad destination, so let us know the spots you’re looking at. We are always looking to check out new places to elope in Washington!
If you’re looking for the perfect photographer to capture your Washington elopement, we’d be thrilled to chat! Reach out and let’s start planning.
