Where to Elope in Washington
Okay, so you’ve decided to elope! That’s great! But now you’re stuck with the question: “where to elope in Washington?!” But have no fear friend, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve put together a guide to help you decide where to elope in Washington and how to do so! From the rugged coastline, to alpine lakes and wild peaks, I’ll cover all the best places west of the Cascades.
In the Rainforest
Washington state is home to not one, but three temperate rainforests! The most easily recognized is the Hoh, but further south is the Qeets and the Quinault. All are beautiful and offer so many unique views and experiences, you won’t be disappointed no matter where you go.
What to know:
The Hoh is one of the busiest locations to elope in Washington, so be prepared for lines and other people unless you aim for a sunrise ceremony or choose to exchange vows during the week in the off season. The Hoh also has limited ceremony locations unless you’re up for a hike. The most famous location is the Hall of Mosses near the Visitor Center, which is open year round.
The Qeets and the Quinault are my personal favorites because they’re far more quieter than the Hoh, but still offer insane, straight-out-of-Ferngully vibe, magical fairytale views. I mean, take a look below and see for yourself!
All of these areas are accessible any time of year, and the above photos were actually taken in February! However that is prime rainy season in the PNW, so if you’re going to elope in Washington and want to avoid the rain, I recommend May through September.
At Mount Rainier
One of my all time favorite locations, Mount Rainier makes you feel like you’re in another country. Her massive towering peak, rolling hills, and the Tatoosh Range to the south all standing witness? Iconic and breathtaking.
What to Know
There’s so much to know about Mt. Rainier, but I’ll keep it simple! There are two main areas to choose from: Sunrise and Paradise. Sunrise is on the North East side of the mountain, Paradise is on the South side. The roads close in the winter time and are not accessible until early summer for both locations. This means if you’re hoping for a June elopement at Mt Rainier, it’s most likely not happening where you’ve seen all the Pinterest worthy photos. One year I had to reschedule a session three times because the trails were still packed in with snow–this was in July! It’s important to check road and visitor center closures on the NPS websites to make sure you can get where you’re hoping to, when you’re hoping to. It’s also important to note that Mt. Rainier creates it’s own weather system, so what’s happening at lower elevations or even in nearby towns, won’t necessarily ring true for what’s happening up at Paradise. Check out the NPS webcams to see what it looks like and be open to change if things get wild, especially later in the year! The best time to elope here would be July through the end of September.
In the North Cascades
Another jaw-dropping location you can elope in Washington is in North Cascades National Park! There are so many possibilities for epic vistas and rugged peaks, especially if you’re up for hiking a little (or a lot). From the Mt. Baker area to over by Leavenworth, you really can’t go wrong and any mountain enthusiast will be in heaven here.
What to know:
Similar to the rest of the mountain locations you can elope in Washington, North Cascades National Park is only accessible certain times of the year. Highway 20, a serene scenic route that connects Seattle to Spokane across the northern part of the state, is closed a good chunk of the year due to snow. So many great places, like Diablo Lake, are along this route so it’s important to know if you can access it! Dogs are also not allowed on trails here, much like the rest of the national parks in Washington.
In Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park is massive and extends over most of the north western Olympic peninsula. While we’ve already touched base on the rainforests, ONP has so much more to offer. From Hurricane Ridge that has sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains, to the rocky beaches of Forks and La Push, you’ll find lush forests and epic lakes to make your wildest elopement dreams come true.
What to know:
Places like Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, and Lake Crescent are accessible all year and all great places to elope in Washington. Be prepared for rain, there’s a reason Twilight was filmed here and the Cullens took refuge under the cloud coverage. Similar to Mt. Rainier, Hurricane Ridge also is closed most days during the winter due to weather. The Olympics also make their own weather, so things can change quickly! Stay flexible and buckle up for insane beauty.
This is a super surface level list of great places to elope in Washington to get your thoughts going on where you want to say your vows! If you love the vibe of a certain area, work with your photographer to find the best location to make your dreams come true. I personally provide a tailored-to-you elopement location guide to each of my couples to help nail down the logistics of where they do their first look, ceremony, and sunset photos. The world is your oyster, friends!
Ready to Elope in Washington yet?!
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