So You've Decided to Elope...Now What??
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! You've decided to celebrate your marriage in the best way - the one that is most authentically YOU. I absolutely ADORE intimate weddings & elopements, and think they are the perfect way to ensure that your dream of a perfect day doesn't become lost in the chaos that is a traditional wedding. So you've got the fiancé(e), you've got the sparkly ring...now where do you start on this whole planning adventure?? Let me help guide you on the AMAZING adventure that is planning your adventure elopement in Washington.
STEP ONE - Choose Your Washington Elopement Photographer
Couples who choose a traditional wedding day typically choose their venue & date first, but I always encourage my eloping couples to make documentation of their day a priority! When you aren't inviting vast quantities of people to your wedding day, you are left with MUCH more freedom when it comes to date & location. I STRONGLY encourage you to look to hire your photographer first! I am here to help ensure that your day is captured in the best & most authentic way possible, and that's easiest to do when I'm able to be there for you from the beginning.
Once of the excitement of your day is over, your images & video will be all you have left to remember you adventure by. Choosing a photographer/videographer that you enjoy can make or break the magic of your day! For each of my clients, I choose to invest myself fully. When you book with me, you are booking not only your photographer, but your own personal guide through the wilderness that is planning an elopement! I will help you choose the perfect location for your elopement, offer vendor recommendations based on your chosen location, and be there to celebrate every special moment along the way. On your elopement day, I will capture both photo and video through every sweet moment of the amazing adventure that is your elopement. If you REALLY want to get every angle covered, we can even bring a second photographer along for the ride! The photos & video that I will deliver after your elopement day will be a time capsule to transport you back to your favorite day ever, for years to come. I am here for YOU from start to finish (and in all the years to follow!), and I wouldn't have it any other way❤️
STEP TWO - Select Your Elopement Date & Location
Now we start getting into the nitty-gritty details! What kind of landscape is your favorite? Would you prefer a backdrop of the sweeping alpine in the North Cascades? The wild coastline of the Olympic Peninsula? The lush tree cover of the Hoh Rainforest? Choose ONE aspect that means the most to you, be that the exact location you'd like, or the time of year, and we'll work from there to create your perfect day! Washington is truly one of the most diverse locations in the United States, and I'm here to help you choose the spot(s) that suit YOU & your dream day best! Need a bit of inspiration? Here are just a few of your MANY options:
- Mt. Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest - For those dramatic views of Mt. Baker and Shuksan, with easily accessible locations and trails.
- Central Cascades - The dreamy views of the Enchantments, the adorable Bavarian town of Leavenworth...want European Christmas market vibes mixed with towering peaks? This is the place.
- North Cascades National Park - You want remote, and EPIC? Try the American Alps!
- Mt. Rainier National Park - Let Tahoma cheer you on as you say your vows! The National Park has designated ceremony sites, and makes it easy to distinguish which site will suit you & your party best.
- Olympic National Park - Alpine, rainforest, and coast all in one day - need I say more??
STEP THREE - Fill Your Day With Elopement Activities
There is no shortage of activities you can pack into your elopement day, and the best part of choosing an elopement is that we can curate a day that is totally customized to YOU. Want to feel like your loved ones are included in your day? Read some notes from them before your ceremony! Are you a sucker for a good, old-fashioned ice cream date? We can fit that in before sunset! Obsessed with the vision of Velaris in your dreams? Let's stay up late and capture your love beneath the stars! Here are just a FEW ideas of what we can do to make sure your elopement adventure is most authentically YOU.
- Wake up & watch the sunrise together before getting dressed
- Get brunch at your favorite restaurant
- Take a hike (to your ceremony location, or just for fun!)
- Go kayaking on a nearby lake
- Read letters from loved ones
- Plan a picnic at your ceremony location
- Sit by the campfire & share some s'mores
- Take a ferry ride
- Run into the ocean in your wedding attire
- Get ice cream from a retro diner for dessert
- Relax in a hot tub and talk through the amazing thing that was your wedding day!
- Stay up late & watch the stars (astrophotography is my FAVE)
STEP FOUR - Hire Any Additional Vendors
Now that you know what you want to do when, it's time to hire those vendors! If you've chosen any extra activities that include things like guided tours, now is the time to get those helpful folks booked. And you definitely can't forget the lovely people that will be getting you all dolled up for your elopement! Don't forget about an officiant either (if you don't want me in my role as ordained minister on your elopement day, that is!). Need recommendations for ANY of the vendors you're looking to hire for your day? I'm here to help you choose the BEST Here are a few folks to keep in mind at this stage of the planning process❤️
- Hair & makeup artists
- Florists
- Private chefs
- 4x4 Rentals & Tours
- Vacation planners (I can help you with this, too!)
- Helicopter pilots
STEP FIVE - Apply for Your Washington Wedding License
We're down to the "fun" part...the legal stuff.
Here in Washington, you need to apply for your marriage license within 63 days of your wedding date, as your license is valid for 60 days AFTER a mandatory 3-day waiting period. The initial application process may be completed online, but you still need to pick your license up at the county recorder's office prior to eloping. Again, you MUST use your license within 60 (+3) days of applying, but you do NOT have to get married in the same county that issued your license!
Your wedding license must be signed by an officiant or judge, along with two witnesses (age 14+). How does this work on an elopement day?? Lucky for you, I'm ordained! So I can either recommend an officiant to preside over your vows, or I can personally sign your license for you. And those witnesses?? If you don't want to bring anyone in particular along for the ride on your elopement day, I can either personally arrange witnesses to sign your license, OR (the more fun option) we can find some other public land users to sign for you! I haven't been turned down yet when I've asked random citizens to act as witnesses for the day.
STEP SIX - Have Your DREAM Elopement Day
The day is HERE.
Now is the time to follow through on all of those epic plans made! I'll be there to help you get ready (I've tied more than my fair share of ties, and zipped more dresses than I can count!), give you the time & space to experience EVERYTHING you want included in your day, and capture all of the moments along the way! We'll include all of the things you WANT and none of the things you don't in your day, and in return you'll receive your FAVORITE gallery EVER a few weeks down the line.
So...are you ready for this??
