get freaking excited.
pacific northwest elopement photographer
my exclusive client elopement guide *after booking*will help you step by step!
So you're ready to plan your Pacific Northwest Elopement but are feeling a little overwhelmed about where to start. Totally get it. The entire PNW is overwhelmingly beautiful it's tricky to narrow down! As an elopement guide, I don't just show up and capture your day. I help you plan and craft your day from the start to make it more unforgettable than you can possibly imagine. In addition, we have an exclusive 93 page clients guide designed to provide information and get you started prior to our face-time planning date.
Dream Big: Dream up what the best PNW elopement looks like to you! Don't consider logistics - just how you feel, what your environment is like and what are you doing?
Hire your photographer: you can literally come to me with nothing other than a vision. I'll help you from there!
Make the Big Decisions: Where, Who + For How Long
Plan out Details: Pacific Northwest Travel logistics, activities, wedding attire + gear
Create a Timeline
Getting Ready to Go!
Have the Best Pacific Northwest Elopement Ever!
considerations before beginning
- A rad BNB: One location that you walk out the back door to an adventure.
- One Stop Shop: One general area outside of where you get ready to explore around.
- Driving Adventure: Hitting different key locations for an epic-photo adventure.
- Hiking Adventure: Getting to a gorgeous spot on foot while taking in and enjoying locations along the way.
- And of course, all the above / any combo.
1. Timeframe: How long are we hanging?
2. where Are we starting at & where you're staying?
3. What adventure below sounds like your dream:
Washington State Elopement Photography Locations and Resources
the best places to elope in the pacific northwest
British Columbia Elopement Photography Locations and Resources
Oregon Elopement Photography Locations and Resources
Northern California Elopement Photography Locations and Resources
- Mount Rainier National Park
- North Cascades / Mount Baker National Park
- Olympic National Park
- Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
- North bend / Snoqualmie / Snoqualmie Pass / Gold Creek Pond
- Leavenworth
- The Desert / Central Washington
- The Coast
- The San Juan Islands
Read more about the 10 best places to elope in Washington state.
- Canon Beach
- Columbia River Gorge
- Mount Hood
- Smith Rock State Park
- Ecola State Park
- Oregon Coast
- Painted Hills
- Crater Lake
- Silver Falls State Park
Read more about the best places to elope in Oregon
- The Redwoods
- Big Sur
- Mendocino
- Yosemite National Park
- Sonoma Coast
- Point Reyes National Seashore
- Mount Shasta
- The Avenue of the Giants
Top 10 places to elope in Northern California
- Vancouver Island
- Squamish
- Whistler
- The Sunshine Coast
- Tofino
- Banff National Park
- Victoria
- Harrison Hot Springs
How to Elope in British Columbia as a US Citizen
The Pacific Northwest is comprised of Washington, Oregon, Northern California and British Columbia. Within each state, there's a few well known regions or destinations but of course, many other gems along the way. Some of these regions can be driven for hours which is why if you're starting to plan your PNW elopement from scratch, it can be easier to start with where you're staying. For example, circumnavigating the Olympic National Park could take 6 hours.
Best PNW Elopement Locations
How to plan your PNW Elopement...start with an Airbnb! Hear me out. If you don't have a set location in mind or a specific viewpoint and/or hike, choosing a place to stay is a great place to start. The PNW offers some really unique Airbnb's and cabins that can serve as a great place to start your elopement. Treehouse? Check. A-Frames? Check.
Keep the things in mind you want to do while you're visiting the Pacific Northwest. Do you want to hike? Explore waterfalls? Relax by your Airbnb? Sometimes determining this first can help all of the other pieces come together!
where to stay for
your pnw wedding
choosing
work with megan
Ready for weddings photos that capture the true spirit of your relationship?
LEt's do this.
Washington has a 3 day waiting period but you can apply online and have the license mailed to your home address. You can apply within 60 days of your wedding date.
1. Hire an officiant to perform a ceremony
2. Have a family member or friend get ordained and perform the ceremony.
3. Have a friend or family member perform a ceremony OR privately read vows and I can legalize your paperwork.
ceremony details
Let's get married
BONUS:
The importance of your vows is even more so with an intimate ceremony. Check out a vow writing workshop that my fellow industry friend created below:
TAPESTRY VOW WRITING WORKSHOP
Seattle Area Application
Tacoma Area Application
Choose one of 3 options:
Marriage License:
Marriage Permits Are Required for
National Parks:
PERMITS
Mount Rainier
Olympic National Park
North Cascades National Park
We recommend submitting for permits at least 4 weeks prior to your event.
General rules include:
• Not impeding the activities of other park visitors.
• Modest decorations may be allowed (additional permissions required).
• The setting up of chairs, tents, or awnings is not permitted.
• Throwing of rice, confetti, etc. is not allowed.
• Leaving no trace and respecting protected fields
Love is meant to be an adventure!
- Gordon B. Hinckley
Sunrise? Sunset? Or somewhere in between? Let me start off by saying the best decision is the one that best fits the experience you’re looking to have on your wedding day. There’s no exact formula for how a day will turn out but there are different pros and cons to choosing a time of day for your elopement and each location, weather forecast and season will render images in a different way. Don't worry, we'll work together to figure out the best time for you! MMP Clients receive a custom timeline as part of our joint planning process! Your coverage includes time for the in-between, pause, guidance and more. An 8 hour day looks different for each couple but here’s a quick example of what a Mt. Rainier elopement could look like:
your pnw elopement Timeline
Slow morning getting ready together while enjoying coffee soaking in the atmosphere
I arrive at the Airbnb + take photos of environmental + bridal details and ya'll getting ready
First look and photos outside the cabin in the evergreen forest and along the riverside
We hop in the car + travel to our trailhead. Quiet time enjoyed together before you say I do
Arrive at trailhead + casually hike while taking some time to enjoy capture along the way
Private picnic along the wildflowers overlooking the view
An intimate ceremony overlooking the mountains and changing colors in the sky
Pop the champagne and sunset portraits begin along the peak
Actual sunset | First dance as a married couple + hike down with headlamp photos
We part ways and you have the evening to enjoy quietly together by the campfire
8-12 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
Slow morning getting ready together while enjoying coffee soaking in the atmosphere
I arrive at the Airbnb + take photos of environmental + bridal details and ya'll getting ready
First look and photos outside the cabin in the evergreen forest and along the riverside
We hop in the car + travel to our trailhead. Quiet time enjoyed together before you say I do
Arrive at trailhead + casually hike while taking some time to enjoy capture along the way
Private picnic along the wildflowers overlooking the view
An intimate ceremony overlooking the mountains and changing colors in the sky
Pop the champagne and sunset portraits begin along the peak
Actual sunset | First dance as a married couple + hike down with headlamp photos
We part ways and you have the evening to enjoy quietly together by the campfire
8-12 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
Sunrise
Lake Crescent
Snoqualmie Pass
Mt. St. Helens
Ruby Beach
Artist Point / Mt. Baker
North Bend
Vantage
Paradise
Anacortes
quick links to washington weather for your pnw elopement
All the details
And I'm not just talking about hiking shoes with your dress or suite.
- If we're starting at your airbnb, wedding attire is on.
- If we're photographing at an easy to access location but it requires some driving to get to, arrive casual and change nearby.
- If we're hiking and elevation is involved, hike in casual clothes and change at the top of your destination. Attire can easily be carried by keeping in a gown/suite bag, folded over once and hung on the back of a backpack. Backpacks are also great for carrying flowers and other miscellaneous items for your ceremony.
What to wear for your pnw elopement
pacific northwest location guide
READ THE GUIDE
10 Best places to elope in washington state
READ THE GUIDE
pnw Elopement Resources
helpful guides
personalized recommendations are shared with each mmp client
VENDOR Recommendations
Partnering with a few high-quality, amazing vendors who can help bring your dream wedding to reality can absolutely elevate your experience and showcase your unique style. Hiring vendors isn’t necessarily about turning your PNW elopement into a big production, but about getting some help so you don’t have to do everything yourself.
The most common vendors that couples hire for elopements & intimate weddings are florists, hair & makeup artists, officiants, chefs & caterers, and videographers.
