Where to Elope in Washington | Pacific Northwest Elopement Photographer

Do you want to know something that makes my heart burst with all kinds of excitement?! Helping you find the PERFECT location to fulfill your elopement vision! Oftentimes choosing where to elope is the most challenging part of this whole adventure (and also one of the most important parts!) That’s why I’m sharing my top locations for where to elope in Washington state! If you make it all the way to the end, you’ll find a bonus surprise for our neighbor state, Oregon because who doesn’t want more PNW spots to venture to?!

All MMP clients receive a fully-customized location list as part of our services along with a 93 page elopement guide! 

One thing I love about PNW elopements is that there truly is a location option for every couple and their unique vision. I hope this Wish List helps you bring your perfect Pacific Northwest elopement to life!

Mount Rainier National Park

This is one of the most popular locations to elope in Washington State, and for good reason! No matter how many times I go to Mt. Rainier, I am always captivated by the beauty of this park. 

Regardless of what season you’re wanting to elope in, Mount Rainier has stunning options for you – from accessible locations you can easily drive to, to locations that require more adventuring and will give you more intimacy.

Here’s more information on how to plan your Mount Rainier Elopement.

To see examples of Mount Rainier elopements in a variety of seasons, here are some of my favorites… 

Hiking Elopement at Mount Rainier National Park

Snowy Mt. Rainier Elopement at Paradise 

Destination Elopement at Mount Rainier National Park

Fall Mount Rainier Elopement

North Cascades National Park

The North Cascades are by far one of my personal favorite places for a PNW elopement. Located in Northern Washington, there are SO many options, both inside the National Park and in surrounding National Forests (which also means there are dog friendly options!) This closest large city to this location, Bellingham, is one of my favorite towns in Washington!

Summer Elopement in The North Cascades 

Artist Point Elopement

Diablo Lake Elopement

Where to Elope in the North Cascades

Olympic National Park

If you haven’t figured out where to Elope in Washington State yet, the Olympic National Park truly has it all! From rugged peaks and alpine lakes to fields of flowers and distinct coastlines – it’s no wonder people choose to go here for their Washington elopement.

Because of the boundless variety and beauty this park has to offer, I’ve written a blog post going more into the details of what an elopement might look like for you. If Olympic National Park is on your PNW location Wish List, check out my guide with all the details you need to help you elope there!

How to Elope in the Olympic National Park

And of course, you wouldn’t want to miss out on these cuties if you’re planning an elopement at Hurricane Ridge!

Hurricane Ridge Elopement

Mount St. Helens

A PNW classic, Mount St. Helens has such a unique beauty to offer. With viewpoints in lava flows, and gorgeous meadows in the summer, Mount St. Helens is a beautiful place for your Pacific Northwest elopement. This area is really unique and the wildflowers here in early Summer are absolutely breathtaking.

As an extra bonus, most locations are in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, making it a great  location for dog-friendly elopements.

Foggy Mount St. Helens Elopement

Mount Adams 

Located on the eastern side of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Adams is one of the most underrated areas to elope in Washington state. Because it’s less popular, this is a great option for the mountain-loving adventurers who want a more intimate and adventurous elopement. 

There are a variety of location options depending on your preferences. For accessibility and the ability to bring loved ones, Takhlakh Lake is a beautiful location with campsites all along the lake. 

For a more adventurous elopement, Killen Creek Trail provides you with stunning mountain views, beautiful meadows of wildflowers, and clear alpine lakes. A few miles in, this hike intersects with the Pacific Crest Trail and if you go north an additional mile there is a small, lesser-known lake just off the trail that is a great place for a more intimate elopement. 

Many locations in this area do require a higher clearance vehicle, but with a little extra planning Mount Adams is an amazing location for your PNW elopement.

The Washington Coast

For those who dream of a unique coastal elopement, Washington state does not disappoint. One additional benefit to choosing a coastal elopement is more open spaces to disperse from any crowds that might be there, allowing for more intimacy for your day. 

Summer Elopement at Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach Elopement

Scenic Beach State Park Engagement

 

Bonus PNW Wish List: Eloping in Oregon

Mount Hood

Mount Hood easily makes the PNW Elopement Wish List! Whether you’re looking for a summer  hike, a winter snowshoeing adventure, or a more accessible lake view – Mount Hood National Forest has it all. 

Because it’s a popular skiing and snowboarding area, it’s also well-maintained and accessible all year round. It’s also not far from Hood River, a beautiful area known for good eats, fruit orchards, lavender farms, and romantic stays.

For those of you looking for a little bit of everything, Mount Hood is a great place to consider for your Pacific Northwest elopement.

Bend & Sisters

Bend and Sisters are two Oregon towns that in my mind go hand-in-hand. Only 30 minutes apart, both have beautiful mountain views, fun places to visit (and eat!), and cozy get-away locations.

Both are located on the edge of the Willamette National Forest. They are perfect locations if you’re looking for a cabin getaway with beautiful mountain adventures, evergreen forests, and fun activities to do before/after your elopement.

The Oregon Coast 

Much like the Washington Coast, the Oregon Coast has so much to offer! With rugged sections  of coastline and wide open beaches, it’s a great option for those looking for a West Coast elopement. 

A few beautiful elopement locations to highlight include Cape Kiwanda, the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, and the historic town of Astoria.

Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake is a beautiful option for a PNW summer elopement, or for a romantic snowy one (it’s snowy most months of the year)! 

With various hikes as well as easy-to-access options, this is a great park whether you’re looking for an adventurous and intimate elopement, or if you want to have more of your loved ones by your side. 

Desert

While both Washington and Oregon have portions of desert for the desert lovers, I’ve highlighted Oregon in this PNW Wish List for three specific areas that are particularly cool for an elopement!

First is the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. It is such a unique location, and one that many people don’t even know is in Oregon! It’s also located not far from Bend, OR so if you’re thinking you’d want a combination of desert and evergreen environments, this would be a great location to consider. You will need to apply for a Special Park Use Permit if you choose to have your PNW elopement here.

Similarly, Smith Rock is also near Bend and is a super cool location. Check out this blog post I shared of a Friendsgiving trip I was a part of at Smith Rock to see if this might be the location for you. One important thing to note, if you’re wanting to elope here you’ll have to contact the Park Manager directly. For more information regarding this process, check out this page.

Finally is the Alvord Desert. If you’re looking for a unique desert experience, this place takes the cake. Located near the Steens Mountain Wilderness, it’s a beautiful combination of desert and mountain peaks.

The Pacific Northwest truly has it all, and I hope this helps you narrow down your vision for Where to Elope in Washington State or Oregon! 

Can’t wait to meet you!

-Meg

To see more pacific northwest elopements photographed by MMP, click here!

Megan Montalvo is a PNW Elopement photographer based out of Seattle, Washington. Megan offers intimate wedding and elopement photography to surrounding PNW destinations such as Tacoma, Olympia, Mount Storm King, Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, Mt. Rainier, Lake Quinault, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Pass, Cle Elum, Suncadia, Leavenworth, Ruby Beach, Cape Kiwanda, Canon Beach and the San Juan Islands.