Couple walking along the Hoh rainforest for their wedding in Washington — Photographs by Sea to Summit Photography

If you're dreaming of a wedding in our beautiful Washington State and Pacific Northwest, you're in the right place! Washington State is filled with stunning backdrops, from towering evergreens and cascade mountains, to our coastal cliffs and the Seattle city charm. Whether you're planning to have an elopement, intimate wedding, or a more traditional wedding, this guide will walk you through how to get married in Washington, including everything from finding the perfect venue, the perfect time to get married, and other details such as securing your marriage license. Let’s dive in!

How to Get Married in Washington State: Step-by-Step

Couple posing after getting married in Washington on the coast

Washington is a fantastic destination for adventure-seeking couples who want to be surrounded by tall evergreens, epic mountains, beautiful alpine lakes, and stunning coasts for their wedding day. Washington is easily an outdoorsy and an adventurer’s dream as there are endless outdoor activities to do here. From hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, sailing, rock climbing…you get the idea, the list goes on and on.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to make sure everything goes smoothly.

1. Choose Your Wedding Location

Washington offers a variety of wedding venues that suit any style or season. Some of the most popular places to get married in Washington include:

1) National Parks and National Forests

Washington couple kissing at Artist point Washington

Washington is home to stunning national parks like Olympic, Mount Rainier, and North Cascades National Park. These spots are perfect for adventurous couples looking to exchange vows surrounded by nature. The best part about these locations is that even if you aren’t a big hiker, there are many ADA accessible spots in all of these parks or some easy trails that will still reward you with jaw-dropping views! Whether you're hiking to a secluded waterfall in Olympic National Park or saying "I do" by one of our mountain tops, Washington's landscapes won’t disappoint. These parks are also very cheap to get married in! Check out my top outdoor wedding venues in Washington blog for more details on getting married in one of these parks. I’ve also added my top 10 best places to elope in Washington guide for more inspiration on where to get married in Washington State!

2) Urban Settings

For couples who prefer city vibes, Seattle has many incredible elopement and intimate wedding locations too. If you’re looking to get married in Seattle City Hall, check out my Seattle Courthouse wedding guide for information on how to get married there.

One of the perks of having the Puget Sound in Seattle, is the ability to get married on a boat! Did you know you can get married at any Washington State Ferry system for free? If you’re looking for some inspiration of what your wedding could look like on a ferry boat, check out this Seattle Ferry boat wedding blog. For overall inspiration of other boat weddings, check out my Seattle boat wedding guide here and learn how you can get married in Washington State on the Sound!

Washington wedding couple looking at the space needle after getting married in Wa on a boat

3) Washington State Parks

Washington State Parks are sometimes overlooked by couples but can offer just as beautiful views of Washington and the PNW without having to drive for hours on end to these destination locations! One of my favorite places for couples to get married in Washington is Deception Pass State Park. I may be a bit biased (yes, my wife and I eloped here), but this place offers stunning views of the San Juan Islands, steep cliffsides, and beautiful trails of old growth trees. If you’re interested in learning more about weddings and elopements in Deception Pass State Park, check out my Deception Pass Elopement Guide!

2. How to Get a Marriage License in Washington

Before you can tie the knot, you’ll need to secure a marriage license in Washington State. Here's how:

-Apply online or in person: You can apply for a marriage license at any county auditor’s office in Washington. If you're in Seattle, for example, you'll visit the King County office, but any county office will work regardless of where you're getting married. You don’t need to get married in the county where you got your marriage license. In other words, you can get your marriage license from one county in Washington and get married in an entirely different county in Washington! You can also apply online for convenience and have your marriage license mailed to you, especially if you are coming from out of state! You can also have your marriage license mailed to your wedding or elopement photographer (such as me!) and have them bring it to you for your wedding day.

-What You’ll Need: Both parties must be present with valid photo identification (like a driver’s license or passport) if going in person. There's no residency requirement, so even if you're traveling from out of state, the process is simple.

-Waiting Period: Washington requires a 3-day waiting period between applying for the license and when it becomes valid. So, plan accordingly!

-Fees: Expect to pay around $60-$80 depending on the county, and most offices accept cash, check, or debit/credit cards.

-Expiration: Your marriage license is valid for 60 days, giving you plenty of flexibility to plan your wedding date. If you’re planning to getting your license mailed to you, I recommend applying about a month in advance as sometimes they may be a bit busy and will need some time to process and ship to you!

For more information about marriage license application and process check out the resources from King County here!

3. Choosing an Officiant

Washington couple kissing after getting married in Washington

In Washington, you have flexibility when it comes to who can officiate your wedding. In addition to religious leaders and judges, Washington law allows for anyone authorized by a religious or secular organization to officiate. If you want a friend or family member to marry you, they can get ordained online through a number of organizations. Just make sure they’re registered in Washington! As a bonus, many wedding photographers such as myself are ordained and can officiate for you as well especially if you want to have a just us elopement or wedding experience.

4. Consider the Best Time of Year

Wedding couple saying their vows in Artist point for their wedding

The weather in Washington can be unpredictable, especially in areas near the coast or mountains. While summer (July to September) is typically the best time for clear skies and the best weather, Washington’s temperate climate makes fall and spring beautiful as well, with rich autumn colors and blossoming flowers. Winter weddings can be magical too, especially with snow-capped mountains in the background. If you want more information about the pros and cons of getting married in Washington for each season, check out my Washington adventure elopement guide where more information on the best time of year to get married in Washington.

5. Find a Wedding Photographer to Capture Your Day

Whether you live in Washington or are traveling from out of state, finding a Washington elopement or wedding photographer to help you capture and document your day that knows Washington State inside and out can be very helpful! As someone who grew up here myself and have been photographing wedding and elopement throughout Washington there are so many things to consider such as permits, following Leave No Trace principles, and help you find those hidden gems for your Washington wedding destination. If you’re interested in learning more about my wedding and elopement packages check out my pricing page by clicking below.

WA Wedding & Elopement Packages

couple at Gold Creek Pond kissing after getting married

Additional Considerations for Your Washington Wedding

Permits for Outdoor Weddings

If you're planning to get married in a national park or another public space, you may need a special use permit. Be sure to check with the park or venue well in advance to make sure you have the right permissions for your ceremony. Many elopement photographers will help with getting these special permit applications and fees taken care of for you so you don’t have to worry about applying for those yourselves.

Accommodation and Travel for Guests (If You Choose to Have Them)

WA wedding couple's friends smiling at their Air BnB

If you're planning a destination wedding or elopement here in Washington, consider the travel logistics for your guests (that is if you’re planning on having guests). Many of Washington’s wedding locations are easily accessible from Seattle, but if you're getting married in a more remote area such as North Cascades, or Mount Rainier National Park, be sure to recommend local accommodations and transportation options. Because traveling and dealing with logistics such as lodging and transportation options can be stressful, I am more than happy to help with providing some resources and even helping you book these places!

Final Thoughts

Getting married in Washington State is not just about the legalities—it's about creating an unforgettable experience in one of the most scenic states in the U.S. With breathtaking national parks and our unique city life, you really cannot go wrong with getting married here in the Pacific Northwest!

Meet Your WA Wedding and Elopement Photographer!

Portrait photo of wedding photographer smiling

This is Doug, the goofball behind the camera! If you found this guide helpful, let me now show you how I can help you with planning, and capturing your dream wedding day! As a born and raised Washingtonian, my goal for all of my wedding couples is to have a wedding day that is authentically you and is an experience that is stress free.

I firmly believe getting married should be an exciting thing, not a hassle or stressor to plan. Simply email me at info@seatosummitphotos.com or fill out the form below. I cannot hear more about your wedding and plans so far!