Few places on Earth offer rainforests, beaches, and mountains just hours away from each other, but the Pacific Northwest (PNW) does. Whether you’re dreaming of saying your vows in a foggy forest, picnicking on a mountaintop, or taking a dip in an alpine lake, the PNW has it all (and more) for your elopement.
If a PNW elopement is calling your name, you’re in the right place. This step-by-step guide covers everything from top elopement spots to weather, permits, and more. Let’s dive in!
Step 1: Choose the Best Place to Elope in the PNW
Let’s start by choosing your elopement location—mountains, lakes, and beaches (oh my!). If you need help deciding, this is my list of the 7 best places to elope in the PNW.
Washington
Olympic National Park
I might be a little biased, but Olympic National Park (my favorite national park) is hands-down the best place for a PNW elopement, and here’s why. It’s the most diverse national park in the U.S., home to pine forests, lakes, mountains, rivers, hot springs, waterfalls (over 10,000!), rainforests, beaches, and heaps of wildlife. And that’s just the beginning…
The park is massive. You could explore for five days and still barely scratch the surface. Just a three-hour drive from Seattle, Olympic is accessible year-round, with snow-free locations no matter the season!
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park, known as the “Swiss Alps of America,” is one of the most epic (and least visited) national parks in the U.S.—making it a perfect spot for a PNW elopement. With huge mountain ranges, massive glaciers, crystal-clear alpine lakes, and 400 miles of hiking trails, this park is a dream for nature lovers.
Just three hours from Seattle, North Cascades is best explored in the summer and early fall when the trails are clear and the views are unbeatable.
Mt. Rainier National Park
Last but certainly not least on our Washington list, we have Mount Rainier National Park. As one of the most-visited national parks in the U.S., this park offers everything from wildflower meadows and rushing rivers to old-growth forests and amazing mountain views. This park is pretty popular (it’s right outside Seattle), so be sure to plan ahead if you want to avoid the crowds.
Oregon
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Samuel H. Boardman, located in Southern Oregon near Brookings, has become increasingly popular—and for good reason. The scenery here is absolutely unreal, with sand dunes, hidden beaches, and stunning cliffside views. It’s one of my favorite spots to shoot and undoubtedly one of the best places to elope in the PNW. Plus, it’s right next to Redwood National Park, so you can experience a variety of different landscapes on your elopement day.
Columbia River Gorge
If you love waterfalls, the Columbia River Gorge is the perfect PNW elopement location. Nestled between the Oregon and Washington border, the gorge boasts over 90 waterfalls on the Oregon side alone! This area is a popular summer destination, with countless hiking trails, biking paths, and stunning waterfalls to explore. Keep in mind, during peak season, you may need a driving permit due to the high traffic in the area.
Northern California
Redwood National Park
When most people think of the Pacific Northwest, they picture green forests and rainy weather—and Redwood National Park checks those boxes perfectly. Located along the Northern California coast, it’s one of the most peaceful spots for adventure elopements. The park is remote, with countless hidden gem. As a local, I can tell you that this is one of the best places to elope in the PNW. Black sand beaches, fern canyons, and elk await.
Mt. Shasta
Mt. Shasta is a true hidden gem and one of my best-kept secrets, though I love sharing it with my couples. Located in Northern California, it’s the 5th tallest mountain in the state and the 2nd tallest in the Cascade Range. Surrounding Mt. Shasta, you’ll find lakes, forests, waterfalls, and much more. If you’re looking for a mountain location without the crowds, no look further. Mt. Shasta is the place to elope.
Step 2: Choose Your Date
The best time of year to elope in the PNW is usually May-June or September-October, though each state’s weather varies. See the pros and cons of each season below!
Summer (June-August)
Summer in the PNW draws visitors for clear hiking trails, wildflowers, and sunny weather, but it also brings crowds, higher prices, and traffic. That said, the wildflowers in places like Rainier and Olympic in July and August are stunning and why many people make the trek out west to see.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Warm weather – No snow or rain – Lots to do in the towns and national parks – Wildflowers – Open and accessible trails | – Crowds – Expensive rental cars and lodging – Traffic |
Fall (September-October)
Fall is my favorite time to photograph elopements in the PNW. Though short lived in higher elevations, it offers stunning colors, lower prices, and fewer crowds. Some areas, like the North Cascades, attract more visitors for their fall foliage, but most spots remain crowd-free.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Less crowds – Fall colors – Snow-free trails – Cheaper lodging and rental car prices | – Chillier weather – Higher chance of rain and snow – Certain trails see a spike in visitors due to the fall colors |
Winter (November-March)
Winter in lower-elevation areas like Olympic or Redwood National Park is incredible, though expect rain—and lots of it. If you don’t mind the rain, you’ll be rewarded with empty trails, low pricing, and lots of wildlife sightings. Higher elevations, like North Cascades and Mount Rainier, are often inaccessible due to snow.
| Pros | Cons |
| – No crowds – Cheaper lodging and rental car prices – Even lighting for photos – Vibrant greens | – Chillier weather – Rain and snow – Less available location options |
Spring (April-May)
Spring is similar to winter, but with the chance to see even more wildlife and peak waterfall flow (hello, Olympic!). Like winter, most high-elevation areas are inaccessible until June or July. However, it’s still a great time to visit the coast and more populated areas for a crowd-free experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| – Less crowds – Cheaper travel – Even lighting for photos – Waterfalls at their peak – Greenery at its peak – Tons of wildlife | – Chillier weather – Rain and snow in higher elevations – Less available location options |
Step 3: Hire Your Vendors
It’s time to hire your elopement vendors! Many book up quickly, so secure your favorites. Consider a photographer, videographer, florist, hair and makeup artist, or others. I always recommend hiring your photographer first, as they can guide you on how to obtain a permit, show you hidden gem trails, and give you insider tips about weather and popular dates.
Step 4: Get Your Special Use Permit
If you’re eloping in a national or state park, or national forest, you may need a “special use permit.” Fees range from $50-$300. To check if a permit is needed, search “[elopement location] wedding permit” or ask your photographer—they’ll know where to send you. Obtaining a permit is usually very easy and can be done entirely online. Apply about 3 months before the big day.
Step 5: Book Your Travel and Activities
Book the cute Airbnb, splurge on first class, and rent that luxury car you’ve always wanted. While you’re at it, don’t forget to plan some fun activities for your trip. Consider adding something special to your elopement day to elevate it that much more. Here are some ideas:
- Go whale watching in Alaska
- Be a tourist in Portland and try out all the famous food spots like Voodoo Doughnuts
- Go hiking through the redwoods of Northern California
- Go kayaking through Washington’s different islands
- Have a bonfire with s’mores in the woods or on the beach
- Check out one of the 1,000s of waterfalls around
- Take a dip in the local hot springs
- Go wine tasting at a vineyard
- Visit an island for your ceremony
- Take a hot air balloon ride
- Go skiing in the winter
- Visit a national park
- Get rained on in a rainforest
- Take a wildlife tour
- Have a picnic on top of a mountain
Step 6: Get Your Marriage License
To make your ceremony official, you’ll need a marriage license. Washington and Oregon allow mail-in and online applications, while California requires in-person applications.
Here are helpful guides with step-by-step instructions on how to get a marriage license in each state:
Step 7: Create a Timeline
We’re almost there! Now, create a timeline to ensure your day runs smoothly. Here are some sample timelines to help get you started:
8-Hour PNW Elopement
- 12:00pm – Getting ready pictures at the Airbnb
- 1:00pm – Leave for a hike in the mountains
- 1:30pm – Arrive and prep for the trail
- 3:00pm – Intimate ceremony and portraits at an alpine lake
- 4:30pm – Head back to the car
- 6:00pm – Cake cutting/FaceTime family
- 6:30pm – Leave for an intimate candlelit dinner
- 7:00pm – Dinner with a sunset view
- 8:00pm – Photo coverage ends
4-Hour PNW Elopement
- 5:00pm – Getting ready photos at the Airbnb
- 6:00pm – First look
- 6:15pm – Leave for a ceremony at a waterfall
- 6:30pm – Ceremony with friends and family
- 6:45pm – Family portraits
- 7:15pm – Toasts and family picnic
- 8:00pm – Golden hour portraits
- 9:00pm – Photo coverage ends
Step 8: Elope in the PNW!
You’re all set! You’ve planned the PNW elopement of your dreams. Bookmark this guide for future inspiration or help, and feel free to reach out with any questions. In the meantime, check out my elopement packages below. Oh, and don’t forget the umbrellas!
PNW Elopement Packages
I’m Brianna, a Pacific Northwest elopement photographer here to help you plan and capture your day. I offer a fully customized experience, including location suggestions, vendor recommendations, permit assistance, and more. To learn about my elopement packages, visit my elopement packages page or get a sneak peek below.
PNW Elopement Package Pricing
- 4 hours – 2 days of elopement coverage anywhere in the PNW
- A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
- Personalized elopement location recommendations
- Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
- Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
- 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
- Customized elopement timelines
- Optional complimentary officiant services
- Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
- Complimentary album design
- 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
- Travel fees to anywhere in Washington are already included
- Starting at $8,000
Don’t forget your FREE elopement guide!
An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.
You? You’re the kind of person that gets a lil’ teary eyed looking at an epic view…
That moment when you turn to the person you’re with and ask, “Are you seeing this?” I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, “I can’t believe this place exists,” I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.
These places have always felt like home to me. And if you’re the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then we’ll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.
If the mountains/beaches/redwood forests are calling your name, go ahead…
(I promise you won’t regret it.)
P.S. I’m Brianna. My mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.
