How to Elope in the Pacific Northwest
The Ultimate PNW elopement Guide
for the colorful & the queer
Planning an elopement in the Pacific Northwest?
ditch tradition and say "hell yes" to a wedding day that feels like you
Whether it’s barefoot vows on the beach, a foggy forest first look, or mountaintop magic — eloping in the Pacific Northwest is pure enchantment.
As a PNW elopement photographer for the colorful & queer, I’m here to help guide you every step of the way.
But first,
Why Elope in the PNW?
Think:
- Towering mossy forests
- Misty mountain peaks
- Hidden beaches + dramatic cliffs
- Waterfalls and alpine lakes
- All-season magic
It’s the perfect backdrop for couples who want something intimate, meaningful, and full of intention.
1
date & time
2
top locations
3
permits & licenses
4
recommendations
what you need to know about eloping in the pnw
recs
Choose the Best
Date & Time to Elope in the Pacific Northwest
A Seasonal Guide for Adventurous, Colorful, Authentic PNW Elopements
Planning an elopement in the Pacific Northwest? Heck yes — you’re in for a wildly beautiful, deeply intentional day filled with love, adventure, and jaw-dropping scenery. But first things first: how do you choose the best time and date to elope in the PNW?
As a PNW elopement photographer who’s obsessed with creative, colorful storytelling — I’m here to help you pick the perfect season, time of day, and day of the week that’ll align with your vision and avoid those pesky crowds.
Sunrise Elopements:
Magical, Quiet, & Crowd-Free
Eloping at sunrise is hands-down one of the best ways to experience solitude and peace at your dream location.
Imagine hiking under the stars, saying your vows in soft golden light, and having the entire mountain/lake/coastline completely to yourselves before the crowds roll in.
sunrise vs. sunset
elopements in the pnw
Why elope at sunrise?
✔️ Fewer crowds (especially in national parks!)
✔️ Dreamy, soft light for photos
✔️ Cooler temps during summer
✔️ Peaceful + intimate atmosphere
Yes, it’s early. But it’s also pure magic.
Sunset Elopements:
Golden Light, Blue Hour, & Celebratory Vibes
Prefer a slow morning and a golden hour ceremony? Sunset is just as dreamy — especially when you lean into that post-sunset blue hour glow and starry night photo magic.
Why elope at sunset?
✔️ Warm tones + romantic light
✔️ Blue hour is underrated and stunning
✔️ Perfect for champagne toasts + lanterns
✔️ Great for desert or coastal locations
Photos don’t have to stop when the sun goes down — that’s when the magic really starts.
Weekday Elopements =
Fewer Crowds + Lower Costs
If you’re eloping in a popular spot like Mount Rainier, Cannon Beach, or Crater Lake, avoid the tourist traffic by choosing a weekday elopement (Monday–Thursday).
Weekday vs. Weekend:
The Best Day to Elope
Benefits of weekday elopements:
✔️ Minimal crowds
✔️ Easier permit access
✔️ Cheaper lodging + rentals
✔️ Quieter, more intimate vibes
Weekend Elopements:
More People, Higher Prices
Weekends can be stunning, but they’re often busier, especially during summer and fall foliage season. If a weekend is your only option, aim for sunrise to avoid the midday rush.
starting at
spring (march-may)
Vibe: Misty rainforests, waterfalls at full flow, lush greenery
Best for: Waterfall elopements, vibrant forest ceremonies, coastal vows
📍 Top Spring Locations: Panther Creek Falls, Latourell Falls, Olympic Peninsula, Mount Rainier (lower elevations)
✔️ Pros: Wildflowers, fewer crowds, vivid greens
❌ Cons: Possible rain + snow at higher elevations
Seasons in the PNW
When to elope in the pnw
Each season in the Pacific Northwest brings its own flavor of magic. Here's how to decide which one fits your elopement vision best:
Summer (June–August)
Vibe: Sunshine, alpine lakes, mountain wildflowers, hiking adventures
Best for: High-elevation ceremonies, long days, stargazing, water activities
📍 Top Summer Locations: Diablo Lake, Cape Kiwanda, Cannon Beach, Crater Lake, Smith Rock, Mount Rainier (alpine meadows)
✔️ Pros: Open trails, warm temps, epic sunsets
❌ Cons: Crowds, higher travel costs, wildfire potential
Fall (September–October)
Vibe: Vibrant foliage, moody forests, cozy flannels
Best for: Intimate forest elopements, golden-hour portraits, fewer tourists
📍 Top Fall Locations: Columbia River Gorge, Lake Crescent, Rowena Crest, Painted Hills, Southern Oregon Redwoods
✔️ Pros: Stunning colors, fewer crowds, crisp air
❌ Cons: Shorter days, early snowfall in the mountains
Winter (November–February)
Vibe: Cozy, quiet, dramatic scenery, misty beaches or snowy forests
Best for: Coastal elopements, cozy Airbnbs, snowshoeing or skiing elopements
📍 Top Winter Locations: Ruby Beach, Rialto Beach, Hoh Rainforest, Gold Creek Pond, Columbia River Gorge
✔️ Pros: No crowds, romantic vibes, lower costs
❌ Cons: Cold temps, limited access to high-elevation trails
Pro Tips to Help You Pick Your Exact Elopement Date
✅ Avoid holiday weekends and peak travel dates
✅ Check sunrise + sunset times for your location
✅ Build in flexibility — weather changes fast in the PNW
✅ Always have a backup location just in case
✅ Check if you need a permit (especially for national + state parks)
PSA-
the queer,
but i also help you...
- Pick your dream location & beat the crowds
- Navigate logistics & secure permits
- Plan a day that feels authentically you (backup plans too!)
- Document every detail of your day on both film & digital
let's plan your day!
PNW Wedding Locations
Best Places to Elope in the Pacific Northwest
Here are some of my favorite jaw-dropping locations — and yes, I help all my couples find the right spot based on their vision and vibe:
coastline
- Olympic National Park’s Beaches (WA)
- Ruby Beach or Cape Disappointment (WA)
- Cannon Beach & Samuel H. Boardman (OR)
- Big Sur Coast (CA)
forests & Waterfalls
- Hoh Rainforest (WA)
- Silver Falls State Park (OR)
- Snoqualmie Region (WA)
- Redwood National Park (CA)
mountains
- Mount Rainier National Park (WA)
- The North Cascades (WA)
- Mount Hood & the Columbia River Gorge (OR)
- Mount Shasta (CA)
Pro Tip: Permits + logistics can be tricky — I help all my couples with this so you can focus on the fun parts.
Permits
do you need a permit to get married in the PNW?
- A special use permit if you're eloping in a national or state park (like Olympic, Mount Rainier, or Crater Lake).
- Always check the specific park or public land’s website—rules vary by location and group size.
- Leave No Trace principles often apply, and some spots restrict decor, guest limits, or amplified sound.
Need help figuring out permits for a specific location? I'll secure all your permits for your elopement as your PNW elopement photographer!
get help with permits >
Legal PNW Elopements:
Marriage License + Officiant Info
washington state:
- Application: Online (Delivery by Mail)
- 3-day waiting period
- License valid for 60 days
- 2 witnesses required
oregon:
- Application: Mail-In
- 3-day waiting period (can be waived)
- License valid for 60 days
- 2 witnesses required
northern california:
- Application: In Person (required)
- No waiting period
- License valid for 90 days
- 1-2 witnesses required
Officiant Options:
- Bring a friend (they can get ordained for free)
- Hire a professional officiant
- Or I can legally marry you & photograph the day (ask me how)
Work With Your
Dream Vendors
Think:
- Adventure officiants (I can help too!)
- Floral artists
- Stylists + HMUAs
- Elopement planners (if desired)
- Private chefs or picnic curators
Vendors
choosing a photographer who gets you
As a PNW elopement photographer for the colorful & the queer, I’m here for more than just photos — I’m your adventure buddy, emotional support human, and memory-preserver. I’ll help you:
- Pick the perfect location
- Build a stress-free timeline
- Feel comfortable, radiant, and fully seen
- Capture every real, messy, magical moment
Let’s make your elopement a full experience, not just a photoshoot.
LET ME PLAN YOUR ELOPEMENT!
Epic PNW Elopement Accommodations
Cabins at Kalaloch Lodge: Cozy oceanfront cabins, crashing waves outside your window, and the magic of the Olympic coast all around you—Kalaloch Lodge is a dream elopement stay in Olympic National Park. Host your ceremony steps from the bluff, celebrate nearby at a group campsite, and sneak away for sunset portraits at Ruby Beach—just five minutes down the road.
Treehouse Point: Tucked in the mossy woods just outside Seattle, TreeHouse Point is pure forest fairytale vibes. Say your vows beneath towering evergreens, then cozy up in a handcrafted treehouse high above the forest floor—a great place to stay for your Washington elopement in Snoqualmie Valley.
Spend the Night in a Fire Lookout: If waking up above the clouds and stepping straight into your ceremony sounds like a dream—spending the night in a fire lookout is the way to elope in the PNW. These rustic towers offer 360° views, quiet solitude, and front-row seats to alpine sunrises. Imagine saying your vows as the first light hits the peaks—all just steps from your bed. Mount Fremont Lookout could be your elopement location and accommodations all in one!
oregon
The Society Hotel: Chic, historic, and right in the heart of the Portland—The Society Hotel is a perfect stay for couples eloping in Portland. Set in a beautifully restored 1881 building, this boutique hotel offers cozy rooms, a rooftop deck with skyline views, and walkable access to Portland’s best food, art, and nightlife. Elope where forest meets the city at Hoyt Arboretum in Washington Park.
BONUS: They also have a location in Bingen, Washington—a stylish and modern basecamp near the Columbia River Gorge, with a spa-like bathhouse and views of the cliffs.
The Vintages Trailer Resort: Nestled in Oregon wine country, this retro-chic trailer park is full of restored vintage trailers, each with its own quirky charm. Think colorful decor, outdoor fire pits, cruiser bikes, and vineyard views. It’s perfect for couples who want playful, offbeat vibes with a touch of nostalgia. Don't sleep on this unique play to stay for your Oregon elopement!
Headlands Lodge: Perched on the cliffs of Pacific City, Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa blends luxury and wild beauty—making it the ultimate stay for your Oregon Coast elopement. With oceanfront rooms, spa amenities, and epic views of Haystack Rock, it’s the perfect spot to relax, celebrate, and soak in every just-married moment. Headlands Lodge is the place to stay for your Canon Beach Elopement.
california
AutoCamp Russian River: Nestled under towering redwoods near Guerneville, AutoCamp offers sleek, modern Airstreams and luxurious tents for couples who want that blend of outdoorsy and chic. It's the perfect mix of cozy and cool. Just a short drive away, you’ll find Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, an awe-inspiring cathedral of ancient trees—ideal for a quiet, majestic elopement under the giants.
Treebones Resort: For an elopement perched above the Pacific, Treebones in Big Sur delivers unforgettable views and super-unique lodging like yurts and a human nest (yes, really!). The rugged cliffs and dramatic seascapes of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park nearby offer one of the most jaw-dropping ceremony spots on the California coast—with iconic views of McWay Falls pouring into the ocean.
The Madrona: This boutique hotel in Healdsburg oozes artful luxury with a quirky edge. The Madrona combines Victorian charm with modern design, set among lush gardens and rolling vineyards. Just minutes away, Lake Sonoma Overlook offers sweeping views of water, forest, and mountains—an unexpected but totally epic spot to say "I do" in wine country.
washington
Make It Yours:
Ideas for Multi-Day Elopement Experiences
Make It a Honeymoon Road Trip: Why not stretch the magic? Turn your elopement into a romantic road trip through the Pacific Northwest. From mossy forests and misty mountains to epic coastlines, the PNW is perfect for a just-married adventure. Check out Olympic National Park, Columbia River Gorge, and Cannon Beach.
Hit the Trails: If your love story belongs on a trail map, the PNW is your dream come true. Think mossy forests, alpine lakes, wildflower meadows, and summit views that’ll steal your breath (and your heart). Be sure to look into Heather Meadows and Artists Point Trail.
Paddleboarding & Kayaking: Eloping on the water? Yes, please. Whether you want to glide across a crystal-clear lake or float beside alpine peaks. the PNW has the best paddleboarding spots for your elopement adventure. My favorite's are Lake Crescent, Trillium Lake, and Diablo Lake.
From picking the perfect spot and planning a day that feels like you to capturing the beauty of your love story, I’m here to be your colorful sidekick, Type-A goofball, and your favorite third wheel.
Hey, I'm Blake!
pnw elopement photographer & planner
plan your day with me>
"Blake is absolutely incredible! She is so sweet and made taking pictures fun and not uncomfortable! I had so many people come up to me after my wedding and tell me how much they enjoyed Blake being there! We LOVED our engagement and wedding pictures. We are going to cherish them forever. We can’t wait for Blake to take some family photos for us as well!"
- HAILEE & JAKE
"I always look back at my photos with so much joy and admiration. Not only for the special moments that they hold, but for the talent Blake had in capturing them! I loved how she made me feel confident in front of the camera, giving advice on how to pose without the moment feeling forced or awkward. If you’re looking for incredible, high quality photos that capture everything from the sweet details to pure excitement, Blake is the photographer for you!!"
- HAILEY & COLBY
"Blake has an amazing eye for photography. Not just the everyday pics that most expect, but she finds hidden beauty in the not-so-common photos. Very refreshing. And, she's just a bundle of fun energy!"
- RHONDA & KATIE
Location Planning – We’ll pick the perfect spot that fits you two best. I know a bunch of off-the-beaten-path locations, and I’ll take care of any permits so you can focus on the fun stuff.
1
PNW Elopement Photography Packages
ALL packages include...
Timeline Planning – I’ll build a timeline that covers everything, including backup plans. Day of, I’ll keep us on track so you don’t have to worry about a thing.
2
The Elopement Day – You get to elope in a way that feels true to you. I’ll be there capturing it all on film and digital so you’ve got photos that’ll last a lifetime.