Washington LGBTQIA+ Wedding and Elopement Photographer

November 29, 2023

Planning Your LGBTQIA Wedding or Elopement in Washington

I have written tons of guides on how to elope in Washington, but I wanted to make this one specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community! Planning your Washington wedding or elopement should be a fun and exciting experience and so I wanted to write this blog to support you in the process!! You deserve to have wedding and elopement vendors who are supportive of your beautiful love! So keep reading for tons of tips, LGBTQIA-friendly wedding vendors, and the best Washington elopement locations and wedding venues!

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Where to Elope in Washington

Okay, Washington State seriously has so many different locations that are STUNNING for your wedding or elopement! We have rugged coastlines, snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests! I mean, what more could you ask for??

If you are an adventurous couple seeking epic views and a day full of exploring and hiking, then this section is for you. I’m sharing all of the best Washington elopement locations for you to pick from for your Washington LGBTQIA elopement!

Olympic Peninsula Region

The Olympic Peninsula Region is found in the Northwestern corner of Washington. It is a huge arm of land that lies across Puget Sound from Seattle and contains Olympic National Park. To the west you will find the Pacific Ocean, to the North is the Strait of Juan De Fuca, and to the East is the Hood Canal. Here you will find snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, waterfalls, foggy beaches, and stunning blue lakes. Some of my favorite elopement locations in the Olympic Peninsula Region include:

For more information, check out my Olympic Peninsula Elopement Guide!

Northern Region

Here in Washington, we basically consider everything above Seattle to be the Northern Region. There are so many epic locations in this area and you cannot go wrong with an elopement at any of these places!

North Cascades National Park (North Cascades Elopement Guide)
Heather-Maple Pass Loop
Cascade Pass Trail
Stehekin
Mount Baker
Artist Point
Leavenworth

Eastern Region

The Eastern Region of Washington is home to some of my favorite elopement locations including Mount Rainier National Park and Yakima Valley.

Mount Rainier National Park
- Tipsoo Lake
- Silver Forest Trail
- Grove of the Patriarchs
Yakima Valley
Walla Walla

Seattle

If you and your partner are city people then you can’t go wrong with an elopement in Seattle. There are so many fun and unique backdrops that would make the perfect spot for your ceremony or photos. Some of my favorite areas in and around Seattle for an elopement are:

Discovery Park
Downtown Seattle

Washington LGBTQIA+ Friendly Wedding Venues

Adeline Farms

Adeline Farms is a historical gem in Woodland, Washington that offers the most beautiful setting for your wedding. You can enjoy your wedding ceremony under the 600-year-old Oak Tree and then celebrate in the East Courtyard and 100-year-old barn for the reception. One of my favorite things about Adeline Farms besides its beauty is that they offer just about everything you need for your wedding day. They have an onsite florist, a bridal suite, wood accent tables, vintage furniture setups, a bar area and so much more!

Salt Water Farms

Salter Water Farm is a unique venue on the San Juan Islands that is located on 162 acres of land. Located on top of a ridge that overlooks the Salish Sea and the Olympic mountains, the views here are unreal! This venue features the most gorgeous ceremony site overlooking the mountains and ocean and then a rustic yet modern barn for the reception. This venue also offers The Inn which which is super unique lodging that features small cabins, tiny homes, and the barn suite.

JM Cellars

JM Cellars is a modern, family-owned winery in Woodinville, Washington. Surrounded by a seven-acre arboretum, the winery feels like a private lodge nestled in the forest. Imagine aged barrels, twinkling string lights, and chairs draped in sheepskins. Their romantic and rustic decor makes this an amazing wedding venue for a fall or winter wedding. It has really cozy vibes with both indoor and outdoor fireplaces which really sets the mood. The venue has a guest limit of 100.

The Wayfarer on Whidbey Island

The Wayfarer is a beautiful farm wedding venue on Whidbey Island that can host up to 100 guests. The farm offers open, rolling grounds, and an orchard, and has two barns to accommodate your guests. One whitewashed and bright for a possible intimate ceremony or reception. The other barn, complete with an exposed beam ceiling, antique bar, and indoor/outdoor space is perfect for cocktail hour and dancing. On the property, you will find acres of open rolling grass with an old-growth orchard. With so much property, you can choose from several different areas for your ceremony site.

Crockett Farm on Whidbey Island

Crockett Farm is a sister wedding venue to The Wayfarer on Whidbey Island. This is a historical 11-acre farm that features amazing water views from the ceremony site. For your reception, you can celebrate in the large barn on the property which is complete with its original timbers adding lots of character and charm.

Evergreen Gardens

Evergreen Gardens is a wedding venue nestled in a lush canopy of trees! It offers everything you will need for your big day including two separate getting-ready spaces, a large pavilion for your reception, plenty of tables and chairs, a built-in bar, a fire pit, and so much more! They also have the lodge which is a home on the property you can rent out if you want to stay on-site the day before or the night of your wedding!

Twin Willow Gardens

Twin Willow Gardens is a beautiful Washington wedding venue surrounded by nothing but natural beauty. This venue is tucked beneath a canopy of old-growth trees and surrounded by beautiful gardens. For the reception, they offer a massive white tent that is open to all of the surrounding nature. Within the tent, you will find string lights, vines climbing the ceiling, and beautiful light fixtures.

How to Get Your Washington LGBTQIA Marriage License

If the thought of getting your Marriage License as an LGBTQIA couple seems daunting, it’s not at all. It is actually the exact same process because of the 2015 federal legalization of same-sex marriage!! So, all you need to do to obtain your Washington marriage license is:

Fill out the online marriage license application.
After applying online, contact recording@co.whatcom.wa.us so they can send the Application and Affidavit for the Marriage License to you. Both parties must have their signature notarized.
In 3 business days, you will receive a call to pay the $62 application fee. Once you have paid, your marriage license will be mailed to you.
Once you have your elopement ceremony, your officiant must drop off the signed marriage license to be processed.

*Important things to Note:

Washington has a 3-day waiting period, meaning you can’t get legally married for three days after you get your marriage license.
The marriage license will expire within 60 days
You can apply in person or online.