Table of Contents:

• Pros & Cons of Eloping in Washington in the Winter
• How to Prepare for Your Winter Elopement in Washington
• What to Pack for Your Washington Winter Elopement
• 6 Best Places to Elope in Washington in the Winter
• Washington Winter Elopement Photographer

I know Washington State is most famous for its lush green meadows, colorful wildflowers, and bright blue summer skies, but have you ever seen it in the winter? Snow-covered mountain ranges as far as the eye can see, moody gray skies. . . it becomes the most magical winter wonderland. This guide is all about how to plan a winter elopement in Washington, including the logistics of picking an accessible location, essential items to pack in your bags, practical weather advice, and more tips to make sure you have the dreamiest, most stress-free day possible.

Looking for winter elopement locations in Oregon instead? Here you go!

Pros & Cons of Eloping in Washington in the Winter

Let’s start with the pros and cons of eloping in Washington in the winter, since it’s definitely a double-edged sword!

Pros:

Winter wonderland magic

First off, the snowy landscapes of Washington in the winter truly feel like something out of a storybook. The chilly temperatures may not be for everyone, but they sure do bring a unique charm to the natural beauty and gorgeous scenery across the state, whether you’re at the base of a mountain covered in snow or in the middle of a dense rainforest in the pouring rain. I’m personally such a massive fan of all the moody + romantic Twilight vibes, you know?!

All the cozy vibes

Who doesn’t love a cozy winter day, cuddled up inside underneath a blanket with a hot drink in hand? Summer elopements are bright, vibrant, and energizing, while winter elopements can be much more slow, relaxed, and cozy. I can just picture a cutie couple saying their vows out in the rainforest or in front of an iced-over waterfall, exploring and taking romantic portraits in the rain, and then going back to an A-frame Airbnb where they sip on hot chocolate, read their favorite books together, and end the night stargazing + relaxing in a hot tub. 10/10 recommend finding an Airbnb that has a hot tub, sauna, or at least a spacious bathtub so you can warm up after spending time in the cold outside!

Here’s a list of the 25 Best Airbnb’s in Washington + Oregon to help you start your search for the perfect place to stay.

Fewer crowds

Washington is famous for its glorious summer days, mountain views, and wildflowers, but the thing is that everyoneee wants to experience it. Which means if you want to elope at a popular location (such as Mount Rainier), you’re most likely going to run into quite a few crowds + other visitors, and it’ll be hard to find privacy for your elopement ceremony. If you’re up for a colder elopement, you’ll be rewarded with a lot more seclusion in most areas, since not as many people like being outside in the winter and there won’t be as many hikers. 

Lower travel + accommodation costs

Because peak tourist season happens in the summer in Washington, that’s also when prices go up for things like travel and accommodations. Winter typically sees lower costs, since many flights and accommodations aren’t as competitive in the winter (except for places like ski resorts), so you may be able to save some money by eloping in the winter!

Fun winter activities

If you’re super into winter sports and being active in the snow, then you are going to LOVE Washington in the winter. We’ve got some of the best skiing opportunities in the country, as well as endless beautiful trails that are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. How fun would it be to snowshoe to your ceremony location, stay the night at a luxurious ski resort in the mountains, and then hit the slopes the next day with your friends and fam?!

Cons:

Limited locations

The main disadvantage to eloping in Washington in the winter is the lack of locations that are accessible. We’re all familiar with places like Mount Rainier, the North Cascades, Mount Baker. . . all the iconic mountain destinations that people travel across the country to visit in the summer. But sadly, the majority of these locations are covered in snow when the winter season arrives, especially those at high elevations. You won’t be able to access all the amazing trails that you would in the late summer or early fall, which isn’t ideal for couples who are dreaming of an epic hiking or backpacking elopement. So keep in mind that we’ll have to look at other options + pick locations that will be accessible even in the winter weather.

Cold weather + snow

Obviously! If you’d rather be warm on your elopement day than freezing cold and snuggled up under multiple jackets/layers of clothing, then a winter elopement probably isn’t for you. To elope in the winter and have an incredible experience, you need to be down to be outdoors even in chilly weather, and you need to be okay with the possibility of plans changing! You can never predict what the winter weather will bring—it might be clear blue skies one day and a snowstorm the next. Winter elopements require a sense of adventure and a readiness to embrace whatever may happen, so if that doesn’t sound like you, maybe consider a spring, fall, or summer celebration instead.

Travel delays + road closures

On that same note, winter in Washington also comes with lots of travel delays and road closures. Driving across Snoqualmie Pass in winter conditions can get pretty treacherous, and the pass sometimes even closes in the worst of weather—so it’s important to pick a location that has a smaller chance of extreme weather conditions that could really affect your travel plans. You can monitor road statuses and weather conditions across the state on the WSDOT website; this way, you’ll be prepared if there are any travel delays or road closures you need to be aware of on your elopement day!

Less daylight

Finally, winter days simply have less daylight—which means we’ll have less natural light to take advantage of on your elopement. This definitely isn’t a bad thing, because I actually LOVE taking photos after dark + during blue hour (find out why here!); they can be sooo magical, creative, and romantic. We’ll have to take sunrise and sunset times into account when planning your timeline, and with less daylight, certain parts of your day might be just a touch more condensed than they would be in the summer. But again, there is so so much beauty in the dark and I absolutely love getting creative with lanterns, twinkle lights, car headlights, headlamps, starlight, and more!

Want to know what the other seasons are like in the PNW? Read through my guide to How to Choose the Best Time to Elope in the PNW.

How to Prepare for Your Winter Elopement in Washington

Now, let’s talk about how you can best prepare for your Washington winter elopement to make sure everything is safe, stress-free, and unforgettable for you + all of your loved ones.

Hire an experienced Washington elopement photographer

I’m definitely biased on this one, but I believe it’s so important to hire a Washington elopement photographer who has experience shooting in the winter. And not just one photoshoot on a snowy day, but REAL experience being out in the elements with a couple, covering their cameras with weatherproof gear, and adjusting timelines on the fly due to an unpredictable snowstorm. Your photographer is going to be a huge part of your elopement day (since they’ll be there for most of it!), so you want to make sure you work with someone you can really trust to take care of you. And not just to take care of you, but someone who will capture your day in all of its authentic, genuine magic, no matter the weather conditions. I’ve worked in pretty much all kinds of weather, so I know how to document breathtaking landscapes and beautiful couples in rain, snow, hail, sleet, or shine.

Prepare ahead of time + monitor the weather

Like I said earlier, it’s impossible to truly predict what the weather will be like on your elopement day, but you CAN start monitoring it ahead of time to get an idea of what to expect. If you can look at the weather forecast in the week or so before your elopement, you should get a pretty good look of what the conditions may be like, and then we can adjust plans if necessary. Preparing in advance is also super important in making sure you have all the proper clothing, accessories, etc. to keep you dry and warm while we’re exploring outside! That’s exactly why I wrote this guide and included a packing list, so you can plan ahead instead of throwing everything together at the last minute.

Create backup plans

Having backup plans is suchhh a big one, y’all—without backup plans, your elopement timeline could be totally thrown off if the weather isn’t what you expected, and it could end up causing a lot of stress day-of. And we don’t want that! By having at least one or two backup locations just in case of any road or trail closures, we can make sure that no matter WHAT happens, you’ll be ready to go with the flow and have the most incredible day 🙂

Download offline road + trail maps

This one is important all year round if you’re going to be driving anywhere that might not have cell service, but ESPECIALLY in the winter to help keep you safe! Sometimes extreme weather can impact power lines and cause unexpected outages, but also you want to be prepared just in case you get stuck somewhere due to snowy roads and need to know your way around. It’s super easy to download offline maps of large areas on Google Maps, and for routes on apps like AllTrails as well.

Prep your car for winter weather

Make sure to prepare your car + your guests’ cars for winter weather ahead of time by having winter or all-weather tires, a high-clearance or 4WD car if necessary, and equipment such as chains, ice scrapers, jumper cables, extra windshield wipers, etc. stored somewhere. It’s always a great idea to have a First Aid kit in your trunk, as well as any other emergency or safety items like a GPS, blankets, snacks, extra water, anything that helps you to feel safe on a road trip. Again, especially in unpredictable winter conditions!

Get ready to embrace anything

All the practical stuff is important, yes, but honestly, I think THIS is the key to having an amazing elopement no matter the weather: you have to be ready for anything, and you have to be prepared to go with the flow. Embrace the snow, the rain, the wacky timeline adjustments at the last-minute. . . trust that your day will go exactly how it’s supposed to, and that all you can really do is embrace the adventure + all the beauty that comes with it.

What to Pack for Your Washington Winter Elopement

Next, let’s make sure you’re ready to elope in the winter with all the essential items you should pack! I’m sure there are more I’m forgetting, but here are the must-haves you won’t want to forget to bring with you to your winter elopement:

• Gloves
• Scarves
• Earmuffs
• Hats
• Waterproof rain jacket
• Waterproof shoes/hiking boots
• Faux fur coat/shawl
• Thick winter coat
• Wool socks (+ an extra pair or two)
• Insulated winter hiking boots
• Hand warmers (electric ones are the bestttt)
• Insulated water bottles with hot drinks (coffee, hot chocolate, tea, etc.)
• First-Aid kit
• Blankets
• Thermal layers to wear under your elopement attire
• Portable phone chargers
• GPS
• Headlamps
• Lanterns

For a full list of items I recommend bringing to your adventure elopement no matter the season, head over to my Adventure Elopement Packing List.

6 Best Places to Elope in Washington in the Winter

Now that we’ve covered all the practical parts of eloping in the winter, let’s dive into the more fun stuff: WHERE to elope in Washington in the winter. These are 6 of my favorite Washington winter elopement locations, from beaches on the Olympic Peninsula to alpine lakes in the middle of the mountains.

1. Ruby Beach

You truly cannot go wrong eloping at Ruby Beach at ANY time of year, but it’s by far one of the best winter locations due to the lack of snowfall it receives. Located on the southern coast of Olympic National Park, Ruby Beach is a stunning stretch of shoreline featuring unique rock formations, piles and piles of driftwood, and freaking epic sunsets. The sea stacks at Ruby Beach are pretty iconic and serve as such an inspiring backdrop to any elopement, whether it be on a cloudy coastal day or in the brilliant sunlight. Coastal beaches like this stay pretty free of snow, so they’re usually a very safe bet for winter access!

Click here for some dreamy Ruby Beach engagement photo inspo 🙂

2. Rialto Beach

Rialto is just as stunning as Ruby Beach, located right off La Push road with allll the dark and gloomy Twilight vibes. La Push is literally the setting of the Twilight series—see more Twilight-inspired elopement locations here! The coastline scenery at Rialto is beyond enchanting, creating the dreamiest atmosphere for a vow exchange, oceanside portraits, a first look, you name it. If you want to check out more of what this coastal area has to offer, you can take the 1.5-mile hike to Split Rock and Hole-in-the-Wall, which look especially spectacular during golden hour.

If you wanna tie the knot in La Push, I’ve got a full elopement guide that tells you all about the area + which beaches are best!

3. Hoh Rain Forest

Filled with breathtaking canopy, vibrant green moss galore, and forest floors covered in ferns, the Hoh Rain Forest is without a doubt the most enchanting, fairytale-esque location on this list. Walking through the towering trees and underneath the unique trees is an experience like no other, surrounded by a tranquil setting that offers unparalleled natural beauty no matter the weather. It’s beautiful in the sunshine, of course, but it’s really at its best and most luscious in the rain, when the water drips off the ferns, the greens pop against the gray skies, and you can hear the sounds of the raindrops falling all around you.

4. Lake Crescent

Nestled at the northern foothills of the Olympics is an epic lake where you’ll find stunning mountain views, scenic shores, and a cozy lakefront lodge. Lake Crescent is one of my favorite places to visit in Olympic National Park for a few reasons: it’s super easy to access, offers opportunities to hike around the lake, and the views are super dramatic in any weather. The dock was practically made for elopement photos, I swear! And plus, there’s a cute little waterfall right near the shores that you can check out, called Marymere Falls.

Here’s an example of just how gorgeous Lake Crescent can look even on a crazy rainy day!

5. Gold Creek Pond

Gold Creek Pond has become increasingly popular for elopements in recent years, so it’s an especially great place to visit when there are fewer crowds + the weather isn’t quite as ideal. The pond offers a flat, paved loop around the gorgeous alpine pond that sits at the top of Snoqualmie Pass, and is usually only accessible by snowshoe in the winter. So this is a great elopement location if you and your guests want an easy, fun snowshoeing adventure in the mountains without putting in too much effort! 

6. Columbia River Gorge

A lot of locations along the Columbia River Gorge are great for winter elopements, especially because of how green it stays year-round! One spot that I love for elopements on the Washington side of the Gorge is Panther Creek Falls, this really beautiful waterfall that’s not super difficult to access. While you can hike to both the upper and lower sections of the falls, I recommend just taking the easy 0.3-mile walk to the falls viewpoint, especially in the winter weather. With fewer hikers in the cold weather, this area is so tranquil and is just the perfect place to be present with your love + admire the natural beauty that the PNW has to offer.

Check out more picturesque Columbia River Gorge elopement locations here.

Washington Winter Elopement Photographer

Alright y’all, that’s all I’ve got for you today. I hope you’re feeling so thrilled to start planning your winter elopement in Washington no matter where your dreams may take you, be it snowshoeing through the mountains, enjoying a lakeside picnic, or waterfall chasing in the Gorge. I’d love to help you create this once-in-a-lifetime adventure and be there to document it all; let’s celebrate your journey among the breathtaking landscapes of Washington. Inquire with me here to get started!

---

For more Washington elopement tips and recommendations, read through the blog posts below:

Complete Guide to Washington Marriage Laws + Licenses

Ultimate List of the 25 Best Pacific Northwest Elopement Locations

10 ADA-Accessible Locations in the PNW for an Elopement