Whether you live in Washington or are driving or flying in to get married, this beautiful Northwest State offers a wide variety of venues and locations for a small and intimate wedding ceremony. As you think about where you’d like to elope, here are 5 amazing locations to consider for your small ceremony and they are free!

5 Free Locations In Washington State To Elope

On A Washington State Ferry (from downtown Seattle, Mukilteo or Anacortes, WA) ~ There is nothing more quintessential “Washington” than to exchange your vows on a Washington State Ferry. Some of the most popular routes for this are downtown Seattle – Bremerton, downtown Seattle – Bainbridge Island, downtown Seattle – Clinton and Anacortes – Orcas Island.

You do need to contact the Washington State Ferry System and get permission to be married on the ferry crossing. The staff at the ferry office are very accommodating and it’s easy to make your booking. They do require advance notice of at least a few days.

Hurricane Ridge on the Olympic Peninsula (Port Angeles, WA) ~ On the Olympic Peninsula and several hours by car from downtown Seattle is the seaside town of Port Angeles and neighboring Olympic National Park. From Port Angeles, it takes about 30 minutes to drive through the mountain pass on a twisting road to Hurricane Ridge, a most scenic mountain vista and launch pad for many hiking adventures. There is a Visitor’s Center at Hurricane Ridge, coffee/tea cafe and facilities. And just a short walk from the parking lot, there are sweet and hidden mountain view spots to get you hitched!

At The Base Of Snoqualmie Falls (Snoqualmie, WA) ~ Like Hurricane Ridge, this location is also for an adventurous couple. However, instead of hiking up, you are hiking down. In the small town of Snoqualmie, which is about a 30-minute drive from Seattle, you’ll find the popular Snoqualmie Falls.

Each year, couples choose to elope to Snoqualmie Falls because of the spectacular waterfall back drop. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk down to the bottom of the Falls and this little spot is a once-in-a-lifetime memory. And for a marvelous celebration meal afterwards, check out the neighboring Salish Lodge which offers dining overlooking the Falls.

Alki Beach (Seattle, WA) - Each year, couples take off their shoes or sandals and get married in the sand at Alki Beach, located in West Seattle. Alki Beach is very popular during the Summer months with locals and offers an informal beach experience for your wedding ceremony.

Union, Washington – Union Washington is a tiny town in Jefferson County, Washington. It boasts miles and miles of scenic beach spots along the Hood Canal. Couples love to travel to the Union area and pick their spot on the water along Hood Canal because this area is little known for tiny weddings and offers a quiet and peaceful spot for a ceremony. For a celebration lunch or dinner, treat yourselves to Alderbrook Resort in Union!

Annemarie Juhlian is a Wedding Officiant,Minister & Celebrant in Seattle, Washington. She creates personalized wedding ceremonies for couples of all faiths and traditions and loves to help a couple elope! Visit her at: http://www.wedbyannemarie.com or her elopement website: http://www.elopeseattlestyle.com

There are no medical exams or blood tests required to obtain your license, but an individual must be over eighteen years of age. A marriage license in this state will cost a coupe $45.00, and a marriage that is performed at a local courthouse will cost a couple $65.00. The exact requirements for a marriage license vary county from county in Alabama; therefore, it would behoove you to contact the County Clerk’s office in the county you intend to be married in to find out the exact specifics.

Gulf Shores is one of the most popular sites for a destination wedding within Alabama. The pristine beaches near historic Mobile offer numerous sites for day outings and excursions. From touring the World War II battleship, Alabama, to camping at the Civil War iron mill of Tannehill, a couple is guaranteed to never bored. The city of Birmingham is another popular site for destination weddings. There are numerous famous spas in this city, and it is also a popular site for honeymoons.

The Capps Cove Bed and Breakfast is another popular option for destination wedding. Nestled in the foothills of the mountains and bordering along the Blackburn River, this is an ideal spot for those who wish to enjoy the natural beauty that Alabama has to offer. The Sweet Gum Bottom Bed and Breakfast is an ideal location for a couple who simply wishes to elope. Located an hour from the coast, its many attractive features include hiking trails, nearby lakes, and antique shopping.

 It cost approximately $72.00 to purchase a marriage license in the state, and there are no required medical tests or blood work that must be done before the license is acquired. A licensed or ordained minister of a recognized religion is require to officiate over the wedding before it becomes valid, and if a couple decides to enter into a covenant marriage, then they are required to under sixty days worth of marriage counseling. A covenant marriage is significantly harder to dissolve legally than a typical marriage, and a couple should consider their options carefully before making this decision.

The city of Phoenix is the capital of Arizona, and it is also one of the more popular options for those who wish to elope or plan a destination wedding. The Palazzo is a restaurant in Phoenix that is renowned for its exquisite food, as well as its opulent ballroom and perfectly manicured gardens. The Desert Botanical Gardens of Scottsdale, just north of Phoenix, are an ideal option for those who would like to have an outdoor wedding.

The Amara Creekside Resort and the Enchantment Resort of Sedona, Arizona are award winning for their natural beauty and the comfort that they pamper their guests with. Sedona is a natural hot springs, and it boasts a number of resorts and ranches. MexiCali, Arizona is another popular option for those who wish to have a destination wedding. This small resort town is located in the southwest corner of Arizona, and it is located right on the beach. There are a number of small resorts here who cater to brides and grooms.

1) How To Apply and Obtain A Valid Marriage License in Seattle

If you are being married in Seattle, Washington, you need a valid marriage license issued by King County (or any County in Washington State).

To do this, you and your partner will visit a Marriage Licensing office in Seattle/King County during regular business hours. The cost for the license is $64, cash or debit/credit card. No blood test is required and both of you must at least 18 years of age.

When you leave the government office, you’ll walk away with a packet of legal paperwork which you will give to your Officiant or Minister on your wedding day. The person who marries you must review this paperwork before your ceremony takes place and he or she will then get required signatures (both of yours and two witnesses) and return your signed legal document back to the County for processing/certification.

Note: There is a 3-day waiting period from the date your marriage license is issued. What this means is that from the date your license is issued, you must wait 3 full days before you can be legally married. Also, most people who reside in the Seattle area secure their marriage license in Seattle. If by chance you are being married in any other County in Washington State, the license you secure in Seattle/King County is valid in all Counties in Washington State.

For more information, please visit the King County Marriage License website at: http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/marriage.aspx or call (206) 296 4021. All particulars are on this website (including office locations) and while most couples do apply for a license in person, you may initiate the process via phone and regular mail.

2) Get Married in Seattle: How To Use Your Valid License

Once you have your valid license in hand and have exhausted the three-day waiting period, you can get married!

If you have a Minister or Officiant to marry you, fantastic. If you need someone to marry you, fire up Google or your favorite search engine and do a little bit of snooping for someone who resonates with you. For instance, keywords to search under may include “Seattle Wedding Officiant” or “Wedding Minister Seattle.”

Note: Officiant fees vary greatly. If you hire an Officiant or Minister for a more formal or complex ceremony, please get the terms of your agreement/understanding in writing

Annemarie Juhlian is a Wedding Officiant,Minister & Celebrant in Seattle, Washington. She creates personalized wedding ceremonies for couples of all faiths and traditions. For a more personalized ceremony, go to: http://www.wedbyannemarie.com or if you want to elope or get married ASAP, visit: http://www.elopeseattlestyle.com

Whether you live in the Puget Sound area of Washington State, are driving from another part of the State to Seattle or are flying in for your elopement, you’ll need a very memorable location and/or place for your small and intimate wedding ceremony.

So, you’ve got some decisions to make. Do you want something formal and traditional? Would you like to exchange vows waterside with your witnesses? Or perhaps you’d like to get married at the top of Seattle’s very popular Space Needle?

No matter what your faith and tradition or style, Seattle has some of the most amazing and fun locations/places for your elopement.

Here are 6 cool locations and places to elope in the Seattle, Washington area:

Top Of Seattle’s Space Needle – There is so very fun! You’ll need to come up with the $18 per person ticket price to take the ride up the Space Needle and once there, you can exchange vows while taking advantage of spectacular views of Seattle and the Puget Sound.

Snoqualmie Falls – It’s worth the 30-minute ride to the tiny town of Snoqualmie to exchange your vows at the base of Snoqualmie Falls. This is a popular elopement site and many couples often celebrate their marriage with a celebration meal afterwards at the nearby Salish Lodge, which overlooks the Falls.

The Magnolia Bluff – This is an amazing bluff in the Seattle neighborhood of Magnolia which overlooks the Puget Sound. The views are free and your wedding photos will be amazing!

SAFECO Field – There is nothing like getting married at home plate! If you are a baseball fan or sports fanatic, you may want to get hitched inside of SAFECO Field. Contact the corporate office of the Seattle Mariner’s Baseball team to make arrangements and for more information.

The Willows Lodge – If you want a one-stop shopping venue for your elopement and overnight stay, consider the very popular Willows Lodge located in Woodinville, WA, a short drive from downtown Seattle. Willows Lodge is a beautiful property with indoor and outdoor options for your small wedding ceremony. And if you stay the night, the staff will provide two witnesses for free!

Vashon Island – Hop a ferry from Seattle’s Fauntleroy dock and take a short ferry ride to quaint and picturesque Vashon Island, a small neighboring Puget Sound Island of 6,000 residents. Vashon Island offers many beachside locations for your ceremony as well as intimate neighborhood dining options if you want to stay a bit afterwards before heading back to Seattle.

For more information on eloping to Seattle, visit http://www.elopeseattlestyle.com ~ Annemarie Juhlian is a Non-Denominational Wedding Officiant & Minister and loves to work with a couple to create a meaningful and fun elopement experience!

Eloping may not be the answer but a destination wedding is certainly an option worthy of serious consideration. With a destination wedding couples can invite everyone on the extended guest list safe in the knowledge that most, if not all, of the peripheral family members or casual friends will not accept the invitation, but can never say they were not invited and “left out”. For those who cannot attend, but would like to see the wedding ceremony, many venues can now offer live transmission of the couple exchanging their vows over the internet and an informal party, for non-attending family and friends, either before or after the wedding is a lot less expensive than a formal reception.

The saving of a much reduced reception guest list is often more than enough to fully cover the cost of the flights and accommodation to the chosen venue but this is only the beginning of the potential savings and advantages of a destination wedding.

Most venues offer the services of a wedding planner or coordinator so the bride is relieved of virtually all the stress inducing aspects of arranging her wedding day, and as local professional services, photographer, video cameraman, florist, catering, etc. often cost a fraction of the home based charges, without compromising quality, further savings are available here. As destination weddings tend to be informal and relaxed much of the tensions and pressures just melt away and everyone can just enjoy the venue and the time spent together. Added to which there is no longer a need to plan a separate honeymoon because you are already at a romantic and exotic location.

Although many couples plan their wedding months, or sometimes years, in advance for those who, having decided they do want to get married, do not want to wait months and months before tying the knot a destination wedding can also be an ideal solution. As long as the chosen venue has the dates required available you can just book your wedding knowing everything will be organised for you, even if it is only a few weeks away. Good destination wedding organisers will have all the required providers on hand and be able to arrange the local legal requirements leaving the bride and groom with just the wedding dress and accessories to acquire; and the plane tickets of course!

There are several counties who will only receive cash for these fees. In order for their marriage license to become valid, the marriage ceremony must be presided over by an ordained minister of a recognized religion; however, it is permissible for a Native American spiritual advisor to perform the ceremony.

One of the most appealing aspects of Utah is the fact that its climate and landscape can allow a couple to elope or to have the destination wedding that they desire. For example, the famous Arlington Heights Mansion in downtown Salt Lake City is reminiscent of the antebellum mansions of the South. On the other hand, the Dakota Mountain Lodge and Golden Door Spa of Park City is as elegant and luxurious as any one that could be found in Los Angeles or New York City. For those who are seeking a more contemporary space in which to have their nuptials, the industrial Kado Studio Event Space of Salt Lake City might be an ideal venue.

The Living Planet Aquarium of Sandy, Utah or the Springville Museum of Art of Springville, Utah also offer unique options, within the state, for the hosting of a wedding. Locating the perfect venue for one’s destination wedding or elopement is critical to the overall success of the event. The number of guests who are attending the wedding, the length of the event, and the location of the event will determine the ideal venue. However, the state of Utah currently has over 3,200 registered wedding venues within the state, and a bride is almost certainly guaranteed to find the right location for her.

When it comes to getting married in Puerto Rico, an individual should be aware that there are two types of marriage ceremonies that exist in Puerto Rico; civil and religious. A civil ceremony is the only ceremony that has legal obligations. In order to obtain a civil ceremony marriage license, a couple will need to have valid identification issued by the United States government, blood tests, and there is a three day waiting period from the time of the filing for the license until the actual ceremony can be performed. Valid forms of identification include a passport or one’s birth certificate. If an individual has been previously married, then he or she will need to bring a death certificate or proof of divorce before the marriage license will be issued. A federally certified laboratory must perform the blood tests within ten days of the wedding date, and a licensed doctor must sign the marriage certificate and the blood tests. After these steps have been taken, a couple is legally free to proceed with their destination wedding or elopement plans.

Puerto Rico is a highly popular spot for those who wish to be married, whether it is through elopement or an elaborate destination. Consequently, there are numerous hotels and spas on the island, and these locations comprise the majority of the wedding venues available. The Ritz Carlton Hotel and the Hilton Hotel are two of the most popular venues within the country. On the northeast corner of the island stands the El Morro.

The El Morro is a six-story fort that was built by the Spanish in the 1540’s. The Dutch and English repeatedly attacked it throughout the centuries as they attempted to exert control over the small island. Provided with a complete facelift in 2002, this fort has become one of the most alluring wedding destinations on the island. Another unique wedding venue on the island is El Yunque. These botanical gardens are located in the heart of Puerto Rico’s rain forests.

A couple can also considered holding their wedding ceremony on one of the numerous, small private islands that surround Puerto Rico, such as Culebra or Vieques. These uninhabited islands provide the perfect mixture of untamed vegetation and unspoiled beaches.

The requirements that the government of the Dominican Republic maintains in order for a couple to acquire a marriage license are rather stringent. In order to begin the application process, a couple must provide copies of their passports, their birth certificates, and complete the filings of individual Single Status Affidavits. These documents must all be translated into Spanish and then certified by the Dominican Republic Consulate. There is generally a $20.00 fee that is charged for the filing of a marriage license application. It is important to know that this fee is only payable in the country’s currency, which is the Dominican Peso.

There are no waiting periods or residency requirements in the Dominican Republic when it comes to obtaining one’s license. However, if one of the individuals applying for the license has been previously married, he or she will need to provide proof of divorce or the death certificate of the former spouse. Furthermore, at a couple’s wedding ceremony, they will need to have two witnesses, over the age of eighteen, who can also provide valid forms of identification.

There are a wide variety of hotels, spas, and resorts within the Dominican Republic, and these locations comprise a large portion of the available wedding venues. Certain resorts, such as the Secrets Sanctuary Cap Cana, retain elements of the colonial Spanish influence while maintaining its focus on providing the utmost in luxury for its guests. Other resorts, such as The Melia Caribe Tropical All Inclusive Beach and Golf Resort, allow a couple to indulge in a wide variety of activities that stimulate one’s senses. The Zona Colonial district of Santo Domingo is the home of numerous museums and historic sites of the country. Many of these locations provide an interesting alternative to being wed within a hotel or resort. One site, the Alcazar de Colon, was a stately, European home built on the island by Christopher Columbus’s son. It is one of the oldest European structures standing in the Americas. Similarly, the Fort San Felipe of Puerto Plata provides a historically rich venue for a wedding. This site was one of the first European forts constructed in the New World.

 The difficult part is figuring out what kind of adventure you want to go on when you elope.

Whale Watching Cruise: A truly unique way to elope in Seattle is to take out a private charter with a boating company such as San Juan Excursions.  For a minimal cost, you, your spouse-to-be, and even several guests if you like, can go on an exciting cruise in and around the San Juan Islands off of the Seattle/Puget Sound coast complete with catering.   On cruises such as these you can view whales 95% of the time, and depending on the time of year dolphins and orcas.

Pike Place Market: Located within the confines of this historic district of Seattle is a business known as Top of the Market.  Although it is supposedly haunted by a dancer in search of a partner, it is a very popular choice for weddings and elopement in the Seattle area.  It is located upstairs in the Economy Building of Pike Place Market.

Experience Music Project & Science Fiction Museum: For those of you who are really into Sci-Fi and want to find a way to incorporate it into your plans of eloping in Seattle, EMPSFM is most likely the ideal place for you.  Positioned amid the backdrop of the Space Needle, it is accessible from Seattle’s downtown hub. Plus, the museum’s unique architecture offers abundant event spaces, from lofty and open to inviting and isolated. Truly one of the best Sci-Fi themed weddings to have in a hurry!

Woodland Park Rose Garden: If you are planning to elope between May and August then this certified U.S. Rose Test Garden would be a wonderful choice!  This garden displays new rose hybrids that have yet to become available to rose enthusiasts.  Located within the garden is a variety of picturesque viewpoints, quiet gardens, and intimate natural settings combined with convenient parking and the option of professional kitchen services.

Lake Union Café: The Lake Union Café on Eastlake Avenue in Seattle combines old-world charm with a modernized menu.  It was selected as a Top Wedding Facility in 2008/2009 by the Knot magazine.  Its art deco interior which includes copper pounded ceilings makes it a popular venue for weddings and elopement alike. A deposit is required several days in advance and rental is for a five-hour time period.

Space Needle: Although this seems like it is probably the obvious place to elope in Seattle, the Space Needle requires quite a bit of planning and a minimum guest list of 75.  Be assured though, whatever kind of event you wish to hold at this site the staff is sure to handle.

Eloping in Seattle provides many unique opportunities for you and your loved one on your special day.  Whether you are more of the adventurous type, or are looking for your fairy tale wedding come to life, Seattle is one of the best places to elope.