hannah and Keith's winter washington elopement

A bride, a groom, an adorable toddler, and a brand new baby. Hannah and Keith decided to add a legal marriage to their already perfect family. It was the week of Thanksgiving, and Leavenworth decided these guys deserved a backdrop reminiscent of a magical snow globe. They celebrated together with their moms and Keith's sister. It was intimate, family-friendly, and beautiful.

A romantic winter wedding silhouette against a misty lake and mountain landscape.

An intimate winter wedding moment captured between a couple in a close embrace.

A winter wedding ceremony takes place on a snowy beach with a scenic mountain lake backdrop.

how to plan your own Winter washington Elopement

There’s something undeniably enchanting about a winter elopement in Washington state. Yes, the season brings its fair share of rain or snow, chilly winds, and overcast skies, but these very elements create a backdrop that feels straight out of a storybook. Towering evergreen forests woven with low lying clouds, moody coastlines that whisper dark secrets, and snow-dusted mountain peaks set the stage for a truly unforgettable experience.

So, when a couple comes to me with an elopement date between mid October and early April, here are some of the areas we look at first.

Weather

Average temperatures for late November: 40-46 degrees
Average number of rainy days in November: 20 days

Specific locations to check out in Bellingham

The Chuckanut Mountains
Larrabee State Park
Locust Beach
Downtown Bellingham
The Waterfront
Whatcom Falls
Boulevard Park
Teddybear Cove
Zuanich Point Park

Cool place to stay:

Selah Steading - very pretty property that can be used for photos and ceremony. The rental is located in the midst of the forest, fall colors, and a laid back country vibe. Plus, this place has a huge bonus.. alpacas! 😍)
Rental on Lake Whatcom (right on the water with tons of open space to use!)

Weather

Average temperatures for late November: 38-50 degrees
Average number of rainy days in November: 20

Why The Peninsula?

The Olympic Peninsula has it all. The dramatic coastline, crystal clear lakes, the mountains and otherworldly rainforests. Lake Crescent and Ruby Beach are probably the most popular places to elope on the peninsula. But also check out Lake Cushman and Lake Quinalt, and then the beaches - Ruby, Shishi, Rialto, Kalaloch, La Push, and Cape Flattery! This article from Outbound has some great information on some of the most beautiful lakes on the peninsula.

Where to stay

Port Angeles
Sequin
Forks
Hood Canal

Weather

Average temperatures for late November: 40-48 degrees
Average number of rainy days in November: 14

Best Islands For An Elopement

San Juan
Orcas Island (Check out Moran State Park on Orcas Island. Not into hiking? You can drive to the top of Mt Constitution for rad views that don't require any hiking at all.)

How Do You Get There?

Take the ferry from Anacortes or a Seaplane from Seattle (Kenmore Air is my recommendation if you want to charter a seaplane!)

Where To Stay

Cool Things To Do In The San Juans

Sea Kayak Tour (Good chances to see some cool ocean wildlife!) Shearwater Kayak Tours and Outer Island Excursions operate out of Orcas Island
Seaplane tour (Cap’n Mac’s Magic Air offers biplane tours from Orcas Island that even climb 3000 feet above Mount Constitution.)
Bike Tour around the island!

Leavenworth is a charming Bavarian-themed town nestled in the mountains, complete with chalets, breweries, and quaint little shops in the middle of a (seriously) drop dead gorgeous valley filled with lakes, rivers and towering granite peaks. It's important to note that the area is so much more than the town with its famous Bavarian vibe. In fact, the elopement images featured in this post happened in Leavenworth, at Lake Wenatchee and the Wenatchee River. So when thinking of Leavenworth, don't just think "Bavarian mountain village". There are several reasons why Leavenworth is so popular - it's not just German beer and schnitzel. :)

Weather

Average temperatures for late November: 40-48 degrees
Average number of rainy days in November: 14

Great places for an elopement in Leavenworth

Colchuck lake - straight out of a fairytale. Turquoise water, insane views of Dragontail and Colchuck peaks in the background. (Requires a full day hike) From WTA, "The first time you round the corner and come out of the trees at Colchuck Lake is something of a religious experience. Suddenly, laid out beneath your feet are the icy waters of the lake — deep blue in the shade, bright aquamarine in sunlight — while high above you at the far end of the lake, the twin spires of Dragontail and Colchuck Peaks seem to crowd out the very sky."
Lake Wenatchee - gorgeous crystal clear lake only 15 minutes from the middle of Leavenworth (Changes to a Sno-park on Dec 1.)
The iconic Emerald Island - Take a kayak out to this tiny island on Lake Wenatchee for your ceremony.

Where to stay

There are so many incredible vacation rentals in Leavenworth. Here are just a few we like.

the Overlook
Lake Wenatchee Cabin
Sleepy Bear Lodge

Cool things to do on your elopement day in/near Leavenworth, Washington in the winter

Explore in town - Leavenworth in the winter is like a tiny German town encapsulated in a snow globe! There are shops, restaurants, breweries etc. November can either be very fall like, or early winter. Either way, it’s beautiful!
Amy's favorite brewery: https://iciclebrewing.com/
Wine Tastings: Tsillan Cellars, Icicle Ridge Winery, Silvara Wine, Wedge Mountain Winery, Eagle Creek Winery and Chateau Faire Le Pont
Get out on the water at Lake Wenatchee, or just enjoy the view of the island and mountains from the shore
Hike or backpack to Colchuck Lake
Explore the Wenatchee river
Go on a Sleigh Ride
Visit a reindeer farm

Deception Pass is the state’s most-visited park for a reason. An idyllic scene for an elopement with cliffs and coves, beautiful sunsets and incredible hikes. It's also open year-round. The park is located on Fidalgo island (north) and Whidbey (south). When you look up Deception Pass online, you'll usually find photos of the iconic bridges that connect the park to the two islands.

Weather

Average temperatures for late November: 40-51 degrees
Average number of rainy days in November: 15

Where to stay

Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor, or Anacortes
Here or here or here or if this is more your vibe... wowsa!

The Mt Baker area is indescribable. If you're planning a winter elopement here, you'll definitely want to plan for snow. Snowfall usually begins in November, but can be earlier or later of course.

Weather

Average temperatures for late November: 36-47 degrees
Average number of rainy days in November: 13 (+ 2 days of snow)

Where to stay

Glacier, Deming or Maple Falls (Stay in Glacier if you want to be closer to coffee shops and a market)

Favorite spots for an mountain elopement

Unique things to consider when planning a winter Washington elopement

Weather. November is the rainiest month in WA so be ready to go with it! Some areas are more likely to have snow than rain (like Leavenworth), but nothing is guaranteed. We’ll always have a plan B (and maybe a plan C!) so we can pivot if necessary. But being flexible and embracing the weather is key in the Pacific Northwest ANY time of the year.

Pass closures. Some passes close in the winter, and some stay open but can be affected by sudden heavy snowfall. I'll help you with all of this so there are no surprises! (You can always check current conditions at https://wsdot.wa.gov/ or using the WSDOT app!)

Getting your Marriage License

Getting your marriage license in Washington is easy, but you do have to make a note of when you need to apply. If you're a local, you can pick up your marriage license at any clerk office in the state, but if your'e coming from another part of the country, you can get it online here! There is a three day waiting period which means you have to get your license at least 3 days before your elopement date, but no more than 60 days before. I provide the specific dates to every couple I work with, so there's no confusion!