October 2, 2023 / Elopement Resources Washington
Most Underrated Washington Elopement Spots
Most Underrated Places to Elope in Washington State
It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that Washington is a top elopement location, especially for couples seeking adventure and a uniquely intimate way to share their vows. Aside from the breathtaking backdrops and moody forests, it also has countless vacation rentals tucked in the mountains, charming towns dispersed throughout the state, accessibility to all of the outdoor beauty, easy travel with an international airport, and world class hiking trails. Put all that together and you get an extremely popular destination. But while there are many spots in Washington filling your social media explore pages, there are plenty of incredible areas that go unnoticed and are the perfect place to promise forever! I love getting the chance to take my couples to areas that are not just less trafficked but are true hidden gems that take your elopement to a whole other level of beauty. Read on to see my top 5 underrated places to elope in Washington State!
Top 5 Underrated Spots to Elope in Washington State
+ Leavenworth
+ Mountain Loop Highway
+ Washington Pass
+ Eastern Washington
+ San Juan Islands
Eloping in Leavenworth
I love recommending the Leavenworth area because it’s often a very underestimated part of Washington! It’s sometimes written off as a bit touristy because of the highly trafficked Bavarian-themed downtown. However, it’s surrounded by some of the most jaw-dropping scenery I’ve seen. It’s a perfect mix of the different landscapes that the PNW has to offer. Filled with dark evergreen forests and mountainous spots with vivid colors in the spring and fall. I love that you get the charm of the town, plus easy access to TONS of hiking trails in the area. They range from difficult to easy — guaranteeing amazing views no matter your skill level. There are also really great options for lodging, from luxury resorts in the town to cozy A-frames in the mountains. Whether you’re wanting a sweet backyard forest wedding at an Airbnb or a more adventurous vow exchange on a mountainside, Leavenworth is an underrated gem!
Planning Your Leavenworth, WA Elopement
The most popular hike in the area is Colchuck Lake, and for good reason. It’s on the challenging side — about 8.5 miles out and back with some significant elevation gain — but WOW is it worth it. The vivid blue-green alpine lake surrounded by jagged peaks feels so dramatic and dreamlike. I absolutely recommend adding it to your itinerary if you’re up for the adventure! Just be sure to hit the trail at sunrise on a weekday to avoid crowds, or check out some of the areas less popular yet still incredible hikes!
Curious about lodging? Here’s a complete list of Airbnbs I love in the Leavenworth area.
Field note: HIGHLY recommend visiting in the fall if you’re able! The little Bavarian town goes allllll out with its Oktoberfest celebrations, and the vibrant larch trees really show off, filling up the peaks with their glory! Truly nothing like it.
Eloping on Mountain Loop Highway
The Mountain Loop Highway is another spot that’s so ridiculously accessible that it feels almost unfair to know about. It’s an incredibly scenic drive filled with views of roaring rivers, deep forests, and glimpses of the iconic rugged peaks of the Cascade Range. It’s only 1.5 hours from Seattle! And every part of it feels like deep wilderness with plenty of trails and viewpoints to stop at. This area is dappled with quaint mountain towns that have a plethora of cute lodging. My favorites are Granite Falls and Darrington! Despite how close it is to the city, this area is still way less trafficked than other parts of the state and has lots to offer an adventurous couple.
Planning Your WA Elopement on Mountain Loop Highway
Looking for a memorable hike in the area? The Big 4 Ice Caves are otherworldly cool. The trail leads you to icefields and a huge north face that’s visible starting in July/August and lasts through October when the snow typically starts. I never thought you could see something like this in Washington, and I recommend it to everyone I meet!
Check out my top lodging options in the Mountain Loop Highway area here.
Field note: To take full advantage of this gorgeous region, really take your time to enjoy the scenic drive! Do the full loop and plan for a few stops or longer stays along the route.
Eloping on Washington Pass
Ok, this area could warrant its own full blog post! This is one of the most jaw-dropping sections of Washington mountain ranges. It’s out toward the North Cascades National Park on the east side. Its high desert landscape means it has an amazing mix of evergreen forest, rugged rocks, and warm temps. The peaks themselves are stunning and just driving through here will be a memorable experience. A bit far from the bigger cities in the state, but it’s SO worth it to be near the little mountain towns of Winthrop, Mazama and Twisp. Plus, you’ll have access to endless world class trails.
Recommendations for Your WA Pass Elopement
My favorite hike in this area is Maple Pass — a 6.5-mile loop that’s a bit on the challenging side, but definitely doable for beginners! It will give you unparalleled views of the mountain range with a beautiful alpine lake thrown in, and I especially love it in early summer for the wildflowers, or late summer for the changing leaves.
See here for my list of picture-perfect Airbnbs in Washington Pass.
Field note: While this area is outrageously gorgeous in the fall, the fires can run rampant in eastern Washington. They usually start late August/early September and cause closures that won’t re-open until winter. I would recommend a mid to late July elopement to avoid that!
Eloping in Eastern Washington
I’ve talked about this a bit already, but I wanted to make a section devoted to the very underrated Eastern Washington! It has such a unique landscape that you don’t expect when you visit this part of the country. This area showcases high desert, basalt towers, the vastness of the Columbia River Gorge, and more. It is massively different from the misty mountains and moss-covered trees that you’ll find on the Western side. However, it’s just as accessible from Seattle and I think you’ll be surprised by how much you fall in love with it! My favorite parts of the desert are in Vantage and Quincy, where there are lots of spots to hike and climb. So…while you may not be looking at the Washington desert, you may sing a different tune when you witness the radiant sunsets. I have truly never seen a light so golde! Not to mention the huge sky of stars at night!
Planning Your Eastern WA Elopement
One incredible destination for hiking and climbing is called Frenchman’s Coulee! It has a moderate hike (just a 259 ft elevation gain over 2.8 miles!) and lots of spots to camp, picnic, or just sit and enjoy a sunrise or sunset!
And here are my favorite Airbnbs in this area.
Field note: This high desert region gets HOT during the summer, so if you want to avoid the worst of it, definitely avoid in the middle of summer! But it’s perfect for a spring or fall elopement.
Eloping on the San Juan Islands
Aaaand last but certainly not least: the San Juans! Right off the coast of Washington, there is a huge network of breathtaking islands that offer lush green forests and the classic moody beaches we all know and love about the PNW. While maybe not the most underrated area, I love to encourage couples to really explore and find the more untouched areas — there are plenty of islands that aren’t as popular but still offer the same beauty and accessibility as the more touristy and trafficked ones! If you’re not a big hiker or are wanting more of a variety of outdoor activities, this is the perfect place to have your elopement. You can do kayak tours around the island, head out on a whale watching expedition, or just cozy up on the beach or in the forest. Plus, every island has its own historic and sweet little nautical towns that are thriving and make your stay all the more lovely.
Recs For your Elopement in the San Juans
It is SO hard to pick a favorite, but I really adore Orcas Island. The town is adorable, and I love Moran State Park for the beautiful hiking trails that traipse through the forests and open up to grand water views!
For some lodging options, see my list of Airbnbs here.
Field note: The one big logistical thing to keep in mind is ferry tickets! Be sure to book these early, as they can be competitive (especially during the summer) and are only purchased through registration.
And there ya have it! My top 5 underrated places to elope in Washington State. It’s a beautiful thing that an extremely popular destination can still have untouched and explorable areas — just waiting for you and your loved one to make memories! If you’re wanting more info as you plan, check out these other blogs for Washington elopement inspiration:
Other Resources for Eloping in WA
North Cascades Elopement Guide
Top 5 Airbnb Venues in Washington State
Top Pacific Northwest Elopement Destinations
Best PNW Venues for Nature Lovers
If you’re hoping for an elopement here and starting to feel overwhelmed by the logistics, I’d love to walk alongside you. I not only to make the process easy and joyful, but to capture your big day in a way that honors you and your partner’s sense of adventure and deep love for each other! This is one of the most magical times in your life together and it would be an honor to be a part of it.
