December 1, 2023 / Elopement Resources Washington
Guide to a Dreamy Leavenworth Elopement
Guide to Planning a Dreamy Leavenworth Elopement | In The Alpenglow
Nestled in the Cascade mountains of Washington, there’s a little Bavarian village I hold dear called Leavenworth. It’s a huge tourist attraction, and Seattle folks flock to it every October for the classic Oktoberfest festivities and in December for the warm and lovely holiday lights and stores. BUT…the draw of this place doesn’t end there. 🙂 Leavenworth is also a perfect launching pad for exploring so many incredible outdoor spaces in the Cascades, and it’s often overlooked for adventure elopements! With a Leavenworth elopement, you’ll have amazing access to the mountains, incredible (world class) Washington hikes at your doorstep, and beautiful views no matter where you stay in the town or the areas around it.
My love, andrew, grew up in the area, and the significant memories we’ve made here have left me with a long list of local hidden gems! They’ve been the background to some of our favorite adventures together, and the mountain views I’ve been able to witness have left me forever changed.
SO, I’ve put together a complete guide on how to go about eloping here! Read on for more about its landscape, the best time of year to visit, places to stay, and more!
+ Landscape
+ Best Time of Year
+ Best Trails & Locations
+ Places to Stay
+ Permits & Fees
+ Elopement Packing List
Leavenworth Landscape
Oh goodness, this landscape is unlike anything I’ve seen. Staying here, you can visit highlights of the Central Cascades — an out of this world mountain range. This part of the mountain range includes an iconic stretch of trails that may hold the most epic views in the state: the Enchantments. It has stunning alpine lakes, world class climbing, glaciated peaks, and more. Another great part of staying in this area is that it has a very specific sunny + drier climate, due to its location nestled a bit more east. Tired of the moody PNW vibes that encapsulates the west side? Head on over to Leavenworth for more sunny days on the trail.
Best Time of Year to Elope in Leavenworth
Truly, Leavenworth is beautiful year-round, but each season has its own draws and unique aspects that will make your elopement special!
Planning a Winter Elopement in Leavenworth
Unlike Seattle and much of western Washington, this area gets a whoooole lot of snow! If you elope here in the winter, definitely be sure to have a 4WD car, snow tires, lots of layers, and maybe even some snow shoes if you’re going out in the mountains. You’ll need to be sufficiently prepped for freezing temps, but the reward of that prep is a seriously magical winter wonderland. Leavenworth village goes ALL out for the holidays, with ice skating, sweet themed stores, planned events every weekend, and Christmas tree lightings. For the true adventurer, this may be a tougher time to visit as most of the hikes will be inaccessible, BUT you’ll still have the beautiful views and mountain vistas throughout these months right off the road in Icicle Canyon!
What to expect for your Leavenworth Spring Elopement
The snow starts to melt between the end of March through the end of April at lower elevations. You’ll even start seeing the incredible wildflowers like balsam root and lupine at the end of April into May! Most of the main hikes at higher elevations in the Enchantments will still be covered in snow, but there are tons of spots at lower levels in the canyon. Plus, you’ll have the added bonus of snow-covered peaks in the backdrop!
Peak Season- Leavenworth Summer Elopement
Late July through the end of August is definitely the peak season in Leavenworth, and for good reason! All of the beloved hikes in the Enchantment core zone are accessible and brimming with natural beauty. You can spend your days hiking up into the alpine, swimming in the lakes, and soaking up the sunshine. This time in Leavenworth can be a little chaotic with the tourism, so I’d definitely aim for a midweek elopement day and early alpine starts for the more popular hikes to ensure parking and some privacy! Also, keep in mind that the fire season can hit mid-August through mid-September. It’s not a guarantee, but keep an eye on it because it can affect access to the outdoor areas in this part of the state!
Planning a Fall Elopement in Leavenworth
Aaand my personal favorite: autumn in Leavenworth! From the end of September through the end of October, you’ll see some of the most brilliant fall foliage you’ve ever seen — with bright aspens and larches covering the mountain sides. If you’re wanting to see the PRIME time for the colors, aim for October 10th-15th to get all that brilliant orange goodness! As you get into late October, it’s possible that there will be a bit of light snow in the mountains, so watch out for that — but it’s still 100% worth planning your elopement in these months!
Best Trails & Locations for your Leavenworth Elopement
Lake Wenatchee: This is a perfect spot if you’re hoping for unparalleled views without a big hike/excursion during your elopement! It’s a huge lake surrounded by pine covered mountains with incredible beach access. You can even rent a boat to enjoy the water and get some sweet, Notebook-style photos. 🙂
Icicle Canyon: A seriously epic canyon with insane peaks surrounding it, and I LOVE taking my couples here! Its best feature is its access to the Enchantments core zone. The best hike, in my opinion, is Colchuck lake — a Washington classic! It’s definitely a more challenging one at 8.7 miles and 2,342 feet of elevation gain, but it IS easier than and shows views that parallel those seen on the whole Enchantment loop.
There are also lots of hikes along the way to the canyon, and I love getting to share my secret spots with couples who elope with me here!
Tumwater Canyon: This is another beautiful canyon along Highway 2 and just outside of Leavenworth village. It has some gorgeous areas for photos alongside the stunning Wenatchee river, and some more noteworthy hikes near Steven’s pass!
Blewett Pass: This area is a bit less popular than the other areas as its about 20-30 minutes outside of Leavenworth, but without the tourist bustle, you’ll see just as beautiful views on the hikes with way fewer people!
Best Places to Stay when Eloping in Leavenworth
Leavenworth: Again, this sweet Bavarian village is the perfect place to set up your basecamp for an elopement. I can’t say enough how fun it is to explore (so many delicious restaurants and shops to explore), and the amazing views right from the town will be an amazing memory for you and your loved one!
Peshastin: The town of Peshastin is just 10 minutes away from the Leavenworth village, so you’ll have the proximity to the fun of the town but with a bit more privacy and lots of cute Airbnbs! It’s also near Blewett Pass, so easy access to hikes and daily adventures.
Lake Wenatchee: This is a really peaceful and scenic area to stay, with lots of stunning rental properties along the lake and near Tumwater canyon! And if you’re looking at doing a summer elopement, a lakeside Airbnb is especially fun.
Stevens Pass: Stevens Pass is further from Leavenworth (about a 40-minute drive), but you’ll get even more cabin options to stay at, amazing hikes AND a ski resort if you’re visiting in the winter.
Looking for a specific spot to book in the area? I got you! Head to this link to peruse my favorite Airbnbs in the Leavenworth area.
Permits & Fees
If you’re hoping to backpack/stay overnight in the core Enchantments zone, you’ll need a permit! However, these are really competitive and extremely rare with the lottery system in place, so be aware of that. But if you aren’t wanting to stay overnight in this area, no permits are necessary (for now!). And any areas around the Enchantments don’t require a permit either! This area is much less regulated that other spots in the state, especially compared to the national parks.
Elopement Packing List
+ Hiking boots
+ Warm layers for colder months
+ Snow Shoes or Microspikes for Winter Elopement
+ Bug spray for lakes in the summer
+ Marriage license
+ Elopement details: vow books, rings/ring box, flowers, etc.
If you’re hoping for an elopement here, I’d love to walk alongside you. This is one of the most magical times in your life together and it would be an honor to be a part of it!
If you’re looking for more Leavenworth Inspiration, check out my other blogs!
Leavenworth Wedding in the Woods
