Most people believe that summer is the best time to elope in Washington. And yes, it’s true that summer is filled to the brim with wildflowers and warm sunny days. But what if I told you that you could get married any season in Washington? Let me share some tips and secrets about when to elope in Washington!

Hi, I’m Cherlyn, a Washington adventure elopement photographer who’s hiked over 200 trails in all seasons. I absolutely love to hike in summer, but a hot take: my favorite time is October when trails are lined with golden larches as far as the eye can see and gorgeous red carpets on the subalpine slopes of the Cascade mountains. But then, I also love April because it’s the best spring backcountry skiing in Washington. With each season comes different activities to include in your elopement day. In this guide, I walk you through each season so you can start planning and pick the best time for your dream elopement!

Winter

If you and your boo are snow sport enthusiasts, you might consider eloping in the winter time! Whether you enjoy snowshoeing, resort skiing/snowboarding, or something else, it’s available for you in Washington. I’m a backcountry skier myself, so I’m happy to suggest some low-risk terrain and recommend guides to take the planning off your hands for your ceremony and elopement day. Generally, solid ski season doesn’t start till late December, but occasionally some years we’ll have a good snowfall in November. Most ski resorts have great snow through March. If you’re into backcountry touring, the season can go all the way to mid-May! Think Mount St Helens, Camp Muir on Rainier, or Mount Adams.

 

For snowshoeing and cross country skiing, I’d recommend January-February for the best conditions. There are many state maintained Sno-Parks near Seattle and as far away as Mazama in eastern Washington with plenty of trails to explore.

And if you just love winter wonderlands without the extreme sports, we’ve got a long list of cute A-frame AirBnB’s with hot tubs that you can cozy on up together.

Excited for a winter wonderland elopement? Let’s make it happen!

 

Spring

In Washington, spring is almost just an extension of winter. So many of our mountains have lingering snow at the peaks until June or July. However, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t still have your elopement outside. East of the Cascade crest often sees less precipitation and melts out much quicker, allowing wildflowers to bloom starting late April into May.

And if you enjoy snowy landscapes (think: gorgeous pink alpenglow), spring is the best time to head out while the daylight is longer and weather is more moderate. May is often a great time for this and I’ve had many amazing trips into the mountains that produced some of my favorite photographs from this time!

For the mountaineering couples, May and June are prime climbing season in Washington. It’s when there’s still a good amount of snow that makes going up and down rocky terrain a breeze; the summit blocks are now snow free from scrambling and alpine climbing; the temperature is cool and the bugs haven’t come out. Talk about great conditions!

Summer

Okay, not gonna lie, but summer is probably the most coveted time in Washington. This is what we all wait for every year and muscle through the gloomier months for. Summer always feels surprisingly short since it basically starts in July and ends mid-September. Earlier in the summer months, you’ll find more wildflowers, though some higher elevation locations will still be snow covered. We have some of the best weather in Washington in the summer – with dry, 70-80ºF temperatures. It’s perfect for hiking to a summit, jumping into an alpine lake after your ceremony or backpacking to a remote location. The options are truly endless because trailhead access is in full swing!

I’d recommend earlier summer because in past years, wildfires start to spread around the state as the season progresses. My go-to map for air quality and checking out where wildfires exist is fire.airnow.gov. I’m now a pro at managing backup plans when wildfires blow through.

Are you dreaming of surrounding yourselves with wildflowers for your elopement? 

 

Autumn

Maybe I’m biased but autumn is my favorite season of all. In November, I start wondering how soon could autumn come again?? I love the cozy vibes and fall colors without getting into the frigid winter (not that winters are actually frigid in Washington). In Washington, fall colors happen around September to early October. The two main types of landscapes that are highly sought after are:

• red hues from blueberry bushes and vine maple
• golden larches in the eastern mountains of the Cascades

 

If I say so myself, I’m the larch queen of Washington. I’ve extensively researched un-crowded hikes to finding the elusive golden larches and as a by-product I also know where to find the red blueberry bushes all around the Washington mountains. I know the best fall hikes like the back of my hand! PS I have a whole page on my personal blog about these hikes.

Late October-December is the rainiest time of year for Washington. You’re less likely to find easy access to expansive mountain views, but I’d argue that this is the best time for couples who love that moody forest vibe with a morning fog through the woods.

Are you down for a gorgeous fall elopement? Find out more!

 

My personal favorite seasons: late July/early August for wildflowers and late September/early October for golden larches. And because I’m super analytical, here’s a cheat sheet chart I drew up for you to refer to. Save this page in your bookmarks!

Bottom line: As hard as it is to hear, it is entirely up to you and what you want to do for your elopement that’ll be the driving force of when you should to elope in Washington.

 

Ready to get a head start planning your elopement?