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The Best Places to Elope in the PNW, listed by State, for adventurous lovers who dream of Eloping in the PNW, surrounded by the best the natural world has to offer.

There’s nothing quite like the Pacific Northwest, from its towering forests to its rugged coastlines, wild mountains to breathtaking glaciers. If you’re a fan of adventure and of the amazing natural spaces the US has to offer, you’ve no doubt visited the PNW (or dreamt of visiting!). The same things that make the PNW such an amazing place for an adventurous holiday are what make it one of the best areas to elope in the US. To help you plan something truly incredible, I’ve put together a list of some of the Best Places to Elope in the PNW, grouped by state.

BEST PLACES TO ELOPE IN THE PNW | ELOPING IN THE PNW

Eloping in the PNW: Idaho

Eloping in Idaho

Idaho might not be the first place that comes to mind when you picture yourself Eloping in the PNW, but it’s definitely worth considering! This beautiful state is home to wild mountain ranges, relaxing natural hot springs, alpine lakes, and so much more. You’re much more likely to have your chosen elopement location to yourself, as Idaho’s national forests and parks tend to be a lot less crowded than other areas of the Pacific Northwest.

If it’s a ‘true’ elopement you’re after, Idaho is one of only a handful of states that allows legal weddings to occur without a witness. Plus, in most counties, you can pick up your Idaho marriage license on the same day, as long as the County Recorder’s office is open. Just bring along your social security number, proof of ID and about $30 in cash.

Best Places to Elope in Idaho

• Sawtooth National Forest
• McCall Idaho
• Stanley Idaho
• Island Park
• Sandpoint
• Boise National Forest

Best Places to Elope in Oregon

Eloping in Oregon

Oregon is one of the PNW’s most famous states and well, there’s good reason for that. From its wild coastline to towering forests, Oregon’s epic landscapes make an incredible backdrop for any elopement. While Oregon is famous for places like Cannon Beach and Mount Hood National Forest, it’s also home to other landscapes that might surprise you. The Alvord Desert is more reminiscent of drier Southern states, while the Painted Hills feel like something from another planet.

To elope at any of these amazing locations in Oregon, you’ll need to apply for your Oregon marriage license which you can do online. Be sure to pick it up 3 days before your ceremony though, as it will only be made valid after 72 hours. Alternatively, you can pay a $15 cash fee at some County Recorder’s office to waive the waiting period.

Best Places to Elope in Oregon

• Smith Rock State Park
• God’s Thumb
• Oregon Coast
• Crater Lake National Park
• Mount Hood National Forest
• Columbia River Gorge
• Alvord Desert
• The Painted Hills

Elopement Locations in Washington

Eloping in Washington

Where to even begin for Elopement Locations in Washington… Washington, also known as the Evergreen States, is perhaps the state where you are most spoilt for choice. If you’re dreaming of an adventurous PNW elopement, you can choose between glaciers, mountains, volcanoes and more. Washington is particularly famous for its beautiful, moody landscapes, which I think are especially beautiful along the coast at elopement locations like La Push Beach and the San Juan Islands.   

If you’re eloping in the PNW, and you’ve chosen Washington as your destination, you’ll need to get your Washington State marriage license at least 3 days before your wedding – and there is no option to pay to have that time waived. Your marriage license will cost $70 and is valid for 60-days after it’s issued.

Best Places to Elope in Washington

• Olympic National Park
• Mount Rainier
• North Cascades National Park, including Diablo Lake
• Rattlesnake Ridge
• La Push Beach
• San Juan Islands

Adventure Wedding Destinations in Montana

Eloping in Montana

If you love the highest of mountains and crystal-clear lakes, then you’ll probably believe that the Best Places to Elope in the PNW are in Montana. Glacier National Park is no doubt one of Montana’s most popular elopement destinations, and for good reason. A day spent exploring the trails and the lakes along Going-to-the-Sun Road is always truly beautiful. That said, it’s worth checking out a few of the other elopement locations on this list – especially if you’re the kind of people who prefer to avoid a crowd.

To get married in Montana, you’ll need a marriage license from the county Clerk of the District Court. At the time of publishing, the license costs $53 in cash, but it’s available to use as soon as you get it! The only thing to keep in mind is that you’ll need two witnesses and an authorized wedding officiant to make it official.

Best Places to Elope in Montana

• Glacier National Park
• Kootenai National Forest
• Flathead National Forest
• Jewel Basin

Best Places to Elope in the PNW: Wyoming

Eloping in Wyoming

Unfortunately, one of Wyoming’s most popular adventure elopement destinations, the Grand Tetons National Park, has recently made it fairly difficult to get married there. (learn more about the park’s wedding and commitment ceremonies page here). That doesn’t mean you should discount this amazing state though! It’s still home to some seriously beautiful PNW Elopement Locations, especially Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. Wyoming’s mountain ranges are truly breathtaking, and are home to an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers which make it that much more special.

If you decide your Best Locations to Elope in the PNW are in Wyoming, then you’ll need to appear in person at a County Administration Building to get your Wyoming Marriage License. Bring photo ID, a completed Marriage License Questionnaire and $30 in cash.

Best Places to Elope in Wyoming

• Jackson Hole
• Schwabacher Landing
• The Wedding Tree
• Glacier View Turnout
• Signal Mountain Summit
• Yellowstone National Park
• St. Alban’s Chapel, Medicine Bow National Forest
• Lake Marie, Medicine Bow National Forest

Are you planning on eloping to the PNW and looking for more information about the Best Places to Elope in the PNW? I’d love to help you plan something incredible and unique to you, and photograph your day so you can look back on it for life. Just get in touch to find out more!

Did I miss one of your favorite PNW Elopement Locations? Let me know in the comments below!

This Adventurous Idaho Elopement made for some seriously beautiful Island Park Wedding Photography, from razor rides to their ceremony in the cutest Town Hall. 

When Tayler & Nic decided to elope, they already knew the perfect spot – Tayler’s family cabin, which has been in her family for generations. This beautiful couple are both big fans of adventure and of the incredible nature Island Park has to offer, from razor rides to fly-fishing. And while the timeline didn’t go quite as planned, they were still able to include so many of their favorite things and favorite locations into their day, which was truly beautiful to be a part of. 

ADVENTUROUS IDAHO ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY | INTIMATE ISLAND PARK WEDDING

Eloping: Your wedding, your way

One of the best things about eloping is that you’re able to break away from traditional ideas of what a wedding ‘should’ be. Instead of following a strict timeline and rushing from one spot to another, you’re able to relax and go with the flow of the day. For Tayler & Nic, this meant having time to get ready together, instead of apart, and to

visit their most loved spots near her family cabin. They were even able to take their side-by-sides out (also known as Razor ATVs) after our hike to their favorite fly-fishing spot. 

Adventurous Idaho Elopement 

Idaho is truly one of America’s most underrated states (in my opinion!), especially for lovers of adventure and adventure elopements. While I understand it’s probably easier to focus on well-known national parks, I’d really recommend taking some time to consider eloping to lesser-known wilderness areas like Island Park, Idaho. 

For Tayler & Nic’s Adventurous Idaho Elopement, there was never any worry of bumping into people or finding crowds. Instead, we were able to soak in the moment and the calm intimacy of nature. At one point, we found ourselves in this beautiful meadow lined with dense pine trees when a thick fog suddenly rolled in. Being able to witness nature and the elements like this felt very quiet and peaceful, but at the same time, made us feel more open and alive. At this point, I told Tayler & Nic to just play and enjoy having this wide-open space all to themselves; to not even worry about me or the camera or anything else, but to focus on being together. They danced & celebrated freely, even popping a bottle of their favorite champagne – something I’m sure would have felt so different if we were in a more popular wilderness area. 

Intimate Island Park Wedding

Of course, it was still Tayler & Nic’s wedding day, and so between getting ready together and their epic Island Park portraits, we headed to the Town Hall so they could get married! Another bonus of choosing to get married somewhere like Island Park, Idaho, is that you’ll have the chance to enjoy country hospitality and charm. The Town Hall is really the perfect location for an adventurous but Intimate Island Park Wedding. It’s a cute little wood cabin and if you’re lucky, you might even get married by the mayor, like Tayler & Nic. 

Hair & Makeup: Emily Brodock

Florals: Morgan Cullimore / Olive Sage Floral

Are you planning your very own Intimate Island Park Wedding? I’d love to help you make the most of your time in Idaho, and to photograph your elopement so you can look back on it for life. Just reach out to start planning!  

Did you love Tayler & Nic’s Adventurous Idaho Elopement Photography? Let them know in the comments below! 

Now that you’ve narrowed down your wedding gown and photographer, it’s time to focus on that detail that tops it all off – the veil. Sure, you could easily buy a silk tulle veil from a bridal store, but making a DIY veil can save you money and elevate your wedding style with a piece that’s uniquely you. 

Here’s everything you need to know about DIY veils and a little wedding veil inspiration to get you started.

Do I Really Need a Wedding Veil?

The veil you choose (or don’t choose) is as personal as any other wedding detail. Like your wedding dress, it sets the mood and completes your ensemble. Consider it the crowning jewel.

Learning how to make a DIY veil can give you a unique, custom veil that no one has ever worn before. But that doesn’t mean you have to have a veil. Wearing a wedding veil is a personal choice, and there are no hard and fast rules that say you absolutely must wear one. Break with tradition or go bold – the choice is yours!

Different Types of Bridal Veils

There are a wide variety of wedding veil lengths that you can choose from. A veil’s length can range from full-on Princess Di’s cathedral-length up to a simple (but classic) birdcage veil. 

Longer-length veils (like a chapel-length veil) tend to be more formal than their shorter counterparts. If you’re planning an adventure wedding or elopement, you should consider whether a longer veil might make getting to your ceremony destination more of a challenge. But, there are always ways to pack your veil if you are after that long, flowy vibe.

If you’re on the fence, consider a simple, short veil. Shorter veils pair well with modern, minimal dresses – in that delicious cheese and wine kind of way. Or, you can get fresh and funky with a birdcage veil or go for a youthful but flirty shoulder-length piece.

Image via JoSaBi Mariee’s

Benefits of Making a DIY Wedding Veil

Let’s circle back to that Princess Di veil. Her cathedral-length veil was longer than her 25-foot train. It measured a whopping 153 yards long and cost over £9,000 – which comes out to about $34,750 in today’s dollars.

Long story short – the cost of a wedding can get quite pricey. From the wedding dress to florals, it can be hard to stay within your budget when there’s so much temptation to splurge on beautiful things! DIY’ing your wedding veil is one easy way to help stick to a budget.

The average cost of a bridal veil ranges between $250 and $400. Learning how to make a wedding veil isn’t complicated and should only take a few hours for a simple or mid-length veil. 

Plus, making your own silk tulle wedding veil can make your big day feel just that much more unique and special. Instead of opting for a store-bought veil, a homemade veil gives your wedding day extra character. 

No one else has ever worn that veil that you designed and created. You’ve got something borrowed and something blue – and now something made just by you.

How to Make a DIY Veil

When you’re ready to get started on your DIY veil, here’s what you’ll need and how to get it done.

What You’ll Need

• Nylon or silk tulle at least 108 inches in width
• Decorations (i.e. beads, pearls, sequins, lace, etc.)
• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Sharp fabric scissors
• A hair clip, wedding veil comb, or bridal hair comb

5 Steps to Make Your Bridal Veil

1. Place your comb or clip in your hair
2. Measure your tulle length. An extra set of hands can help you hold it in place to get a better idea of where the end length will fall once you’re done
3. Trim to length with scissors. Cut the edge in an oval shape. The outer sides of the veil should be shorter than the bottom center portion of the veil. This will help create a natural drape once you’re done
4. Add in decorations – or don’t! You might be surprised how it only takes a few lace details or small pearls to really up the wow factor.
5. Once you’re ready to fix it in place, gather it at the flat top and lay a line of running stitches along the top. Try to keep the pleating as even as possible and gather the end to match the width of your bridal veil comb.
6. Wrap a piece of tulle over the comb and through the teeth, secure the ends of the veil with a few stitches, and sew the veil to the tulle. And voilá, your DIY veil is ready for your big day!

Wedding Veil Inspiration

Not sure where to start? Here are some of my favorite bridal veil looks:

Capture Your DIY Veil in All Its Beauty

It doesn’t take much time or effort to create a DIY veil that you’ll never forget. Now all that’s left to do is to book a photographer that can perfectly capture you and your veil in all your beauty on your big day.

Ready to get started? Contact me today so I can help you capture all the intimate memories of your big day.

Hey there! It’s your wedding and elopement photographer, Liz!

My husband, Jake, and I celebrated 4 years together this last September! Like most couples, we have been through quite a lot. Health issues, starting a new business, all the ups and downs. I’m so grateful for Jake and all the love and support.

To celebrate, we (I) decided (more like forced Jake) to take photos for our anniversary!

We wanted to include the things we love the most: our pups and horses! I am so happy we were able to capture everything we love the most in one photo.

I love our little country life here in Idaho. I wouldn’t want it any other way. Our pups’ names are Rigger and Moose, and I think you can tell which one is which!

Jake and I met at a rodeo through mutual friends. He asked me out about 6 times over the course of 6 years. I was never interested and he said, “man, I usually get the hint after the first ‘no,’ but I just kept on asking for some reason!”.

It paid off because the last time he asked, I said yes! And here were are today, 5 years later!

Jake was born and raised in Preston, Idaho. So, once we got engaged we decided that we would move me up from Ogden.  Our horse pasture is in our back yard. We have about 10 horses. We love the simple, Idaho country life. Jake also raises black Angus cattle with his dad and grandma on their 350 acre ranch. We love the outdoor life, whether it’s on horseback, razor or snowmobiles. We love being in the mountains apart from that, we love being with our family.