The Best Washington State Elopement Package

General,

6 min read Jul 11, 2020

The Wildflower Experience from Simply Eloped is for the adventurous couple – the kind of couple who wants a beautiful, intimate wedding experience deep in the wilderness, surrounded by a stunning view and the best that nature has to offer. Created with the help of photographer Kathleen Elizabeth, this adventure elopement package will take you into some of the best scenery Washington has to offer.

So, what exactly is an adventure elopement?

An adventure elopement is when a couple decides to forego a traditional wedding and instead hold their ceremony in nature, surrounded by gorgeous scenery. Living up to its name, an adventure elopement usually means that there is some hiking to get to your desired spot (and yes, this means you may get some dirt on your beautiful white dress!). Typically, an adventure elopement means that it’s just the couple, their vendors, and possibly a few able-bodied friends. If you’re the adventurous type, and the idea of waking up early for a hike to find a hidden gem of a spot to recite your vows sounds right up your alley, then the Wildflower Experience — our adventure elopement package — might be right for you.

A little bit about the Wildflower Experience: You, your partner, your officiant & your elopement photographer, all exploring a gorgeous natural space together as part of an immersive experience tailored to you. You’ll get married in an incredible location, incorporating only what speaks to you – and we’ll be there to guide and document it from start to finish. If you choose this package in Washington state based on one of the experiences we offer, the cost is $3,500. This, of course, will depend on your preferred elopement packages in Washington state.

Wildflower Experiences

WASHINGTON

Artist Point

If you are planning to have a Washington State elopement, this spot is highly recommended. Artist Point is where you can experience full 360-degree views of Mount Shuksan and Mount Baker. The accessible path is only 1.2 miles roundtrip with a minimal 200 feet of elevation gain. The trail is typically snow-covered until late July or early August, and then snowed in by late September or early October, so there’s a small window for a completely clear path if that’s what you’re looking for! Take advantage of this to have your elopement in Washington State!

Gold Creek Pond & Franklin Falls

Close to Seattle, Gold Creek Pond has a fully accessible trail that’s a mile round trip with just 10 feet of elevation gain. 20 minutes away, Franklin Falls is a great addition to the pond stroll: two miles roundtrip and 400 feet of elevation gain.

Gold Creek Pond Elopement Wedding Permit

No wedding permits are required to elope in this stunning human-made lake. Instead of a wedding permit, a Northwest Forest Park should be prioritized when eloping at Gold Creek Pond. You can get it for $5 per car for a day pass or an annual fee of $30.

Gold Creek Pond Weather

This place is accessible all year round. What’s even better is that you can get various experiences depending on the season you prefer. It’s an adventure to try!

Summer is considered perfect for an elopement day because of its warm sunny weather. If you want a cooler season, you can opt for autumn. This is when the leaves are starting to change, and snow often begins to fall. There is also something so magical with the snows enveloping the mountains that surround it during the winter season. It’s like a winter wonderland scene! Last but not least- spring. Although the weather is unpredictable, the blooming wildflowers around the lake make a breathtaking view for your adventure elopement pictures.

Kelly Butte Lookout

Rainier views abound on a clear day from the Kelly Butte Lookout. The hike is moderate, at 3.4 miles round trip with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Includes two additional hours of photography/hiking, so the package is $500 more.

A high-clearance car is recommended; an AWD or 4WD is helpful.

Mount Baker Wilderness

Remote and deep in the backcountry, the hike into the Mount Baker Wilderness is moderate, at 3.4 miles round trip with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Includes two additional hours of photography/hiking, so the package is $500 more.

A high-clearance car with either AWD or 4WD is necessary.

Mt Baker Weather

This beautiful location is a perfect playground for outdoor adventurers. It can also be an ideal place to have an Mt Baker Elopement with the right weather. It is best to plan it during summer and autumn. However, winter is also possible because of the popular ski resorts in the area.

Mt Baker – Where To Stay

When having an adventure elopement, it is crucial to secure a place to stay to avoid not having the accommodation you need. Here are some AirBnBs, from campsite to cozy cabin, that you can choose from:

RATES

Have somewhere else in mind? Kathleen is an experienced traveler and can provide couples with a tailored Wildflower Experience anywhere in the Pacific Northwest or California.

Here’s how’s the pricing looks:

$3,500 – travel anywhere within Washington state | 4 hours of shooting / hiking
$4,000 – travel anywhere within Washington state | 6 hours of shooting / hiking
$4,500 – travel anywhere in the Pacific Northwest or California | 8 hours of shooting / hiking

What does the adventure elopement package include?

Up to 4hrs of photo coverage throughout the Wildflower experience, with 175+ edited, full-res images delivered four weeks after your event.
Tons of consultations to help tailor your experience!
Help choosing the perfect location and time
Deciding what to wear and what gear to bring — we’re all about safety and comfort (and snacks)
Help navigating applicable permits, reservations, and rentals
Hiking to and from ceremony spot with couples portraits along the way
Custom ceremony and officiation
Coordination with other vendors: florals, hair/makeup, etc
Most of the packages are designed as private experiences for a couple only. A small number of guests can be accommodated in some circumstances – reach out for more info!

How does the Wildflower package differ from the Sprout of Bloom packages?

Sprout & Bloom packages are short-and-sweet hour-long sessions at a single location. Extra time added here goes toward making time for family/friends photos and extra time to relax the pace a bit and pull off some more creative shots with a couple.

Wildflower experiences are more involved, often including longer hikes, travel time between locations, more planning, and more photo coverage throughout the session. It offers the best wedding packages in Washington state that would cater to your every need!

Who is Kathleen?

She is an outdoor enthusiast and advocate, dog mom, adventurer, and road tripper. She became an elopement photographer to pursue her biggest passions in life – spending more time outdoors and photographing couples on the day they get married! One of her favorite things in the world is getting to adventure with a couple in a beautiful place on their elopement day. Originally from the Southwest, she and her husband uprooted their lives about a year ago and moved to Washington (one of the best decisions she ever made). At home in the mountains, in her free time, you can probably find her somewhere out on the trails. It is such an honor to be a part of an elopement day, and a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly.

If you feel like the Wildflower Experience is a great fit for what you envision for your elopement, contact us and let’s get the planning process started! We are here to make your dream adventure elopement come true!

Let’s Chat

General

Written by Janessa White

Janessa White is the co-founder of Simply Eloped and has helped thousands of couples plan elopements. As an expert in the field, she has been featured on Martha Stewart, Brides.com, Vox, and HuffPost. Janessa thinks elopements are the ultimate way to tie the knot.