Elopement Ceremonies
Some couples want a simple, intimate ceremony focused on becoming legally married without the planning and structure of a larger wedding. Elopement ceremonies fulfill exactly that purpose.
Couples typically hold these ceremonies in parks or other public places and limit attendance to themselves, two witnesses, and a few close friends or family members. In practice, this usually means fewer than about ten people in total.
If you are planning a ceremony with a larger group or a reserved venue, one of the Wedding Ceremony packages will usually be a better fit.
Elopement Package
This package provides a fast, simple ceremony while still ensuring that the details of your wedding and the legal process are handled carefully.
Includes
- Ceremony design using a streamlined questionnaire
- One planning consultation over Zoom
- A personalized elopement ceremony
- Preparation and completion of your marriage certificate
- Mailing the completed certificate to the county recorder
- Follow-up to confirm your certificate is registered
Base Price: $560
Planning Your Elopement
Planning usually begins shortly after we sign our agreement and is designed to move quickly. Most elopements take place within two to three weeks of booking.
Your planning process includes:
- Designing your ceremony using a short questionnaire
- Reviewing the final ceremony draft together
- A final consultation shortly before your ceremony
Shortly after booking, I send you a questionnaire to capture the details for your ceremony. The link also includes a sample ceremony template and booklets of readings and blessings you may choose.
Once I receive your responses, I edit the ceremony and prepare the final version. A few days before your wedding, we meet briefly over Zoom to walk through the ceremony and confirm the final details.
This conversation serves as a virtual rehearsal, ensuring everything flows smoothly on your wedding day.
Marriage License and Certificate Preparation
Getting the legal details right is an important part of the process. I’ll guide you through every stage to prevent anything from being missed.
The certificate preparation process includes:
- Getting a valid Washington State marriage license
- Reviewing the paperwork provided by the county
- Preparing and signing the legal certificate
- Mailing the completed certificate to the county recorder
- Confirming that your marriage is registered
County offices issue marriage licenses in Washington State. The application fee varies slightly by county, but with the statewide surcharge added in 2025 the cost is typically around $170.
I provide instructions on how and when to apply for your marriage license. In Washington State, the license must be in hand at least three days before your ceremony, which is the most important timing requirement to keep in mind. Most couples apply within a few weeks of their wedding date. Once the county issues the license, it remains valid for 60 days, so there is plenty of flexibility as long as you observe the three-day waiting period.
During our final consultation, we also review the paperwork in your license packet so you know which sections you can complete ahead of time.
Preparing and Filing Your Certificate
After your ceremony, we complete and sign the legal marriage certificate with your two witnesses.
I then mail the certificate to the county recorder along with the request form for certified copies. Typically, financial institutions, government records, and other legal updates require these copies.
I send the packet by Priority Mail so we can track it.
I monitor the county recorder for the next week or two to confirm that the State of Washington registered your marriage. Once that happens, the county mails your certified copies directly to you.
If questions arise during the process, you can always contact me. While problems are rare, I will help you track down the paperwork if anything goes missing.
Your Wedding Day
On the day of your ceremony, I arrive well in advance so everything is ready when you are.
I schedule a 2½-hour block of time for your ceremony. This allows flexibility in case schedules shift or unexpected delays occur.
After arriving, I will:
- check in with you and your venue
- set up the ceremony space
- coordinate with your photographer or venue staff
- confirm that the wedding party and witnesses are ready
Just before the ceremony begins, we take a few moments to confirm everyone is in place and ready.
After the ceremony, we complete and sign the marriage certificate with your two witnesses. Because we have already reviewed the paperwork during our Zoom consultation, this part of the process is usually quick and easy.
Once we complete everything and secure the paperwork, I will leave you to celebrate your day with your guests.
And you should celebrate. The planning is finished; the ceremony is complete, and your marriage has begun.
Questions?
If you have questions at any point during the process, reach out. I’m happy to help.
If you would like to talk about your plans and see whether an elopement ceremony is the right fit, the best place to start is a short discovery conversation.