How to Get Married in Washington State and Tips to Plan a Wedding

If you're currently engaged in the Pacific Northwest, you might wonder how to get married in Washington State. Whether you're a local or just love the region, Washington is a stunning destination filled with culture, natural beauty and amazing backdrops to tie the knot. Not only will you need to find a place to get married in the region, but you also need to learn the right way to do it legally. Understanding the ins and outs of the wedding rules of Washington State isn't tricky, but it's important to be aware of the procedures to make sure your marriage is valid.

Before getting married in Washington State, read ahead to understand how to get your license, find the best destination and see tips for planning a celebration in the region.

In this article:

• How to Get a Marriage License in Washington
• Notable Wedding Locations in Washington
• How to Plan a Wedding in Washington Step-by-Step

How to Get a Marriage License in Washington

To get legally married in Washington, you're going to need a marriage license. "The first step is to send in a basic application to your county of choice, then complete the process with an application fee," explains Washington-based wedding photographer Jacqueline Benét. "In Washington State, there is a three-day waiting period required after you obtain your marriage license before you get married. From there, you have 60 days to have your ceremony before the license expires. After your ceremony, you complete the marriage certificate and your officiant mails in the completed certificate within 30 days of your ceremony for your marriage to be recorded and become official." You can find more information about Washington State marriage licenses at individual county websites.

Notable Wedding Locations in Washington

If you're looking to get married in the Evergreen State, there are plenty of amazing Washington wedding venues to choose from. "Washington State boasts so many beautiful locations from city to country, from estates to wineries, and from mountains to

Beaches," Benét says. See a few favorites ahead.

Seattle

While Seattle is the metropolitan center of Washington, it's still a location with plenty of beautiful natural features to enhance your ceremony ambiance. "You can find any venue here that fits your unique needs and interests," shares Seattle-based wedding photographer Shaunae Teske. "Some of my favorite venues in Seattle and the surrounding areas include: The Admiral's House, Edgewater Hotel and Twin Willow Gardens." Looking to elope? "Olympic National Park is a gorgeous choice for any elopement or intimate wedding if you love nature, while the Seattle Municipal Courthouse is perfect for a city elopement," she says.

FEATURED VIDEO FROM THE KNOT

San Juan Islands

Washington has a number of beautiful islands that serve as the perfect destination for your wedding celebration. Reachable by ferry or boat, places like San Juan Island, Orcas Island and Friday Harbor are a great escape for couples that want a coastal celebration.

Redmond

Want to have an earthy, forest wedding? Head to Redmond for a beautiful ceremony beneath towering trees. This area is home to picturesque farm venues including Woodinville Lavender and Trillium Nursery Farm.

Lakewood

Want to get married at a castle without needing to fly to Europe? Consider booking your wedding at Thornewood Castle in Lakewood. Benét describes it as "a brick old-world castle with lush gardens and lakeside views."

How to Plan a Wedding in Washington Step-by-Step

Now we come down to the details about how to plan a wedding in Washington. Read ahead for advice and important considerations to know for your nuptials.

1. Set a Budget

Before really getting into venue selection, it's important to get a good idea of your budget. With a set number in mind, you can tailor your search to find places that fit your desired aesthetic and price limit. If you want a clearer idea of what you should budget for a wedding in Washington, The Knot Budget Advisor is a tool that helps couples learn more about wedding costs in their marrying location, based on data from real couples.

2. Choose a Venue

When on the lookout for a venue, think about your vision for the day. Do you want indoors or out? Do you want to be in a city or out in a forest? Do you want a place with in-house catering or do you want to bring in an outside food vendor? Luckily, there are plenty of options at different price points throughout the state that can fit the bill. "It's one of the most gorgeous places I have ever lived and there really is something for everyone here," Teske says. It's a good idea to make a guest list in advance of your venue search to ideally find a space that can accommodate everyone.

3. Consider Transportation Needs

Seattle-based Teske warns to be aware of any transportation needs in advance. "The traffic here can get a bit intense," she says. "I highly suggest planning a wedding with the ceremony and reception all at one location so your guests don't have to worry about traveling and can enjoy themselves."

4. Learn the Best Time of Year to Get Married in Washington State

Teske emphasizes that weather should be a major consideration when determining your wedding date. "Prime wedding season in Washington is usually from May to October," Teske says. "If you want warm weather and a very small chance of rain, I highly suggest getting married in July or August." She adds, "Weddings in August and September will have to keep an eye on wildfire season. The smoke can affect the air quality here." Benét notes, "It's important to jump on securing a venue as soon as you can and consider a backup rain plan if you are planning to get married outdoors." Of course, you can also have a winter wedding in the state if you prefer a celebration in the snow.

5. Secure Important Vendors

Hiring the right team to make your day come together is essential. Vital team members can include a photographer, videographer, planner or coordinator, caterer and DJ. Not sure how to find great options in your area? Check out The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find amazing professionals to help your wedding dreams come to life. Once you get one great vendor on board, it's not a bad idea to ask for recommendations. "The Washington wedding vendor community is close-knit, so ask for referrals as you're planning so you can put together a dream team of vendors that will work well together to make your day amazing," Benét says.

6. Invite Your Guests

Once you know where you want to get married in Washington State and your wedding venue capacity, you can solidify your guest list. Send out those save-the-dates and later invitations with enough lead time for guests to properly prepare for the festivities ahead.