How to Elope at Artist Point
THINKING OF ELOPING AT ARTIST POINT?
Artist Point in the Mount Baker Wilderness, in my opinion, hands down one of the best places in Washington if not the world, for an adventure elopement. With its craggy mountain peaks and limitless views, thick forests and meadows blooming with colorful wildflowers, it truly feels like you’re in a painting.
And the best part is, if you have a car (and you time it right), you can get there—no hiking required! It’s one of the most accessible places in the region, which is especially great if you or any guests you invite have any mobility issues or are otherwise not comfortable in the outdoors.
If you’re thinking of eloping at Artist Point, these are a few things to know and take into consideration beforehand, and steps to take!
How to Elope at Artist Point
1. Connect with a photographer who knows the area
One of the first steps I recommend is to hire your photographer! A great elopement photographer is way more than a picture-taker—they’re also a wealth of knowledge and resource throughout your entire planning process. When it comes to adventure elopements specifically, you’ll want to find and hire an expert who is experienced in the outdoors and who is familiar with the area (psst, that’s us!).
Here at Wilderpines, we’re here as your elopement planners and coordinators to help you navigate the logistics and planning of your elopement, giving you tips and recommendations for locations, timelines, activities, travel considerations, ceremony scripts, packing lists, decor and personal touches, plus ideas for what else to do and see on your elopement trip.
Picking a date at Artist Point:
Seasonal considerations: The road to Artist Point is only open for a few months each summer, from about July through early to mid-October. It is NOT accessible by car during the rest of the year. Our Washington summers, while short, are the most beautiful time of year here, warm and often sunnier than the other months, and all the mountaintop wildflowers are abloom! Alternatively, you could consider eloping here in the winter and snowshoeing up to Artist Point for a winter wonderland elopement.
Timing considerations: Weekends during the on-season can be overwhelmingly crowded, so I highly recommend eloping here on a weekday. You may also want to consider eloping during the sunrise, and/or picking a trail that gets you away from the bulk of the crowds.
2. Apply for your elopement permit
You will need a special use permit to elope in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, even if you’re eloping just the two of you. You’ll want to apply for this permit at least 3-4 months out. You can find out more information about Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest permits here (under non-commercial group use).
You will also need a Northwest Forest parking pass to park at Artist Point ($5 a day per vehicle – see more info here). I recommend ordering and printing one out online, which I find a lot easier than trying to get one when you arrive.
3. Book travel & lodging
If you need to book flights, I recommend booking around 2-3 months in advance for domestic flights for the best prices, or 5-6 months for international flights. Don’t forget your rental car either!
For your accommodations, I recommend looking at vacation rentals along route 542 in Glacier or Maple Falls, about 30-40 minutes away from Artist Point and the closest towns to stay in. There are a TON of super-cute woodsy A-frames and cabins to choose from, it’s honestly the dream!
IMPORTANT NOTE: Airbnb has gotten a lot stricter about events and parties at their stays with a recent policy update. If you’re looking at Airbnbs for your elopement, I recommend messaging an Airbnb host directly with the specifics about your request before booking, or looking at other rental companies like VRBO or Riparide for your elopement stay!
4. Find an officiant
You will need a licensed officiant if you want to get married the same day that you go out for your elopement adventure. Great news: both of us here at Wilderpines are ordained, so you can kill two birds with one stone by hiring us as your photographer and officiant team!
5. Research marriage laws & apply for your marriage license
Once you apply for your marriage license (which you can do online), there is a 3 day waiting period before you can go have your ceremony.
When it comes time for your ceremony, you will also need two witnesses to sign your marriage license. If you want tips on finding witnesses (and an officiant) for your intimate elopement, read my blog post about that here!
Alternatively, you could consider filling out the paperwork and sorting out the legal stuff before or after your elopement trip, which frees you up for the intimate, stress-free elopement day of your dreams!
6. Get ready & gear up
Once all the other details are in place, it’s time to gear up and get out there! Click here for our post on how and what to pack for your elopement.
7. GO OUT AND HAVE THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME!
HEY THERE, WE’RE
WILDERPINES ELOPEMENTS
Creating wildly intentional & intimate adventure elopements for rad couples in the PNW
We’re here to inspire you and help you create a unique, intentional, unforgettable wedding experience that reflects who you are, then to capture it all so you can relive those moments forever.
If you’re looking for more information on how to elope in the Pacific Northwest or beyond, get in touch and let’s start planning your dream elopement!
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