Intimate A-Frame Airbnb Winter Elopement in Packwood
On this December elopement day we might have gotten a little cold and wet and our fingers might have frozen just a little, and pretty much our whole game plan ended up changing because of it, but I don’t think Jaidyn and Miranda would have had it any other way. These two got to spend most of their wedding day enjoying this so-cozy A-frame cabin (The Place on the River) in Packwood, just soaking in the warmth and the love and the views.
We planned for an intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest friends and family outside the cabin by the riverfront, but the rain (100% chance of rain all day, thanks PNW) ushered everyone inside. But hot damn did this cabin deliver—seriously one of the prettiest ceremony “venues” I’ve ever seen!
After tying the knot (thanks to their fabulous officiant, Cherise of Another One Ties the Knot), Jaidyn and Miranda and I were hoping to go out for photos later with Mount Rainier as our backdrop, but the fickle rainy weather of the PNW made that a crap shoot. But these two trusted in me fully, and at the last minute, we decided to simply enjoy the coziness of the cabin and spent a little time exploring the neighborhood’s riverfront area.
It goes to show that when it comes to eloping, even in it’s fall or winter or the weather’s a bust, (hey there, looking at you rainy rainy Washington) there are so many great ways to have an *adventure* elopement that feels more like a cozy, luxurious vacay than a rugged expedition. Cold weather? Just an excuse to stay in and stay cozy!
IMPORTANT UPDATE ON AIRBNB POLICY:
Airbnb recently introduced a new policy forbidding events or parties at their stays, including any events with more than 16 people.
In response to this policy, my advice when looking for a spot to stay for your elopement is to reach out to a host directly and ask about your plans before booking. Include what you plan on using the space for (e.g. just getting ready / ceremony / dinner with friends & family - and include the total guest count!). I would also include whether or not you will be bringing a photographer to the space, and the total number of guests involved.
Some hosts will make exceptions to this new ‘party/event’ rule, while others have stopped allowing even elopements with no guests, so it’s always good to check in beforehand. You could also consider looking at VRBO or trying to book directly through a host’s website instead of going through Airbnb.
THINKING OF ELOPING IN WASHINGTON?
Washington state, in my opinion, is hands down one of the best places in the world for an adventure elopement. Whether you want snow-capped mountains, mossy rainforests, gorgeous coastlines, meadows blooming with colorful wildflowers or desert canyons—the Evergreen state has got it all. If you want to elope in Washington, these are a few things to know and take into consideration beforehand, and how to get started planning!
HOW TO START PLANNING YOUR WASHINGTON ELOPEMENT
STEP 1: DO SOME RESEARCH
Hey look at that, you’re already ahead of the game! The first step in planning an elopement is to do research, and that usually starts with locations. And if you know you want to elope in Washington, you’re already ahead of the game!
Once you have a general idea of what you want, you can start to get ideas for all the rest of what your elopement may entail: travel, hiking trails, elopement-day activities, ceremony ideas, and so on. It’s also a great chance to brainstorm and explore!
STEP 2: CONNECT WITH A PLANNER & PHOTOGRAPHER WHO KNOWS THE AREA, AND PICK A DATE
I recommend hiring your photographer early on in the planning process because a great photographer is so much more than a camera person—they’re also a wealth of knowledge!
You want someone who knows the area (psst, that’s us!) and who can help you find the perfect location and give you valuable insight into the area, and help you with all the logistics like travel, timelines, marriage law, and permits, provide recommendations for other vendors and activities—plus tips for what else to do and see on your elopement trip!
A few tips on finding a photographer and picking a date:
I recommend looking for someone local to the area you want to elope, since they’ll know the ins and outs of that specific region.
Look for someone who specializes in adventure elopements (like us). There is so much more logistically involved with an adventure elopement than a big wedding or a photoshoot, and you’ll want someone with the right expertise and knowledge, plus the proper gear and outdoors experience to be as prepared and safe as possible.
Even if you don't have an exact date, having a season or time of year in mind is helpful when you start looking for your photographer—but if you’re still unsure, we’re happy to help steer you in the right direction and find what’s best for you.
PICKING A DATE: Weekends can be overwhelmingly crowded pretty much anywhere you go in the region, especially in the busy season (April through October), so I highly recommend picking a weekday for your elopement. You’ll end up with less crowds and a far more intimate experience.
TIP FROM A PRO: If you have a specific photographer in mind that you’re dreaming of working with, I recommend coming to them with a flexible date range for a better chance of securing a booking with them!
Our packages are pretty darn-near all-inclusive and come with planning services, officiating services, gear and decoration rentals, even videography and custom elopement announcement design. We also offer 35mm and 8mm film!
STEP 3: NARROW DOWN THE DETAILS
After you’ve got a date, a location, and a photographer, you can start to book the rest of your vendors and get into the nitty gritty details. Make sure you’ve got an officiant lined up (psst, we’re ordained and include officiant services with all our packages!), hire your other vendors, research marriage laws and apply for your marriage license, apply for your permit (if applicable), book your travel and accommodations, get together a packing list, and craft your timeline so your elopement day can go off without a hitch.
We can also help you navigate the ins and outs of elopement logistics and provide you with personalized recommendations for vendors and more so you don’t have to feel overwhelmed with all the planning.
A few logistical notes:
FINDING AN OFFICIANT: You will need a licensed officiant for your elopement adventure. Great news: we’re all ordained, and we offer complimentary officiant services with all of our elopement packages!
MARRIAGE LAW: 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 to learn more about finding witnesses and navigating marriage law for your elopement, read our blog post about that here!
PERMITS: Depending on where in Washington you want to elope, you will most likely need a permit. National parks in Washington require permits even for small elopements, as do some of the national forests, depending on the logistics and size of your elopement. Contact the office in charge of your location to find out what if any permits are necessary, and what the steps are to apply for your permit—or, better yet, get in touch and we’ll help you sort out the permit information and all the other logistics, too.
STEP 4: PACK YOUR BAG, GET OUT THERE, AND HAVE THE BEST ELOPEMENT DAY EVER!
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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DAMN-NEAR ALL-INCLUSIVE ELOPEMENT PACKAGES IN WASHINGTON STATE