How to Have a Beautiful, Affordable Wedding in Seattle
Did you know that it can be quite easy and inexpensive to get married in Washington state, and specifically the Seattle area? All you need are your marriage license, an ordained minister or a judge to officiate, and two witnesses who are 18 years or older. If your ceremony is small and short, you can have it almost anywhere. And I'll show up with the flowers (included in all my wedding packages) so you don't need to make an extra trip to the florist. The low-stress and affordable way to get married is to have your ceremony at a scenic location and then go to a nice restaurant for the reception meal. And Seattle has many scenic locations for small weddings (see examples here).
1) Some Things to Consider Before Choosing a Date and Location
Weather and Season
If you don't have a specific date in mind and are open to the time of year, consider what you'd like. I've been photographing outdoor in the Seattle area year-round for several years and I've had dry weather most of the time I was out photographing. Yes, it rains a lot in Seattle, but most days when there is rain, it often only rains for part of the day, and the rest of the day is dry. Mid-June through early September is the warmest and most sunny period in Seattle, but the spring and autumn are beautiful too. Spring brings cherry blossoms and autumn brings colorful leaves. Both of these seasons are actually my favorite times to photograph because they can be so colorful and magical.
Time of Day and Lighting
At the height of summer here (July through early September), the morning or early evening are the best times to be outside not only because it can get quite hot at midday but the lower sun angles create better lighting for photography. If you are going to be outside at midday at the height of summer, make sure you're in the shade to stay cool and avoid direct sun on your face. Midday sun is the worst for photography because it casts unflattering shadows on your face (and you'll probably be squinting if there is sun in your face). However, the nice thing about Seattle is that there is a good chance it will be overcast which means nice diffuse lighting and no harsh shadows. It also means cooler, more comfortable weather for you and your guests. Trust me, you don't want to be standing in the sun in 90 degrees in a tux or a heavy dress. From June to early July the sun also doesn't set until around 9:30pm so you can have a short wedding on a weekday evening after work and enjoy a lower weekday rate on venues, cooler weather, and the best lighting around sunset. I also offer flexible scheduling so if you don't have a specific date in mind, but want to catch a clear day to see Mt. Rainier, I'm happy to accommodate.
Picking a Date
If you can, avoid major holidays, especially if you're going to rent a venue. Everything tends to be more expensive and or harder to find around major holidays. You can also save a lot of money on a venue by going with a weekday vs a weekend. Also check for major events happening near your desired venue, such as festivals, Seahawks games, Huskies games, concerts at the stadiums, marathons and UW graduation. This often means a lot traffic, no parking, and even some road closures.
2) The Ceremony
If you're getting married in King County (Seattle and surrounding area) you can apply for your marriage license online and have it mailed to you. For other counties in WA, please check the county's website for specific requirements. WA state law requires you to wait 3 days from the date the license is issued, and complete the ceremony within 60 days (read the full law here). There are many online churches where anyone 18 and older can become ordained (for free or for a small fee) and legally perform marriages in WA state, which really means that they can legally sign off on the marriage license. I am ordained myself. You can also hire a professional officiant or a judge to perform the ceremony (starts around $200).
The Seattle Municipal Court in downtown Seattle is a popular place for a quick ceremony on the beautiful outdoor roof deck, but it is limited to weekdays after 4pm. However, there are some judges who will perform ceremonies on weekends at other courthouses around the Seattle area, and some who will travel to a location of your choice (see the list here). After the ceremony, you, your partner, the two witnesses and the officiant need to sign the marriage license. The license needs to be returned to King County by mail or in person. You must request an official copy from the county if you need legal proof of marriage because the county will not automatically mail you a copy.
If you're having a small, short ceremony (10-20 minutes with a handful of people present), you can have your ceremony practically anywhere. There are many scenic places around Seattle with views of the water, the mountains and the city skyline, and many of these places are public parks. Most Seattle parks will require a permit, and many Seattle Parks properties and community centers have covered or indoor facilities available for wedding rentals, perfect for a reception. Parks properties and community centers are generally more affordable than private venues. The only downside is that many public parks will not close for weddings or have dedicated parking, so if you want guaranteed parking and privacy, a private venue might be better.
One of my favorite parks properties for weddings is the Volunteer Park Conservatory ($170/hr w/ 2hr min, up to 25 people):
Another is the Alki Bath House, on Alki Beach (click here to see full album):
Sites like Peerspsace, Airbnb, and VRBO and are good places to look for private venues for small ceremonies and receptions. Just make sure that weddings are allowed by the host, what the maximum capacity is, if there is parking, access for vendors, etc.
One of my favorite private venue where I've photographed is this amazing estate on Vashon Island that's an Airbnb. While Vashon Island is technically not Seattle, it's a short ferry ride away from West Seattle, where I'm based so I consider it part of Seattle. The ferry terminal to Vashon is also not far from SeaTac Airport which makes relatively easy to access (you also don't have to go through downtown Seattle).
3) The Reception
After your ceremony, go to a nice restaurant for dinner or a small reception. Many restaurants will either be available to rent out for a private event or have a private dining room. The nice thing about going to a restaurant vs. hiring catering at a venue is that a restaurant already has tables, chairs, dishware, etc and you save time and money by not having to set this up and break it down. Or for a simpler and more affordable option, rent a picnic shelter at a public park and have a potluck picnic.
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