All Your Options for Officiants, Paperwork & Personalization

Eloping is all about doing things your way—choosing what matters, skipping what doesn’t, and shaping a day that feels honest and connected. And that includes the ceremony.

The ceremony is the heart of your elopement—the thread that binds it all together.

Whether it’s just the two of you on a mountaintop or a small circle of loved ones by your side, your elopement ceremony can be whatever you want it to be: legal, symbolic, simple, elaborate, or anything in between. Here's what to know about the logistics, officiant options, and ways we help you through it all.

JUst you, or with a crew?

Just Us Elopements: Officiant Options

1. Photographer-Led Ceremony (our fave!)

We offer complimentary officiating services for just-us elopements! We love when we get to help you plan the day, document every moment, and legally seal the deal all in one.

Photographer-led ceremonies keep the focus fully on you two. The photos showcase you two in a really intimate, beautiful way. We’ll get some photos up close, then step back and get some wider photos while you two read each other your vows, giving you space for those private moments!

We’ll also guide you through the entire process:

Applying for your WA marriage license
Finding a beautiful, secluded spot for your ceremony
Writing your vows (we have tips to get you started)
Signing & filing the paperwork when it’s all said and done
Ceremony customization, including readings or rituals
Finding witnesses day-of
Signing & filing the paperwork when it’s all said and done

We’ve also got some other marriage resources to share too:

Pre-marriage legal & financial checklist, including legal name change guide
Premarital discussion questions

2. Hire a pro

If you'd prefer not to have your photographer officiate, you can still keep things intimate while bringing in a pro. We have a list of excellent officiants who specialize in adventure elopements—folks who are kind, inclusive, and totally at home in the mountains, woods, or wherever your ceremony takes you. We're happy to refer someone who fits your vibe, whether you're looking for something formal or casual, spiritual or secular.

3. Self-led & Symbolic

If you’re not interested in making things legal on your elopement day, or simply want a ceremony that’s private and fully your own, a symbolic or self-led ceremony is a great choice. You can skip the paperwork entirely or take care of it before or after, and focus instead on sharing vows, exchanging rings, or creating a moment that feels sacred in your own way. Some couples write letters, build a small cairn, read poetry, or create a ritual that’s unique to their relationship. There are no rules here—just meaning.

Ceremonies with Guests: Officiant Options

Bringing guests? You have a few different options!

1. Have a Friend or Family Member Lead

This is one of the most personal options, and we love helping make it happen. We'll provide resources on how to get ordained (it's easier than you think), offer guidance on writing the ceremony script, and even help craft the tone or flow of the event.

If needed, we can quietly serve as the legal officiant in the background—so your chosen person can focus on holding space for the moment without any extra bureacratic stress.

2. Hire the Crew

When two Wilderpines crew members are present, we can tag-team your day: one focuses on photography while the other leads the ceremony. This is a great option if you want both roles covered by someone who already knows you and your vision. Availability is limited, but it's a seamless, heartfelt way to keep everything in-house.

Heads up: We only take on booking with 10 guests or less. (Why? 1, It starts to feel less intimate and more like a big wedding. 2, It’s logistically more challenging and stressful to plan. 3, It’s difficult to find suitable ceremony sites on public lands. Many locations cap at 10 for permits.)

3. Hire a pro

For couples with guests, hiring an experienced, adventure-ready officiant can take the pressure off your inner circle. We’ve built relationships with wonderful officiants across Washington who are warm, thoughtful, and at ease in nature-based settings. You’ll get our Vendor Directory which includes all our best contacts.

Can’t decide? Have two ceremonies!

Some couples find themselves wanting to share part of their day with guests, but also craving space for something more private. If that sounds like you, you might consider splitting your ceremony into two parts: one personal and just for the two of you (perhaps during a sunrise hike or private moment in the woods), and a second with your guests later in the day or the next day for the legal pronouncement and celebration.

Or: don’t want the hassle of all the travel logistics? Have your second ceremony back home!

This can be a beautiful way to honor your relationship in two distinct ways—intimate and shared.

WA Marriage Law 101: The Basics

To legally marry in Washington State, you’ll need to apply for a marriage license—typically about a month before your elopement. We’ll walk you through that process and answer any questions you have along the way.

You’ll need two witnesses present for the legal ceremony. If you’re not bringing guests, that’s okay. We can just grab a few witnesses while we’re out and about—maybe a friendly hiker, a ranger, or maybe the shopkeeper at the visitor center gift shop. Don’t worry, we’ll be outgoing to strangers if you’re feeling too shy to ask. Usually people are stunned to see a wedding out the wild and are thrilled to sign as your witness!

If we’re officiating, we can also take care of filing the paperwork for you after the ceremony, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

In short:

Apply for your marriage license about 1 month out from your elopement
You’ll need 2 witnesses—we’ll help you find some if you’re not bringing guests
If we’re officiating for you, we can file the paperwork after your ceremony

Symbolic vs. legal Ceremonies

Don’t want to deal with legal paperwork during your trip? No problem.

Many couples choose to handle the license in advance (or afterward) and treat their elopement ceremony as a symbolic union. For some, it takes pressure off the day; for others, it’s a way to separate the emotional experience from the bureaucratic one. Either way, the ceremony itself can still be deeply meaningful.

Where to Elope

When you’re eloping with guests, we typically recommend locations that are easy to access and spacious enough for a small group—places like lakeshores, beaches, scenic overlooks, or privately rented cabins with beautiful outdoor areas. Short hikes can work too, as long as your guests are physically able and comfortable outdoors. We tend to keep guest count to ten or fewer, and we only take on a small number of guest-inclusive elopements each year to ensure we can give them the attention they deserve.

If it’s just the two of you, the options really open up. We can plan a ceremony in the backcountry, along a remote alpine trail, on a beach at low tide, or wherever the two of you feel most drawn. Whether you’re hiking in, driving up, or backpacking out overnight, we’ll help you find a spot that fits the mood you’re hoping for.

If You’re Inviting Guests

When you’re eloping with guests, we typically recommend locations that are easy to access and spacious enough for a small group—places like lakeshores, beaches, scenic overlooks, or privately rented cabins with beautiful outdoor areas. Short hikes can work too, as long as your guests are physically able and comfortable outdoors.

Options to consider:

Easy to access spots that don’t require much hiking or walking
Short hikes (as long as everyone’s able and willing—nothing too long, difficult, or technical)
Scenic but safe: overlooks, beaches, riverbanks, lakesides
Or private: cabin rentals, Airbnb backyards, etc.

Heads up: We only take on booking with 10 guests or less. (Why? 1, It starts to feel less intimate and more like a big wedding. 2, It’s logistically more challenging and stressful to plan. 3, It’s difficult to find suitable ceremony sites on public lands. Many locations cap at 10 for permits.)

If It’s Just the Two of You

If it’s just the two of you, the options really open up. Especially if you’ve opted for a photographer-led ceremony—we can truly have your ceremony anywhere, at any time during the day! Sometimes we don’t even plan on an exact spot so we can feel out how the day goes and have the ceremony wherever feels most right that day, whatever you are most drawn to. Whether you’re hiking in, driving up, or backpacking out overnight, we’ll help you find a spot that fits the mood you’re hoping for.

Options you could consider:

Backcountry hikes
Easy to reach overlooks
Remote beaches
High alpine zones
Lakesides or riverbanks
Backpacking trips
Jeep-accessible forest roads
Private Airbnb rentals

We’ll help you scout and select the perfect spot.

What a Ceremony Typically Looks Like

No two ceremonies are the same—but most follow a natural rhythm. We’ll usually arrive at your chosen location, take a few moments to pause and settle in, and begin when you’re ready. Whether we’re leading the ceremony or someone else is, the tone tends to be calm, thoughtful, and relaxed. You’ll have time for vows, a ring exchange if you’re doing one, and whatever other elements you want to include.

Afterward, we’ll sign the marriage license, take a breath, and probably pop something fizzy or break out a picnic. It’s never rushed—and always yours.

Here’s a rough outline of how most of our elopement ceremonies flow:

Just Us ceremony flow

While every ceremony is unique, most follow a rhythm that feels quiet, intentional, and deeply connected. We often begin with a short walk or hike to your ceremony location. Once we arrive, we take a moment to pause—giving you both space to ground, breathe, and soak in your surroundings. We love starting off our ceremonies with a quiet grounding ritual and breathing exercises to fully center yourselves and calm your nerves before beginning.

Then comes a short introduction—something to acknowledge the moment, how far you’ve come, and the meaning behind what you’re doing. From there, you’ll exchange vows and rings (if you're doing rings), and optionally include a handfasting, reading, or unity ritual.

Once the ceremony is complete, we’ll sign the marriage license (or not, if it’s symbolic!), and celebrate—maybe with a toast, a picnic, or simply a quiet moment together before heading into the next part of your adventure.

Ceremony Flow with Guests

When guests are present, the ceremony flow is similar but includes a few additional layers. We’ll still guide everyone to the ceremony location, whether it’s a short hike or a drive-up spot. Once everyone is settled, your officiant—whether it’s us, a guest, or a hired pro—will welcome your people and begin.

Guest-inclusive ceremonies tend to have a slightly more structured tone, often with a formal welcome, the couple’s story, and a few shared reflections. Vows and rings follow, just like in a just-us ceremony, and many couples choose to incorporate something interactive for guests—like a group blessing, shared reading, or a circle moment. If you're having a guest officiate, we'll be right there to help get everyone in place and ready, support with cues, timing, and any last-minute guidance.

After the legal pronouncement and license signing, there’s time to celebrate: hugs, cheers, photos, and maybe a shared toast or picnic with your favorite people!

Make It Yours: Fun Ideas to Personalize Your Ceremony

Whether your ceremony is just the two of you or with a few guests, here are some meaningful, Leave No Trace-friendly ways to make it your own:

Have your dog sign your license (yes, this is a thing—we’ll bring the stamp pad!)
Read letters from loved ones who aren’t present
Include a handfasting ritual — Ashton can make you one, or come to the HQ and he’ll lead you in making your own!
Share a toast or shot together
Include a poem, reading, or recited song lyrics
Have a musician perform
Seal up a time capsule to open on an anniversary
Light a unity candle or plant a unity tree
Ask guests to bless/warm the rings or say a few words of love

Need More Help?

If you’re planning an elopement and wondering how the ceremony will work—know that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. We’ll walk you through everything from legal steps to location scouting, from writing your vows to saying them out loud.

Whether we’re the ones officiating or someone else is, we’re with you every step of the way—legally, logistically, and emotionally. Whether it’s just the two of you or your chosen few, your ceremony deserves to feel honest, beautiful, and uniquely yours.