Check out photos from Washington Elopement Locations!
The gem of the Pacific Northwest – Washington is the best place to elope because the incredible cities, quirky towns, and abundant natural environments come together to provide eloping couples endless opportunities to elope on their terms. Stunning beaches, mossy forests, endless waterfalls, and dynamic mountain ranges make this state one of the most beautiful places on earth!
Washington Elopement Photographer
I'm Mari, Lover of Chai And Heart-To-Heart Chats
Capturing the “real”
in real love stories
As an inclusive guide and elopement photographer in Washington, I’m here to help you craft an intimate, meaningful elopement that feels 100% true to you and your love. Together with my camera, I’ll be a supportive advocate of your unique love story every step of the way.
couples hire me as their Washington elopement photographer
I care deeply about my couples and am dedicated to crafting an elopement experience with them that centers connection, comfort, their unique love story.
EXPERIENCE
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
Top 5 Reasons
INclusive values
More than a photographer
Giving back
as a PNW resident of 15 years to help couples find the best trails, hidden waterfalls, coolest Airbnbs, and talented local vendors to make their elopement dreams a reality!
as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I support & loudly celebrate ALL love and identities because I believe everyone deserves to love & be loved for who they are.
with photographing over 100 local elopements & weddings across the Pacific Northwest in all seasons, and helping couples plan their elopement from start to finish.
by donating 5% of every booking to a select group of nonprofits that my couples choose from when they book with me. $14,539 donated since April 2019!
5.
4.
3.
2.
1.
I've been with my partner, Colin, for 13 years. We got married in July 2019 and experienced the ups & downs of wedding planning firsthand. We went from planning a 100 person wedding (and even put the deposit down for our big venue) to realizing that wasn’t what truly felt like “us,” and instead switched gears to an intimate forest elopement with just our closest loved ones.
We had a teary-eyed first look, and I surprised him with a custom song by his favorite band about our love story. I ripped a hole in my dress on a tree root. We ate S’mores by the campfire.
Now I’m here to help couples (like you!) follow your hearts in having a truly unique & meaningful elopement experience.
We followed our hearts, and I’m so glad we did.
Why elopements
are close to my heart
It was perfect.
That experience led to purpose
1.
LNT (Leave No Trace) is a set of 7 principles that were created to help us reduce our impact on the outdoors. People often have a much bigger impact than they realize, and a lot of damage happens when we’re unaware! Following these principles and respecting the lands ensures that you two can re-visit your elopement location for decades to come and that others can enjoy the same magical locations too!
leave no trace
2.
Trails are less crowded during the week, and wedding vendors are often more available since Saturday is still the most popular wedding day! Of course, you don’t have to get married on a weekday to elope, but you’ll likely find Monday-Friday to be more private outdoors.
Weekdays Are For Elopements
3.
It really depends on where you want to elope, but some outdoors locations require special event permits! Don’t worry too much about this, because I’ll make sure that we don’t get surprised by any requirements. I have all the contacts for local ranger stations, forestry offices, and state recreation offices. We’ll make sure everything is perfectly arranged well before your elopement day!
Research Permits
4.
Hiring local vendors gets you access to folks who know how to make your Washington elopement an experience to remember. In Washington you can find elopement vendors who have insider knowledge about the areas you’re visiting – like florists who source native plants, bakers who use local produce, and Washington elopement photographers (like me) who have spent years finding the best hidden gems and stunning locations to elope in Washington!
Support Local
Washington Elopement Packages & Info
All Washington elopement packages include:
Packages available
starting at $4000
Personalized location list & permit assistance to find your dream location
Client Guide - Over 90+ pages of tips & tricks to planning your dream elopement
Vendor & Airbnb recommendations to help your vision come to life
Professional guidance on timeline planning to get you the best light and keep things relaxed
Personal printing & downloading rights
Access to an easy-to-use online shop to order prints & albums through printing labs
Custom questionnaires, so I can ensure your wedding experience truly honors your love story
Contact me for full pricing & package details
Curious what a full day elopement
could look like?
full day elopement
full day
10:00am
Photographer arrives for getting ready moments & details
11:00am
First look at Airbnb
11:30am
Virtual champagne toast w/ family
12:00pm
Group hiking time through the forest
1:30pm
Lunch/refuel at Airbnb
2:15pm
Hike to beach ceremony location
3:00pm
Ceremony & group photos
3:45pm
Couples photos while exploring beach
5:00pm
Dinner at seafood market
6:30pm
Celebratory cake time & board games
7:30pm
Golden hour portraits & jump into ocean!
Explore Washington Elopement Inspiration & Resources
How to Elope in Olympic National Park
Panther Creek Falls Elopement
You don’t need to have all of those details figured out when you reach out. I’m happy to help walk you through some options and show you the possibilities.
Let's start The conversation
Feeling unsure on location or date, or how much time you need?
do you offer payment plans?
Yes I do! I understand firsthand just how much money you’re investing in your wedding and respect that everyone’s financial situation is different. If it works better for you and your partner’s finances, I am happy to divide the payment up into 3, 4, or 5 equal amounts and spread that out over the months leading up to your wedding. Just let me know you’d like to opt for a payment plan when you’re ready for a contract from me!
< back
frequently asked questions
All the answers
you need
HOW FAR DO YOU USUALLY BOOK OUT?
This can be a range. I have had last-minute bookings a month out from a wedding, and I’ve also had couples book me 18 months in advance to secure me for their date. I have also had to turn down couples because I was already booked for their date. My recommendation is to book any vendor you really want for your wedding as soon as you have your wedding date and approximate location established, so you don’t risk losing them to another couple. Saturdays between May - October are especially popular.
< back
frequently asked questions
All the answers
you need
After you inquire, I will be in touch shortly to set-up a consultation and answer any questions you may have. To book your date with me, you will need to review, sign, and return my contract with an initial payment of 50% of your balance to book. Remaining payment is due at least 30 days prior to your wedding.
WHAT IS NEEDED TO SECURE OUR DATE WITH YOU?
< back
frequently asked questions
All the answers
you need
WHEN WILL WE RECEIVE OUR PHOTOS BACK?
For elopements & intimate weddings - You'll receive a sneak peek gallery within 1 week of your day, and your full gallery within 8-12 weeks! For adventure sessions - You'll receive a few sneak peek photos within 1 week of your session, and your full gallery within 4 weeks!
< back
frequently asked questions
All the answers
you need
WHAT IF WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'D LIKE TO ELOPE?
No problem! Location scouting is one of my favorite parts of being an elopement photographer. Part of my services include putting together a custom location list of cool spots that fit your vision for your dream elopement day!
< back
frequently asked questions
All the answers
you need
DO YOU PHOTOGRAPH BIGGER WEDDINGS, TOO?
While I focus on elopements and tiny weddings, I’m also open to capturing larger celebrations. What matters most to me is the connection I feel with my couples — so if you resonate with my work and my mission, I’d love to chat with you to explore the possibilities!
< back
frequently asked questions
All the answers
you need
READY TO Start chatting about your dream Washington ELOPEMENT?
Follow your heart
REACH OUT BELOW
to get started
Claudia & Henry
There aren't enough words to describe how amazing working with Marissa was. She is truly one of a kind. Besides having a heart of gold, she has a soul full of love that loves love!
When we first found Marissa, I was blown away by the tenderness of her photographs. She photographs every couple in such an intimate and loving way. Marissa photographed our engagement session and our small wedding. She was very communicative, flexible, and honest. She really wanted to know us for who we are and I truly think that contributes to the intimacy in her photos. She was open to payment plans and we loved that she donates to a nonprofit of our choice. We needed help figuring out how to plan our elopement and help looking for vendors and rentals. Marissa was ready with a hundred page 'how-to' guide that was so incredibly helpful. I had stylistic preferences and she assured me that she would do everything to achieve it! Marissa went above and beyond in so many ways. She was down to go to new locations and always game to get the best shots!
When we received our gallery, we were so emotional. Marissa captured US- all our joy, love and excitement. She documented our day in such an exceptional way-- when we look at our photos, it feels like we're back in that exact moment. Marissa is an expert in her craft and trust me when I say you want nothing short of that on your wedding/elopement team.
Alexia & Pieter
Marissa's services truly made my dreams a reality. I'm not exaggerating in the least bit. My husband and I are from Florida, but we wanted to get married in the beautiful area that is the Pacific North West. Without Marissa's help scouting out locations, and recommendations, there's no way that our elopement would have been half as beautiful as it was. She made us feel so comfortable, and so well taken care of - if we could do it again, we would always work with Marissa a million times over.
She's an excellent communicator, so you'll never be left wondering about your photographer's reliability. We live in a different timezone than she does, and she ALWAYS made us feel like all of our concerns were understood and that she was right there with us every single step of the way.
We had never been to the PNW, and Marissa was so knowledgable and so careful about making sure that the locations were exactly what we were looking for. The amount of time and effort Marissa puts into her work is not only worth every penny, but I'd argue it's a total steal! I thank Marissa entirely for how amazing our elopement turned out. It was so much better than we could have ever hoped for. All of our friends and family kept going on and on about how our elopement photos were the most beautiful wedding photos that they had ever seen. And in all honesty (trying to set my biases aside here) they really truly were.
If you're on the fence about who to choose for your photographer, choose Marissa. I guarantee you that you won't find anyone more dedicated to making sure that you have the perfect wedding day & wedding photos. You can thank me later.
Margaux & Chris
Marissa was an absolute DREAM for our small wedding. Her services go so far beyond her amazing photography.
When we were in the planning stages for our elopement, Marissa offered us a portfolio full of step-by-step instructions that proved to be invaluable to our little wedding. She listened to our vision for the day and offered 10+ possible elopement destinations, along with corresponding vacation rentals nearby each location. She guided us through the legal red tape, and made referrals to other wedding vendors that specialize in elopements.
Our day was beautiful because of Marissa, and the photos she took we will cherish for the rest of our lives.
I cannot recommend her enough!
Sophie & Keven
Marissa’s photography is absolutely incredible. Not only is she extremely talented, but she’s wonderful to work with. I’m extremely camera shy. However, she made us so comfortable, which is so important. She also really gets to know her couples. She wanted my husband and I to have the best possible experience, and we did! Our elopement was everything we dreamt of and more. Marissa helped us plan the whole thing, and even constructed a timeline, making the whole day stress-free as it should be. Marissa is a really special person. You can tell how passionate she is about what she does, and you can feel how much she cares about her couples.
Marissa not only helped us plan our whole day, but she even went the extra mile to scout locations for us, and visit our selected locations with us prior to our elopement day. She’s also prepared for everything. She brought us our favorite snacks, blankets, and even hand warmers since the day ended up being a little bit chilly. Her goal is to make sure you’re having the best day of your life, and she really goes the extra mile. Literally the best day ever and we have the most gorgeous photos to prove it. We’re so grateful that Marissa was a part of our elopement. We wouldn’t have done it any other way. I highly recommend her.
Marissa’s photography is absolutely incredible. Not only is she extremely talented, but she’s wonderful to work with. I’m extremely camera shy. However, she made us so comfortable, which is so important. She also really gets to know her couples. She wanted my husband and I to have the best possible experience, and we did! Our elopement was everything we dreamt of and more. Marissa helped us plan the whole thing, and even constructed a timeline, making the whole day stress-free as it should be. Marissa is a really special person. You can tell how passionate she is about what she does, and you can feel how much she cares about her couples.
Marissa not only helped us plan our whole day, but she even went the extra mile to scout locations for us, and visit our selected locations with us prior to our elopement day. She’s also prepared for everything. She brought us our favorite snacks, blankets, and even hand warmers since the day ended up being a little bit chilly. Her goal is to make sure you’re having the best day of your life, and she really goes the extra mile. Literally the best day ever and we have the most gorgeous photos to prove it. We’re so grateful that Marissa was a part of our elopement. We wouldn’t have done it any other way. I highly recommend her.
