San Juan Islands Elopement Packages
Thinking of eloping in the San Juan Islands? You've come to the right place! Few places combine the mysterious magic of the Pacific Northwest with the intimacy, seclusion, splendor, and unique island culture of the San Juan Islands. Bursting with opportunities for outdoor adventure, exploration, wildlife viewing, and more, the San Juan Islands make for an ideal spot to hold your wild wedding!
This guide will walk you through planning your elopement in the San Juan Islands from start to finish.
Where are the San Juan Islands?
The San Juan Islands are located just off the northern coast of Washington state in the Salish Sea. The islands capture the essence of the PNW with a variety of wildlife, lush landscapes, friendly fishing villages, and panoramic sea views. The San Juans, as its lovingly referred to by locals, is made up of 172 named islands. The San Juan Island archipelago caters to the outdoor enthusiast, establishing itself as a premier destination for kayakers, whale watchers, hikers, and travel enthusiasts eager to soak up the natural beauty of the PNW.
How to get to the San Juan Islands
The San Juan Islands are just that, a chain of islands accessible only by boat or plane. You’ll have to take a Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to get to any of the San Juan Islands. If you’ve rented a car or are driving your own, I recommend spending some time exploring Seattle before heading to the San Juans. Alternatively, you can hire a private boat to take you to the islands if you prefer a little more privacy.
Charter a seaplane or a private plane to one of the islands! While you may have to spend more on private transportation to the islands, what's a little luxury when it comes to your special day?
Which of the San Juan Islands should you visit?
San Juan Island
San Juan Island offers a wide range of recreational activities, whether you and your partner spend your time meandering through fields of fragrant lavender, exploring the island’s tide pools, touring their historic lighthouses, kayaking around the island, relaxing at a park, cycling the island, or hiking Mt. Young.
Other hidden gems on San Juan Island include an alpaca farm, a winery, beautiful parks and beaches, delicious cuisine, and guided tours showcasing the island's history in addition to wildlife viewing opportunities. Orca whales are active between the months of May and September.
Orcas Island
Orcas Island is another popular destination in the San Juans, dubbed “the gem of the San Juans.” You'll understand why the moment you arrive! Orcas Island offers a slice of paradise surrounded by lush green forests, hiking trails, dazzling lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The stunning Moran State Park is the ideal place for your elopement ceremony. After, hike to Mount Constitution's summit to pop some post "I do" bubbly while soaking in the stunning scenery.
Lopez Island
Lopez Island is often referred to as “the Friendly Island” for its friendly locals and inviting atmosphere. It has a little something for everyone, from rolling pastures to secluded beaches to breathtaking views of Mount Baker. There are fewer attractions on Lopez compared to Orcas and San Juan Island. But if you're looking for a peaceful, pristine location to hold your elopement and post-wedding celebrations, this is your place! To put it simply, this is the best island to visit if you want to escape the crowds and reconnect with nature.
Where to elope in the San Juan Islands
San Juan Island:
Any of the public beaches
On a Yacht or Sailboat
Orcas Island:
Iceberg Point
Watmough Bay
Guemes Island:
North Beach
Guemes Mountain
How to elope in the San Juan Islands
A marriage license from Washington state is required to get married in the San Juan Islands. Washington has a three-day holding period once you get your marriage paperwork, so you should plan your trip accordingly or get it online beforehand.
Additional special use permits may be required depending on where your ceremony will be held. Some parks and public locations may require a special activity/special use permit, or you may have to inform local government offices when and where you plan to hold your ceremony. Once you’ve narrowed your location options down, I recommend researching those locations and checking if they have any specific permit restrictions or guidelines for hosting weddings.
San Juan Islands Elopement Packages
All elopement packages include my travel to anywhere in the United States (no hidden or extra fees!), customized location scouting and research, permit assistance, personalized vendor recommendations, unique-to-you and your location activity suggestions, and a customized elopement timeline for your one of a kind day. Every elopement gallery also includes high-resolution digital images with printing rights and a private online gallery to view, print, download, and share your gallery with your family and friends to relive the day with you!
4 Hour ~ $3000
Perfect for couples wanting to take a more simplistic approach to their elopement day! Typically this package is ideal for capturing getting ready, a close ceremony location with a short hike, and couples portraits.
8 Hour ~ $5000
Best for couples wanting a day of adventure like a long hike, off-roading, or traveling to multiple locations on the islands. This package is best for telling the complete story of your elopement day. Typically couples who are eloping just the two of them will select this package to document their day for the friends and family who are not in attendance to have that opportunity to experience the day. Also ideal for couples bringing friends and family who want to have their reception captured. Your reception could look like pizza at your Airbnb around a fire with your parents and siblings or a private chef serving you a 3-course meal on a table decorated in florals!
12 Hour ~ $7000
Perfect for couples seeking complete coverage of their elopement story. This package offers the ultimate storytelling experience. From waking up and having coffee with your partner to roasting marshmallows on a fire after dawn. Couples who are eloping just the two of them will select this package to document their day for the friends and family who are not in attendance to have that opportunity to experience the day. Also ideal for couples bringing friends and family and would like to have their full day with their guests documented.
Multi-Day ~ $9000
Perfect for couples wanting a multi-day experience with a lot of adventure. This package is best if you want to elope in one epic location and experience another the following day. An example of this would be eloping in Moran State Park, going kayaking or eloping on a sailboat off the shore of San Juan Island the next day, and on your final day sailing to one of the smaller islands only accessible by seaplane or private boat like James Island Marine State Park or Sucia Island Marine State Park.
What to do in the San Juan Islands
Regardless of what your perfect San Juan Island elopement entails, there is so much to see and do here! Some popular pre and post-elopement activities include:
Take a hike
Camp
Charter a private boat or take a sailing tour
Go kayaking, canoeing, or paddleboarding
Go fishing
Stroll some of the 478 miles of coastline on the islands
Go whale watching
Visit the whale museum
Check out some lighthouses
Visit the Pelindaba Lavender Farm
Take a seaplane and tour the islands from above
Bike along the islands
Visit the Alpaca Farm
Sip wine at a local winery
When to visit the San Juan Islands
If you're eyeing a warm-weather elopement in the San Juan Islands, you’ll want to plan your special day sometime between April and October. Summer and early fall are the warmest months on the islands, but it's also the busiest - so be prepared for crowds!
However, if you don't mind a bit of a chill, the San Juans shine in the fall, with trees changing colors everywhere you turn. Plus, there are many fun fall activities on the islands, including farm tours, wine dinners, and beer festivals.
Winter: Each island will feel like you have the whole place to yourself, with half as many visitors as in peak season. While the temperature rarely dips below freezing in this mild climate, be prepared to layer up and dress warmly for outdoor activities.
Spring: Spring on the San Juans are truly something special. As the days get longer, the Orca Whales return, wildflowers bloom, and birdwatching opportunities are at their peak. Temperatures during the day can still be chilly, so be prepared to bundle up for a sunrise ceremony.
Summer: June, July, August, and September are the most popular months to visit the San Juan Islands. In the summer months, you can expect average temperatures to reach the high 60s to low 70s – perfect conditions for a dreamy elopement!
Fall: Enjoying autumn in the San Juans is the perfect way to unwind following a hectic summer season. During the fall season, the islands see fewer tourists, the leaves start to turn colors, and chillier mornings hint that winter is just around the corner. Opportunities for island hopping begin to wind down, too, with only one ferry running per day between islands in some instances.
Where to stay when visiting the San Juan Islands
It’s also a good idea to look into where you’ll stay during your elopement. There are plenty of options to choose from, but these are a handful of my favorites.
Best places to camp in the San Juan Islands
San Juan Island Camping:
Glamping on San Juan Island:
Orcas Island Camping:
Glamping on Orcas Island:
Lopez Island Camping:
Glamping on San Juan Island:
Shaw Island Camping:
Primitive Campgrounds on the archipelago’s smaller islands:
Best Airbnb’s in the San Juan Islands
Best Hotels & Resorts in the San Juan Islands
San Juan Island:
Orcas Island:
Lopez Island:
Ready to plan your San Juan Islands Elopement?
Regardless of where you are in the planning process, I hope this guide to eloping in the San Juan Islands was helpful! I'd love to talk more about your elopement day vision and answer any questions you may have. Ready to start planning the elopement day of your dreams? Contact me today and let's get started!