One of the biggest trends in the wedding industry over the last few years is certainly not a temporary thing: small weddings are here to stay. And so are small wedding venues!
Small weddings, or “micro” weddings, are often considered weddings of approximately 50 guests or fewer. Some of the top reasons couples opt for a smaller celebration include: more quality time with guests, a wider range in options for venues (including unique non-traditional options!), less waste / more eco-friendly, and spending more money on the things that matter most to couples over a “large party.” It’s also a great option for couples with guests coming from out of state, or anyone who hates being the center of attention in a large crowd.
And while most traditional wedding venues can accommodate smaller groups, it doesn’t mean they are all a great fit for 10-50 people. If you’re planning an intimate or micro wedding in Washington, these small wedding venues and locations below might be a more ideal option for your intimate celebration.
Washington State Parks
Not only are state parks a great eco-friendly and affordable option for more budget-conscious couples, they are also some of the most scenic outdoor wedding venues in Washington!
Many state parks allow you to reserve picnic buildings or other structures for your group, and for a fraction of the cost of large traditional venues.
Olympic National Park
Located on the Olympic Peninsula near the towns of Port Angeles, Forks, and Sequim, Olympic National Park is a stunning outdoor location for elopements and small weddings.
You could even consider hosting a small wedding at Lake Crescent Lodge (pictured here!) for views of the lake and the mountains, dip into the hot springs at Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort, or host a small wedding at other nearby locations like Camp David.
North Cascades
For couples looking for a more adventurous option, the North Cascades have it all. From hikes that are doable for small groups of 5-10 people, to scenic viewpoints easily accessible without walking very far, this region is hard to beat when it comes to views + accessibility.
Keep in mind that this region is best for celebrations between late June through early October, as it’s used for local skiing the rest of the year. And due to the popularity of the trails and parking areas in summer, we highly recommend having your elopement or small wedding on a weekday (especially mornings!) to avoid crowds and have a little more privacy here.
Treehouse Point
Probably one of our top choices on this list, TreeHouse Point is definitely unique. Get married among a variety of treehouses, and stay overnight in one of them after your celebration is over!
This venue can accommodate up to 80 guests, with room to host up to 20 people overnight in 7 treehouses and 2 suites.
One of the best parts? It’s only a 30 minute drive from Seattle, but feels like a world away from the city.
Alki Beach, West Seattle
Quite possibly one of our favorite local gems for elopements and small weddings is just a hop away from Seattle. Alki Beach in West Seattle has a couple great waterfront options you and your guests will love:
MV Skansonia
By far one of the most unique wedding venues in Washington state is the last remaining wooden ferry, the MV Skansonia, and is now permanently docked on Lake Union.
Although they can host over 100 guests, it’s truly a great spot for small wedding celebrations of 50-75, with lots of room on the open deck, a small getting ready space in the upper level, and views overlooking the water and the downtown Seattle skyline.
Twin Willow Gardens, Snohomish
This unique gardens venue books up fast, and we can clearly see why. The main ceremony option at Twin Willow Gardens is nestled between old growth cedar, hemlocks, and maple trees, and other areas on the property feature lush, manicured gardens you’ll simply fall in love with. There’s nothing quite like it!
We toured this space in 2024, and we not only love the venue, but the owners are some of the kindest people we’ve met in Washington. Although the space accommodates up to 150 guests, it truly is a perfect place for smaller weddings between 50-100 guests.
Captain Whidbey Inn
Historic? Check. Rustic? Check. Comfort, waterfront, and overnight lodging? Check, check, check!
Captain Whidbey Inn is such a perfect small wedding venue that offers a complete buy-out of the place for a 3-day weekend! You also have the ability for 30 guests to stay in rooms and cabins, and have access to the dock + waterfront, event lawns, garden, fireplace, a library, a private sauna, row boats and a whole lot more.
This place is loaded with character and charm. Seriously, we love it!
W.W. Seymour Conservatory, Tacoma
Alternatively, there’s also the W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory for another affordable indoor ceremony option through Metro Parks Tacoma, perfectly suited for micro-weddings and elopements. The nice thing about the conservatory is accessing an indoor green space even when the weather outside isn’t the best.
Availability: Year-round (hours vary: April – September: 4:30 – 10 pm; October – March: 3:30 – 9 pm)
Capacity: 45 max, 25 guests with seats
Price Range: $375/hour
Woodinville Lavender
Surround yourself with the bright colors and romantic scent of lavender at Woodinville for your small wedding celebration. It’s a beautiful outdoor venue in Washington state, and has a max of 50 guests, so it’s an ideal spot for intimate and micro weddings while still being close to the city.
As a bonus: you’re also surrounded by a bunch of other amazing wineries here! Win-win!
Agate Beach Lodge
Looking for a dreamy intimate venue on the coast? Agate Beach Lodge is a unique option with A-frame architecture on the Olympic Peninsula with room to host small weddings (and elopements!) up to 75 guests. And if you book the entire lodge for the day (or a weekend), there’s room for up to 10 people to stay overnight.
Fern Acres
On the western side of the Olympic Peninsula in the town of Forks, Fern Acres is the perfect venue for intimate elopements and small weddings. The venue itself is on a 5-acre property, featuring all the magic of the true Pacific Northwest vibes: ferns, old-growth tree stumps, moss-covered trees. As of 2023, the venue is available for weddings between May and September, starting at $4200 for weddings with 15+ guests, or starting at $1700 for elopements of 15 guests or fewer.
NatureBridge
If you’re looking to celebrate with a whole weekend of festivities, NatureBridge in Washington should be at the top of your list. You can sit by the campfire, walk the forest trails to the local waterfalls, and relax by the lake — all on your wedding day (or for a whole weekend!).
Volunteer Park Conservatory
Looking for something unique, historic, and close to the city? Consider the Volunteer Park Conservatory! This Victorian greenhouse was built in 1912, and features a variety of ferns, cactus, and tropical plants up to 25′ tall as well as their Orchid Collection.
You can host a ceremony of up to 25 people in the main room of the conservatory with a private wedding rental.
Sea Cliff Gardens
Whether you’re eloping to Olympic National Park and need local lodging, or you want to celebrate your small wedding in the town of Port Angeles, Sea Cliff Gardens is a romantic bed and breakfast right in town.
Photos at Islandwood by Erin Witt Photography
Islandwood
IslandWood is primarily a non-profit environmental education organization on Bainbridge Island that is a dreamy option for small outdoor weddings. Take the 35-minute ferry ride from Seattle to explore this outdoor, eco-friendly wedding venue complete with two treehouses, a garden, forested trails, and even a suspension bridge all on site!
The best part: it’s a true destination wedding venue, accommodating up to 200 guests overnight across their four sleeping lodges, complete with spacious gathering areas next to the fireplace.
Mt. Rainier National Park
If you want the most iconic view in all of Washington state, saying your vows in front of Mt. Rainier just might be perfect for you. This 14,000+ foot peak is also an active volcano, but is covered in glaciers year-round. With dozens of trails, waterfalls, wildflowers (in late summer), and plenty of wildlife to spot, there’s loads to love about having your elopement or small wedding at this national park.
Snoqualmie Point Park
Owned by the town of Snoqualmie, the local Point Park here features views of Snoqualmie Valley, Mount Si, and the Cascade Mountain Range. You can host a small wedding here, and take portraits at some of the nearby trails and lakes.
Lake Quinault Lodge
On the western side of Olympic National Park, Lake Quinault Lodge is a beautiful option for small weddings, especially if you want lodging on site. This place has views of the lake and surrounding Olympic mountains, nearby trails leading through the temperate rainforest, and cozy indoor seats by the fireplace at the lodge.
Kalaloch Lodge
If you haven’t noticed already, Olympic National Park has a variety of venues for small weddings…and we’re not done yet! Kalaloch Lodge is another option, and it’s one of the best spots to stay overnight with oceanfront views. To top it off, it’s also one of the only pet-friendly lodging options for the national park, and is close to the Hoh Rainforest!
Suncadia
Located just on the other side of the Cascade range in Cle Elum, Suncadia Resort has it all for those who love luxurious outdoor locations. Surrounded by thousands of acres in forested mountains, and with hiking trails, golf courses, local cuisine, and top-of-the-line spa services, Suncadia is a top choice for high-end couples.
Sou’wester Lodge
Probably one of the most unique lodging options in Washington, the Sou’wester Lodge is a historic local resort with over 30 vintage travel trailers all with their own distinct style. This place is filled to the brim with character, making it the kind of small wedding venue your guests simply won’t ever forget.
Kingston House
It’s almost as if Kingston House was practically built to be a small wedding venue from the start: a vacation rental home that’s eco-friendly, surrounded by 27 acres of evergreen trees and lavender fields, and only a short ferry ride away from Seattle.
Skamania Lodge
Hoping for a location on the southern side of the state and/or closer to Portland? Skamania Lodge is near the Columbia River, and has plenty to offer couples who want a more intimate wedding day experience. From the outdoor amphitheater for nature-centric ceremonies, to the garden patio for a laid back cocktail hour with your closest family and friends, and the terrace for a cozy reception dinner, you’re sure to love it as soon as you step onto the property.
Skokomish Park Campground at Lake Cushman
Have guests that are down for a more rustic adventure off the beaten path? Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman might be the right fit for your small wedding venue. Complete with both standard and RV campsite options, as well as waterfront access where you can even rent kayaks and SUP boards, it’s the kind of place where you can end your wedding day around the campfire with your favorite people.
The Emerald Forest
The Emerald Forest is a small wedding venue in Washington, and is sure to immediately make you feel at ease in this peaceful forest. Surround yourself with towering evergreen trees, get ready in either the yurt or tipi, roast some s’mores by the fire, and end the night at the honeymoon treehouse.
The Emerald Forest Theater was built by treehouse master Pete Nelson, and suits up to 35 guests, with amenities like hammocks in the trees, a 16′ projector screen, fire pit, and an evergreen forest covered in moss for those dreamy PNW vibes.
Kiana Lodge
Searching for the perfect combo of lush greenery and waterfront views? Kiana Lodge has it all. This small wedding venue features tall cedar trees as well as an open lawn space facing the waters of Puget Sound, and just a short ferry ride away from Seattle.
Freestone Inn
Whether you’re eloping just the two of you, or bringing your closest friends and family to celebrate with you, Freestone Inn is a cozy place for intimate wedding days with lodging on site. Head to the North Cascades for this rustic, yet luxurious location.
Sun Mountain Lodge
Another great mix of outdoorsy yet high end for small weddings is Sun Mountain Lodge in Winthrop. Views of the North Cascades, thousands of acres to explore, dozens of adventurous activities to do with your guests, lodging for everyone to comfortably spend the weekend with you . . . it’s everything you could want in a destination wedding venue.
Alpine Lakes High Camp
A true wilderness retreat and small wedding venue, Alpine Lakes feels a world away from the city in less than a three-hour drive. Lush evergreen trees, bright blue alpine lakes, and tall mountain views of the Cascades are just a few of the things to love about this place. This venue can accommodate up to 50 overnight guests, making it a top choice for outdoorsy couples wanting a natural setting to celebrate their wedding day.
Orcas Island
There are dozens of great places to elope or host a small wedding in the San Juan Islands, but Orcas Island is one of our favorites. While places like Doe Bay Resort and Retreat are no longer allowing weddings on-site, other top spots on the island include Eastsound Waterfront Park, Moran State Park, and Obstruction Pass State Park.
Noble Ridge Tree Deck
One of the most unique forested wedding venues in the Evergreen State, the Noble Ridge Tree Deck is a romantic place to say your vows. Some of the top reasons to get married here include: only a 15-minute drive from Portland in Washougal, WA, pet-friendly, and a great combo for both forest + mountain views.
Chelan Lookout
Whether you spent summer getaways in Chelan growing up, or you simply love to head out this way for all the wineries and local eateries, the Chelan Lookout has wide-open views of Lake Chelan and the surrounding mountains and vineyards. And it’s much more affordable than the typical Seattle-metro area venues, starting at $1500 for elopements up to 15 people, and $3500 for up to 50 guests (as of 2023).
North Cascades Lodge at Stehekin
For one of the greatest, remote getaway adventures your guests just might come to love, head out to the Lodge at Stehekin. In a place that’s only accessible via ferry or private boat, Stehekin is tucked away from the rest of the world, making it quite an adventure for small wedding celebrations or elopements.
Gorge Crest Vineyard
Being a vineyard wedding venue isn’t the only reason to consider having your celebration here: the views of Mt. Hood are hard to beat! You’ll also have access to a traditional barn, making it a top choice for couples wanting both indoor and outdoor options.
Washington State Wedding + Elopement Photographer
No matter where you choose to host your elopement or small wedding celebration, we’d be excited to join you! Skyewater Photo + Film is a wedding photography and videography team based in Washington state, capturing small weddings and elopements all over the US. Reach out to our photo + video team today to get started!
