One of the things we love most about living in Washington is the state ferry system. Taking one of the ferries to many of the islands or peninsulas around Puget Sound is truly an iconic experience in Washington. And if you’re looking for a completely unique way to elope in the Pacific Northwest, eloping on a Washington State ferry is one of our top recommendations to do just that.

Reasons to Elope on a Ferry Boat in Washington State
There’s just something so “Seattle” about taking a ferry ride, that saying your vows on these ships just speaks to a connection with Washington’s culture and landscape. It’s also the largest operating public ferry system in the US!
Whether you discovered a newfound love for this place or you were born and raised here, an elopement on a ferry could be just the right vibe you’ve been seeking that speaks to your relationship as a couple or your backstory together.
It’s also just a truly unique experience not found in most other “adventure” elopements today. No hiking required for great views, it’s insanely affordable especially as walk-on passengers (as low as $10-20 per person), and the ferry system runs several times a day, all year round.
Choosing the Perfect Ferry Route for Your Elopement
One of our personal local ferry routes for elopements is the ride from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island (approx 35 minutes). It’s easy to get on as a walk-on passenger, and say your vows in the stern (rear) of the ferry with the Seattle skyline in the backdrop as the ride heads west to Bainbridge. You can spend a full day, half a day, or just an evening getting dinner at a local restaurant in Bainbridge before riding back into Seattle.
Alternatively, if you want a longer ride out towards the San Juan Islands, we love the ferries from Anacortes to Friday Harbor and Orcas Island. While you can do a full day trip out there for your elopement, this can feel more stressful or rushed with timing, so we recommend staying at least one or two nights out in the San Juans to get the most out of your trip.

You’ll definitely want to ensure you snag a reservation for routes to/from the San Juans or to/from Coupeville/Whidbey Island if you plan to bring your vehicle, since standby during peak summer season can often mean waiting for hours with no guarantee of boarding. Thirty percent (30%) of tickets for routes from Anacortes to the San Juans open 2 months before, another third opens up 2 weeks from your sailing date, and another third are released 2 days prior.
All other routes do not have reservations available, so plan ahead if driving a vehicle, or opt for a walk-on passenger ticket.
Other top ferry routes in Washington:
- Seattle (Fauntleroy, West Seattle) to Vashon Island
- Edmonds to Kingston
- Mukilteo to Clinton (Whidbey Island)
- Port Townsend to Coupeville/Whidbey Island (or Coupeville to Port Townsend; reservations for vehicles highly recommended)
Note: schedules can change seasonally from summer to winter. Be sure to check the WA State Ferry website for the most up-to-date information on sailing schedules, routes, and tickets.

Timing Your Ferry Elopement for the Best Experience
If your hoping to elope on a ferry with the best chances of sunnier, warm weather, June through August may be best. However, with warmer weather comes more tourists and foot traffic, so if you opt for summertime, we highly recommend a weekday elopement to have an easier time boarding, securing ticket reservations, and fewer people around as you say your vows on the ship.
If your date is flexible, you might consider opting for spring or fall, before or after the summer crowds take over, especially if you’re okay with chances of clouds and/or rain.
No matter the time of year, weekdays will have more tickets available, fewer crowds, especially if you’re open to early mornings or right before sunset. Be sure to chat with your photographer before finalizing your tickets to see which time(s) may be best for lighting and weather.



Legal Requirements + Permits
Currently there are no permits required for eloping on a ferry using the public transportation system. However, keep in mind that to make your ceremony legal, you’ll still need to acquire a marriage license either in your home location or in local WA counties, and have an officiant and at least one witness sign your marriage license if obtaining one in Washington State.
At Skyewater, our lead photographer/videographer Kaitlyn is ordained and can legally sign as your “officiant” on your paperwork. Otherwise, we have a great network of local officiants we can recommend to you!
Note that boat captains cannot perform your ceremony, and their website states some rules to follow:
“Ferries are open to the public at all times: We do not offer private changing rooms or separate event space on the ferry. For this reason, small wedding parties during non-commuter sailings are recommended. Outside catering and alcohol policy: All alcohol must be purchased and consumed in the galley. Wedding parties may not bring outside caterers or alcoholic beverages on board.”

Ferry Etiquette + Rules to Remember
Since the ferry is open to the public at all times, you’ll want to be aware that there are no private changing rooms or separate event spaces for rent on the public ferry system. They highly recommend sailing at times that don’t overlap with daily commuters using the ferry to travel to/from work, and limiting your wedding party as much as possible.
The ferry system does not allow any outside catering or alcohol to be brought on board, so all alcohol must be purchased and consumed in the galley, or you can wait to eat/drink until you visit a restaurant at your destination.
In general, you’ll also want to be courteous to other passengers by not forcing them to move locations, and keeping everything else such as your bouquet or other carry-ons pretty minimal. Consider bringing a smaller bouquet, a small handheld bag, and wedding attire that’s easy to walk around in. And if you want to bring a few fun accessories, consider something that fits with the location or local culture, like nautical ring boxes or vow books.

Planning for Weather: Rain or Shine, Be Prepared
Even if you plan for a sunnier time of year, be aware that weather is often unpredictable here and it can rain any time of year in Washington. Be prepared for both types of weather, so at least one outer layer like a rain shell or jacket is a great idea, and/or having an umbrella with you for outside portraits on the ferry.
It can also be extremely windy, since the boat will be in motion the entire time. When choosing your wedding attire, shoes/footwear, hairstyles, and accessories, keep this in mind for anything that may not handle well in potentially wet and/or windy conditions.
Eloping on a Ferry with Guests
While eloping on a ferry is by far much easier with just the two of you, you can certainly bring a few guests along for the adventure. We highly recommend keeping your group size to about 10 or fewer, and it may be helpful to have one or two designated people handle purchasing tickets for the whole group to limit how much time it takes at the ticket counter.
Be sure everyone is prepared for the potential windy, rainy, or chilly weather, and to be mindful of limited space for other ferry passengers.
Accessibility + Mobility Considerations
Washington ferries are accessible to riders with disabilities. If you or a guest needs additional considerations for a ferry elopement, you may want to opt for a longer ferry ride to give yourselves extra time to board and host your ceremony before leaving the ferry. You can also find additional information about ramps, elevators, and up-to-date information about any potential outages/closures on the WSDOT disability page here.

Planning for Last-Minute Changes: Backup Plans
If you’re at all aware of the technical issues and/or employment struggles of the WA ferry system over the last few years, you might already be prepared to have a backup strategy in mind in case anything changes before your elopement day.
Not to mention any potential issues with peak/busy seasons or unexpected stormy weather!
For those of you who aren’t local, it can be really helpful to have a solid backup plan in place.
Whether that means you are prepared with a flexible timeline (and have a photographer who also has a flexible schedule!) in case of a ferry schedule being delayed, or you end up paying for a second set of reservations (such as the day before/after your elopement day), having an open mind is key when being dependent on a public transportation system for your elopement day.
Budget + Cost Breakdown for a Ferry Elopement
Want to know how much it costs to elope on a ferry in Washington? A lot of this comes down to your chosen ferry route, walk-on versus vehicle ticket purchase, guest count (if any), activities planned, and overnight lodging. The key to note here is that it really gives a lot of flexibility to focus on what matters most to your elopement experience!

For the ultimate ferry elopement experience, we’d suggest a “just-us” 2-day plan similar to one outlined below:
- Vehicle ferry ticket from Anacortes to Orcas Island ($40-50 one-way, no fares collected on the ride back)
- A local overnight stay (expect $250-400 per night)
- Costs for any activities, such as visiting a winery, hiking in Moran State Park, shopping in Eastsound Village, eating at a local restaurant (approx $200-500)
- Local officiant to lead your ceremony ($1000-2500, or work with an ordained photographer who includes signing your license for free)
- Local bouquet featuring native Washington flowers and greenery ($200-400)
- Local photographer to assist with planning your timeline and documenting your entire elopement experience ($4000-8000)
- Local videographer to document the scenery, your vows, and all the emotions in a cinematic highlight film ($3000-6000)
…all of this for as low as $8000, compared to a $30k+ traditional wedding somewhere else.
For those wanting a simple 2 hours of photo coverage (average costs in Seattle approximately $800-2000), this could include meeting at the ferry terminal, purchasing walk-on passenger tickets, taking photos on the ferry ride to Bainbridge, and staying on the same vessel to ride back into Seattle with a handful of portraits downtown.
Or something entirely custom that includes more than one location or a half-day that includes getting ready in a hotel downtown before exploring Bainbridge for a couple hours!



Extending Your Trip: Island HopPING
For a truly unforgettable elopement experience you may want to plan a mix of activities that involve guests at one location, with separate plans for some time just the two of you.
There’s so much to explore here and nearly an endless amount of options. On day one, you could take a ferry to Whidbey Island (or drive down from the north side near Bellingham into Anacortes), stay for a night or two at a charming historic inn (such as Captain Whidbey!), and have a small ceremony and picnic with family at the inn or a state park like Deception Pass.
On day two, you can take a ferry ride from Anacortes to Orcas Island or Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, have a private vow ceremony either on the ferry or on the island, and stay for another 2-3 nights to explore, complete with whale watching tours, wine tastings, local cuisine, etc.
Alternatively, you could elope on day one and then kick-start your honeymoon early by island hopping for 4-5 nights with ferry rides in between.

Boat Wedding Venues or Private Charters in Washington
Whether your guest count exceeds our recommended 10-person limit, you want more privacy, or you realize you still want a larger wedding but still want to get married on/near the water, these boat wedding venues and private charters in Washington might just be the perfect compromise for you!
Hire a Local Seattle-Based Elopement Photographer

HEY THERE, I’M KAITLYN
Your Washington photographer, videographer + elopement expert
An introvert at heart, I always value real connection, stories, and conversation over surface-level interaction any day of the week.
Having documented over 150 weddings and elopements on camera over the last decade, I’ve realized that I have a knack for being the calm, welcoming, and intuitive energy couples didn’t even realize they needed.
So, I invite you to think about what it would feel like to be fully present, unapologetically yourselves, and care-free on your wedding day instead of worrying about what everyone else wants. And take comfort in knowing you have my full support, every step of the way.
Ready to chat?
We’re stoked you’re interested in working with us!
We believe the experience you get with your photo and video team goes far beyond the products you get after your big day has come and gone. It’s about trust, excitement, and pure joy – before, during, and after your wedding day.
If you’re seeking a welcoming, fun, and talented team who’s here to support you every step of the way, we’d love to chat with you to see if we’re a good fit!
