Hi I'm Emily!
PNW & Travel wedding and family photographer, mom to three beautiful kiddos, and lover of great food! Here you’ll find wedding recaps, advice for a successful session, a little bit of fashion, and the occasional yummy food recipe. Feel free to dig in and get lost in the pretty pictures.
Not every couple dreams of hiking up a mountain or flying somewhere tropical to say “I do,” and that doesn’t make your day any less special! A Seattle courthouse wedding can still feel intimate, romantic, and completely you when you approach it with intention. If you’re leaning toward a city or courthouse wedding in Washington, especially in places like Tacoma or Seattle, here’s how to elevate the entire experience and make it feel like yours.
Let’s just say it: elopements don’t have to mean hiking boots and backpacks. For couples like Diana and Cami or Gaby and Mike, their days were all about embracing what mattered most to them. Whether that looked like a quiet courthouse moment or an epic rooftop after-party, both couples leaned into what felt right, and that’s what made it beautiful.
At Diana and Cami’s Seattle courthouse wedding, they focused on celebrating with the people and details they loved. From tattoo artists to carefully wrapped books for their guests to take home, their after-party was so personal and intentional.
Meanwhile, Gaby and Mike had a short-and-sweet ceremony at the Tacoma courthouse with their closest family, followed by a photo session in front of Union Station (Tacoma). Simple, meaningful, and still full of beautiful moments.
Your wedding day should feel like a reflection of you, and a courthouse wedding doesn’t mean sacrificing that. Here are a few ways to personalize and elevate the experience:
Seattle and Tacoma both have courthouse options for your elopement, but the vibe is different depending on which city you choose. Here’s what you should know when deciding between the two, and what logistics to handle ahead of time.
Seattle Courthouse Wedding:
How to make it happen:
Tacoma Courthouse Wedding:
How to make it happen:
Looking for more location inspiration for where and when to get married in Washington? Check out this blog: The Best Engagement Photo Locations by Season in Washington.
Diana and Cami’s after-party is proof that your celebration doesn’t end at the courthouse steps. They brought all their favorite things together: champagne, dancing, city views, tattoos, and thoughtful details like wrapped books for their guests. Blue hour portraits on the rooftop turned into flash-filled dancing photos indoors. It was editorial, personal, and so much fun.
Want more inspo for planning something totally your own (yes, even a tattoo bar)? Check out this feature from Love Inc. on how tattoo artists are the latest wedding reception trend.
Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner, a rooftop cocktail hour, or a wild night with your people, don’t sleep on the after party. It can be just as memorable.
Whether you’re going the Seattle courthouse wedding route because of budget, planning a big party later, or just want something simple and real, you deserve to feel like it matters. Because it does.
A shorter day doesn’t mean less story. You can still have fashion moments, emotional portraits, celebratory champagne, and an intentional plan that reflects your love.
Let your elopement be an extension of who you are, not just a backup plan.
If you’re looking for a Seattle photographer who will make you feel comfortable, guide you through the process, and capture real, genuine moments, let’s connect. Fill out my contact form, and let’s start planning your dream courthouse wedding.
Want more planning inspiration? Visit the blog to see more real couples and helpful ideas.
Looking forward to creating something meaningful with you, no matter how big or small your day looks.
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