The ultimate guide to planning a Seattle courthouse wedding.

Why Plan a Seattle Elopement?

There are so many reasons why couples choose to plan a Seattle elopement that includes courthouse vows.

The desire to keep things small and intimate, and ultimately centered on what matters most, your love for each other, is, at its core, one of the most romantic aspects of planning a Seattle courthouse wedding. As a Seattle elopement photographer, I’ll admit that there is an unmatched level of excitement felt when a couple says ‘hey, we’re getting married next week’! 

Some couples choose to say I do with a Seattle courthouse wedding now, and have a bigger wedding with their family and friends in attendance later. Others choose a Seattle Court wedding because they want to make it official in the States before heading overseas for a destination wedding, or a wedding in their hometown. 

For other couples, it can boil down to an economic decision. Maybe it’s the same for you, and you can’t fathom the idea of spending up to $66,550 on a wedding in Seattle. 

Ultimately, there are plenty of reasons why getting married at the Seattle Courthouse​ on a seemingly random Tuesday (or any other day of the week!), might seem like the right decision for you. At Captured by Candace, we celebrate all love stories through a hands-on approach, and that includes eloping at the courthouse.

In the details below, you’ll find more information on planning your Seattle courthouse wedding. I’ve included how to apply for your marriage license, scheduling your ceremony, your photography experience, fun ways to celebrate, and so much more. Keep reading for more details on getting married in Seattle at the courthouse with a weekday elopement.

How to Plan a King County Municipal Courthouse Wedding

If you’re ready to get married and want to plan a no-frills Seattle elopement, King County Municipal Courthouse hosts weekday weddings for couples who want to tie the knot in a way that feels authentically them. Planning a weekday Seattle Courthouse wedding​ is a fantastic way to break the mold on tradition, and ‘run off’ to get married with a stress-free experience. Outlined below are all the specifics you need to know about planning a King County Courthouse wedding.

Scheduling Your Wedding Ceremony

You’ll probably want to start planning by selecting your wedding day. But, before you do, there is one consideration to make. Wedding ceremonies at the King County Municipal Courthouse only take place at 4:30 pm Monday through Friday. That means weekends and holidays are excluded. 

Additionally, weddings are by appointment only, so you will need to carefully select your preferred wedding date with those details in mind. From personal experience working with couples planning at courthouse weddings in Seattle,​ I also highly recommend that you and your partner select a backup date just in case your first choice is not available. That way, you’ll be prepared with another date that feels right to both of you. 

Finding a Judge

Once you have an idea of what day you’d like to have your wedding at the King County Municipal Courthouse, you will need to find a judge to perform your ceremony. You can find a list of King County District Court judges who perform wedding ceremonies at this link. The list is well-maintained and kept up to date, but includes very basic information. On the list, you will find the judge’s name along with their telephone number and no additional contact information. 

Once you select a judge, you’ll need to call them and provide them with details of your upcoming courthouse wedding in Seattle​. You will most likely be met with a voicemail when you first call, so have your details ready. They’ll want to know your names, phone number, and the date that you would like to schedule your wedding. When the judge returns your call, you will talk to them to confirm your date – or backup date. During this conversation, you’ll also need to ask them what the fees are for performing your ceremony and their preferred payment method, which can vary from judge to judge.

Completing an Online Ceremony Request Form

If you do not have a preference on which judge you’d like to perform your wedding ceremony, you have the option of requesting a wedding ceremony through King County Court’s Wedding Ceremony Request Form, which can be filled out online.

Obtaining Your Marriage License

You can begin the process of applying for your marriage license for your King County Municipal Courthouse wedding online at this link. Once you have completed the online form, be sure to save your transaction number. From there, you will need to finalize the process in person. 

Address | King County Customer Service Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Ste. 204, Seattle, WA 98104.

Hours | Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, closed on holidays.

Only one of you will need to appear in person to complete the process. Before you arrive, you should plan to have your payment ready, which is a $69 application fee that can be paid in cash, check, money order, or debit/credit card. Once you have finalized the in-person process, a three-day Washington state-mandated waiting period will begin. 

Though the mandatory waiting period is for a minimum of three days, it’s important to note that this does not mean you will be guaranteed to receive your marriage license for your Seattle courthouse wedding within that time frame. Oftentimes, the courts are backed up, and that could lead to delays, so you’ll want to apply with enough turnaround time to ensure your documents are in order before your wedding day arrives.

Arriving at Your King County Court Wedding Ceremony

You can check in up to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled wedding ceremony time. With most wedding ceremonies taking place at 4:30, that puts your check-in time at 4:00. But, if you’d like to arrive even earlier, we can use that time together to capture pre-wedding photos outside the courthouse! 

Some of my couples planning a Seattle City Hall wedding​ arrive at the courthouse together. If that is the case and you’d still like to plan a first look, we can create a wedding day timeline that allows me to meet you at your getting-ready location. From there, we can head to the courthouse to capture portraits filled with excitement and anticipation as you prepare to recite your vows. Do you plan on having family or friends attend your Seattle Courthouse wedding​? If so, we can also capture formal portraits of everyone together before you officially become newlyweds.

Necessary Documents

When the day of your wedding arrives, you will need to bring along your marriage license and accompanying documents, as well as payment for your wedding ceremony. You will also need to have two witnesses who are both over the age of 18, in order to sign on your behalf. 

You might be wondering if you can bring guests to your wedding ceremony at King County Court, and the answer is yes, you can! The total number of people attending your wedding ceremony cannot exceed 8, including the two of you, so that means you can invite up to 6 guests to witness your marriage at King County.

After Your Wedding Ceremony

Once your wedding ceremony is complete and you are officially newlyweds, your officiant has 30 days from the date of your ceremony to return the completed certificate of marriage. From there, you can check if your certificate has been processed and recorded through the King County Municipal Courthouse online record search. If your record comes back as a marriage certificate document type, you can request a copy at this link. There is a fee of $3 per copy requested.

How to Plan a Seattle Courthouse Wedding at the Municipal Court

You might be curious about planning a Seattle Municipal Court Wedding over one at King County. You’ll be happy to know that the process for requesting a ceremony, in addition to the required paperwork, is exactly the same as the details I’ve outlined above. 

But – there is one major difference in a Seattle Municipal Court wedding​ versus one at King County, and that is the setting! Seattle Municipal Courthouse offers rooftop ceremonies. The space looks nothing like a courthouse. In fact, it overlooks the Puget Sound for stunning wedding photos of your Seattle Courthouse rooftop wedding​ with the city skyline in the backdrop!

To recap, here are the details needed for planning a Seattle Municipal Courthouse elopement:

• Apply for your Seattle Municipal Courthouse marriage license online
• Select a judge to preside over your courthouse marriage in Seattle
• Schedule your wedding ceremony
• Obtain a copy of your filed marriage certificate

Seattle Courthouse Wedding Photography​ – Where to next?

After you say I do with a Seattle courthouse wedding, your next stop should be an amazing wedding photography experience.

You’ve just recited your vows, you are officially newlyweds, and it’s time to celebrate. That very moment is one to be captured and cherished for a lifetime.

As a Seattle wedding photographer, part of the experience I offer my couples planning a Seattle Courthouse Wedding is a photo experience directly following their vows. Once I’ve captured your ceremony, it’s time to work on portraits that embody the essence of your love story. For that, we need to select a beautiful location. Here are a few of my favorite local spots that are easily accessible once we exit the courthouse.

Pioneer Square

By far, one of my favorite locations for a wedding photography experience is Pioneer Square. It has the same thrumming energy of more well-known locations, such as Pike Place, but with far less foot traffic. Small businesses line the streets, creating a vivid and scenic setting to embody your modern-day love story. If you’re planning a courthouse wedding in Seattle​ during the winter months, Pioneer Square comes with one small added bonus. It’s where my cozy, warm indoor photography studio resides, so you can enjoy a wedding portrait experience free from the elements.

Smith Tower

If sleek, modern architectural grandeur is your vibe, you’ll love Smith Tower. Ornate doors and fanciful facades fill the frame of Smith Tower wedding photos. There is one small, important element to know about Smith Tower. If your wedding ceremony will be held at the Seattle Municipal Court and you’d like to capture photos at Smith Tower, you absolutely can. However, you will not be able to access the rooftop at Smith Tower, which is typically also reserved for wedding ceremonies. But, we are free to explore the ground level and the exterior of Smith Tower for your wedding portraits. 

5th Avenue

Urban and chic, 5th Avenue has a laid-back atmosphere to it,  which makes it a top choice for capturing Seattle City Hall wedding photos. The area is full of brick alleyways, beautiful architecture, and views of the Space Needle! It’s easily accessible after you recite your vows at the Seattle Courthouse, and a location I always recommend to couples when they’re not quite sure where to go for wedding pictures. If we’re lucky enough to miss the crowds, we can also stop by the exterior of the 5th Avenue Theater for wedding photos with a backdrop that includes one of our city’s landmarks.

Pike Place Market

Arguably, one of Seattle’s most iconic landmarks is Pike Place Market! It’s also a fabulous location for capturing Seattle Courthouse wedding photography​. Pike Place Market has a lively energy to it with locals and tourists ducking in and out of shops as they explore the famed market where the fish fly. If you’re concerned with running into onlookers, there are a few fun secret gem locations throughout Pike Place Market that I love to take couples for wedding photos. That includes some ‘off the beaten path’ spots that are more private, but still offer the iconic views to fill the backdrop of your wedding photos. 

Waterfall Garden Park

Recently renovated, Waterfall Garden Park is an amazing example of how a metropolitan city brings a piece of the natural world to a landscape of architecture. Part of Waterfall Garden Park is slightly enclosed, but it’s mostly an open-air space with a stone waterfall, accented by vegetation. It’s a serene setting that evokes a sense of tranquility with the sound of trickling water. In addition to the natural setting, I love that there are stone benches nearby. These can be accessed for us to slow down, enjoy the pace of your photography experience, and create a variety of wedding photos that go far beyond standing and smiling.

King Street Station

Historic and easily accessible from downtown Seattle, King Street Station is a breathtaking location for Seattle wedding photos. Can you imagine the feeling of standing in a historic building, dressed in your wedding attire with fresh flowers in your hand or pinned to your lapel, after you’ve just been married? It’s a pretty invigorating experience. The architecture is vintage and ornate, instilling your wedding photos with a kind of otherworldly charm you wouldn’t find elsewhere. 

Bellevue Botanical Garden

If you’re searching for more natural outdoor locations to capture your wedding photos, I love Bellevue Botanical Garden. This location is one of my top recommendations for couples who book my longer collection because it allows us the time to travel to the garden while exploring the expansive topiaries and flowers. Also, Bellevue Botanical Garden offers privacy throughout several locations of the garden for an intimate and romantic wedding photography experience.

Local Places to Celebrate after your Seattle City Hall wedding

Looking for cute local places to celebrate after getting married in the Seattle courthouse?

My couples often ask me what my favorite local spots are where they can grab a bite and create a memorable experience after saying I do with a Seattle City Hall wedding​.

Furthermore, it’s not uncommon that couples are searching for places that offer private dining so they can bring along their friends and family members to a setting at a local restaurant that feels more like a mini-wedding reception.

Here are some of my personal recommendations for local places to celebrate. You’ll find that each of these locations also offers (optional) private dining and the ease of walk-in service or booking a reservation online.

1. Aerlume Seattle

Aerlume serves a menu full of fresh seasonal ingredients sourced from farmers in the PNW. The romantic setting inside Aerlume offers views of the Puget Sound, with design and decor inspired by the elements. Aerlume offers private dining experiences for groups of all sizes, or you can make a reservation online for just the two of you by following this link.

Location | 2003 Western Ave Suite C, Seattle, WA 98121

2. Maneki

Maneki has been a Seattle staple since its inception in 1904. Their delectable menu serves classic Japanese cuisine including fresh sushi. You can make a reservation with Maneki up to two weeks in advance. For private dining options, Maneki offers a private tatami room for up to 10 guests, and yes, you will have to take your shoes off. For reservations, you can call Maneki directly at 503.662.2814.

Location | 304 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

3. The Corson Building

Refined American dining, The Corson Building offers a four-course dinner at a relaxed pace. The garden setting at The Corson Building is intimate and charming, for a wedding dinner that feels like the start of your honeymoon. Additionally, the private dining room at The Corsson Building can host up to 14 guests for a post-Seattle Courthouse wedding celebration.

Location | 5609 Corson Ave S, Seattle, WA 98108

4. Needle & Thread

Located in Tavern Law, Needle & Thread is a unique speakeasy experience that does not offer a menu for libations. Instead, they craft each one of their beverages to their guests’ individuality. Reservations can be made for up to 6 guests up to 6 days in advance. You can find more details on Tavern Law and Needle & Thread at this link.

Location | 1406 12th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122

5. Sal Y Limon

A Mexican bar and restaurant, you’ll find handmade tortillas on the menu at Sal Y Limon. Looking for private dining options at Sal Y Limon after you say I do at your Seattle City Hall wedding​? The cantina offers its Tertulia Room, which can host up to 20 guests in a secluded setting.

Location | 10 Mercer St, Seattle, WA 98109

6. Cafe Campagne

A vibey Parisian-style Cafe,  Cafe Campagne is located in the heart of Pike Place Market. Their menu includes an all-day wine selection, brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert. Advance reservations can be made online. Cafe Campagne does offer private dining options, but they are only available for lunch on Wednesdays & Thursdays. 

Location | 1600 Post Alley Walk Wy, Seattle, WA 98101

7. Dead Line

A combined cocktail lounge and dining experience, Dead Line serves Latin fusion eats in a setting that is heavy on the ambiance. Reservations for two can be made using their online system. Or for a private dining experience, Dead Line offers space to host anywhere from 14 to 30 guests. You can find further details on the private dining options at Dead Line here.

Location | 114 1st Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104

8. Umi Sake House

A vibrant Japanese restaurant in Belltown, Umi Sake House serves sushi, fresh seafood, and izakaya dishes for dinner and happy hour. The setting is laid back, and Umi Sake House offers a semi-private dining experience through their tatami room, where you can sit on cozy cushions away from the rest of the dining room. You can make an advance reservation online with Umi Sake House here.

Location | 2230 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

9. 2120

Located right next to the Amazon Spheres, you’ll find a seasonally inspired menu at 2120. The dining space is ultra-modern, including patio seating that has views of the nearby sites. 2120 offers private dining for groups of 13 or more, which will include spending minimum. However, if you want to dine at 2120, just the two of you, or with a smaller group, you can use their online system for reservations.

Location | 2120 6th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121

10. The Harvest Vine

Tapas, wine, and traditional Spanish eats are on the menu at The Harvest Vine. The cozy eatery is intimate and atmospheric, making it a great post-wedding stop! The Harvest Vine offers private dining in two distinct spaces. Their communal table can accommodate 13-16 guests, and their wine cellar dining room can serve up to 20. You can find more details on dining or The Harvest Vine here.

Location | 2701 E Madison St, Seattle, WA 98112

11. Rumba

Do you want to check out a space with all the decor after your courthouse wedding in Seattle? Rumba is Caribbean dining (with over 200+ rums on the menu) in a sophisticated, 1950s island vibe bar. It’s a fun and vibrant setting for a post-wedding stop! Rumba accepts walk-ins, but reservations are preferred. In fact, they’ll accept advance reservations for up to 14 guests in case you want to bring along family and friends to your Seattle City Hall mini wedding​ reception.

Location | 1112 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101

12. Staple & Fancy Mercantile

Located in Ballard, Staple & Fancy Mercantile serves up Italian-inspired cuisines such as pasta and wood-fired dishes. The setting is intimate and warm, and the atmosphere is unmatched. Staple & Fancy offers private dining experiences for groups of up to 18 guests and requires at least 72 hours’ notice. You can find more information on booking private dining at this link.

Location | 4739 Ballard Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107

Elopement Packages Seattle WA

Need a fabulous elopement photography package for your Seattle WA Courthouse wedding? As a Seattle elopement photographer, I offer packages for couples getting married during the week with less than 20 guests in attendance. Built into my packages are the ability to work with you on portraits before your ceremony, as well as ceremony coverage, and a portrait experience at the location of your choice once you are offically newlyweds. You can find more details on the elopement photography packages I offer in Seattle, on my services page at this link.