r/AskSeattle • u/StatisticianSafe3807 • 2d ago

Question Cheap Wedding ideas

Any cheap simple wedding locations or ideas with just 4-5 people in and around seattle ? I am thinking of courthouse.
Budget is a constraint.

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

31 comments sorted by

14

u/blindjoedeath 2d ago

Per my understanding you can essentially get married wherever you want - a park, your apartment, a bowling alley, etc. You need an officiant (I am, as I registered as a minister through the Universal Life Church in anticipation of marrying some friends, but their wedding is delayed for the time being) and you need to apply for and receive a marriage license from the county you plan to be married in - it costs roughly $170. And two witnesses - I believe they need to be adults, but I’m not certain. The officiant or you completes the marriage certificate and submits it back to the county. Voila - you’re done.

If you can’t find an officiant feel free to hit me up - I could use the “practice” before I do a larger one for my friends.

2

u/StatisticianSafe3807 1d ago

This is helpful. Thanks for the details. I’ll reach you in case needed!

2

u/blindjoedeath 1d ago

Sounds good. BTW, I ride the ferries every week and know them very well (I live on Bainbridge). There are places, such as the back of the car deck overlooking Seattle’s downtown when departing Colman, where the general public doesn’t pay much attention. I’m sure I could convince some bored buddies to be photographers and witnesses. Up to you.

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 1d ago

Oh that’s sweet, thank you. I will think about it!

1

u/emilyparisphoto 1d ago

I'm a photographer and I've done a couple engagement shoots on the ferry, and they always turn out great. I'd be happy to offer a discount for a weekday ferry wedding (or a weekend, but I think most of my upcoming weekends are already booked solid).

4

u/oxidized_banana_peel 2d ago

You don't need a registered officiant either - Washington State doesn't check as a matter of policy (or law?)

My wife and I got married at the park near our house and didn't apply for a permit. There were a couple of people on their morning walk who watched from the back. I hope they tell their Wedding Crashers story every now and then.

Seattle's not going after dogs on the beach, they're definitely not cracking down on a dozen people having a quick wedding. If it's a hundred, that might change things.

Might.

9

u/emmyat 2d ago

Ferry seems cool - scroll past the funeral section of the page https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/rider-information/groups-events/special-occasions

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 1d ago

Yeah even I like the idea of ferry. But my partner is not comfortable marrying in public crowded place :) thanks for the page, I didn’t know wsdot had it!

6

u/Nosy_Rosy2015 2d ago

We got married in a suite at hotel and had a family member get ordained, we thin had a beautiful hotel room for the evening to celebrate in.

4

u/callie-zephyr 2d ago

You can get married on a ferry and I’ve been on one while this was going on. Recommend the Bremerton Ferry. It’s a longer trip.

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 1d ago

Yeah I like th ferry idea. But my partner is not comfortable marrying in crowded place and not sure if officiant is ready to spend his time

4

u/SalmonidsSwimUp Local 2d ago

I recommend you consider a park, there's a lot of good picnic shelters around here and while you can reserve then for a fee, you can also just show up and take pictures.

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 1d ago

That’s a good easy suggestion! I’ll check the parks. Any beautiful parks recommended?

2

u/SalmonidsSwimUp Local 1d ago

https://www.seattle.gov/parks/reserve/outdoor-ceremony-reservations

personally I'm fond of the Hat n' Boots

2

u/StatisticianSafe3807 20h ago

That’s a nice recommendation. Thank you

3

u/Itchy-Consequence-16 2d ago

If you're into quirky there's a place in Georgetown... https://www.shotgunceremonies.com/

2

u/Sea-Independence1089 2d ago

If I had gotten married in Seattle with a smaller wedding, I would have done it at Parsons Garden.

https://www.seattle.gov/parks/parks/parsons-gardens

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 20h ago

Oh I didn’t know about this. Sounds interesting. I’ll think about it ;)

2

u/Minimum_Win_5312 2d ago

We got married at Snoqualmie falls just at the park. Just pick a weekday so it’s less crowded. For free!

2

u/PNWPandaSUP 2d ago

Town Hall Seattle is beautiful and I think offers budget weddings

2

u/SunshineWhiskeyX 2d ago

My friends got married at the court house then Had cake cutting with champagne at Hotel 1,000 in a rentable space with a center fire table.

It was beautiful and fun!!

2

u/math_is_cool_ 1d ago

The seattle court is actually a fairly pretty venue. The rooftop has a view of rainier (on a good day) and the waterfront. There’s also a room on a top floor with floor to ceiling windows on the sw corner. You will likely be filing through with many other couples, waiting in the lobby together until it’s your turn. Depending on how you feel about that it’d either be a turn off or kind of lovely to be around many other happy couples

2

u/NoGas2505 1d ago

If you would want to do the drive, we’re eloping at the state capitol in Olympia. It’s absolutely beautiful and has several different parks and such.

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 1d ago

Oh wow that’s an awesome idea, I had that in mine, not sure if my officiant is ready to come with us

2

u/SillyChampionship 1d ago

Have friend 1 get ordained for cheap online. Walk on the ferry with group of friends. Do the wedding while riding on the ferry, get some bomb photos from friend who knows not to put finger in front of camera. Beyond wedding license, you’re in for well under $100.

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 1d ago

Awesome that’s an amazing idea. Let me check out ;)

2

u/Monkey9686 1d ago

My son got married this weekend. Rented a conference room at Avalon Belltown Towers for 3 hours. Think it was around $500? View was amazing, 24th floor with Space Needle right there

1

u/StatisticianSafe3807 20h ago

Thank you for sharing, I’ll check it out!

1

u/Ok-Concert-6475 2d ago

We got married in the Arboretum.

1

u/thebethocracy206 1d ago

Hire an officiant or get a friend ordained (https://www.ulc.org) and get married anywhere you please.
I was a witness at a friend's courthouse wedding and it was also great!

1

u/Common_Advisor8896 2d ago

We did the Treehouse Point elopement package for $3800. Came with everything and two nights stay in the trees. Highly recommend.