The Shotgun Blog

Eloping in Seattle takes four steps, one of which involves the government; the other three are simple. Here is the whole process, from deciding to being legally married. Step 1: Get your Washington marriage license This is the government part and the only step with a deadline attached. A King County marriage license costs $169. You can start the application online and one of you finishes it in person. Washington makes you wait three days before the license becomes valid. On

In December 2012, same-sex marriage became legal in Washington state. By 2:00 am on the exact night the law took effect, Bronwen Stevenson of Shotgun Ceremonies was already performing ceremonies. Not because it was good marketing. Because it mattered. That week, Shotgun did over 30 free same-sex weddings. Then they did it again at Seattle Pride on the lawn of the Seattle Center, for three years running. And on July 25 this year, Bronwen will do it again, this time at Georgeto

How to Get Married in Seattle Without Telling Everyone First Not everyone wants a wedding with an audience. Some people just want to be married, and they want to decide later who needs to know about it. That is more common than the wedding industry lets on. For every couple planning a year out with a guest list and a seating chart, there is one who would rather skip the announcement entirely. No opinions from relatives. No questions about why now. No production. Just the two

You've done the easy part. You picked your person. Now you're realizing you don't actually want the year of planning, the guest list negotiations, the venue deposits or the catering minimums. You just want to be married. That's a completely reasonable thing to want. And it's more doable than most people realize. A lot of people assume the only simple option is the courthouse. It's not. The courthouse is optional. Seriously. In Washington state, once you have your marriage lic