Seattle Holiday Elopement Guide: License, Witnesses and Where to Book your Holiday Wedding!

amymvillalba
Nov 10, 2025
3 min read

Twinkle lights. City streets that feel like a movie. This year, it’s views that give you chills; your person, your vows, your night. Trade banquet halls for our pink chapel, neon corners, vintage signs and a shipping‑container chapel with Seattle soul. If a personalized soundtrack, happy tears and a story you’ll actually tell sounds better than a ballroom... welcome to Shotgun Ceremonies.

How to elope for the holidays in 3 easy steps

1) Get the license

Washington has a brief wait after your license is issued. Offices close for the holidays, so apply early and give yourself a little cushion. Not sure where to start? Read our step‑by‑step Seattle marriage license guide.

2) Grab your date

Pick a time at our pink chapel or outdoor gazebo in Georgetown. Feeling iconic? Ask about Elvis weddings. Want merry mischief? Our Pub Crawl Wedding hits three walkable bars for toasts, photos and signatures.

3) Show up and celebrate

Bring your marriage license packet and your people. We bring the licensed officiant, cue your song, keep it personal and handle the legal bits so you can head straight to:

Cocktails and cake at your favorite spot
A cozy toast and a night that feels like you
First‑dance vibes and a table saved for two
A photo walk under twinkle lights, then cheers with your crew
That perfect booth where the celebration really starts
Your next stop - dinner, a local dive bar or downtown stroll
The honeymoon!

Man, woman and son dressed in Christmas jammies, eloping for a holiday wedding

Where to say “I do” when the city is sparkling

The Chapel

Pink backdrop, great acoustics, instant photo magic. Think jukebox vibes, neon glow and a space that feels like Seattle.

The Gazebo

Crisp air, string lights and covered spots that keep the photos going even when the weather has opinions.

Pub Crawl Wedding

Three Georgetown bars. Cocktails in hand and celebratory toasts. License signed in a booth. A great night out that just happens to be your wedding.

Perks you get with every holiday wedding package

Licensed officiant who keeps it simple and heartfelt
Ceremony script tailored to your vibe
Witnesses if you need them
Guidance on license steps and filing so it’s truly official
Music cued at the right moment with time for plenty of opportunities for photos (we'll take some for you!)
Two "Take-a-shot-at-love" souvenier shot glasses

Holiday timing tips

Apply early so your date lands inside the waiting period
King County offices close for holidays, build in buffer days
Winter light is dreamy earlier in the afternoon; pick an earlier slot if you want glow
Weather happens. We have covered options for photos
Book dinner nearby so the celebration keeps rolling

Mini‑FAQ

Do we need witnesses? Yes, but if you don’t have them, we’ve got you covered!

What about music? Send us the names of your favorite songs or a Spotify playlist and we’ll cue the moments.

How long does it take? Plan on about 30 - 45 minutes, including photos.

Is this like the courthouse? It's nothing like the courthouse. Here's what's the same: Legal ceremony. But we leave out the fluorescent lights, the impersonal vows and the boring backdrops. A Shotgun Ceremony is ALL ABOUT YOU AND YOUR LOVE.

Can we bring pets? Yes. Furry ring bearers welcome.

How do we handle photos? We will snap some photos for you during the ceremony (your phone or ours!) and then you'll have time to take more after your ceremony. Looking for professional photo options? We have a few great partners we can wholeheartedly recommend!

Holiday elopement ideas to steal

Steal these holiday wedding moves: share a New Year’s Eve countdown kiss right after you sign, warm up with cocoa or hot toddies an a Georgetown favorite, hand out matching scarves for your crew that double as keepsakes and take a quick photo walk under the twinkle lights before dinner.