Frank Harlan | Seattle Wedding Officiant
Non-Religious Weddings for Couples of all Genders.
WEdding faq
"Answers to the questions I hear a lot."
Planning an intimate wedding in the Pacific Northwest? Here are the most common questions couples ask about marriage licenses, legal requirements and outdoor permits for eloping or getting married in Seattle.
Some couples don’t think finding an Officiant will be a problem because there are hundreds to choose from. Then once they start to research Officiants and realize the person they hire is going to be the voice of their wedding ceremony, suddenly it does make a difference who that person is. Another consideration is day of the week -- Saturdays and Sundays are the most popular days for weddings and, for most Officiants, those dates are the first to be booked.
Below are Officiant Frank Harlan's answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions he receives from couples who are just starting to plan their wedding day.
Number 1 Question:
How far in advance should we book our Wedding Officiant?
A: If you want choices, consider meeting with, and making a commitment to an Officiant as soon as you know your wedding date and have booked your venue. The details of your wedding ceremony can always be worked out closer to your wedding. Unless it is a Destination Weddings with guests coming from other states and countries, I generally only accept booking around nine (9) months out.
Q: Do we need to apply for a Marriage License in Washington State?
A: Couples are responsible for obtaining a Marriage License in Washington.
Couples click here to get a marriage license in King County. For King Co. the process may be completed through the mail. NOTE: You Do Not have to get your marriage license in the county you plan to have your wedding. You may get your marriage license in any county and it can be used anywhere in Washington State. Search "Marriage License + County" for a direct link.
Q: What types of wedding ceremonies does Frank Harlan officiate?
A: Frank Harlan specializes in non-religious wedding ceremonies, including elopements in his garden or at a location of your choice. Small Weddings (gatherings of up to 50), Traditional weddings (up to 100) He crafts personalized ceremonies tailored to your unique personalities and love story.
Q: Can virtual guests join our wedding ceremony?
A: Yes, Frank Harlan can incorporate virtual elements into your wedding ceremony, ensuring loved ones from afar can participate in your special day. Just ask.
How far in advance should we book our Wedding Officiant?
A: If you want choices, consider meeting with, and making a commitment to an Officiant as soon as you know your wedding date and have booked your venue. The details of your wedding ceremony can always be worked out closer to your wedding. Unless it is a Destination Weddings with guests coming from other states and countries, I generally only accept booking around nine (9) months out.
Q: Do we need to apply for a Marriage License in Washington State?
A: Couples are responsible for obtaining a Marriage License in Washington.
Couples click here to get a marriage license in King County. For King Co. the process may be completed through the mail. NOTE: You Do Not have to get your marriage license in the county you plan to have your wedding. You may get your marriage license in any county and it can be used anywhere in Washington State. Search "Marriage License + County" for a direct link.
Q: What types of wedding ceremonies does Frank Harlan officiate?
A: Frank Harlan specializes in non-religious wedding ceremonies, including elopements in his garden or at a location of your choice. Small Weddings (gatherings of up to 50), Traditional weddings (up to 100) He crafts personalized ceremonies tailored to your unique personalities and love story.
Q: Can virtual guests join our wedding ceremony?
A: Yes, Frank Harlan can incorporate virtual elements into your wedding ceremony, ensuring loved ones from afar can participate in your special day. Just ask.
Q: How do I legally elope in Seattle, Washington?
A: To legally elope in Seattle, you need three core elements: a valid Washington State marriage license, an authorized officiant, and two witnesses. You can apply for your marriage license through any county in Washington (such as King County). There is a mandatory **3-day waiting period** after application before the license becomes valid, and it expires after 60 days. Once your ceremony is finished, your officiant will legally sign and file the paperwork with the county auditor on your behalf.
Q: Do we need a permit to elope at outdoor spots in Seattle?
A: In most cases, yes. Even for a "just-the-two-of-you" elopement, public lands, city parks (like Seattle Parks and Recreation properties), Washington State Parks, and National Parks often require a Special Use Permit for wedding ceremonies. Permit rules protect local environments and guarantee your time slot. Always check with the specific land manager or local park department at least 30 to 60 days in advance.
Q: What are the best scenic locations for a Seattle elopement?
A: Seattle offers a stunning variety of backdrops depending on your style. Popular urban and nature-forward locations include:
**Kerry Park:** Iconic skyline views of the Space Needle and Puget Sound.
**Discovery Park:** Bluff views, sandy beaches, and quiet forest trails.
**Washington Park Arboretum:** Lush greenery, seasonal blooms, and peaceful pathways.
**Seattle Waterfront or Olympic Sculpture Park:** Modern art backdrops with open water views.
Q: How many witnesses are required for a Washington State elopement?
A:Washington State law requires **two witnesses** (who are at least 18 years of age) to be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage certificate alongside the couple and the officiant. If you are eloping privately with just the two of you, your elopement photographer, coordinator, or officiant can often act as your legal witnesses.
Q: Can we write our own vows for our elopement?
A: Absolutely. Elopements are deeply personal, and writing your own vows is one of the best ways to make the ceremony authentic to your relationship. A professional elopement officiant can help you structure your thoughts, provide templates, or seamlessly blend custom vows with traditional wording.
Q: Do we need to apply for our marriage license in King County specifically?
A: No. Any marriage license obtained from *any* county auditor in Washington State is legally valid anywhere within the state. However, many couples getting married in Seattle choose to apply through King County for convenience, as they offer accessible online application processes.
Q: What happens if it rains on our Seattle elopement day?
A: Rain is a quintessential part of the Pacific Northwest charm, but it's always smart to have a Plan B. When planning your Seattle elopement, look for locations with nearby covered pavilions, historic indoor greenhouses (like the Volunteer Park Conservatory), or book a boutique hotel room with a view. Many elopement photographers and vendors also bring clear umbrellas that make for wonderfully romantic rainy-day photos.
Q: How far in advance should we book our Seattle elopement vendors?
A: For peak elopement season (July through September), it is recommended to book your key vendors—such as your officiant, photographer, and permit-required locations—**6 to 12 months in advance**. However, Seattle elopements can also be planned on shorter timelines, and many officiants happily accommodate short-notice or weekday elopements.
Q: What is the difference between an elopement and a micro-wedding?
A: While definitions vary, a **true elopement** typically involves just the couple, an officiant, and two witnesses (focusing entirely on an intimate, adventure- or experience-driven day). A **micro-wedding** generally includes a small group of family and friends (usually ranging from 10 to 25 guests), requiring a slightly more structured timeline, a small venue space, and additional guest logistics, Generally includes a Champagne Tost element and cutting a serving cakes for photo op purposes.
Q: Do we still need a wedding coordinator if we are eloping?
A: For a simple two-person elopement, a coordinator isn’t strictly necessary if you have an experienced elopement officiant and photographer to guide you through the timeline and local logistics. However, if you are incorporating guests, renting an alternative venue, or planning multi-location timelines (such as moving from a mountain portrait session to a dinner reception), hiring a local coordinator or utilizing an all-inclusive elopement package can completely eliminate stress.
Q: Are couples required to be residents of Washington State to be married in Washington?
A: No, you are not required to be a resident of Washington or of the United States to get married in Washington.
Q: What makes our marriage legal?
A: In Washington and many other states, any Judge or Ordained Clergy Person (OCP) of a legally recognized church may marry you. It is the obtaining and filing of the certificate of marriage that makes a marriage legal. Your marriage license must be obtained by you; then legal documents completed and filed by the Officiant (or you).
Q: After we are married, what is the process for Changing our Name?
A: All marriage license documents are signed with one's current legal name, never the intended new name. There is no legal requirement for name change after getting married; it is a right a couple may choose to exercise.
So, the easiest way to answer this question is to suggest that you
CLICK HERE MissNowMrs.com for a more helpful answer. Although aimed at brides, practical info for all genders.
Q: Can we personalize our wedding ceremony?
A: Absolutely! Frank Harlan works closely with couples to craft a ceremony that reflects their unique love story, values, and preferences.
Q: What are Frank Harlan's qualifications to perform legally-binding wedding ceremony?
A: Originally, he was ordained as a member of the Clergy of the Church of Spiritual Humanism. Since then he has been endorsed as a Humanist Celebrant by The Humanist Society in conjunction with the American Humanist Association. These credentials allow me perform legal functions of the Clergy in all 50 States. Harlan says, "Philosophically, I consider myself a Secular Humanist."
Q: What does "Officiant and Celebrant " mean?
A: Officiant or Celebrant is a secular title used by an Ordained Clergy Person (OCP) who is legally authorized to preside over a wedding ceremony. Persons representing religious organizations may prefer the title, Pastor or Minister.
Q: How long does a Wedding Ceremony take?
A: The average length of a ceremony that I script with a couple can be from 20 to 50 minutes long. Depending on the various elements incorporated into their ceremony.
However, a marriage can be legally solemnized in less than 5 minutes, plus the time it takes to fill in the blanks and sign off on your legal documents. Click Here for Courthouse-style Wedding
Q: How many witnesses do we need can they be related to us?
A: You need two witnesses present for any Marriage Ceremony. It is required that they are 12 years of age or older. Any person can act as a witness; parents, siblings and friends. Even your photographer. The presiding Officiant (me) cannot act as a witness.
"For me, a couple's wedding is a transformational event. That's why I produce their wedding ceremony with them, from the time the guests arrive until they make their exit up the aisle."
Q: Can we write our own vows?
A: Of course! I encourage it. You can do anything you want, it’s your wedding ceremony! I'll even give you some pointers and my guide to "Creating Your Marriage Vows", anything you need to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing.
Q: Can we include elements from different cultural traditions into our Wedding Ceremony?
A: Of course! Anything you would like to add makes for an even more personalized ceremony. I can assist you in defining where and how your creative ideas can be incorporated.
Q: Will you incorporate religious readings and verse into our wedding ceremony?
A: No.
Q: Can we include my friends and family members in our ceremony?
A: Yes, the majority of the ceremony must be performed by me as your Officiant but your friends can have minor roles throughout the wedding ceremony. I will show you all of your options when we have our initial consultation.
Q: Is it okay to tip an Officiant?
A: I never turn down a contribution to my "Date Night Fund". I don’t know what other Officiants do, but any tips I receive I use to treat my "better half", Molly, to a night out on the town.
Q: WE HAVE A BIG SECRET... We eloped a couple years ago without telling anyone, now we would like to have a full-on formal wedding ceremony for family and friends, is that something you could do? As well as keep our secret?
A: Yes, of course. I get this request a few times each year. If this is your situation, you can count on me to create a first-time experience for you and a memorable wedding for all of your invited guests without ever exposing "your secret."
Q: What Venues in and around Seattle has Frank performed weddings?
A: As a full-time Wedding Officiant since 2009, I have choreographed and presided over hundreds of wedding ceremonies hosted at dozens of popular Seattle area locations including, but not limited to Herban Feast SODO, Georgetown Ballroom, The Corson Building, The Ruins, Salish Lodge, Museum of Flight, Alexis Hotel, Monte Cristo Ballroom, Seattle Tennis Club, Ray's Boat House, Seattle Space Needle, Daybreak Star, Willow's Lodge, Sander's Estate, Seattle Art Museum (SAM), Urban Light Studios, Golden Garden's Bath House, Monte Villa Farmhouse, Palace Ballroom, Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo's Rose Garden, Within SODO, Point Defiance Pagoda in Tacoma, Mt. Baker, Point Roberts, Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands, Doe Bay Retreat on Orcas Island, The Canal in Ballard, Stemson-Green Mansion on Capitol Hill, FM Fine Art Gallery, Kitsap Memorial State Park, The Arctic Club, Cast Iron Studios, UW Center for Urban Horticulture, Clive Mansion at Marymoor Park and the Skansonia on Lake Union.
Smaller gatherings have taken place at a variety of intimate settings and public locations that have included the Sky Bridge at the Pike Place Market, Seattle Arboretum, While riding The Great Wheel, Volunteer Park Conservatory, Center for Wooden Boats, Sole Repair Shop, Tower Club, Ballard Locks, Edgewater Hotel, Discovery Park, The Parson’s Rose Garden, Gas Works Park, West Seattle’s Water Taxi Dock, Carillon Point, Alki Beach as well as on the beaches of Lake Washington, Golden Gardens and Bainbridge Island. Some of my favorite wedding ceremonies have taken place on condo rooftops, living rooms and in the backyards of neighborhood homes.
Q: Is Frank available to perform weddings in other states or countries?
A: Because of his endorsement with The Humanist Society as a Humanist Celebrant. Frank may perform weddings in all of the United States. In other countries, he can perform your "Formal Wedding Ceremony" for family and friends, but it may not be legally-binding in that country.