Best of Whidbey Island

-Vendor Reccomendation
-Shopping Reccomendation
-Things To-Do

Full blog post coming January 2026

*not my image | for inspo only

How To drive From SeaTac Airport to Whidbey Island via Deception Pass

An alternate way to get to Whidbey Island, avoiding ferries is to rent a car and drive via Deception Pass. |

-Drive north from Sea-Tac on I-5, then west towards Anacortes to cross the Deception Pass Bridge, which coontinues on to Whidbey Island

Read here to learn about driving your car across via the ferry or shuttle instead.
Additional options include using public transit (Link light rail + bus to Mukilteo) or read
Full blog post coming January 2026

*not my image | for inspo only

*not my image | for inspo only

How To Ferry From SeaTac Airport to Whidbey Island

The easiest way is the Whidbey Sea-Tac Shuttle, with direct service from the airport to island stops, including the ferry crossing at Mukilteo-Clinton.
Additional options include using public transit (Link light rail + bus to Mukilteo) or read this blog post on how to drive north to the Deception Pass bridge, avoiding ferries. 

Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle (Most Direct)

• Service: The Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle offers direct transportation from the airport to 3 locations on Whidbey Island:
  -Oak Harbor
  -Bayview
  -Ken’s Corner in Langley

• Process: The shuttle picks up passengers outside Door 2 on the baggage claim level. The bus typically drives onto the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry, and you remain with the shuttle for the entire trip to the island.

• Fare: One-way fares from SeaTac to the Clinton Ferry stop are approximately $57 for adults.

• Booking: Reservations are recommended. Check the Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle website for current schedules and to book.
  

Who Can Officiate My Washington Elopement?

Once you've applied for and received your marriage license, your ceremony must take place within 60 days after the date your license was issued. The license is not valid until three days after it was issued. This waiting period cannot be waived under any circumstances, including court order. If your ceremony does not take place within this time period, the license becomes void and you will need to apply again.

Your ceremony can be performed by:

• Licensed and ordained clergy members or similar officials of any religious organization

• Washington State Supreme Court justices

• Court of Appeals judges

• Superior Court judges

• Superior Court commissioners

• Judges of courts of limited jurisdiction

• Judges and judicial officers of federal courts

• Judges of tribal courts from a federally recognized tribe

• Clergy from any state may perform marriage ceremonies in Washington State, provided they are permitted by their religious organization to perform ceremonies outside of their state. However, the ceremony itself must be performed in the state of Washington. Neither person getting married may perform the ceremony.

(A judge performing your ceremony can be active or retired. Washington state law specifies who can perform a marriage ceremony. To have a judge perform your ceremony, contact them directly. A fee may apply.)

Immediately following the ceremony, the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses must sign the Certificate of Marriage. It is the officiant's responsibility to complete and return the certificate to King County within 30 days after the ceremony.

WITNESSES

Anyone can be your 2 witnesses. A park ranger, friends or even me- your elopement photographer.

10 WAYS TO APPROACH ELOPING

Real feedback from actual human couples on elopement.

ELOPING + MAKING OTHER THINGS HAPPEN IN NONTRADITIONAL WAYS.You can hire a videographer to capture some traditional moments like your first look, the first kiss, and the “I do’s” to share with family as well as for you to rewatch time + time again during the marriage.

STEPPING AWAY FROM TRADITIONS CAN BE HARD AND THAT’S OKAY. It was everything and more I could have hoped for because I mourned what I couldn't have and instead built something that was truly what we wanted. Take the time to be sad you can't have what you always hoped, then think about how you can create your special moments with those that are important to you.

STILL SECRETLY WENT DRESS SHOPPING.

WE DECIDED TO HAVE A PARTY AFTERWARDS. We just hired a speakeasy and my Dad gave a quick speech before we went straight to cocktails and canapés (I got to wear my dress twice).

IT COST US EASILY HALF OF A TRADITIONAL WEDDING. We got a videographer, photographer, cake, flowers, dress and a helicopter in New Zealand.

NOT EVERYONE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE. Family kind of put us in a position that eloping might be the only stress free option. Also weddings nowadays are not cheap. Were going to do a courthouse wedding then do a small reception dinner for about 10 people, including our parents and closest friends. Then leave a few days later for epic honeymoon.

DOESN’T HAVE TO BE JUST 1 DAY. I'm still celebrating 3 months later.

YOU CAN DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. We had a honeymoon.

TIMING IS IN YOUR CONTROL. The first two weeks of being married only my husband and I knew..
then we told family...
Then we told friends.
Then we had our "cocktail reception" one month afterwards.

KEEP IT SIMPLE. Just elope somewhere beautiful and have a little cocktail hour after for close family and friends.