Are there Wedding Chapels in Tacoma?

Wedding Chapels in Tacoma

Are you trying to find a wedding chapel in Tacoma, Washington?

You’ve come to the right place. In addition to a variety of traditional wedding venues, Tacoma also has a few fantastic wedding chapels, all a little bit different! In addition to Elope 253, Tacoma is also home to The Ruston Chapel and Events on 6th.

Choosing the right wedding chapel for your wedding is an important first step in planning your wedding. In fact, choosing your venue will be key in setting the whole vibe of your wedding. After helping more than 600 couples get married in our downtown Tacoma location, we’ve learned a LOT about weddings. While my hope is that my Tacoma wedding chapel Elope 253 is the right fit for you, I’d love to show the wedding chapel options in Tacoma so you can choose the place that best suits your needs and helps you make memories.

Elope 253 Chapel

Elope 253 is located in the heart of downtown Tacoma providing all-inclusive, affordable wedding options that are easy, modern, and beautiful. We provide wedding packages with an experienced officiant in a pre-decorated space with options for live Zoom broadcasts, flowers, photography, and more. The only thing the couple needs to worry about is what they are going to wear. 

The Ruston Chapel is a darling wedding chapel located on Pearl Street near Point Defiance. The exterior is a picturesque white chapel that is timeless and sweet. The interior has classic arched windows, crystal chandeliers, and a glowing fireplace.

Events on 6th is a gorgeous church building for a classically beautiful wedding backdrop. It has stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and room for up to 160 guests. Plus a mid-century modern reception hall and romantic photo opportunities at every turn.

Where can I get married besides a wedding chapel in Tacoma?

There are many places in Tacoma to get married such as hotels, restaurants, public parks, party rooms, and the list goes on. If you are looking for something easy and low-stress for you and your fiance, I definitely suggest going with a place that specializes in weddings and wedding packages. They will have this wedding thing down to a science and be able to do the heavy lifting for you. 

How do I choose the best Wedding Chapel for me? 

I would suggest sitting down with your partner and discussing what your priorities are for your wedding experience.  Here are some things I have heard couples say about their priorities

• We want something quick and easy

• We want to celebrate with family and friends

• We want our wedding to be just about the two of us

• We want something affordable so we can spend our money on something else such as… <insert “new house” or “honeymoon” or “big party” or your priority here>.

• We don’t really like being the center of attention. 

Whatever your goals or priorities are, it’s important that the two of you align on these things before your start your search.  I would suggest asking yourselves, “Ten Years from now, how do we describe our wedding in one sentence?” This should be your “North Star” for your wedding chapel search.   

How do I know if getting married at a Wedding chapel like Elope 253 is right for me and my partner?

Great question! Here are 5 things to know before you book your elopement:

1. WE DO THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY… AND WE’RE PROUD OF IT!

   We are more than just a wedding chapel. Our vision is to empower couples to challenge the assumptions of a traditional wedding and to marry their favorite person in a small yet meaningful and beautiful way.

2. LOW STRESS IS THE GOAL!

   Shortly after you book your elopement, we will be sending you a questionnaire. Take your time filling it out and know that we will take care of everything—you just need to show up! We highly recommend coming to the chapel completely dressed and ready to go to keep stress at a minimum. Rehearsals are not necessary, and we’ll guide you through our simple steps to ensure a worry-free elopement.

3. WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT ELOPEMENT PHOTOS ARE!

   You have a few options for photographing your elopement. You can keep things casual and take cute selfies with your phone, or have a loved one snap some pics for you. (We’re happy to show you the best spots in and around our chapel for pics, and we encourage lots of photos!) Another option is to work with one of our incredible local photographers who is ready to capture your day; our favorite photographers are already familiar with our space and the surrounding area. You are also welcome to bring your own photographer (for a small fee).

4. WE’VE GOT THAT DOWNTOWN TACOMA ENERGY.

   We are located in Downtown Tacoma and surrounded by a buzzing, caring, thriving city community. What comes along with all of this exciting energy is sometimes we hear a phone ringing at a nearby business or sometimes a louder-than-normal motorcycle will cruise by. All of this is part of the charm of our very unique space in the heart of Tacoma!

5. WE DO OUR VERY BEST TO STAY FLEXIBLE.

   All retainer payments are non-refundable. However, you may change your elopement date with 2 weeks notice with no extra fees.

How much does it cost to get married in your Tacoma wedding chapel?

At Elope 253, we have packages starting at just $595 for our Package #1 - Just Elope. Over 200 couples have gotten married in our chapel for that price! Our most popular package is Package #3 - Elope and Go with Photography for $1,295. Very affordable compared to the average Pierce County wedding, which costs tens of thousands of dollars. You can learn more about our packages and pricing here.

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If you would like to book an elopement or learn more about your options, please click the button below to fill out the form.  We’d love to hear from you!

Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Your Elopement!

Tips for Bringing Your Dog To Your Elopement

what you should know about eloping with your fur baby!

Looking for a dog-friendly wedding venue for your people-friendly dog of honor? 

We LOVE dogs (almost as much as we love love) here at Elope 253 and would love to see your fur baby on your big day! 

Weddings can be VERY overstimulating for dogs… they know something exciting is going on,  but don’t know what!  Based on your emotions, they know they should be excited but may be a little more “on guard” than normal. 

Pro Tip: To ensure a low-stress and safe celebration for all, please be sure that your dogs are people-friendly, can handle crowds/loud noises, and are comfortable and controlled on a leash. 

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8 Ways to Make your dog as happy as possible during your elopement: 

1. Plan ahead. 

Does your dog need a big run to feel their best? Do they need a nap and some extra treats?  Lean into this and help your pup feel their best when they arrive so they feel most at ease during your time with us! 

2. Arrive early. 

Our doors will open for you 15 minutes before your ceremony.  Make sure to add some extra minutes to your arrival time, so your dog can get out and stretch their legs and take care of business before coming inside. 

3. Keep them on a leash.  

Please keep your dog on a leash at all times!  The chapel door may be open at times during your celebration, and we don’t want you or your guests leaving to go find Fido! 

4. Bring treats or toys.  

Remember to bring their favorite treat or toy (quiet and long-lasting - nothing that squeaks, please!), so they can settle in and enjoy their time while you celebrate yours

5. Have a designated “puppysitter”.

Pair your dog with a designated guest (preferably one they know and feel comfortable with) so you can enjoy your day without having to worry about juggling a leash, too! 

6. Just roll with it!

Including dogs in your ceremony is just like eloping with little ones - there may be extra noise and interruptions - but that is totally ok!  Some couples may feel bad or embarrassed - but please know that we don’t mind interruptions in the slightest :) 

7. Hip check.

Want to hold your dog during the ceremony? Make sure to hold them on your hip closest to the officiant.  This way, we’ll still be able to see your face (and theirs) in photos and videos. 

8. Dress to impress!

Let your dog join in on the fun by dressing them in something that reflects their unique personality!  A dapper tuxedo, a charming bowtie, a whimsical flower collar, or even a tutu (our favorite)... get creative and have fun! 

Life (and eloping) is like an ocean. Sometimes, it’s calm seas, and everything is smooth sailing. Other times, you have to swim with the waves. This is one of those times that we swim :)