Updated March 12, 2022
Guide to Getting Married at Elope 253
During Covid-19
Darling couple eloping while their friends and family watch via zoom. Image by Lisa Blackmore
Whether you’ve had to delay your elopement or change your wedding plans altogether, this is not an easy time for couples who are ready to tie the knot. Your big day might not look quite the way you had originally imagined, and this can be such a challenging prospect for our brides and grooms.
The good news is that we’re still here to make things as special as possible for you and your loved ones! Our goal is to keep providing you with a romantic, exciting experience and memories that will truly last a lifetime, all while keeping you as safe and healthy as possible.
What To Expect
Number of Guests
If we are in Phase 1 or Phase 2: Under the WA state guidelines for weddings, we will be limiting the guest total to 4 people. This number is in accordance with 25% of the maximum capacity and ensures six feet of physical distancing.
If we are in Phase 3: Under the WA state guidelines for weddings, we will be limiting the guest total to 8 people. This number is in accordance with 50% of the maximum capacity and ensures six feet of physical distancing.
Full Capacity: At full capacity (effective June 30, 2021), 16 guests are permitted. Please note that the couple and babies under 2 years old do NOT count towards the 16 guest maximum.
Live Streaming Your Wedding
We will be offering live streaming options via Zoom to anyone who would like to have their ceremony live-streamed online. You will receive a link ahead of time so loved ones will be able to watch your ceremony from home, and friends and family can still make this a special day from afar!
Zoom will record the gallery view of the call (Gallery views lets you see thumbnail displays of participants including us, in a grid pattern). We will send this to you as it is great to see everyone's reactions! That being said, we suggest also recording on your phone so you can also have a single-view video of the ceremony as well. We will have a stand available and ready for your phone if needed.
Mask Safety
As of March 12, 2022, the state of Washington will NO LONGER REQUIRE masks indoors. We are leaving the choice up to our couples, and if they so choose, everyone will wear a mask the day of their elopement. Otherwise, masks are no longer required at Elope 253.
Our staff is fully vaccinated and will be wearing masks if need be.
Temperature Checks
NOT LONGER REQUIRED (effective June 30, 2021) - Pierce County has given us a thermometer and has asked us to participate in rapid thermal temperature checking. We will take the temperatures of everyone upon arrival, so we will be taking the temperatures of all attendees.
If You Have Symptoms, Please Stay Home
If anyone who plans to attend the ceremony is experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, you must stay home. We will work with you to reschedule if needed. It’s our guests’ responsibility to stay home to keep everyone safe and healthy, and we thank you in advance!
Sanitization
We have hand sanitizer available for all guests to use when entering and exiting the chapel. We will be doing extra cleaning and sanitizing between all appointments and ceremonies.
Obtaining your Marriage License
Washington State has a mandatory 3-day waiting period which can not be waived. This means you and your co-eloper need to apply for your marriage license at least 3 days before you are allowed to wed. And no more than 60 days before your wedding day. Most Auditor’s offices are closed to in-person appointments or they are currently limited in services due to COVID. For more information on how to obtain your marriage license during this time, please check out our blog post here.
Courtesy Signing Appointment
If you would like to sign marriage license paperwork now during COVID but would like to postpone the ceremony until later to include more guests, we are happy to accommodate a courtesy signing appointment. Please purchase a gift certificate here and then we can proceed with booking your courtesy signing. See example video of courtesy signing on this page.
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With the situation surrounding COVID-19 and reopening businesses changing so frequently, we may need to modify our plans as we learn more. All of our couples have been so gracious and wonderful during this time—we are truly lucky to have the opportunity to assist so many loving, kind, and thoughtful people! Thank you all so much for your understanding!
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!