Franklin Dean
As of July 2022, wedding receptions and similar indoor gatherings in conjunction with wedding ceremonies were prohibited in Washington State. However, there is no indication that weddings are banned in the state. Wedding ceremonies can still take place, but with restrictions. For example, in-person ceremonies are limited to 30 people or fewer, and guests at outdoor gatherings that cannot ensure physical distancing or that take place in a public setting are required to wear masks. Couples who are hoping to have indoor singing, musicians, or choirs perform as part of their ceremony should also be aware that this may be prohibited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Wedding ban in Washington state | Wedding receptions were banned in Washington state in July 2022 and in November 2020. In July 2022, in-person ceremonies were limited to 30 people or fewer. |
| Marriage equality | Washington has allowed same-sex couples to marry since 2012. |
| Residency restrictions | There are no residency restrictions in Washington. |
| Minimum age requirement | The minimum age requirement for marriage in Washington is 18 years old. However, 17-year-olds with parental consent and minors under 17 in extraordinary circumstances can marry. |
| Officiant requirements | Only individuals who are 18 or older can officiate a wedding in Washington. There are no requirements regarding the officiant's residency, faith, or gender. Clergy from any state may perform marriage ceremonies, provided they are permitted by their religious organization to do so outside of their state. |
| Witness requirements | Washington requires that weddings be attended by the marrying couple, the officiant, and two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. |
| Marriage license requirements | Washington requires a three-day waiting period after obtaining a marriage license before the couple can legally wed. The license is then valid for 60 days. Couples must apply for a marriage license in person. |
| Virtual weddings | Virtual weddings are differentiated from livestream weddings by the location of the officiant. If the officiant is in a different location than the couple, it is considered a virtual wedding. Livestreaming is allowed. |
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What You'll Learn
- Wedding receptions were banned in Washington state in 2020 and 2022
- Ceremonies can go ahead, but with a limited number of guests
- There are no residency restrictions in Washington state
- Washington state requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license can be used
- Only individuals who are 18 years of age or older can officiate a wedding ceremony
Wedding receptions were banned in Washington state in 2020 and 2022
In 2020, Governor Jay Inslee announced a ban on wedding receptions in Washington state, citing the need to protect public health and slow the spread of the virus. The ban was met with disappointment by couples planning their weddings, with many forced to postpone their celebrations or find creative alternatives. The ban was lifted in September of that year, but a cap of 30 guests was imposed. However, this did not stop one couple from holding a wedding with 300 guests, which sparked two coronavirus outbreaks.
In 2022, Washington state once again faced a surge in COVID-19 cases, prompting Gov. Inslee to reimpose restrictions on wedding receptions. From July 19, 2022, wedding receptions were prohibited for a minimum of four weeks, until at least December 14th. In-person wedding ceremonies were limited to 30 people or fewer, and social gatherings were restricted to five people from outside a person's household. These measures were implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health of Washington's residents.
While these restrictions presented challenges for couples planning their weddings, many adapted by embracing unconventional ceremonies and venues that allowed them to safely celebrate with their loved ones. The pandemic highlighted the importance of understanding and complying with health regulations to slow the spread of the virus and prevent further disruptions to daily life.
As Washington state grappled with the impact of COVID-19, the wedding industry navigated a difficult period, with many vendors and businesses facing financial strain due to postponements and cancellations. Couples were encouraged to carefully review their contracts and work closely with their vendors to navigate the uncertainties of the pandemic.
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Ceremonies can go ahead, but with a limited number of guests
Wedding ceremonies can still take place in Washington state, but there are strict rules in place limiting the number of guests. While there is no outright ban on weddings, couples need to be aware of the restrictions and adapt their plans to ensure compliance.
Indoor ceremonies are limited to 20% capacity or 30 people, whichever is fewer, as long as six feet of physical distancing between households can be maintained. Outdoor ceremonies are also limited to a maximum of 30 people, again with the same distancing requirements. These restrictions are in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the local community.
Couples should be aware that wedding receptions are prohibited. This includes bachelorette/bachelor parties, engagement parties, and couples' showers. Outdoor social gatherings are limited to five people from outside your household.
For those who wish to proceed with their wedding plans, there are options to adapt and be creative. Livestreaming is permitted, allowing guests to participate remotely and interact through various platforms. Couples can also consider unconventional venues for their ceremony, such as mountaintops or their favourite outdoor spots in the state.
It is important to stay informed about the latest rules and plan accordingly. County Clerk's Offices may be operating with modified schedules, so it is recommended to plan ahead when applying for a marriage license.
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There are no residency restrictions in Washington state
While there are some restrictions on weddings in Washington state, there are no residency restrictions. This means that whether you are a permanent resident of Washington, another state, or even another country, you can get married in Washington. The state has been an early advocate of marriage equality, welcoming same-sex couples to marry since 2012.
In terms of other requirements, Washington state law requires a three-day waiting period after obtaining a marriage license before the couple can legally wed. The license is then valid for 60 days, and the ceremony must take place within this timeframe. The minimum age requirement for marriage in Washington is 18 years old, but there are exceptions for 17-year-olds with parental consent and minors under 17 in extraordinary circumstances with court approval.
The wedding ceremony must include the couple, the officiant, and two witnesses over the age of 18. The couple must express their consent with "I do" or a similar phrase, and the officiant must pronounce them legally wed before ending the ceremony. The officiant can be from any state, as long as their religious organization permits them to perform ceremonies outside their home state. There are no requirements regarding the officiant's faith, gender, or residency.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were additional restrictions on weddings in Washington state. These included limits on the number of guests, prohibitions on wedding receptions, and requirements for social distancing and masks. While these restrictions have since been lifted, they caused many couples to postpone their weddings or opt for smaller, outdoor ceremonies.
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Washington state requires a three-day waiting period before a marriage license can be used
While weddings are not banned in Washington state, there are some restrictions in place. For instance, certain types of marriages are prohibited in Washington, such as marrying your first cousin or other close family members. Additionally, individuals cannot marry if they already have a spouse or domestic partner. Minors under the age of 17 can only marry under extraordinary circumstances and must petition the court and demonstrate "special circumstances".
Washington state requires a three-day waiting period after the issuance of a marriage license before the couple can legally wed. This rule is strictly enforced, and waivers are never granted. Couples should register early to avoid any issues. Once the three-day period has passed, the marriage license remains valid for 60 days, within which the ceremony must take place.
In terms of the ceremony itself, Washington law requires the presence of the marrying couple, the officiant, and two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. The state does not allow proxy marriages, so all participants must be physically present. While the couple can determine the length and style of their ceremony, they must include two traditional affirmations. Firstly, the couple must express their consent to marry, typically with the words "I do". Secondly, the officiant must pronounce the couple legally wed before ending the ceremony. The ceremony does not need to include religious elements, even though the license is classified as religious.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, there were restrictions on wedding ceremonies and receptions in Washington state. While wedding ceremonies were allowed to take place, receptions and similar indoor gatherings were prohibited. Outdoor ceremonies were limited to 30 people, with social distancing and mask requirements in place. These restrictions were implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of the community.
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Only individuals who are 18 years of age or older can officiate a wedding ceremony
Washington state has had its fair share of COVID-19-related restrictions on weddings, including prohibiting wedding receptions and limiting the number of guests at in-person ceremonies. However, weddings have not been banned entirely, and the state has some of the most progressive marriage laws in the country.
One such law states that only individuals who are 18 years of age or older can officiate a wedding ceremony. This is a standard requirement across the United States, and it is in place to ensure that the individual taking on the role of the officiant is legally recognised as an adult and is therefore considered capable of fulfilling the legal responsibilities associated with officiating a wedding.
In Washington, there are no requirements regarding the officiant's residency, faith, or gender. This means that anyone over the age of 18 can officiate a wedding, regardless of where they live, their religious beliefs, or their gender identity. This allows for a great deal of flexibility and personalisation when it comes to wedding ceremonies in the state.
It is important to note that, while the couple getting married can determine the length, style, and content of their ceremony, Washington marriage law does require the inclusion of two traditional affirmations. Firstly, the couple must express their consent to marry with the familiar "I do" or an alternative phrase that conveys the same meaning. Secondly, the officiating minister must pronounce the couple legally wed before ending the ceremony. These affirmations ensure that the marriage is entered into willingly and is legally recognised.
In addition to the officiant, Washington state law requires that two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age be present at the wedding ceremony. These witnesses, along with the officiant, must sign the Certificate of Marriage immediately following the ceremony. The officiant then has 30 days to return the certificate to the relevant county office.
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Frequently asked questions
No, weddings are not banned in Washington state, but there are some restrictions in place due to COVID-19.
Wedding receptions and similar indoor gatherings are prohibited. All indoor social gatherings with people from outside your household are also prohibited unless the guests can quarantine beforehand. Outdoor social gatherings are limited to 5 people from outside your household. In-person ceremonies are limited to 30 people or fewer.
Couples can opt to livestream their wedding ceremony or have it videotaped to be shared with family and friends.
Yes, there is a three-day waiting period after the marriage license has been issued before the couple can legally wed. The marriage license is then valid for 60 days.
The wedding ceremony must be attended by the marrying couple, the officiant, and two witnesses who are at least 18 years of age. The couple must express their consent to marry, and the officiating minister must pronounce them legally wed before ending the ceremony.
