Congratulations on your plans to propose!

I’m guessing you’re feeling very excited, but a bit anxious about how it will all go down. Am I right?

This blog should clear up questions you have regarding everything from weather to seasonal accessibility. Washington is beautiful, and you’re sure to find a spot to propose that you both will fall in love with.

Click here to skip the advice and go straight to the location recommendations.

Weather

If you’re proposing outdoors, you’ll be contending with the weather. You can expect sunnier weather between June and October but know that our rainy season is between November and May. Here in the Northwest, we say there is no such thing as bad weather, just poor wardrobe choices. Meaning if you’re both wearing weather-appropriate clothing, you’ll be good to go!

Pro tip: If you’re proposing on a rainy day, choose a location with tree cover to help keep dry or head to the mountains for potential snow in winter.

Transportation

If you’re flying in from out of town, I’d suggest renting a car. Unless you’ll be staying and proposing in Seattle (there are plenty of large, amazing parks to pop the question within city limits), you’ll need a car if you plan on visiting any of our national parks, mountains, or waterfalls.

How to plan without raising suspicion

This is going to be unique to each couple. If you’re the planner type and planning a day out for you and your partner is something you already do regularly, then this will be easiest for you. However, if you’re a homebody, more spontaneous, or let your partner take the lead in planning activities, this will be harder.

I suggest that you try to keep your proposal planning most like your regular activity to avoid raising suspicion. For example, if your partner is usually the planner, mention that you want to take a trip to whatever general area you’re thinking of proposing at (Seattle or the Olympic National Park, for example). If you’re too specific, they might catch on, so let them feel like they’re taking the reins for the plans.

Once they are on board, you can ask what they’re interested in checking out (it may just be the area you’d like to propose at) or make your own suggestions by saying you saw a cool location on social media or had a friend recommend a place to you in order to fit your proposal into your travel plans naturally.

This vacation or day trip should feel like any other to them during this process, so try to keep your enthusiasm and planning as normal as possible.

Activities

Booking an activity you love or trying something new is such a fun way to propose! Check out this list of activities for recommendations and inspiration within the Pacific Northwest. Know that if you do book an activity for your proposal, you’ll have a specific start time. You can either let your partner in on the activity beforehand, let them know you have a surprise planned, or work your own magic to get them there on time!

Setup

If you’re wanting to have a scene set up for your proposal, there are a few ways to make this happen. You can either enlist the help of family or friends, hire a planner or florist to set up everything for you, or you can ask your photographer if this is something they’d be willing to take on.

Hire a photographer

Of course, you’re going to want to document this once-in-a-lifetime moment! Assuming you’d like to have your photographer be out of sight during your proposal, you’re going to need to have excellent communication with them.

You’ll both need:

The exact location
The approximate proposal time

I give you a window of time to arrive so you don’t have to rush your partner

Tips on what to look for to know that your photographer is there and ready

Where should you propose?

Helping you figure out where exactly you should propose is one of my favorite parts of my job. Washington is very large and diverse so there is something for everyone. Check out the list below for general ideas, or contact me and I’ll help you figure out all the details!

Olympic National Park

This is my favorite national park and it’s beautiful in every season! It’s the most diverse location in Washington with three distinct ecosystems — mountains, rainforest, and the coast — and it’s all stunning. Yes, it may be raining if you visit during the winter, but you’ll fall in love with its moody atmosphere.

The rain shadow

This is where you want to visit if you want sunshine no matter the season. It’s an area that is protected by the Olympic mountains and receives significantly less rain than the surrounding area. Each town listed on the map below has something to offer, from state parks, old military forts, beaches, and beautiful cliffs overlooking the Puget Sound.

North Cascades

Consisting of the North Cascade National Park and the Mt Baker Ski Area, this area is home to Washington’s most insta-famous hikes and easily accessible mountains. It’s best from July to September, when all roads and trails are open and clear of snow.

Mount Rainier

Imagine having a snowball fight in August. If you hike high enough at Mount Rainier National Park, you can! Accessibility and weather are best between July and September, but I’m all for a quiet mid-winter snowshoe as well.

Ferry

We adore our ferries here in Washington. There are many routes you can take, but if you’re looking for a day trip, I’d suggest walking onto the Seattle ferry to Bainbridge Island. There are plenty of restaurants and shops within walking distance from the ferry terminal. Catch a ride back at sunset to see the best view of the Seattle skyline, which is exactly when you should get down on one knee.

North Bend

North Bend is only an hour away from Seattle and is known for a variety of hikes and easily accessible lakes and waterfalls. It’s a great spot if you’re hoping to propose in a beautiful place but don’t want to travel far. The proximity to Seattle does draw crowds, so these locations tend to be busier than others. Plan your visit here on a weekday to have more space to yourselves.

Leavenworth

This is an adorable Bavarian-themed town in Central Washington. It’s full of boutique shops, and great food, with the Enchantments, lots of climbing routes, and skiing nearby. Beautiful and romantic, this spot is a must-visit location for every Washingtonian.

Waterfalls

There are over 3,000 waterfalls in Washington state! Some of my favorites are in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, and the Olympic National Park; however, you can find them all over Western Washington with a special few found in Eastern Washington.

Columbia River Gorge

Closer to Portland than Seattle, this area is especially stunning at sunrise and sunset. It’s full of waterfalls and some of my favorite cliffside views in the state, this is a great spot to propose, stay, or visit before heading to Portland for some nightlife.

San Juan Islands

Watch for whale sightings on the ferry ride there! These islands are beautiful year-round, but summer is certainly the most popular time to visit. Book your ferry tickets in advance, take a kayaking tour for a chance to see more wildlife, or just take in the relaxed island atmosphere.

Vantage

Come for the sunny weather and jaw-dropping views of the Columbia River Gorge, but stay for the beautiful sunsets and winery. Make it a whole getaway by staying at the Sagecliffe Resort and Spa.

On a hike

This one is very broad, but there are so many amazing hikes to choose from! Use Washington Trails Association to find the right one for you. Read recent trip reports for any hikes you’re interested in and pay attention to when it says each hike is accessible. Choose to hike to a fire lookout during the summer months for 360-degree views but go for sunrise if you’re wanting a private experience.

Local parks

Our local parks are also incredible. Places like Discovery Park, the Washington Arboretum (shown below), and Point Defiance are so large they feel like you’re miles away from the city. Other, smaller parks, like Kerry Park, are just as breathtaking.