Michelle and Jason Elope at the Seattle Municipal Courthouse

Yesterday afternoon I joined Michelle and Jason at the Seattle Municipal Courthouse to photograph their elopement wedding ceremony.  I love elopement weddings!  They are quick and frequently intense, and are always a lot of fun.

We met at the Courthouse about 30 minutes before the judges are available to perform weddings, and while we were waiting we took a few photos in the hallway outside the courtrooms.  We had hoped to be able to take photos outdoors as well but the weather gods played a nasty trick on us, and shortly before we met up what had been a sunny day quickly became rainy, windy and cold.  Not exactly conducive to outdoor photos!  Michelle and Jason were accompanied by their friend Alicia, who was also going to be one of their witnesses for the wedding ceremony.

Once the judges were available Michelle and Jason were quickly called to meet with their judge.  They were assigned Judge Willie Gregory, a very nice man with whom I have worked numerous times for courthouse weddings.  Judge Gregory took Jason and Michelle back to his office to deal with paperwork and explain how the ceremony would work while I tagged along to get a few more photos.

With that completed, we went back out to get Alicia and then followed Judge Gregory to the Jury Selection Room, where the ceremony would be held.  This is a beautiful (and large) room with a wonderful view over south Seattle.  On a nice day you even get a view of Mt. Rainier, but with the rain and clouds we were not so lucky.  Even so the view was spectacular, with the Smith Tower and the Seattle waterfront providing a nice backdrop for the ceremony.

Elopement ceremonies tend to be quick and this was no exception.  Judge Gregory did his usual excellent work and in short order Jason and Michelle were officially married.  When it came time for the paperwork Alicia was one of the witnesses and I got to be the second witness.  Not the first time for me, at small weddings like this I always offer to be a witness if needed.

Here are a few photos from the day, I hope you enjoy them.