For Couples Who Want to Get Married, Not Overwhelmed
You want to marry your favorite person in a way that feels like you. Elope 253 in Downtown Tacoma was created for exactly that. A meaningful wedding. fewer things to organize, and a place where you feel welcome.
The Story Behind Elope 253
I Opened the Chapel I Wished We’d Had
In 2000, my husband Craig and I eloped in Las Vegas. We wanted something affordable, memorable, and just plain cool. Mostly, we wanted to show up, have everything ready, and focus on each other.
We couldn’t find the kind of place we were imagining close to home, so off to Vegas we went.
That experience stayed with me. For years, I daydreamed about opening a little chapel here in Tacoma where couples could have a small, intimate wedding with a cool vibe. Most importantly, I wanted it to be a place where they felt they belonged.
With Craig cheering me on, that daydream became Elope 253.
Rochelle & Craig | Las Vegas 2000
I believe couples deserve the freedom to question what a wedding is supposed to look like. To keep the traditions they love, let go of the expectations that don’t fit, and marry their favorite person in a way that feels right to them.
Elope 253 grew out of that belief. A welcoming space with some of Tacoma’s grit and creative spirit, where the details are manageable and the people getting married are the whole point.
— Rochelle, Founder & Fellow Eloper
Why Elope Instead of
Having a Big Wedding?
That’s the choice I want other couples to have, too.
Maybe you want a few favorite people beside you.
Maybe you love the idea of dressing up and saying your vows, but have no interest in organizing a big reception.
Maybe you simply feel ready to be married.
Eloping can mean fewer decisions, a smaller budget, and more time to enjoy each other. For some couples, it also means letting go of the pressure to plan a wedding around everyone else’s expectations.
For Craig and me, it meant having the kind of day we actually wanted.
You can care deeply about your wedding and still want it to be simple.
A big wedding is wonderful when it’s what you want. But if you find yourselves wishing for something smaller, you’re allowed to listen to that feeling.
At Elope 253, we’re here for couples who do.