Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest area of the United States.  It is located south of the Canadian province of British Columbia, north of Oregon, west of Idaho and on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.  Washington became the 42nd state in 1889.  

With a total area of 71,300 square miles, Washington is the 18th largest of the United States.  It is also the 13th most populated state with a population of almost 7,000,000 and the second most populated state on the west coast of the United States with California being the first. Around 60% of its residents live in the Seattle metropolitan area which is the center of business, industry and transportation along the Puget Sound region of the Salish Sea.  

Washington has a very interesting past.  The most complete human remains that have ever been found in North America, Kennewick Man, were discovered in Washington. Before the European explorers arrived, the region that is now Washington had many Native American tribes.  They were notable for the ornately carved canoes and masks along with their totem poles.  The most prominent industries among the tribes were salmon fishing and whale hunting.  The interior tribes were dependent upon food gathering, hunting and some types of agriculture.  However, in the 1770's a smallpox epidemic devastated the population of the Native Americans in the area.  

Recently, destination weddings have been all the rage.  If you are considering a destination wedding, Washington is a great place to look into. There are many spectacular venues for a wedding.  The state park system itself offers many options such as the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco.  This is the perfect outdoor venue for a very small, intimate wedding.  There is also Friend's Barn in Fort Townsend State Park located in Port Townsend.  It is a rustic venue that can accommodate up to 100 guests with modern amenities.  

There are also many commercial venues available such as Salish Lodge & Spa.  They are equipped to handle just about any size wedding with every amenity one could possibly think of.  This is the perfect venue for a wedding weekend getaway.  If you have a group of at least 40 people, you will even receive a complementary overnight guest room.  This is perfect for the wedding night.  You also have a changing room for the bridal party which is perfect for all the girls getting ready.  This will also make a great quiet place for a little flower girl to calm her nerves just before the ceremony.

Washington is a beautiful state and definitely should be considered if you are thinking about a Pacific Northwest destination wedding.