How & Where to Elope in Portland, Oregon

A PORTLAND, OREGON ELOPEMENT GUIDE

Portland, arguably the hub of the PNW (along with Seattle) is probably one of the number one spots in America to elope. It’s in the middle of a wonderland of photogenic outdoor spots to say your vows or go for a wedding day adventure at. The dramatic Oregon coast, Mt. Hood, waterfalls in the Gorge, alpine lakes, and not to mention stunning city scenery. Portland is a great spot to choose if only for the food scene, coffee, breweries, etc. Seriously, if you’re a foodie like me, you’ll want to choose an elopement near PDX.

In this blog I’ll break down how to plan an elopement in or nearby Portland, OR.

THE BEST TIMES OF YEAR TO GET MARRIED IN PORTLAND

We all know Portland gets a ton of rain and averages 144 sunny days annually. Those sunny days usually take place in June, July, August, and September. If rain is something that will really harsh your mood, choose one of the warmer months so chances are you’ll get a sunny day! However, late August and September have the potential to be smokey as the last few years have proved with ever increasing wild fires. Those are great months to choose in general though, so we can always plan a backup location just in case we need to escape a smokey area!

However, I’m a huge fan of moody, overcast (hello good lighting all day), and dramatic weather. I actually photograph elopements year round in Oregon, so if you aren’t attached to a golden sunset, the spring and fall months might be perfect for you!

Here’s a breakdown of the pros to getting married in each season:

Spring is full of wildflowers in the Gorge and mountains, and Portland is covered in blooms.
Autumn will provide orange and yellow hues in the trees that are extremely picturesque all over the PNW.
Summer will give you more chances for golden sunsets ands outdoor adventures like hiking, canoeing, outdoor dinners, etc.
Winter will moody everywhere in and near Portland, and you will have snow locations to choose from in the mountains.

LEGALITIES & LOGISTICS TO GETTING MARRIED AT AN OREGON LOCATION

There is a potential checklist for paperwork that will potentially need to be acquired.. Besides the obvious like getting a marriage licence (apply for those at your county clerk office), we’ll also have to obtain permits depending on your location. Permit requirements vary across Oregon at state and city parks, trails, etc. Here’s some recourses to figuring out what you need!

Portland city park permits:

Spots like Cathedral Park and Hoyt Arboretum will require applications to reserve your spot.

Here’s a good resource from The City of Portland about permits and reservations for if you’re looking to have an elopement or micro wedding in a gorgeous city park!

State park permits:

Call the park where you want to have your elopement ceremony (or the nearest park to the location) to discuss your plans. You can call the Information Line at 800-551-6949 and ask for the phone number of the nearest park. Make sure you tell them how many people will be in attendance (most parks will have a head count limit.) They will be able to lead you to the correct permit, and depending on your spot and head count, you may need a special use permit for "non-traditional park activities," which are outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule.

Who can marry us?

Hiring an officiant is a great idea since they will be able to help you with the marriage certificate on the day of, however I have photographed many elopements where the marriage certificate is sorted out at an earlier or later date. If you choose the latter option, your elopement day will focus on the emotional and ceremonial aspects during your ceremony like saying your vows.

You can also have a close friend get ordained online as long as the online ordination meets the requirements from the State of Oregon. And yes, it’s just as official as a traditional religious ordination.

THE BEST ELOPEMENT SPOTS & VENUES IN PORTLAND,OR

A popular option for getting married in the city is renting a beautiful airbnb to get ready in before heading to a ceremony spot to say your vows at. Here are some great spots in the city for an elopement ceremony:

THE BEST SPOTS & VENUES TO ELOPE AT NEAR PORTLAND, OR

Oregon Airbnb Rentals & Venues to elope at:

ELOPEMENT LOCATIONS NEAR PORTLAND, OREGON

The Columbia River Gorge

Rowena Crest
Government Cove
Waterfalls,
+ My secret trails, etc.

Tip: stay in Hood River for a Gorge elopement - the small town is charming and full of great food, airbnbs, and activities!

The Coast

Ecola State Park
Cannon Beach
Hug Point
Indian Beach
Gods Thumb
Cape Kiwanda
& much more

Mt Hood

Mt Hood Hikes
Trillium Lake
Little Crater Lake
Silcox Hut
Timberline Lodge

Get a Mt. Hood Elopement permit here!

TIPS & TRICKS FOR ELOPING IN OREGON

Always have clear umbrellas on hand! You never truly know what the weather will do here, and clear umbrellas are photogenic.
If you’re from out of state, make sure to fly in to PDX with plenty of time before your elopement. Not only will it leave you feeling more relaxed, but you’ll also be able to explore all our amazing restaurants, hikes, and just make a ton of new memories.
Prepare for your wedding attire to get dirty! Wether we shoot in the forest or at the ocean, your clothes will probably get beat up along the adventure. The average dry cleaning cost for a wedding dress is $75-$175. Factor that into your budget for afterwards so you can be stress free on your wedding day!

PLACES TO STAY IN PORTLAND FOR YOUR ELOPEMENT

Having a beautiful space should be a high priority because a) IT’S YOUR WEDDING! It will definitely add to your overall experience. And b) your photographer will be taking your getting ready photos in that space! As always for photos, step one is to look for something that has good natural lighting. But another great thing to keep in mind is to choose a space that sets and complements the tone of your elopement for linear storytelling and cohesion.

Accommodation list of places to stay for your elopement in Portland:

Accommodation list of places to stay for your elopement near Portland:

THE AVERAGE COST OF ELOPING IN PORTLAND, OR

These are some averages of Portland vendors and general costs. Of course this will really vary depending on who you hire, the size of your elopement, where it’s at, and so many other variables! This is just to give you an idea of what to budget for an elopement in Oregon.

Elopement permit fees: $0-$200
Oregon Coast Elopement Photography: $3,000-$7,000
Videographer: I offer Super 8mm film as an add-on for 1,500, but if you decide to go with a digital videographer, packages range from $3000-7000
Elopement Private Chef: (Like Dakota Eats) costs can vary from $150-250 per person including drinks.
Flowers: For a quality florist expect to spend $250 for personal flowers and up to $3000 for installs, table, etc. CLICK HERE FOR MY FLORIST RECOMMENDATIONS
Airbnbs/Hotels: $150-400 per night depending on the space.
Officiants: $300 - $1,500
Hair/Makeup Artists: $200-$400 per person
Planner/stylist: $2000-$5000
Rentals (chair, abor, linens, tables, dishes, etc.) $100-$700

I hope this Portland Oregon elopement guide helped you and your adventure planning!

hi I’m Sarah!

if you’re wanting intentional, warm, and romantic photos to remember your day by, I’m the elopement photographer for you.

I’m based in (yup!) Portland, OR, and I’m an expert on all things Oregon. I’d absolutely love to chat with you about your dream day! Shoot me an email so we can start chatting about your dream day!