Best Places to Elope in Oregon
Oregon elopement guide
Oregon Is Pure Magic
Where will you choose?
Oregon is one of the best places to elope on the west coast. If you’ve never been, now is the time to throw away your preconceptions – the state has more to offer than Portlandia suggests! (Although, admittedly, this is the home of bacon on donuts so I guess some of your assumptions are correct). If you’re looking for beautiful mountainscapes, dense green forests, stunning waterfalls, coastal hikes and a hidden desert few Oregonians have even heard about, this might be the perfect place for your elopement adventure!
Oregon is unlike any state we’ve ever seen. Filled with magical views, enchanting landscape, and opportunity for endless adventure, you won’t spend a single moment in Oregon where you’re not picking your jaw up from off the ground. Though there are infinite hidden gems nestled all throughout the state, we’ll start with a few of our well-known favorites.
Keep reading to learn more about Oregon’s marriage laws, the best time of year to elope in Oregon, a list of our favorite elopement locations, and advice on choosing which location would best suit your needs. Get inspired to elope in one of our favorite places on Earth!
Your Questions Answered here
why you should elope in oregon
There aren’t many couples out there brave enough to consider eloping instead of having a big, traditional wedding. So if you’re reading this, congrats on being pretty badass!
If you’re unfamiliar with Oregon, be prepared to have your mind blown. This state is practically overflowing with all kinds of epic adventures, diverse landscapes, and jaw-dropping locations. With hundreds of waterfalls (literally, hundreds), beautiful old-growth forests, sand dunes, mountain peaks, rugged coasts, and so much more, I can’t help but just tell you the truth—there’s absolutely no place like Oregon. We’ve been obsessed with planning elopements here since we first began exploring the PNW. In the process, we’ve uncovered dozens of reasons why eloping in Oregon is the absolute best.
When you decide to elope (in Oregon and in general), you get all your choices back when it comes to your wedding day. There are no rules. You can craft your day into the adventure of your dreams, no matter what that looks like and no matter what anyone says. All that freedom can be a bit overwhelming, which can make it tough to figure out how to plan your dream elopement.
That’s where we come in.
As experienced elopement photographers and guides, we’ve put together this resource to help you navigate through the planning process.
benefits of eloping in oregon
LANDSCAPE
Rainforest, desert, cascading waterfall, dramatic coastline, or jagged mountain peaks. Whatever you’re envisioning for your big day, Oregon has it. This is one of the most diverse landscapes in any state in the country, so take advantage of the breadth of options and plan an adventure across multiple environments!
ADVENTURE
Do you dream of a hiking elopement out to a stunning lookout? How about a coastal elopement with a ceremony above the crashing waves? Or, maybe you want to get out your harness and ropes for a climbing wedding at Smith Rock? Whatever is your preferred outdoor activity, there is a place in Oregon known just for that. Do your favorite thing with your favorite person on the day you say, “I do!”
UNIQUE COMMUNITIES
Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind rental to stay in the night of your wedding, or you want to sample the best food and drinks imaginable, Oregon is the place for that! Rent a treehouse, or an a-frame cabin, and then get your hands on some of the most delicious local wines, craft beers, or food to satisfy anyone’s dietary needs. Vegan, vegetarian, or seafood connoisseur—some of the best restaurants in the country are here to cater to your cravings!
How to:
plan an oregon elopement
When dreaming & brainstorming your Oregon elopement ask yourself these questions:
What is the overall meaning and intention of your day?
Is this day just for the two of you? Do others play a role in your day?
What type of Oregon scenery do you want?
Are you in the mountains, hunting down waterfalls, deep in an old-growth forest, or running down a rugged coast?
What season is it?
Do you enjoy cold or hot weather? Does a little drizzly PNW rain bother you?
What do you want to wear that day?
A dress or suit? Something more casual? Are you wearing shoes—or not?
What kind of activities do you see yourselves doing?
These can be activities that you enjoy doing together or ones you’ve never tried before. Maybe a helicopter ride? Kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddleboarding, or whale watching? Perhaps a seasonal activity like mountain biking or cross-country skiing?
Will it be just the two of you? OR will you include others?
This will help determine any permits you will need or accessibility concerns.
What does the ceremony look like?
Are there important cultural or religious traditions you’d like to incorporate into the ceremony?
How much time are you able to use for your trip?
Is the elopement day part of a larger trip or combined with your honeymoon? How much time are you able to take off from work?
First, do some research.
Below, we’ve answered frequently asked questions about elopements, and provided advice on choosing a location!
Second, connect with a photographer or planner who knows the area.
One of the photographers on our team (Tori) lives in the PNW full-time and knows this area incredibly well – we can find just about any kind of environment, at any time of year, to fit whatever it is you’re currently imaging.
Third, narrow down the details of what you want.
Choose your ideal environment, time of day, season, activities, guest count, etc. We can absolutely help you out at this stage and give you our best advice to plan a stress-free wedding experience!
Frequently Asked Questions About eloping in oregon
All the questions you’ve ever wanted to ask about how to elope – answered by us.
How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Oregon?
Short answer—As little or as much as you budget for!
Long answer—To get legally married in Oregon, you only need to get your hands on the $60 marriage certificate. However—assuming you want to celebrate a bit—you’re also going to want to budget for attire, activities, and any vendors you involve. We’ve spoken to hundreds of couples over the years, and helped plan hundreds of elopements—we’ve found that the average elopement costs between $5000-$15000.
The biggest factor to the cost of your elopement has to do with who you involve—which vendors, who you invite, and how elaborate your plans are. One of the benefits of working with an elopement photographer is that we wear a lot of hats—by that we mean that you don’t need a lot of the traditional wedding vendors (planner, venue, etc.) because the size of your event combined with the services we offer will naturally limit the size of your group. Please don’t misunderstand—vendors of all kinds do amazing work, and whether you want to hire anyone for your elopement celebration is 100% your choice. There is no one way to elope!
Who Should You Invite To Your Elopement?
Anyone you want!
We have plenty of ideas to help you plan an inclusive family wedding celebration.
We also have advice if you want to include your dog in your elopement, or if you’ll be bringing along children.
Eloping isn’t about NOT including loved ones in your celebration. In fact, we’d argue that eloping is the best way to include loved ones in an authentic celebration that is stress-free, and where you get to spend genuine time with those present.
In fact, we disliked that elopements get so often mischaracterized so much that we wrote our own definition: An elopement is an intentionally small, intimate, meaningful, and authentic wedding experience that is a true reflection of your relationship where the focus of the day is really about the two of you.
You see, choosing to elope isn’t just about avoiding big-wedding stress or saving money—eloping is about intentionally choosing to craft a safe space to celebrate a huge milestone in your relationship with your partner. Whoever you want to stand beside you when this happens should feel welcome!
How Do I Get Permits?
Not every location requires permits in Oregon—but some of the most loved and well-known spots to elope require permits that need to be acquired well in advance.
Crater Lake National Park, some wilderness areas, and other protected spaces require permits.
Something special about Oregon is that the coast is completely public access—no permits are required unless you’re going to be inviting a large group of people, or setting up any kind of structure for your wedding.
If you’re unsure if your location requires a permit—reach out! We’d love to offer our insight. Or, you can reach out to the local ranger district for more information. If you’re unsure how to find that information, Google “[NAME OF PLACE YOU WANT TO ELOPE] Ranger District Contact.”
How Do I Pack for My Oregon Elopement?
Something we get asked a lot is what the weather is like in Oregon, and how that affects elopements.
Many couples who travel here aren’t aware how drastically different the east and west sides of this state are—the mountains cutting through central Oregon dramatically shift the climate on each side of the state, which means you have a wide variety of environments to choose from year-round!
If you’re wanting a warm desert elopement, that’s possible near Bend in the summer! If you’d prefer a snow-free winter elopement, stay closer to the coast. Depending on the location and date you choose, we can offer location-specific advice. If you have a flexible date, we’ll also discuss with you the best time to be at your dream destination.
No matter the time of year, weather in Oregon tends to be on the more mild side. However, we always recommend you pack for the extreme sides of the potential weather during your chosen season.
Some things you should pack for your Oregon elopement:
- Sunscreen
- Bug Spray
- Handwarmers
- Fleece-lined leggings (to wear under your attire)
- Sturdy footwear
- Gloves, hats, extra socks & items for staying warm/dry
- Rain jacket
Oregon Marriage Laws & Legalities
There’s a bit of a waiting period from the time you apply for your license until you’re able to pick it up / legally be recognized as married.
Bring one along, have a family member ordained, or even have us marry you (we’re all legally able to!) However you want to do it, go for it!
Even if you don’t want to bring witnesses to tag along, don’t let this rule stop you! We’re experts at finding fellow explorers as witnesses (who wouldn’t love to be a spontaneous witness at an elopement, right?)
The marriage license fee is $60 and can be issued by any of oregon’s counties. Both you and your partner must be present to get your license (but you can apply online in advance at the county clerk’s website). If you plan to get married somewhere specific that requires another fee, you’ll have to tack that on, too!
How to
Choose your oregon ceremony location
Choosing your elopement location is one of the most important decisions after deciding to get married. The only more important decision is your photographer! (Kidding, sort of). We have photographed and guided couples through hundreds of elopements in dozens of countries, and one member of our team lives full-time in Oregon. So, you could say we know a few things about choosing the best elopement location!
Therefore, you can trust us when we say Oregon is a particularly special place! Sunrise elopements in the mountains with views of alpenglow casting pink and orange light upon lonely peaks. Sunsets on the coast remembered for dramatic waves crashing upon rigid rock formations, sea stacks and caves. Sand dunes, waterfalls, old-growth rainforests with moss creeping up the trunks of trees wider than you can hug. The diversity and extremes within Oregon create the perfect scene to host an adventure elopement – you can take what you like and craft the space that fits your vision!
Start with a season and choose a location ideal that time of year, or choose your ideal location and pick a date likely to provide the perfect environment for your preferred elopement day activities. Wherever you start, we’ll plan a wedding celebration perfect for you! Keep reading to learn more about our favorite Oregon elopement locations, and what you should keep in mind if you want to elope at any of these places.
Landscape & Seasonality
The Best Time of Year to Elope in Oregon
Oregon is known for rainy, moody vibes — but spring and summer in the Pacific Northwest could possibly be the best hidden secret in America. Spring and summer elopements mean frolicking in lush valleys and forests in warm (but rarely too warm) weather, while fall and winter will be the stereotypical moody, rustic colors and cooler weather.
There’s also this little thing called the Cascades in central Oregon. The mountain peaks have a way of splitting weather patterns between eastern and western sides of the state. Essentially, the Cascades have totally differentiated Oregon’s climates, so what you think of as “Oregon weather” is actually describing only western Oregon! The coastal region of the state is a temperate oceanic climate, and the eastern cities are in a cool arid climate.
To put it in layman’s terms – western Oregon is wet and mild, while eastern Oregon is drier and features a more typical 4-season climate. Whether your elopement is in Portland or Bend will have a significant impact on what time of year you’ll want to be there! With each location listed below, we have suggested our favorite time of year to elope there, and here is the shortlist of activities sorted by season if you’re looking to plan an adventure elopement in this great state!
1
Autumn
Fall colors are bursting in the hills and the air is becoming crisp. There are still many sunny days, but evenings are getting cooler and with November it begins to rain more on the coast and snow inland. This is the best time of year to cozy up with a cup of chai after a sunset elopement!
Months: September – Early November
Activities: Hiking, mountain biking, mushroom hunting
2
Spring
This is the best time to go searching for waterfalls! All the snowmelt has the flows stronger than they’ll be the rest of the year, and flowering trees everywhere are blooming in the cities. Late spring brings wildflowers to the hills and the first few weeks of decent sun remind Oregonians why we wait out the winter months – summer is coming!
Months: April – June
Activities: Hiking, biking, discovering waterfalls
Whenever you choose to elope in Oregon, we’ll do our best to line up your vision with the typical weather! If you want clouds and moody vibes, we’ve got a good idea when to suggest. If you’re hoping to hike Angel’s Rest, we’ll suggest a date in the summer. Of course, the Pacific Northwest is also known for being unpredictable, so do yourself a favor and be flexible! We’ve got a saying here that we find hilariously true – “if you don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes and it’ll change.” Rain, sun, or both, your elopement will be perfect if you’re adventuring with your love!
3
Winter
The trails are becoming less crowded as most days are rainy and cold. The hikes at higher elevations become inaccessible due to snow and poor visibility, but the lower elevations get the gorgeous fog and moody vibes we all love. If you’re looking for a winter wonderland elopement, search inland to find more reliable snow than the coast!
Months: Late November – March
Activities: Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing
4
Summer
These months are a real-life fairytale! The riverbanks become the perfect place to set up a picnic, and the high-elevation hikes are once again revealing distant views of Mt. Hood, Adams, St. Helens, Jefferson and the Three Sisters. You won’t find moody vibes easily, as the summer rarely rains and the late evening sunsets are often clear and colorful.
Months: July – September
Activities: Hiking, kayaking, peak-bagging
How to Find your perfect location
Whether you want to chase down Oregon waterfalls (by the way, there are 230 of them peppered throughout the state), bask in the alpenglow at the top of Mt. Hood, or want to drift off to sleep together listening to the Pacific ocean while you camp on the Oregon coast, we can guarantee you there’s a gorgeous spot in Oregon just waiting for you to discover it.
If you can’t come up with just one answer—that’s okay! Who says your elopement needs to be in one place? If you’re a couple who loves the idea of a multi-day or multi-location Oregon elopement, we’re here to tell you that we’re so on board with that.
Your day is about what you and your love want—that includes the views, the scenery, and the landscape.
Start finding the perfect elopement location with these helpful tools:
If you’re ready to start really digging into Oregon elopement research, we’re so jazzed for you. While we’d be thrilled to help you get the ball rolling, we know how fun it can be to do your own research. Check out a few of these super useful tools (many of which we use to find incredible elopement spots) to start checking out this gorgeous state.
- Social Media (Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook—check ‘em all)
- Travel Guides (like Lonely Planet)
- 4×4 Road Maps
- Local Guides & Guiding Companies
- Google Tools (Google Earth Pro, Google Maps, Google Street View)
- Oregon-Based Hiking, Climbing, and Adventure Forums
Welcome to
OUR BEST PLACES
TO ELOPE IN OREGON DATABASE
Oregon is unlike any state we’ve ever seen. Filled with magical views, enchanting landscape, and opportunity for endless adventure, you won’t spend a single moment in Oregon where you’re not picking your jaw up from off the ground. Though there are infinite hidden gems nestled all throughout the state, we’ll start with a few of our well-known favorites.
Best Places to
Elope in Oregon near Portland
Portland is the central hub of Oregon, and the cause of so much stereotyping – mostly for the best, definitely for the weirdest! I promise the city is more than odd food pairings, intentionally outrageous style and an affinity for fancy coffee. While all that exists, there is also an immensely strong community and affinity for the natural environment. Portlandians love to love, and that has created a city ideal for celebrating your unique relationship!
You’ll probably fly into PDX if you’re traveling out of state for your elopement, and we can recommend more than a dozen spectacular restaurants or cafes you should try before getting out of the city. Whether you home-base from Portland for your Oregon elopement, or you want to find an adventure nearby, the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood are our top destinations in this part of the state.
Best Places to
Elope in Oregon Near Portland
Portland
Quirky, full of charm, and totally beautiful, Portland is the embodiment of PNW beauty with west coast artsy sensibilities. Washington Park alone is home to the Hoyt Arboretum full of redwoods and meadows, the International Rose Test Garden with 10,000 blooms, and the Portland Japanese Garden amongst others! Explore food trucks the city is famous for at the Saturday Market overflowing with vendors. Or indulge your inner bibliophile and explore Powell’s City of Books, a sprawling bookstore that takes up an entire city block. Whether you’re going on a coffee and donut tasting tour, taking an aerial tram over the city, or overlooking the skyline with Mount Hood behind it from Pittock Mansion, Portland is a memorable and fun city that can round out an elopement all on its own! This city is also home to 12 bridges and over 250 parks, leaving you with lots of room to find a view that’s all your own.
Columbia River Gorge
Located not far outside Portland, the gorge is an awe-inspiring place filled with waterfalls, views of the Columbia River dividing Oregon and Washington state, and lots of wineries perfect for celebrating your elopement day. There is so much to explore on both sides of the gorge, and plenty of opportunity for easy-access spots for intimate weddings with loved ones.
Mount Hood National Forest
Mt. Hood is an Oregon icon, a strikingly beautiful mountain, larger than anything in the vicinity– you can spot it easily in the distance. The forest surrounding it is lush, waterfall filled and contains many easily-accessible lakes. It is a great elopement location year-round– offering skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing in the winter, and lots of hiking, lakes to play in, and camping in the warmer months. The Government Camp area offers plenty of cozy cabins and lodges to stay in.
Best Places to
Elope in Oregon on the Coast
The Pacific Ocean, sea stacks, ocean-side caves, dramatic cliffside overlooks – the Oregon coast is a breathtaking place! From Astoria to Brookings, choose any exit from highway 101 and discover another cove perfectly suited for your adventure elopement on the Oregon coast. Whether you want to hike to a secluded beach or say your vows a short walk from the parking lot to accommodate family who can’t hike far, you’ll find the perfect place here!
Best Places to
Elope in Oregon on the Coast
Cape Kiwanda
Picture Haystack Rock but then add epic cliff formations, sand dunes, and natural arches and you’ll have Cape Kiwanda. There are so many ways to enjoy this state park during your elopement—sand sledding, kayaking, and surfing are all popular here. Or take a hike around and then have a picnic with an unbeatable view. This park also has one out of seven marine gardens in Oregon, so coming here at low tide leads to some of the best tidepooling and sea life spotting around. The nearby town of Pacific City has lots of options for staying, dining, and access to even more beautiful state parks.
Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach is a quintessential example of an Oregon beach! With super wide sandy stretches and memorable features like Haystack Rock which defines the coastline in this area, this would be a beautiful place to elope to. The sea mist makes sunsets here especially perfect, often lighting up the sky in super vivid pinks, purples, and oranges. This is also a super cute town that has great food and fun stores, which adds to the “your dream vacation but you’re getting married” vibe. Want to see Haystack from a higher perspective? Nearby Ecola State Park has great hikes that will give you more trees and an unbeatable view of the beach. This can be a busy spot during the summer—an early autumn elopement here could be just right.
Oregon Coast
All 363 miles of Oregon’s coast are free and public. There are endless opportunities for exploring here– breathing in the sea spray, combing for sea life in tidepools, watching for whales, seals, and puffins, walking along the dramatic cliffs and beside tall haystacks jutting out of the tide. The beaches here are truly out-of-this-world. The weather is mild year-round, making it a great place to go no matter the season. You can spend your day strolling the shore, running down sand dunes, hiking cliffs, eating delicious seafood, saying your vows as the sun sets over the Pacific, and warming up next to a beach-side campfire.
Best Places to
Elope in Central Oregon
Central Oregon is characterized by the Cascade mountains, splitting the state into two different climates. As a result, there are a variety of features to choose from when looking for places to elope in central Oregon! From cascading waterfalls to alpine lakes, central Oregon is the perfect place to elope for adventurous souls.
Best Places to
Elope in Central Oregon
Crater Lake National Park
Located in southern Oregon, this place is an absolute gem! Its main feature is the giant deep-blue, water-filled crater that is backed by mountains. This incredible “lake” is lined with cliffs featuring amazing viewpoints ranging in accessibility, which makes it both a great place to elope with loved ones who aren’t down for hiking far and for just the two of you to explore further. It’s the perfect place for snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter, hiking and swimming in the summer, and star gazing year-round thanks to this area’s incredibly dark skies.
Deschutes National Forest
Deschutes National Forest sits just outside of Bend, Oregon and connects the Newberry National Volcanic Monument and the Three Sisters Wilderness area. Come through this area for Tumalo and Bridge Creek Falls, to explore scenic byways via car or endless hiking trails on foot, or hit the slopes at the Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort. Or, kick back and take a more leisurely approach to the area, like floating down Deschutes River or staying at a scenic resort. No matter what you choose, it’ll be a good option.
Willamette National Forest
There are an abundance of beautiful quiet elopement locations throughout this impressive more than 1.6 million acre National Forest. It’s covered with towering trees, dense old forests, crystal clear swimming holes, fire tower-topped wildflower-covered mountains, cascading waterfalls, rushing rivers, natural hot springs, and craggy peaks. It is home to the 10,495ft tall Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack, and the Three Sisters. The Willamette Valley also boasts incredible wineries.
Bend
Bend is a hidden gem nestled in the eastern foothills of the Cascades. This has the high desert climate of Denver with a distinctly PNW charm and a fraction of the people. Popular sites include their super cute downtown on the Deschutes River, Mount Bachelor’s ski areas and observatory, the Newberry National Volcanic Monument with insane lava tubes, and Pilot Butte, a former cinder cone ripe for exploring. Outdoor activities are rife here—kayak in the Cascade Lakes, hike or bike to any of the peaks around, or follow a trail down the river. This is a great elopement day option for folks who want a great blend of nature, activity, and those signature Oregon vibes.
Best Places to
Elope in Eastern Oregon
The warmer climate and drier environment of eastern Oregon makes it stand out in stark contrast to the wet and green stereotype of Oregon’s popular west coast. As understated as it is, eastern Oregon has a lot of variety in landscape, environment and activity for those looking to elope inland from the busier coastline. In eastern Oregon you’ll find less busy trails, more private campsites and an abundance of hikes perfect for adventure elopements!
Best Places to
Elope in Eastern Oregon
The Alvord Desert
The Alvord Desert is a dry lake bed in eastern Oregon. Hours from any bigger city, it’s definitely not one of the most accessible locations on this list, but it is extremely unique! On the eastern edge of the Steens Mountain Wilderness, the Alvord is a perfect place for stargazing and camping because of the clear night skies and extremely low levels of light pollution. The Alvord is best visited in the summer months when the ground is truly dried out and the evenings are comfortably warm so you can lay out beneath the stars.
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is located in the far northeast corner of the state, much closer to Idaho than Portland (one hour vs five!). This is over 2 million acres of gorgeous land to explore. You can hike the Matterhorn here… which is about 5,000 feet lower than its Swiss namesake but still absolutely beautiful. Visit the deepest river gorge in North America, take on a challenge and hike to Ice Lake for great alpine scenery, or hop on the aerial tram for a view from above with less exertion and a restaurant with a view at the top. Summers here are something truly special and make for an elopement that you would never forget… although if you come here in the winter, you can find less crowds, pro sled dog racing, snowmobiling, and opportunities to get out on frozen Wallowa Lake.
Ready to begin
planning your
own adventure
elopement?
You can Download The Ultimate Guide to Planning Your Elopement to begin digging deep into your own goals for your wedding celebration, or contact us so we can help you narrow down your options!
If you’re looking for further information on elopements, check out this blog all about the cost of elopements & how you can budget for an epic day!
Or, check out this blog full of small wedding ideas!
We firmly believe you deserve to celebrate your marriage in whatever way feels perfectly you – maybe you’ve found inspiration here that’s pointed you in the right direction, or maybe you vision something else entirely!
Whatever your goals, reach out! We can’t wait to hear all about your dream elopement adventure!
What does it mean to
“Adventure Instead”?
See for Yourself...
Follow @adventureinstead and show how you #adventureinstead in your life