Elope in Portland

Within the city limits, Portland has a host of impressive venues to choose from. Hoyt Arboretum is just two miles west of downtown Portland within Washington Park and has four beautiful outdoor spaces to choose from. Or, elope among the hummingbirds and hawks at the Leech Botanical Garden in East Portland. The lush garden’s 16 acres are home to a diverse collection of over 2,000 native and non-native plants. To shout your love from the rooftops, look no further than the Ecotrust Rooftop Terrace. One of the few rooftop spaces for rent in the city, this space is both striking and warm. The Terrace houses a live green roof overlooking Jamison Square park and the views of the panoramic city are unbeatable. The Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden could have been plucked right from a Monet painting. With all of its charming water features and wooden bridges, this magical haven takes you a world away from the city streets of southeastern Portland. With towering evergreens giving way to intimate woodland clearings and secret waterfalls, there is no shortage of special spots to discover.

If you’re looking for drama, let us point you in the direction of Cathedral Park, nestled on the banks of the Willamette River. Yes, Portland has more parks than any other city in the country, and yes, this park still stands out. Underneath the St. John’s bridge, you’ll be dwarfed by the towering footings of the bridge that create a sort of outdoor cathedral-esque space that makes a statement. While climbing to the summit of Mt. Hood would be more than a bit of a hike, we know a sweet and secluded little spot in a charming hidden meadow that looks over the majestic Mt. Hood. For a simple and natural ceremony, we can arrange a fire pit in this private meadow just for you, surrounded by a babbling brook and your nearest and dearest. You can’t go amiss if you choose to elope at Silver Falls State Park. The scenery is downright incredible, with endless waterfall elopement shot opportunities amidst the lush forest, about 20 miles east-southeast of Salem. For a state known for its parks, you know it’s a pretty big deal that people call this the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system.

Outside of Portland, about an hour and a half drive through the stunning Columbia River Gorge, is the Rowena Crest viewpoint an iconic spot that creates a dramatic horseshoe curve along the road. This is surely one of the most photographed roads in Oregon. The Oregon coast is notable for rarely ever getting very crowded (unless it’s the Fourth of July), so if it is a super intimate ceremony you seek, you can always find a secluded spot. There are too many gorgeous spots to count, but the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is all-around spectacular and one of the best places to experience spectacular wave action. And if serene sandy beaches sound a little too tame, Roads End Point is the spot for you, its rocky coastline teeming with tide pools to splash in and hidden coves to explore.

There are so many exciting lodging options in Oregon’s capital. You won’t go wrong if you stay in McMenamins, a series of super unique family-run hotels throughout the city, housed in historic buildings and serving mouth-watering homemade food and beers. There are also a ton of one-of-a-kind Airbnb properties for rent throughout Oregon, as well as national hotel chains.

If you’re drawn to Portland, Oregon, you’ll already know that most months there will be rain. It likely won’t be a deluge (New York gets more rainfall per year in inches), but you can expect it to be fairly consistent. And of course, the rain is what makes everything so green and lush! Basically, if you want to bask in the sun, stick to the summer months of July and August. As an added bonus, summer is when the city’s roses are in full bloom. However, don’t be too quick to discount the fall season, which can also be really beautiful. The entire state begins to cool down, with temperatures ranging between 48-70 degrees. If you’re considering an autumn elopement, keep in mind that Labor Day brings a lot of people to the city who are keen to celebrate the long weekend.

Our Portland elopement packages range our basic Seed Package with just an officiant all the way up to our Oasis Package which includes the whole suite of services for a microwedding. We are more than happy to handle all of the logistics and leave you to focus on the important bits. We also offer plenty of customizable options to suit your needs. As an extra perk, there is no sales tax in Oregon, so you’ll save money on just about everything if you choose to elope here. If you’re planning on either staying outside the city center in Hillsboro or Beaverton or if your wedding location requires driving, then you’ll also want to factor in renting a car.

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To elope in Oregon, you will need to apply for a marriage license at least three days before your elopement date. Note that you can only apply for a license within 60 days of your elopement date, so set a reminder on your phone if need be. Although there is officially a three-day waiting period before you can get married, the state of Oregon does offer the option of paying a small $5 fee to waive the wait. Your Oregon elopement will also require an officiant and two witnesses. Neither the officiant nor the partners involved may act as a witness, so make sure you plan accordingly or are willing to solicit a kind stranger if you’re set on not having guests.

Portland, Oregon, is an energetic and eclectic city with more than its share of charisma and care. A big city with a small-town feel, Portland is a funky and lush metropolis that’s unafraid to stand apart from its neighbors. It does have a reputation for rain, but you’ll fit right in if you, like the lovable locals, find the steady drizzle and lush green landscape romantic. Portland boasts some of the best food in the country by a long shot, it goes crazy for its soccer team, is crisscrossed by 80+ miles of hiking trails within the city limits, and is quirky in all the best ways. In fact, it is every bit as weird as its namesake series “Portlandia” suggests.