How to Elope in Portland
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. Also known as Bridgetown, the Columbia and the Willamette run through Portland, which has 12 bridges. Still, public transportation is a cinch if you’re in the downtown core.
Thinking about eloping in Portland? Maybe you’re wondering which months you’ll be sure to avoid the rain. Maybe you’re not sure how to choose the best local donut shop? Luckily, we have an incredible team on the ground with an abundance of insider knowledge to help you narrow down your options for an elopement in Portland, Oregon.
Why elope in Oregon?
With some of the west coast’s most exciting gastronomy, its quirky charm, and surrounding natural vistas, Portland is the perfect spot for a small wedding with a big impact. The locals take their food very seriously — from locally-sourced Michelin-starred dining to mouth-watering food carts from every corner of the globe, you won’t go hungry in Portland. And if you’re hoping for a ceremony with a view, there are plenty of stunning viewpoints to choose from just beyond the city limits, from a beach wedding along the Oregon Coast to a waterfall ceremony at Silver Falls State Park.
Where to elope in Portland, Oregon?
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.
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.
Also 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.
