Elope in Portland

Where should I 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.

Where should I stay in Portland, Oregon?

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.