Where to Elope in Oregon

Elopement guidesplanning guides
Written By Flora Gibson

How to plan your Oregon Elopement

  1. Pick a location: There are 363 miles of coastline in the state of Oregon with rugged coastline and old forests with beautiful mountaintops that in the winter are covered with snow! It’s not hard to find beautiful spots that fit what you are looking for. Some places may require permits.

  2. Pick a time of year: Oregon weather, for the most part, is pretty mild but it can vary around the state. Summer can be hot in some places and mild in others, and winter can be a little rainy to snowy and cold in the winter. The weather is totally different so checking out the weather as you plan your elopement and as your day gets closer is a must!

  3. Pick your photographer: Of course, Flora Gibson Photography is a good bet! I am always up to travel up the coast to Oregon from my home along the coast of Big Sur, California.

  4. Get paperwork for a marriage license: the cost of a marriage license in Oregon will cost $60.00 and the waiting period is 3 days and will expire within 60 days of applying, you have to be 18 years of age and have two witnesses.

  5. Hire vendors: hair and makeup, picnic, and florists.

    Best Day Ever!!




Locations

Samuel H. Boardman State Park - Samuel H. Boardman Corridor Elopement is a gorgeous elopement destination for couples who are looking for a lesser-known, but equally beautiful ceremony spot in Oregon. Craggy bluffs, secluded beaches, and offshore rock formations with 12 miles of beach. Samuel H Boardman is located along the Oregon coastline. You can find my full guide on Samuel H. Boardman State Park Elopements HERE

Columbia River Gorge - Has the highest concentration of waterfalls in North America, if you are planning to elope in front of a waterfall, this is the perfect place! You can choose from easily accessible waterfalls like Latourell Falls, short hikes like Wahclella Falls, or longer trails such as Silver waterfalls.

Cannon Beach - Awesome rugged coastline with an awesome beach surrounded by a really cute town. Check out Haystack Rock when you are there. this small part of the world National Geographic listed it as "one of the world’s 100 most beautiful places.

Smith Rock State Park- Smith Rock State Park is best known for its dramatic rock formations and accessibility, making it a great elopement spot for couples who are inexperienced hikers. located 30 miles from Bend, Oregon. It is a great place to take your wedding photos along the trail as you hike to your ceremony site. no permits are needed if you elope outside of the amphitheater.

Washington Park- Washington Park is a beautiful botanical garden setting great for an elopement. Here, you’ll find gardens with picnic spots, museums, sports grounds, a zoo, and a forest, and can enjoy a day to remember with the ones you love and be surrounded by gorgeous flowers and landscapes. Permits are required Explore Washington Park. Located in Portland, Oregon.

Trillium Lake- Trillium Lake's edge with its glass-like water and Mt. Hood as the backdrop is beautiful. The area is surrounded by cedar woods with beautiful Engelmann spruce, silver fir, and mountain hemlock trees. It is located 31 miles from Portland along Highway 26.

Broken Top Oregon - Broken Top is a glacially eroded complex stratovolcano, also called Broken Top Carter. The hike to Broken Top is a six-mile round trip hike at an elevation of 1,400 feet. There is a beautiful lake which is called “Lake with no Name” where you can stop to swim or take photos, the lake is totally fed by the snowfall. The view from the top is breathtaking! Located one hour from downtown Bend.



Things to Do in Oregon:

  1. Visit Portland: Portland is known for its thriving food and drink scene, as well as its eclectic neighborhoods and outdoor attractions.

  2. Explore the Oregon Coast: The Oregon Coast offers stunning natural beauty, including rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, and charming seaside towns.

  3. Hike in the Cascade Mountains: The Cascade Mountains offer some of the best hiking trails in the Pacific Northwest, including Mount Hood and the Three Sisters.

  4. Visit Willamette Valley Wine Country: Willamette Valley is home to some of the best wineries in Oregon, offering tastings and tours of the local vineyards.

eloping in Oregon is a great way to experience the state's natural beauty and unique charm. Choose a location that speaks to you and your partner's interests, hire a professional photographer, plan your ceremony, and enjoy all that Oregon has to offer, from its scenic destinations and charming hotels to its outdoor activities and urban attractions.

Restaurants

Our family has a place in Bend Oregon that I’ve been visiting for years, you can see my Bend Oregon Food Guide HERE

My favorite restaurants by Samuel H. Boardman State Park are available HERE

Vendors :

Hair and Makeup:

Bend Oregon

Edge Hair and Makeup

Kate Hannah Artistry

Samuel H. Boardman

Make me up Cyn

Florists :

Briar and Ivy - near Portland serving Samuel H. Boardman

Freckled Fleurs - Samuel H. Boardman

Moonstone in bloom - Samuel H. Boardman

Cheese & Charcuterie Boards:

Boards by Madeline

 

Weather

Oregon's climate is cool and humid on the coast, semi-oceanic with hot and dry summers in the Willamette Valley, a short distance from the coast, and arid continental in the plateau that covers the inland areas. In the inland areas, there are also low-altitude valleys and not large plain areas, in which the climate becomes almost Mediterranean, given that the winter is mild enough and the summer is hot and sunny.
In the Cascade Range, which separates the western part influenced by the ocean, and the arid eastern part, heavy snowfalls occur.

Summer:

The Oregon Coast is beautiful in the summer. With warm weather and minimal rainfall (compared to the other seasons)- the coast is beautiful this time of year. The only downfall is summer tends to be the most crowded season for the coast.
Fall: 

Fall has similar weather patterns to summer, and from mid-September to October you can get a great balance of good weather & lesser crowds than in the summer season. Towards the middle of October, you start to get a bit more rain on the coast, mid-September to mid-October if you’re considering a fall Oregon Coast elopement.

Spring:

Spring is a great time to visit the coast with minimal crowds and see the beauty of a chilly rainy coast. The spring does bring rain, but there are plenty of breaks in the clouds where the sun peaks in. If you’re interested in eloping in the spring, I’d lean towards the late springtime, May-June.

Winter:

Winter is chilly on the coast and has some of the highest rainfall. If you’re looking for a moody elopement (I love moody light) and love cooler temperatures, winter may be the time for you. 





 

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Flora Gibson
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