BEST PLACES TO ELOPE IN OREGON
and tips for an Oregon Elopement!
Oregon isn’t limited when it comes to locations for your elopement. From gushing waterfalls and lush mossy trees, to one of the most beautiful coast I have ever seen, to snowing mountain tops and even some desert-y vibes out east, it honestly has it all! In this guide I will talk about some favorite locations, as well as some eloping in Oregon tips!
You honestly could elope in any season in Oregon, though you also have to be aware of weather. Summer is probably the most popular time which comes with way drier weather then the winter months. The last few years, Oregon has been hit with a lot higher temperatures than the norm used to be, especially when you are more inland. Head out to the coast on those hot days and the temperature will drop a significant amount. PNW is also farther from the equator, which means we have longer summer nights. The sun sometimes doesn’t set till 9pm so that means for someone who may want to get married around sunset, you will want to take in account if that is too late for you or not! During off season like fall and winter, there will be a lot more over cast days, especially near the coast. Ever heard of the moody PNW vibe everyone raves about? Well this would be the time you get those vibes. Cool temps, maybe some rain or fog, it’s honestly perfection and I can’t lie about that! Spring time can be even more rainier. Though don’t let that shy you away. Everything will be so green and lush and that doesn’t stop people here from going about their day. Buy some clear umbrellas and just embrace the rain! Oregon locations can also go the other direction. I have been to the coast a handful of times where the weather says it’ll be raining, I get there and its gloomy but an hour before the sun sets, the weather clears up and bam the most gorgeous sunset happens!
As an elopement photographer, I will help each couple narrow down their locations and figuring out what season is the right one for them. Each couple has a different goal and a different vision in mind and I am here to help with that! If you are looking for an Oregon Elopement Photographer, contact me here and we can start planning your Elopement! So let’s get to why you are really here, and get to the best places to elope in Oregon! Bonus tips for eloping in Oregon at the bottom!
Oregon Elopement Locations: The Coast
Out of all the locations on this list, the Oregon Coast is probably my favorite. Since the first time I visited Oregon and even since I have moved here, the coast just tops everything. It is a perfect and gorgeous area to elope! From incredible rugged cliffs, to all the haystack rocks, and I cannot forget to mentioned the fog and moody vibes it can give. Like mentioned above, temperatures will be considerable different if coming from Portland area or anywhere inland, but that doesn’t take away from the breathtaking views. The coast starts at 1.5 hours from Portland, depending on exactly where you choose.
Cannon Beach, which has the famous Haystack Rock, is probably one of the most visited beaches in Oregon. And it is quite beautiful to see. You can get very close to the haystack rock at low tide and even see some tide pools. But there are also beautiful tall grassy spots a little farther away from the rock, still with the view that everyone looks for. My recommendation is always to keep cannon beach as a photo stop option, but have the ceremony at a more private beach!
Hug Point is definitely one of my favorites. It’s really close to Cannon Beach but on off season, and honestly even in the summer on a week day, you could literally have the whole beach to yourself. There is even a waterfall on the beach! You can only access this part of the beach when it’s low tide, so definitely check the tide charts for your elopement day! The cliffs at Hug Point beach are phenomenal to see and the details in the rocks are so beautiful.
Ecola State Park is a beautiful state park right on the coast. It has so many trees and different hiking trails to take but just the drive though the park is breathtaking, especially when the light is seeping through the trees! Ecola State Park has a great viewpoint at the end of the parking lot and can also see some Elk around the park!
Another amazing coastal area with beaches, sand dunes and rock formations. Another one where tide and weather will be an important factor to access some specific areas!
God’s Thumb may be one of my top favorites on this list. To access this gorgeous cliffside location, you will need to hike a little over 4 miles roundtrip so it is a bit of a work out to get there, but the views at the end are breathtaking! With strong waves crashing against the cliff side, this hike can be muddy and slippery when it has rained so be carful and check out the weather before hand!
Samual H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
Samual H Boardman has 12 miles of magnificent coastal cliffs, beaches and hikes. Some locations may involve a little hiking to get too, and some are a few easy steps out of the car. With a little scouting, you can find some hidden gems that may be even more secluded for your wedding day!
Oregon Elopement Locations: Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is one for the books for sure! When I visited Oregon for the first time, this was my first spot during my trip. It was a rainy day but the drive alongside the river with all the trees and the mini waterfalls cascading from above were just so breathtaking! Rain or shine this area of Oregon is so worth visiting. From waterfall after waterfall to cliffs overlooking the gorge, you can even drive this scenic route and end up making a loop around Mt. Hood. One of Oregons most famous waterfalls, Multnomah Falls, is also down this area, though I wouldn’t recommend it for an elopement! I am listing two of my favorite falls, but there are plenty more to consider! Though for most locations I would say to plan your elopement around sunset for the golden hour light, for the waterfall locations, I would recommend eloping in the morning. The morning light comes in magically and hits the mist perfectly then, plus less crowds will happen before 9 am and why not get the waterfall to yourselves for your vows!
To reach the bottom of Latourell Falls, an easy walk from the parking lot is required to reach the 224 foot tall waterfall. It is a beautiful site and a perfect elopement location for you and your person. You may get a little (or a lot) of mist coming your direction so just be prepared! The pictures will be all worth it! Some wet rocks may need to be stepped on to get closer, so just keep that in mind as well.
Wahclella Falls is a little over 2 mile hike roundtrip but isn’t very difficult. You will hike along a river and at the end cross a bridge and get to an amazing view. This waterfall is way different then Latourell but just as beautiful. Bring a few friends and family, put your dress on when you get to the end and have a sweet little ceremony with a waterfall right behind you! Probably would avoid weekends though as I am sure it’s a popular hike then!
Government Cove is a peninsula that has some stunning panoramic views of the gorge. With just a maybe 10 minute walk slightly up hill, you can reach views for miles for a perfect ceremony spot. Don’t miss out on taking pictures at the bottom with the huge rock formations!
With an over all pretty easy hike to access the views, Rowena Crest has scenic views of the of the gorge as well but has a well-known horseshoe road view on top of it. There are miles of trails and wild flowers will grow during the warmer months, it honestly is such a great elopement spot option!
Oregon Elopement Locations: Central or Eastern Oregon
Central and Eastern Oregon are very different compared to the Coast or Columbia Gorge area. As you end up in Oregons high desert areas, you can experience alpine lakes to desert rocks. These two areas of Oregon become such a vast and epic amount of landscapes that will make you question if this is even real. You will experience the deep reds but also the deep blues. Choose a location that is easily accessible or choose one that involves some backcountry hiking, Central and Eastern Oregon has it all!
Crater Lake may be Oregons only national park, but with its deep blue water, people comes from all over to see it. It was formed by a now collapsed volcano, it is one of the snowiest inhabited places in the US and is the deepest lake in the US. If you want something different, elope here in the winter and see how beautiful the crater looks with snow everywhere!
With some red rocks and river canyons, Smith Rock State Park is another elopement option! It is located in central Oregons high dessert and is definitely a completely different vibe then a lot of the above locations, though just as pretty! Many options for an elopement ceremony, just do some scouting and find the perfect spot!
Painted Hills just looks like you’re on a whole other planet. With it’s deep red, gold and black soil colors, you are surrounded by mounds that are ever changing and just imagine how those colors look during sunset! Another solid elopement choice!
With two waterfalls on this trail, Sahalie Falls is a site to see. A little under 3 mile hike roundtrip, you can have a perfect setting with a gushing waterfall surrounded by lots and lots of beautiful moss! If you are looking for an elopement waterfall spot near Bend, Oregon, this is it!
Yes you read that right, Oregon has desert areas as well! Alvord Desert receives only 7 inches of rain a year and is surrounded by mountains. It is just miles of a dry lake bed. It may be almost at the southeast tip of Oregon but is so worth seeing. Elope in the dessert with your family and no one else around, then hop in a few natural hot springs near by!
Elopement Inspiration!
Tips for an Oregon Elopement
When
If you are flexible with dates and would like to keep your ceremony as private as possible, I highly recommend eloping on a Monday-Thursday date. Oregon is a very popular outdoor state which means that residents and tourists may be at these locations. You can also consider getting married on an off season (September-May) or just work around the crowds. Say you have a specific location in mind but know it is a tourist spot, you can always find another more secluded spot nearby but come back to the touristy spot and take photos after the ceremony. You can even consider sunrise instead!
2. Weather
Like mentioned above, being okay with adopting and just planning ahead for any changes in weather will help things go smoothly when planning! If you are sold on warm weather and that is a priority to you, May through September will be the best time frame. If you are okay with weather changes and maybe some unpredictable storms but also like the idea of lower crowds, fall, winter and early spring can be an option! Either way, Oregon is beautiful year round, it’ll just be up to preference and what your envisioning for your elopement day!
3. Sand, mist and everything in-between
When you’re eloping in Oregon, most of these locations may come with substances and environmental things that cannot be controlled. If you are getting married at a waterfall, the chance of you getting wet is pretty likely, especially if you do want to get some epic shots. With mist also comes some wind. If you are eloping on the coast, know your dress may get sand and wet from the waves. If you get married in a forrest, dirt and branches may also be in the mix. Embracing and accepting all those elements will make the day more fun and more memorable! Just don’t worry about things you can’t control!
4. Legal Stuff
Make sure to get all the legal stuff figured out before hand! This means getting the marriage license info, figuring out who is allowed to marry you, who can be witnesses and any permits needed for the location! Some locations may need a permit if you have a certain amount of people, or if you set up an arch. As for witnesses, your photographer can be one of them, so you only need one more!
5. Light
When planning your elopement and if photos are important and high up on your list (which I highly recommend it being), light will play a big part when it comes to photography. Setting your elopement later in the day or closer to sunset will give you the right lighting to capture the emotions and location for your special day. Especially for those coastal elopements!
Make it stand out
Hello! I am Seraphina! I am an elopement photographer based in Oregon.
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Katrina + Conor chose to elope at Hug Point on the Oregon coast which is one of my all time favorite elopement locations. With caves and cliffs and even a mini waterfall, it has all the things that make up for a perfect intimate elopement spot. It was a beautiful day to get married!