Why eloping in Oregon is so incredible
Oregon really has it all. Western Oregon is covered with lush, mossy forests and cascading waterfalls. Head out to the coast and you’ll find what many would argue is the most breathtaking of the rugged PNW coastlines, with giant sea stacks, rocky coves, and sandy beaches that stretch uninterrupted for miles. The center of the state is defined by the Cascade mountain range. Here you can experience some of the best outdoor adventure in the state, exploring snowcapped volcanic mountain peaks, alpine lakes, hot springs, waterfalls, and rivers. On the east side of the mountains, the climate is much drier with a desert environment featuring rocky pillars, rich red sand dunes, and lots of sun. Whatever you’re looking for in your Oregon elopement, there are so many incredible places 🙂
What the Oregon Elopement Guide covers:
When is the best time to elope in Oregon?
April, May, June, September, and October, are our favorite times for eloping in Oregon. You can get those classic moody PNW days with fog rolling over the ocean shores in the early morning and dew drops on all the moss covered trees in the old growth forests. But you can get incredibly summery days too with bright blue skies and wildly vibrant sunsets over the Pacific Ocean. But what’s best about these months is you avoid the crazy summer crowds and prices. Mosts airbnbs double or triple their prices starting July 1st for tourist season, and are often booked a year in advanced, so eloping out there during the shoulder seasons gives you access to some of the best places to stay without the crazy prices!
How much does it cost to elope in oregon?
It’s important to consider how much it costs for an Oregon elopement and what your budget is. Because there are many elopement specific vendors in Oregon, Special Use fees are relatively low, and it’s an easy place to travel to, Oregon is one of the more affordable options for an elopement. The total cost of your elopement depends on how lavish you want to go with lodging and styling for your day-of, so it can vary from $7,000 up to $15,000+. Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect.
Photographer $5,000-$10,000 | Hair & Makeup $600-$1,000 | Flowers $400-$800 | Officiant & License $600-$1,200 | Special Use Permit $0-$60 | Lodging $400-$1,200 | Flights & Car Rental $500-$800
photographers list of the best places to elope in oregon
We’re a team of dog loving, peak bagging, photography award winning, adventure junkies – working together to help plan and document incredible elopements in the best elopement destination around the world.
Together we’ve photographed 350+ elopements all over the world! Many of which were in Oregon state and we have thoroughly explored this beautiful area. This is our definitive list of the absolute best places for your Oregon elopement, so get ready to see some incredible options for your elopement day.
Where to elope in oregon?
The best thing about eloping in Oregon state is that Oregon literally has it all, from rugged coastlines and old growth forests to vast mountain ranges with glaciated peaks, and lots of geothermal activity with amazing natural hot springs to soak in. If you wanted a little bit of everything for an all day epic Oregon elopement, you could even get a mix of all of the above!
Here’s our list of the best places to elope in Oregon:
- The Oregon Coast
- Ecola State Park
- Neskowin
- Cape Kiwanda
- Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor
- Cannon Beach
- The Columbia River Gorge
- Central Cascade Mountains
- Crater Lake
- Sparks Lake
- Smith Rock State Park
- Eastern Oregon Desert
- Painted Hills
- Alvord Desert
Love coastal vibes but also want mountains and forests? Check out our guide for planning an elopement in Olympic National Park.
The Oregon Coast
What we love about eloping on the Oregon Coast: The Northern Oregon coast is known for its rugged beaches, big haystack rocks, and laid back vibe. In Pacific City you can drive your car right on to the beach, pop open your trunk, and enjoy a beer while watching the surfers catch waves in front of the giant Cape Kiwanda. The temperature is a lot cooler than a tropical beach, but you can still bask in the sun on a warm summer day. The incredibly scenic Highway 101 hugs the coastline, offering up stunning vista after stunning vista and access to lots of hiking. After a day spent wandering up and down the dramatic coastline, you can end with a warm bonfire right on the beach.
The Columbia River Gorge
What we love about eloping in the Columbia River Gorge: Mt. Hood is one of Oregon’s most beloved mountain peaks. It’s the massive snowcapped dome you can see from almost anywhere in Portland. It’s a breathtaking mountain with plenty of scenic hikes all over and for any difficulty. The Columbia River borders Mt. Hood National Forest and is another place loved for its scenic beauty and recreational activities. The Columbia River Gorge, or “the Gorge” as locals say, has sweeping cliff views of the river and is also known for some of the most famous waterfalls in Oregon.
The Central Cascade Mountains
What we love about eloping in the Central Cascade Mountains:
Bend, OR is a fun little mountain town on the eastern side of the mountains known for its outdoorsy residents and craft breweries – over 20 of them and counting! Willamette National Forest is just to the west of Bend and provides classic PNW snowcapped mountains and forests. Smith Rock State Park, Oregon’s little version of Zion National Park, is just to the north of Bend and is known for its red desert cliffs and rock climbing. With snowcapped mountains, epic waterfalls, and red desert cliffs, it’s a one stop destination for all kinds of adventure.
Driving time from Portland:Â 3.5 hours
Best place to look for lodging: Bend, OR on Airbnb! Bend is a lively town filled with great restaurants, shops, and breweries. Being so close to Portland also makes it pretty busy on the weekends, so make sure to book your reservations as soon as you can.
Check our Bend ElopementÂ
Oregon Waterfalls
What we love about eloping at Oregon Waterfalls:
If there’s one thing that Oregon has every other state beat on, it’s waterfalls. According to Wikipedia, there are over 238 waterfalls sprinkled all over Oregon! Some are close to Portland, making it an easy getaway for those wanting to stay in the city, and some are farther out for those looking for a more remote experience. Some are almost roadside for many tourists to enjoy, and some require a bit of a hike to reach, giving you more privacy. But almost all of the waterfalls are surrounded by Oregon’s magical forests with big old trees, bright green ferns, and lots of hanging moss. If you want a waterfall elopement, Oregon is the perfect place, hands down!
Eloping in Oregon FAQ's
You need an officiant to marry you and 2 witnesses to sign your marriage license. You must apply for your marriage license at least 3 days before your elopement because some counties require a 3 day waiting period after the license is issued. The application is $60. You can apply in person or online.
Between a photographer, hair and makeup artist, travel, permitting fees, marriage license, you can expect to spend $7,000 - $10,000 on your elopement.
The best places to elope in Oregon are the Oregon Coast, Bend, the Columbia River Gorge, and Painted Hills.
The best months to get married in Oregon are April - June and October - November.
Still need help with Planning your oregon elopement?
Hope you found our tips helpful! As you can see, we LOVE talking about Oregon, the magical landscapes there, and planning elopements with our couples. We have so much more detailed information to help you plan your day. If you’d like to work with our team for your elopement, get in touch now!
