How to Elope in Oregon
If you’re in search of stunning natural scenery and fun adventures, Oregon is the perfect destination for your elopement. The state is home to diverse landscapes all the way from the high desert and mountainous landscapes to dense forests and moody coasts. It’s also remarkably easy to elope here, with clear guidelines and waivers for same-day ceremonies.
Read on to learn all about how to plan your elopement in Oregon or take a stress-free shortcut and allow your Oregon Elopement Photographer help you plan everything out! You can learn more about my Oregon elopement services here.
Where to Elope in Oregon
As you get started planning, you’ll first want to choose a base location for your elopement. And Oregon doesn’t make it easy. From stunning coastlines to massive waterfalls to desert landscapes, there’s a lot to choose from. Here are some of my favorites:
- Oregon Coast: Say your vows on a misty shoreline, beside a rugged cliff, or at the top of a sand dune. You can also explore dense, old-growth forests and go hunting for waterfalls. Favorites here are Cannon Beach, Cape Kiwanda, and Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor.
- Columbia River Gorge: If you want to see a waterfall around every corner, this is the place. Explore forest trails, view multiple stunning waterfalls, and take in the gorge from scenic overlooks. Favorites here are Multnomah Falls, Latourell Falls, and Rowena Crest overlook.
- Central Oregon: This area has the most variety by far. Go in search of craggy desert spires, colorful rolling hills, waterfalls, and alpine lakes. You can also easily combine some of the variety of scenery in one action-packed day. Favorites here are Smith Rock, Sparks Lake, and Painted Hills.
For a more detailed breakdown of my favorite elopement locations in the state, check out my guide on where to elope in Oregon.
Accessibility of Locations
I help each couple find locations that match their adventure level, whether that’s a short walk to a stunning overlook or a longer hike to a private cove. As we plan your elopement together, you’ll let me know your preferences, and I’ll help craft an elopement to match!
Do You Need a Permit for Your Oregon Elopement?
Oregon has a mix of state parks, BLM land, a national park, and more. Each managing unit will have different permit requirements for ceremonies and professional photography, so it’s important to inquire for each location you’ll be visiting during your elopement day.
No fear though, permits are something I help my eloping couples with, and I’ll call ahead to make sure you know exactly what you need to do.
Leave No Trace
We always want to be sure to be respectful of our outdoor spaces to help preserve them for generations to come. As part of this, I seek to follow the Leave No Trace Principles for all outdoor elopements and hope you will try to do the same.
Plan with less stress! Check out my Oregon elopement photography services here.
When to Elope in Oregon
Next, you’ll want to decide on when you want to elope. You’ll want to plan for your ideal weather and any activities you’d like to do. Here’s a quick breakdown according to my favorite elopement locations:
- Oregon Coast: The weather on the coast is pretty moderate because of the Pacific Ocean, but the seasons do have some distinct trends. My recommendation for timing would be late spring through fall. You may also want to consider shoulder season for the least amount of crowds.
- Columbia River Gorge: This area experiences all four seasons, so I’d recommend the Columbia River Gorge from late spring to early fall for the best scenery and weather during your elopement day. Summer does get quite busy in this area, so definitely plan around peak times.
- Central Oregon: For a Central Oregon elopement, I’d recommend aiming for the summer or fall. This will ensure you have the best weather possible for your elopement. This area does experience wildfires during summer and fall, so be sure to have a flexible backup plan ready to go and monitor any nearby fires and the air quality leading up to your elopement.
For a more detailed breakdown of each area and the best timing, check out my guide on when to elope in Oregon.
How to Get a Marriage License and Legally Elope in Oregon
If you are opting to get legally married in Oregon, you will need to first get a marriage license. There are a few options for this:
- If you live in Oregon, you can get your marriage license in the county where you live.
- If you are traveling from out of state, you can get your license in the county where your marriage is taking place or wherever is easiest during your travels in Oregon.
Be sure to check with the county where you are obtaining your marriage license on their specific requirements, costs, and expiration dates. Even if you submit an application online, please note that you both will need to show up in person to complete your marriage license application.
Once you have your marriage license, you can officially elope (there is a three day waiting period, but you may also be able to apply for a waiver for an additional cost). You’ll need to be married by an officiant with two witnesses present.
Want to keep your ceremony as small as possible? I’m ordained and can act as your officiant and photographer. Reach out here.
Hire the Right Vendors for Your Oregon Elopement
Just because you are eloping doesn’t mean your day should be any less spectacular than a typical wedding. I’d actually argue it can be even more spectacular. That said, you can still include the traditions and customs that are important to you, and you can still plan to look fantastic! Read on for a list of vendors to consider for your day.
Elopement Photographer
Your photographer is one of the most important vendors for your elopement. Why’s that? This is likely the one person other than your significant other that will be with you consistently throughout your elopement. Make sure you like them as a person, and make sure you trust them to capture this important day for you.
Looking for an Oregon elopement photographer? Check out my Oregon elopement services here.
Officiant
Are you doing a legal ceremony on your elopement day? Make sure you choose a trustworthy and qualified officiant for your ceremony. For an elopement, it may even be nice to have the officiant be someone you know and are comfortable with.
If you want to keep things small, I am ordained and can act as your officiant and photographer. Reach out here.
Florist
Flowers are the perfect touch for an elopement. You can go for a local florist’s creations or look into silk flowers on sites like Etsy if you will be traveling or can’t practically store the flowers.
Hair and Makeup Artist
It’s your elopement day, and you should look fabulous! Consider scheduling with a local hair and makeup artist to start your day off.
If you will be doing a sunrise ceremony and no one is available in the early hours of the morning, don’t be afraid to DIY your hair and make up. My husband and I had a pretty remote elopement day in the Westfjords of Iceland, so I did my own hair and makeup. My tips are to practice beforehand, and if you are less experienced with hair and makeup, keep things simple and pretty close to what you normally do.
Food
You will, of course, need to eat during your elopement day. Don’t be afraid to order a catered picnic, stop by a food truck, or make reservations at a favorite spot for your elopement day meals.
And keep in mind this is your day, and there are zero expectations on what a “proper wedding meal” looks like. Is pizza your favorite? Order it! Are you obsessed with Taco Bell? Go for it!
Choosing Activities for Your Oregon Elopement
Once you have a location and date picked out, you can start to plan the finer details of your elopement. Beyond planning your ceremony, I recommend making a full day of your elopement and choosing some fun activities to do in order to celebrate together.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Go hiking
- Visit a winery
- Go rock climbing
- Book a helicopter or hot air balloon ride and explore from the sky
- Chase waterfalls
- Go horseback riding
- Have a picnic
- Go camping
- Break out your kayaks, paddleboards, or surf boards
- Visit an alpaca farm
- Go birdwatching or try to spot other fun wildlife
Need help planning your day? As an Oregon elopement photographer and someone who has eloped myself, I’ve got your back. Learn more about my services here.
Planning Your Oregon Elopement Timeline
There are a few essential pieces of your day you will want to account for as you plan a timeline for your day:
- Getting ready
- First look
- Ceremony: vows, ring exchange, any special customs
- Meals
- Any activities or sights you would like to visit
- Travel time between locations
As you plan things, you’ll also want to consider ideal times for photography. I generally recommend having your ceremony take place during golden hour at sunrise or sunset if outdoors. That will ensure you have the most beautiful lighting possible for photos during that special moment.
Want my best tips for planning your timeline? Check out my guide on building a stress-free timeline here.
Traveling to Oregon for Your Elopement
There are airports throughout Oregon, but I generally recommend flying into Portland if you are traveling from out of state. The city isn’t far from the coast (anywhere from 1.5 to 6 hours depending what part of the coast you will be headed to), Columbia River Gorge (1 hour), or Central Oregon (3.5 hours but the drive is BEAUTIFUL and passes through the Mount Hood area). If staying solely in Central Oregon, you may want to fly into Redmond Municipal Airport instead for ease of access.
From there, you can rent a car and be on your way to your amazing elopement!
Finding the Best Places to Stay for Your Oregon Elopement
I always recommend finding a cool rental that can act as a homebase for your elopement. This gives you a back up location in case of inclement weather and can make the perfect spot for fun activities like soaking in a hot tub or roasting marshmallows for s’mores. Take some time browsing Airbnb and Vrbo to find the perfect rental for your elopement!
Don’t want to spend hours browsing? I provide specific recommendations for the couples I work with! Learn more about my elopement photography services here.
Ready to Elope in Oregon?
Whether you are thinking of saying your vows on the coast, by a waterfall, or in the desert, I’m here to help you have an unforgettable elopement that’s true to you. I’m more than just an elopement photographer – when you book your elopement with me, I’ll be by your side every step of the way from location planning to activity ideas, timeline assistance, and even officiating if you need it!
Get in touch here and let’s start bringing your elopement vision to life!
