Your Complete Guide to Eloping in Oregon

01: WHY CHOOSE TO ELOPE IN OREGON

02: BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN OREGON

03: WHERE TO ELOPE IN OREGON

04: BUILDING YOUR PERFECT OREGON ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE

01: WHY CHOOSE TO ELOPE IN OREGON

Why Elope?

Eloping gives you the freedom to ditch the pressure and create a wedding day that’s actually yours. No rigid timelines, no giant guest lists — just you, your person, and the kind of day you’ll never forget.

Why Oregon?

Oregon is a wild and wonder-filled playground for the adventurous at heart. From moody coastlines and misty forests to epic waterfalls and dramatic desert cliffs, this state has it all — and then some.

Think:

  • Crashing waves + golden sea stacks
  • Moss-covered forests + fern-lined trails
  • Jaw-dropping waterfalls
  • Painted deserts + red rock canyons
  • Flower-filled meadows + snow-dusted peaks

It’s the perfect state for a just-us elopement that’s actually fun, deeply intentional, and totally unforgettable.

Types of Elopements in Oregon

  • Sunrise Vows at a Crater Rim
    Golden hour glow with unreal mountain views.
  • Forest Waterfall Elopements
    Say “I do” in a mossy canyon beside a roaring waterfall.
  • Stormy Coastal Adventures
    Windswept vows on the sand, barefoot and in love.
  • Two-Day Elopement Road Trips
    Coast, desert, and forest all in one weekend? Why not.
  • Winter Cabin Elopements
    Crackling fireplaces, fresh snow, and cozy mountain vibes.

Need help deciding where and when? I’ll help you build your dream adventure.


02: BEST TIME TO ELOPE IN OREGON

When to Elope in Oregon

Each Oregon season brings its own kind of beauty — it just depends on your vibe.

🌱 Spring (March–May)

Vibe: Vibrant greens, full waterfalls, foggy forests
Best for: Waterfall hikes, rainforest elopements, moody coastal shots
Top Spots: Silver Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Cape Perpetua
✔️ Pros: Wildflowers, fewer tourists, soft light
❌ Cons: Rainy season, some higher elevation snow


☀️ Summer (June–August)

Vibe: Warm weather, wildflower meadows, accessible alpine lakes
Best for: Mountain views, desert elopements, longer days
Top Spots: Mount Hood, Painted Hills, Crater Lake
✔️ Pros: Open trails, golden sunsets, perfect camping weather
❌ Cons: Busier trails, wildfire risk late summer


🍂 Fall (September–October)

Vibe: Crisp air, golden trees, fewer crowds
Best for: Intimate forest elopements, desert light, cozy vibes
Top Spots: McKenzie River Trail, Bend area, Willamette National Forest
✔️ Pros: Gorgeous colors, quiet landscapes
❌ Cons: Shorter days, unpredictable weather


❄️ Winter (November–February)

Vibe: Snowy peaks, cozy lodges, stormy coasts
Best for: Intimate lodge ceremonies, hot spring elopements, moody PNW feels
Top Spots: Trillium Lake, Mount Hood, Oregon Coast
✔️ Pros: Total privacy, romantic vibes
❌ Cons: Road closures, cold weather

Time of Day Tips

  • Sunrise Elopements – Best for mountain and desert elopements. Fewer people, perfect light.
  • Sunset Elopements – Warm glowy light, great for coastal vows.
  • Weekday Elopements – Highly recommended for popular spots like Silver Falls, Cannon Beach, and Crater Lake.

03: WHERE TO ELOPE IN OREGON

The Best Oregon Elopement Locations

⛰️ Mountains + Lakes

  • Crater Lake National Park
  • Mount Hood & Trillium Lake
  • Three Sisters Wilderness
  • Sparks Lake (Bend area)

🌲 Forests + Waterfalls

  • Silver Falls State Park (10 waterfalls in one trail!)
  • Columbia River Gorge
  • McKenzie River Trail
  • Opal Creek Wilderness

🌊 Coastlines

  • Cannon Beach (iconic and dreamy)
  • Cape Kiwanda (gold cliffs + crashing waves)
  • Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor (south coast gem)
  • Hug Point & Secret Beach

🌵 High Desert

  • Painted Hills
  • Smith Rock State Park
  • Alvord Desert (for a surreal, off-grid elopement)

Do You Need a Permit?

Usually, yes — especially for:

  • State Parks (like Silver Falls or Cape Kiwanda)
  • National Parks + Forest Service land
  • Scenic coastal areas

I’ll help you figure out:

  • Permit applications + fees
  • Group size limits
  • Leave No Trace guidelines
  • What you can bring/do at your ceremony site

04: BUILDING YOUR PERFECT OREGON ELOPEMENT EXPERIENCE

Elopement Day Ideas:

  • Hike to a hidden alpine lake
  • Rent a cozy A-frame in the woods
  • Toast with champagne on a windswept beach
  • Camp under the stars and wake up married
  • Soak in natural hot springs after your vows
  • Explore the coast in a vintage camper van
  • Bring your dog, your parents, or no one at all

Cozy & Cool Oregon Elopement Stays:

  • The Vintages Trailer Resort – Retro trailers in wine country
  • Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa – Oceanfront luxury at Cape Kiwanda
  • Timberline Lodge – Historic lodge on Mount Hood
  • Out’n’About Treehouse Treesort – Sleep in a literal treehouse
  • SCP Redmond Hotel – Eco-friendly + stylish with rooftop vibes
  • Smith Rock Casitas – Views for days in the desert

GETTING LEGALLY MARRIED IN OREGON

  • Apply online or in person
  • 3-day waiting period (can be waived in some counties)
  • License valid for 60 days
  • Two witnesses required

Officiant Options:

  • I’m ordained and can legally marry you — while documenting every moment
  • Have a friend or family member get ordained online (totally valid + free)
  • Hire a professional officiant (I’ve got some faves to recommend)

BONUS: HIRING YOUR OREGON ELOPEMENT VENDOR DREAM TEAM

You deserve a team that gets you, your style, and your values.

I work with:

  • Adventure officiants who aren’t afraid of a little mud
  • LGBTQIA+ affirming florists, stylists, and vendors
  • Hair & makeup artists who know how to glam you up and keep it real
  • Private chefs for intimate post-vow meals
  • Local elopement planners + picnic stylists

OREGON ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES

📸Elopement Packages start at $4500
All packages include:

  • Personalized location scouting
  • Permit + timeline help
  • Film + digital photography
  • Sneak peeks in 72 hours
  • Vendor recs & planning support
  • Me: your Type-A goofball & adventure BFF

Bonus: I’m an ordained officiant too. So if you want it simple + seamless, I’ve got you.


READY TO PLAN YOUR OREGON ELOPEMENT?

From stormy sea stacks and mossy waterfalls to epic mountain ridgelines and desert canyons, Oregon is calling. Let’s create an elopement day that’s bold, intentional, and full of color, connection, and adventure.

📍 Based in the PNW, traveling across Oregon & beyond
📷 @BlakeKelloggPhotography
🌈 For the colorful & the queer
💌 Let’s chat!


Oregon Elopement Guide

Free Guides, Oregon, The Pacific Northwest