how to elope in oregon

Oregon Elopement Guide 2024-2025

If you're considering an Oregon elopement, you're already my kind of people. ;) Oregon is unbelievably beautiful (often called "America's Iceland"!) From old-growth forests to picturesque coastlines, innumerable waterfalls and even high desert, it's hard to imagine a state quite like the Beaver state!

No matter what kind of elopement package you're looking for, I'm here to help you make it happen. So let's jump in!

This might be the hardest part of your entire elopement. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out and we'll talk through all of this together! The coolest thing about Oregon is that you can experience several different types of landscapes without traveling far. But I like to think of Oregon in sections and what each area offers.

So, I recommend you start with a not-too-specific idea of what you want in an elopement location. Here's how I break up the state.

The Oregon Coast



This is your place for dramatic cliffs, massive waves, incredible rock formations, endless beaches (all public), and mountains of coastal forest and trails. If you love that moody Iceland vibe, this is your spot. Of course, that's a little bit of an oversimplification because the Oregon Coast stretches for miles (363 miles actually) and there are unique features in the north, central and southern parts of the coastline.

THE NORTHERN COAST gives you Astoria, Cannon beach and several less touristy coastal towns. It's the shortest drive from Portland, so it always seems to be a busier part of the coastline, but there are private stretches for gorgeous elopements.

THE CENTRAL COAST is probably my favorite. It's still pretty easily accessible, and has a mix of ALL of the things the Oregon Coast is known for. Seastacks and rocky beaches, sand dunes, mountain trails, incredible cliffs, and my favorite coastal town of Yachats. :)



THE SOUTHERN COAST of Oregon has the most dramatic landscape and is within road trip distance of the California redwoods, but the down side is the longer drive. (Even if you fly into Medford, Oregon, you have to drive down into California and back up the coast.) I love the southern Oregon coast as an alternative to a Big Sur elopement, because the permit process in California is a lot more complicated than in Oregon where all beaches are public and don't require a permit at all!

I love to talk with couples and then send photos and ideas on specific locations, because everyone is different! If you know you want to be on the coast, reach out and I'll help you figure out which part of the Oregon Coast will be perfect for you!

The Columbia River Gorge

If you aren't going for the ocean, but find that waterfalls are more your thing, you will love the Columbia River Gorge. There are massive waterfalls galore, lots of forest, spring wildflowers, fall foliage, orchards, bridges and overlooks that give you views of the river from above. Not to mention the sobering power of the Columbia River itself. If you imagine an ethereal forest vibe, this is probably the Oregon elopement location for you. Here's a blog post with detailed info on our favorite waterfalls in the Columbia River Gorge.

Crater Lake and Umpqua National Forest

Crater Lake National Park is another magical location for an Oregon elopement. The water looks so intensely blue, it doesn't seem real. If ancient volcanic landscape appeals to you, Crater Lake is the holy grail for a unique elopement location. This isn't a location for a last minute elopement, because the process to get a permit takes seemingly forever, but if you're planning in advance, you're good to go as long as you apply right away.

The best time to plan your elopement at Crater Lake is from late June to September due to rim road closures due to snow. However, you can also plan a winter elopement at Crater lake (January-February) and take snowmobiles down the north entrance road to first viewpoint along the rim!

Another perk to a Crater Lake elopement is that it sits on the border of the Umpqua National Forest which is an INCREDIBLE place for waterfalls and endless trails. You can easily access both Crater Lake AND Umpqua in a single day.

Smith Rock

Smith Rock State Park protects a sanctuary of majestic rock spires that rise above the winding Crooked River in central Oregon’s high desert. It is an internationally renowned destination for rock climbing. From certain spots in the park, you can catch amazing views of nearby mountains like Mt. Hood and the Three Sisters. You don't have to be a climber to appreciate the rugged beauty of this incredible landscape. There’s plenty to do around Smith Rock—hiking, fishing, floating, skiing, climbing, camping, exploring waterfalls or hot springs, and even eagle watching. It’s a unique place that’s unlike anything else in the U.S. Since it’s a high desert, the best time to elope is fall and spring to avoid the intense summer heat.

The WHEN can be just as important as the WHERE when planning an Oregon elopement. For the most part, May-October is where it's at. November-April is the rainy season, so unless you're okay with that, it's not the most ideal time of year for an elopement. The exceptions are places like Crater Lake, where the rim road probably won't be fully accessible until the very end of June, and really busy areas like Columbia River Gorge in the summer.

Winter elopements are also an option if you want snow. The best timing for a winter elopement is going to be January-February.



Early spring (March and April) and late fall (November, December) are going to be rainy, stormy, and just less ideal overall.