Oregon Elopement Guide – The Best Places to Elope in Oregon

Whether you want to exchange vows in the mountains, the desert, the forest, or by the beach; whether you want to spend your wedding day hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, surfing, or soaking in a hot spring; there’s something here for you! When you elope in Oregon, your wedding day will be truly one of a kind – with incredible scenery, amazing adventures, and unforgettable memories of the day you married the love of your life. But before you tie the knot, there are a few things you need to know!

This Oregon elopement guide will tell you everything you need – from the best places in Oregon, to getting legally married, to planning the perfect day.

How To Elope In Oregon

The Best Time to Elope in Oregon

When you’re deciding on a date for your Oregon elopement, think about the weather! Throughout the year, the weather can vary a ton, and with all the different landscapes, it depends a lot on the elopement location you choose.

Summer is the most popular time to visit, and in most places, it’s the best time to elope in Oregon. The weather is warm and sunny, and while the state is known for being very rainy, the summer months see a break from the gloom. 

The only exception is the desert – in the summer, temperatures can get up to 100 degrees in these spots, so for most people, it’s better to visit in the spring or fall. Both are warm without being too overwhelming, but spring tends to be rainier in the desert.

The mountains are covered in snow from around mid October to mid July, but eloping in the winter is the best way to avoid crowds. The coast is rarely snowy, but it’s very rainy – so you won’t see very many people out and about in the off season, which can be a great benefit!

Oregon Elopement Packages

This is maybe the single most important step in your elopement planning process: find a photographer that specializes in elopements who can provide you with an incredible experience. I’m all about making sure that every couple has a wedding day that’s absolutely perfect for them- and because that looks different for each and every couple, my Oregon elopement packages are designed to make sure your day is personalized, and custom crafted to be true to the two of you. 

As an Oregon elopement photographer, my job is to scout the perfect locations for you, make sure you know how to get a permit, create a timeline for the day, and give you anything and everything you need to plan your dream day. If you’re ready to elope in Oregon, get in touch – we’ll get the ball rolling and start the countdown to your adventure!

The Best Places to Elope in Oregon

One of the first things you’ll do when you start planning is decide on an elopement location! One of the reasons couples choose to elope in Oregon is the natural beauty – and not only are the views pretty breathtaking, they’re also incredibly diverse. You can see just about any landscape in the few hours it takes to drive across the state!

To help you narrow down your options, here are some of the best places to elope in Oregon.

Oregon Coast Elopement

One of your options for places to elope in Oregon is the coast! The coastline is incredibly scenic, with rocky beaches, cliffs over the ocean, surf spots, tide pools, and more. The northern part of the Oregon coast is more developed, with cute beach towns that offer local restaurants and unique places to stay – and as you go farther south, the coast gets more remote, with fewer and fewer people around as you continue. 

Some of the best places for an Oregon Coast elopement include beach towns like Cannon Beach, Brookings, and Lincoln City – and there are several incredible state parks, like Ecola State Park, the remote Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, and the underrated Oswald West State Park!

Oregon Forest Elopement

From lush pine forests to towering coastal Redwoods, Oregon has some pretty incredible forested spots! You can hike through woodsy scenery, take a short walk, or find a pretty forest grove that’s easily accessible for your ceremony.

If you want to see the majestic Redwood trees, you’ll find them in the south of Oregon, a little off the coast, where the cool fog from the Pacific Ocean rests on the treetops. In the national forests, you’ll find plenty of secluded, lesser known trails surrounded by fir, cedar, and pine trees – Mt. Hood National forest is an incredible place to elope in Oregon for both mountain and forest views!

Oregon Mountain Elopement

Oregon also has some gorgeous mountains, with snow capped peaks, forested hillsides, and alpine lakes tucked between the slopes. In the winter, these mountain locations are amazing for skiing – and in the summer, the weather is great for hiking!

The best place to elope in Oregon for mountain views is Mt. Hood National Forest – named for Oregon’s most iconic peak. You can also tie the knot in Crater Lake National Park, where you’ll see the bright blue water surrounded by mountains!

Oregon Waterfall Elopement

Of all the incredible scenery Oregon has to offer, the waterfalls are some of the most iconic spots! There are roadside falls, and waterfalls tucked deep in the woods that require a hike.

Without a doubt, the best places to elope in Oregon if you want to tie the knot in front of (or maybe even behind?) a waterfall are in the Columbia River Gorge. The canyon borders Washington and Oregon, and has the highest concentration of waterfalls in the entire country! Some of my favorites are Latourell Falls and Wahclella Falls for an easy to reach, popular spot, and Spirit Falls and White River Falls for some lesser known places.

Oregon Desert Elopement

Though the state is usually best known for its lush greenery, Oregon has plenty of desert too! For a unique view, some of the best places to elope in Oregon are in the desert, where you can see cool rock formations, vast landscapes, and incredible scenery.

The best spots for desert views are the Painted Hills – an other-worldly landscape that will make you feel like you stepped onto Mars, along with Smith Rock State Park and the Alvord Desert!

Getting Legally Married When You Elope in Oregon

To get married in the eyes of the government during your Oregon elopement, you’ll need to get a marriage license! You’ll need to go in person to any county clerk’s office in the state, but some offices (like the one in Portland) allow you to complete the process by mail – which is usually easier for couples who live outside of Oregon. In Portland, the marriage license costs $60, but this can change if you choose a different office.

After you get your marriage license, you need to wait three days before the ceremony, and it expires after 60 days. An officiant and two witnesses will have to sign it on your elopement day, and then it can be returned to the county clerk to make things official!

Celebrate your elopement in Oregon!

After all these [days/weeks/months/years] of planning, enjoy your best day ever! You’ve planned out your timeline, picked out your attire, and made all the arrangements– now it’s time to tie the knot.

I’m so excited for you to embark on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, and I’d love to be there with you to celebrate! Reach out if you have questions about or are ready to start planning your elopement in Oregon.