If you’re a couple who can’t decide between getting married on the coast, in a forest, on top of a mountain, or by a lake, you can see all four (and more) in Oregon. This state is a little bit of everything: sandy beaches, moss-covered forests, mountain trails, wildflower meadowsโ€”you get the picture. Because of this, I’m not surprised it’s on your list of places to elope.

Welcome to your step-by-step guide on how to elope in Oregon. Whether you’re looking for the best places to elope, how to get a marriage license, or whether or not you need a permit, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about how to elope in Oregon.

Step 1: Choose Your Elopement Location

The first step of eloping in Oregon is choosing your ceremony location. From exchanging vows along the coast to an intimate dinner in the forest, these are the three best places to elope in Oregon.

Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast… it’s what defines the state. Rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and overlooks that stretch as far as the eye can see. From the lighthouses to the beach towns, you seemingly have endless options to choose from. Here are some of my personal favorites…

Best Places to Elope on the Oregon Coast

  1. Cannon Beach – If you’ve seen a photo of a beach in Oregon, it was probably Cannon Beach. It’s famous for its iconic sea stack, Haystack Rock. Very popular for elopements!
  2. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor – My personal favorite spot! 12 miles of gorgeous rocky coastline in Southern Oregon with tons of hiking trails. Did I mention it was only 30 minutes away from Redwood National Park?
  3. Cape Kiwanda – Known for its sand dunes and dramatic cliffs. A popular spot for campfires.

Best Time of Year Elope on the Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is beautiful year-round, but June, September, and October are especially great for elopementsโ€”cool weather and no crowds.

Do You Need a Permit?

Unless you have over 75 people for your elopement, a permit is not needed.

Columbia River Gorge

The Columbia River Gorge is known for its large variety of waterfalls, hiking trails, and outdoor activities. Its proximity to Portland makes this area a great spot for couples looking to not venture too far out of the city.

Best Places to Elope in the Columbia River Gorge

  1. Latourell Falls – A popular and photogenic waterfall with no hiking required. One of many in the Gorge!
  2. Rowena Crest – An epic overlook of the Gorge with 360 degree views. Stunning wildflowers and sunsets in the summer.
  3. Multnomah Falls – The tallest and most popular waterfall in Oregon. Extremely busy, but a must-see when visiting the Gorge.

Best Time of Year Elope in the Columbia River Gorge

April and May is hands-down the best time to elope in Columbia River Gorge. The waterfalls are at their fullest, the wildflowers are starting to bloom, and there aren’t any summer crowds.

Do You Need a Permit?

Unless you have over 75 people for your elopement, a permit is not needed.

Central + Eastern Oregon

Unlike other parts of Oregon, Central and Eastern Oregon offers a blend of lakes, waterfalls, and desert landscapes. This region remains one of the most underrated areas in the state.

Best Places to Elope in Central + Eastern Oregon

  1. Crater Lake National Park – Oregon’s only national park. There are a few hiking trails around the area, as well as some accessible overlooks for elopements.
  2. Sahalie Falls – One of the best waterfalls in Oregon. It’s located on a 2.6 mile loop that features another waterfall, Koosah Falls.
  3. Smith Rock Smith Park – A stunning desert-like location popular for rock climbers and hikers. Very unique scenery!

Best Time of Year Elope in Central + Eastern Oregon

The month of June is generally the best time to elope in the area for nice weather and no crowds. I also adore September and October for the same reasons.

Do You Need a Permit?

At some locations, yes. Any state or national park requires a permit. For Crater Lake, the permit is $100. You can get more information about how to apply for a permit here. For Smith Rock, you only need a permit if you have more than 20 people. You can learn more about that here.

Step 2: Choose Your Date

Oregon is a state you can elope in year-round. Generally speaking though, the best time of year to elope in Oregon is during the spring or fall season. However, each season has its perks. Read about each season below to see what time of year would be the best for you.

September-October

If you’re wanting both great weather and smaller crowds, fall is the best time of year for an Oregon elopement. No matter if you’re eloping on the coast or in the mountains, the months of September and early October have incredible weather, no crowds, and beautiful fall colors.

November-March

While some locations are inaccessible in the winter months, such as Mount Hood or Crater Lake, winter is a great time for an Oregon Coast elopement. While you probably will run into wind and rain, you won’t experience the summer crowds (or prices). If you’re up for some rainy weather (hello even lighting), I can’t recommend the winter season enough.

April-May

The spring is another stunning time of year to visit, especially in the Columbia River Gorge area. Not only are crowds and prices lower, but waterfalls are at their peak and wildflower meadows are beginning to bloom. The spring does carry a chance of rain, but the lack of crowds make up for it.

June-August

I don’t usually recommend elopements in Oregon during the summer, as this is peak travel time. While the weather is nice, the crowds are not. If you’re set on a summer date, consider having your ceremony during a weekday as opposed to a weekend. Try to also avoid the super popular areas like Cannon Beach and the Columbia River Gorge. Instead, venture down to Southern Oregon or explore the beach towns between the two.

Step 3: Get a Permit

In Oregon, you usually don’t need a permit. Most locations, like the beaches and national forests, don’t require one unless you have more than 75 people at your elopement. That being said, always be sure to ask your photographer. They will know where to send you if you need one. You can also do some Googling about your chosen location to get more information about permits. Simply type “[elopement location] wedding permit” to find all the information you need.

Step 4: Get a Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Oregon is a very easy process. Before you apply, you need to know that an Oregon marriage license has a 3 day waiting period, meaning you can’t elope until 3 days have passed after picking up your license. The marriage license also expires in 60 days.

*Note: I am using Washington County (just outside of Portland) in this example. Each county has their own process for obtaining a marriage license. You do not need to get a marriage license from the county you’ll be getting married in, but it does need to be returned to the same county you acquired it from after your elopement. I always recommend getting it from Washington County as their process is easy and straight forward.

In-Person

  1. Fill out the online marriage license application.
  2. Pick up your marriage license at least 3 days before your elopement. You can walk-in or call to make an appointment. Be sure to bring your ID and $60 to pay for the license. Currently, you can walk in Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:00pm.
  3. After your elopement, you must drop off the signed marriage license at the same office.

Mail-In

The mail-in option should be done 4-8 weeks before your ceremony.

  1. Call the County Clerk’s office at 503-846-8752 or email RecordingCopyRequests@washingtoncountyor.gov to request an application.
  2. Fill out the application.
  3. Mail it in along with a $60 cashiers check or money order.
  4. After your elopement, the officiant must drop off the signed marriage license to be processed.

To see step-by-step instructions for Washington County, check out their official website here.

Pro tip: You will need an officiant and two witnesses to elope in Oregon!

Step 5: Book Your Vendors

Ideally, this should be one of the first things you do after you figure out your location as most vendors tend to book a year in advance. Here are some of the most common and some of my personal favorite vendors in area.

Officiants

Planners and Stylists

Hair and Makeup Artists

Florists

Cakes

Photographers

Oh, hey! I’m Brianna and I specialize in outdoor and adventure elopements the Pacific Northwest. Iโ€™m here to help you plan every detailโ€”from finding the perfect location to recommending awesome vendors, creating timelines, handling permits, and more. If youโ€™re looking for a completely personalized, one-of-a-kind elopement thatโ€™s all about you two, youโ€™re in the right place!

Step 6: Book Your Travel and Activities

Plane tickets, Airbnbs, and rental cars (oh my!). Here are a few of my favorite Airbnbs and activities in the area. At this step in the process, book all your travel for your trip.

Oregon Coast Airbnbs

Columbia River Gorge Airbnbs

Central + Eastern Oregon Airbnbs

Activity Ideas

  • Try a famous doughnut from Voodoo Doughnuts
  • Soak in the hot tub after a long hike
  • Pick up some new books at Powell’s City of Books
  • Take a private waterfall tour
  • Listen to the Sea Lions at Sea Lion Caves
  • Ride horses along the Oregon Coast
  • Go paddleboarding on Devil’s Lake
  • Take a challenging hike on South Sister
  • Roast hot dogs and s’mores around a campfire
  • Have your first dance under the moonlight at the sand dunes
  • Go wine tasting
  • Try skiing or snowboarding at Mt. Hood
  • Find a hidden hot springs in the mountains

Step 7: Make a Timeline

This is the final step! At this point, you should have everything squared away. Now, it’s time to piece it all together by building a timeline. Here are a few examples to help get you started.

8-Hour Elopement

  • 12:00pm – Brianna meets the couple at a beach in Southern Oregon for a walk and picnic along the beach with their dogs before the ceremony
  • 1:30pm – Head to their beach Airbnb for getting ready images
  • 3:00pm – First look between the couple
  • 3:15pm – Beachside ceremony with friends and family
  • 3:30pm – Family portraits
  • 4:00pm – Couples portraits around the beach
  • 5:00pm – Travel to location #2 for golden hour portraits
  • 5:30pm – Arrive and begin photographing
  • 6:30pm – Travel back to the Airbnb
  • 7:00pm – Intimate dinner with friends and family
  • 8:00pm – Photo time wraps up, Brianna leaves

4-Hour Elopement

  • 5:00pm – Brianna meets the couple at a cliffside for their private ceremony
  • 5:15pm – Begin couples portraits around the bluff
  • 6:30pm – Head to location #2 for golden hour portraits and stargazing shots
  • 7:00pm – Golden hour portraits
  • 8:00pm – First dance under the moon, taking pictures with the stars (could even do a campfire with s’mores here)
  • 9:00pm – Photo time wraps up, Brianna leaves

Step 8: Elope!

You did it! You just planned the most incredible Oregon elopement!

Oregon Elopement Packages

I’m Brianna, a Pacific Northwest elopement photographer who specializes in planning and photographing outdoor elopements for couples looking for a hands-on, personalized experience. I have a few different packages to choose from and love helping my couples plan wedding days in epic places. I’m here to help with all things elopements, including making personalized location lists, handling permits, sending vendor recommendations, building timelines, and so much more. Take a peek at what’s included below.

Oregon Elopement Package Pricing

  • 4 hours – 2 daysย of elopement coverage anywhere in Oregon
  • A personalized elopement planning experience with unlimited assistance
    • Personalized elopement location recommendations
    • Vendor, lodging, and activity recommendations
    • Assistance and information to help you with permits, licenses, etc.
    • 90+ page elopement planning guide filled with tips and tricks
    • Customized elopement timelines
    • Optional complimentary officiant services
  • Online gallery with full resolution images and printing rights
  • 24-48 hour sneak peeks to share with the world
  • Travel fees to anywhere in Oregon are already included
  • Starting at $8,000

Don’t forget your FREE elopement guide!

An all-in-one planning guide for all things elopements! Whether you’re hoping to hike through the mountains of Washington or sip a margarita on the beaches of California, this comprehensive elopement guide has everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect elopement.


You? You’re the kind of person that gets a lil’ teary eyed looking at an epic view…

That moment when you turn to the person youโ€™re with and ask, โ€œAre you seeing this?โ€ I live for it. Places with trees and mountains and soft breezes that make you say, โ€œI canโ€™t believe this place exists,โ€ I spend pretty much all of my free time searching for and exploring them.

These places have always felt like home to me. And if youโ€™re the kind of person who also feels more at home surrounded by trees than by people? Then weโ€™ll get along really well. The Pacific Northwest is full of secret spots that are too special to share with just anyone. But it would make me happy to share them with you on your wedding day.

If the mountains/beaches/redwood forests are calling your name, go aheadโ€ฆ

(I promise you wonโ€™t regret it.)

P.S. I’m Brianna. My mission is to create custom, one-of-a-kind elopement experiences in the Pacific Northwest that allow couples to fully immerse themselves in the highest levels of excitement and wonder on a day designed exclusively for them.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *