Eloping in Oregon | A Comprehensive Guide to Oregon Elopements

Does your elopement vision involve cascading waterfalls, dreamy old-growth forests, or a moody, rugged coastline? O how about vast sand dunes, one of the deepest, bluest lakes in the world, or red rock canyons in the high desert? If the answer is “yes” to any of these, eloping in Oregon may be a perfect match.

So, you’re dreaming of eloping in Oregon?

Don’t blame ya! 😂 Every bit of Oregon is INCREDIBLE! I’m stoked every time I get to go back! Visiting never ever gets old because Oregon is insanely diverse — it’s got the incredibly scenic coastline, waterfalls seemingly everywhere you look, misty and mysterious old-growth forests, volcanoes, soaring mountains, steep canyons and gorges, and even desert. Basically, wherever you look, Oregon’s got something epic going on 😂

Aside from the natural beauty and dramatic landscapes, Oregon is renowned for its super laid-back culture and lifestyle. Pretty much everything centers around outdoor recreation and craft beer! If that sounds as good to you as it does to me, let’s dive into all the ins and outs of eloping in Oregon. 🤘

This comprehensive guide covers everything you could possibly want to know about planning your Oregon elopement, answering all your pressing questions like the best time of year to elope in Oregon, the legal aspects (i.e., Oregon marriage laws), and the most gorgeous, epic spots to say “I do.”

Fair warning: The Beaver State is pretty dang lovable, so if you’re even remotely on the fence about eloping in Oregon, be prepared to fall completely head over heels with it by the time you’re done reading this guide!

Oregon marriage laws & how to elope in Oregon

Oregon marriage laws are straightforward and simple, but there are a few quirks to be aware of. You and your partner must appear in person, together, at one of Oregon’s county clerk offices in order to get a marriage license. You can apply for an Oregon marriage license online beforehand, but you must still both appear in person to actually get it.

Every county has its own application, although it is good for marriage anywhere in the state. For example, you can fill out Multnomah County’s (where Portland is located) marriage license application but still elope anywhere in Oregon. However, it is important to note that you are required to submit your marriage paperwork back to the county that issued your license. Also note that regardless of which county you apply for a marriage license in, the requirements are the same statewide.

You may apply for an Oregon marriage license up to 60 days before your elopement day. Your officiant must return the completed and signed license to the county where you applied for it within 10 days of your marriage.

Something fairly unique to eloping in Oregon is that the state requires a three-day waiting period. However, there’s good news: most county clerks can waive the waiting period for “good cause” and a small fee ranging from $5-20. If you’re traveling to elope in Oregon from out of state, that typically qualifies as a “good cause” 😉. Note that I said “most” county clerks — a few counties, including Gilliam, do not grant waivers at all.

Also according to Oregon marriage laws, an officiant must marry you and you’re required to have two adult witnesses. More good news: I’m ordained as an Oregon wedding officiant! That means I can legally prepare and sign and file your Oregon marriage license for you! There is no getting around needing two witnesses, but if it will just be the two of you, don’t worry! Oregon’s full of happy hikers who are always stoked and honored to ‘officially’ witness and sign for us 😆.

The fee for an Oregon marriage license is $50-60, depending on the county where you apply. Only cash or certified funds (like a money order or cashier’s check from your bank) are accepted; no credit cards or checks.

Both you and your partner will need to provide the following information on your Oregon marriage license application:

Parents’ names at birth and birthplaces

Social Security Number (if you don’t have one, your passport qualifies; you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to obtain a marriage license)

Whew — that’s a lot of info! To recap, here are all the legalities of eloping in Oregon:

One officiant plus two witnesses required

3-day waiting period — but may be waived for a small fee and “good cause” (like traveling from out of state)

Apply together, in person, for your Oregon marriage license at any county clerk’s office

Oregon marriage licenses cost from $50-60 and the fee must be paid in certified funds

Best places to elope in Oregon

I couldn’t agree with this more! After thoroughly exploring all seven of OR’s great wonders and hiking from the California border to Washington along the PCT, plus having already shot several elopements in Oregon, I’m definitely well-qualified to help you guys pick the best spot and get the best pics for your elopement🤘Here are some of my recommendations for the very best Oregon elopement locations — but keep in mind, this barely scratches the surface.

Oregon Coast Elopements

Imagine a place where sandy beaches are framed by rugged cliffs and sand dunes alike, where historic lighthouses still stand tall and tide pools and quaint beach towns dot the coastline. Where whales are commonly seen just off the shore, people can camp right on the beach, and unusual, dramatic natural rock formations jut up out of the water.

This is the Oregon coast, quite possibly the most scenic 363 miles of coastline anywhere. Oregon coast elopements are absolutely magical, but it can be tricky deciding on a specific spot. There are just so many to choose from!

Cannon Beach, with iconic Haystack Rock just off the shore, is just 90 minutes from Portland and one of the most popular places to elope in Oregon. Another unbelievably gorgeous place for an Oregon coast elopement is the south coast, and in particular, Gold Beach. This area is much quieter than Cannon Beach and the rest of the northern coast, but just as scenic — and it usually has a much more reliable forecast 😎 Leading up to Gold Beach (if you’re cruising up the coastline) is the insanely gorgeous Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. This spot along the coast is near Brookings and has its own dramatic rock formations along the beach, which will seriously make your jaw hit the floor 😍

Besides the iconic rocky coast, about midway up near Florence, there are some epic sand dunes. In fact, these dunes are the largest area of coastal dunes on the continent! Yep, stretching all the way from Coos Bay to Florence is a whopping 32,000 acres of dunes that stretch lengthwise for a whole 40 miles.

The John Dellenback Trail is a fantastic place to elope in this area. It’s a 2.5-mile walk to the beach across mountains of dunes and is only open to foot traffic (no motorized vehicles making the sand all messy over here 😆). It’s a hidden gem of the Oregon coast, and I’ve had it all to myself on several occasions — even for sunset!

One especially neat thing about Oregon coast elopements is that legendary Highway 101 spans the entire coastline. This stretch of highway, officially known as the Pacific Coast Scenic Byway , is one of the most scenic in the entire country. Can’t decide on a single beach for your Oregon coast elopement? No problem — we’ll spend the day beach-hopping and driving an epic stretch of the Scenic Byway in between!

Need just a little more convincing to choose an Oregon coast elopement? Here’s one more reason to fall in love with it: it’s known as the “People’s Coast,” because state law protects the coastline and ensures that the public will forever have “free and uninterrupted use” of the beach here. What does that mean in terms of eloping on the Oregon coast? It means it’s totally free and no special permit is required — as long as your wedding has less than 50 people in attendance and doesn’t require any structures, such as tents or tables. And if you’re here reading this guide on eloping in Oregon, I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you’re not planning on inviting more than 50 people or having a bunch of tables and tents 😉.

Smith Rock State Park elopements

Did you know that about half of Oregon is actually high desert?! The rocky coast and lush green rainforests typically come to mind when most people picture Oregon, but the central and eastern sides of the state look completely different. The enormous Cascade Mountain range acts as the boundary, dividing the wetter, greener western side of Oregon and the more arid high desert landscape to the east.

Smith Rock State Park is in this eastern section, and it’s one of my absolute favorite places to shoot elopements — not just Oregon elopements, but anywhere! The park is in central Oregon, just east of the Cascades, and it has a totally unique deserty, boho-like landscape.

Also in Central Oregon, you’ll find towering red cliffs and canyons reminiscent of Sedona, Arizona or Garden of the Gods in Colorado, ethereal light-filled forests, waterfalls, snow-capped mountains, swimming holes, hot springs, diverse wildlife. basically, a little of everything! The weather is also sunnier, warmer, and drier than almost anywhere else in the state, making it one of the best Oregon elopement locations year-round. AND, amazingly, you’re not required to get any sort of permit or pay a fee for most of the stunning locations around (including Smith Rock!)

Another super rad thing (see why it’s my favorite?!) about Smith Rock State Park is that it’s “the birthplace of U.S. sport climbing.” The park has well over 1,500 epic climbing routes, including over 1,000 bolted routes and many that are single-pitch. Whether you’ve always wanted to try rock climbing or you’re an experienced climber, how amazing would it be to do it on your wedding day?!

Not only is Smith Rock one of my favorite places to shoot Oregon elopements, but it’s also near one of my all-time favorite cities, Bend. Bend is THE COOLEST mountain town, with tons of opportunities for outdoor recreation and an awesome laid-back craft brewery and food scene. The Deschutes River runs right through town and 9,068-foot-tall Mount Bachelor is nearby, with a ski and snowboard resort . There are also countless lakes, hiking, and mountain biking trails, and even lava tubes to explore. the list goes on and on!

Bend has several unique hotel and accommodation options that perfectly match its eclectic vibe. One of my favorites is the Riverhouse Hotel on the Deschutes , which sits directly on the river but is also just minutes from downtown Bend. Another Bend lodging option I love is The Camp , an adorable glamping option where you can stay in restored vintage Airstreams!

Elope in Crater Lake National Park

Of all the natural wonders in the PNW, Crater Lake truly stands out as one of the best Oregon elopement locations. The unbelievably blue lake fills the caldera of a sacred volcano in the Cascades, sitting at about 7,000 feet elevation.

Crater Lake is over 1,900 feet deep, making it the deepest lake in the United States and among the 10 deepest in the entire world. It has some of the clearest, deepest, and bluest water on earth because the water comes strictly from precipitation. This is one of the snowiest places in the US, receiving an average of 43 feet of snow annually! There’s not a single inlet or other water source, which means no mineral deposits or other sediment come into the lake, ever. 🤯

Because of its geology and heavy snow precipitation, the best time of year to elope at Crater Lake National Park is definitely in the summer. One of the park’s highlights, Rim Drive, as well as the main (north) entrance, is closed seasonally between mid-October and late May or early June due to heavy snowfall. While these areas are still accessible by cross-country skis, snowshoes, or snowmobiles in the winter months, it’s a much bigger and more unpredictable adventure.

Late June through September is the BEST timeframe to elope in Crater Lake. Weather is the most reliable during these months and Rim Drive is fully open, circling the park with dozens of epic scenic pullouts🤘.

There are also hundreds of amazing hiking and biking trails in the park, or you can rent a boat or take a guided tour out to one of the islands that rise up out of the lake. Wizard Island is one of the largest and most popular, and park tours even allow you to summit it. No matter how you choose to spend your elopement at Crater Lake National Park, you’ll want to leave time in the evening to watch the sunset and for stargazing. The dark, clear skies are spectacular, and the way everything reflects off the calm waters is MAGIC!

Crater Lake is tucked into a remote section of southwest Oregon, and lodging options are limited. But that just adds to the “adventure” aspect of your adventure elopement! The Cabins at Mazama Village are inside the park’s boundaries and offer a memorable, rustic but very comfortable stay close to Crater Lake. Their season is very short, though, and the cabins are popular, so you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to stay here for your Oregon elopement. Just a few minutes outside the park in the small town of Fort Klamath, I also love the funky, cozy A-frame cabins at the Aspen Inn .

Mount Hood + Hood River Valley elopements

Mount Hood is one of the most iconic landmarks in Oregon, and it makes a perfect elopement destination. At 11,250 feet, Mount Hood is the highest peak in the state and is considered a dormant stratovolcano. It’s about 1.5 hours from Portland and is accessible with a car even in the winter, so this is an excellent choice for your Oregon elopement particularly if you’re traveling from out of state.

There are countless options for specific elopement locations in the Mount Hood area. From alpine lakes and the mighty Columbia River to epic hiking trails and the snow-capped summit — and everything in between — a Mount Hood elopement offers up a little bit of every type of scenery.

Aside from Mount Hood itself, the Hood River Valley is also a fantastic choice for an Oregon elopement. Nothing like the coast, Hood River Valley is dry and sunny most of the time. This makes the area a world-class wine region, plus there are opportunities for every imaginable type of outdoor recreation.

Thinking a Mount Hood elopement might be right for you? Imagine starting your elopement day with a sunrise vista view from Mount Hood, then taking your time on the way down to the river to say your vows at the Gorge or a cool waterfall. You can also spend the afternoon sipping your way through a few wineries in the valley, then take a horseback ride or hop on a mountain bike for a gorgeous sunset. For adventurous couples considering a winter or spring Mount Hood elopement, you can hit the slopes at the ski resort!

With so much to explore in the Hood River region, you’ll definitely want accommodations nearby. Some of my favorite unique places to stay in Hood River include the Society Hotel (on the Washington side of the river — rent one of the cabins!) and Timberline Lodge , tucked way up on Mount Hood.

Other Oregon elopement locations

As I said, the locations I’m featuring here for Oregon elopements barely scratch the surface. Other epic and gorgeous location ideas include the 600-foot-tall Multnomah Falls, just 30 minutes from Portland, the Painted Hills in the central part of the state (one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon), or anywhere along the Columbia River Gorge (also one of the 7 Wonders 😍).

Special-use permits for Oregon elopements

There are lots and lots of things I love about helping couples elope in Oregon, but one of the biggest is how simple it is. Very few places in the state require special permits or even fees for getting married!

For example, Oregon coast elopement destinations, including ultra-iconic spots like Cannon Beach, do NOT require a permit. The only potential caveat is that your Oregon elopement ceremony cannot prevent the public from accessing the area, meaning you can’t reserve any areas of the beach. That’s no problem at all, though — I know tons of secluded spots where you don’t have to worry about crowds. Plus, this is why we often elope at sunrise!

A permit is required to elope at Crater Lake , like all other national parks. However, getting the permit is super simple and straightforward, and the fee is just $50. Mount Hood, another of the most popular Oregon elopement locations, also requires a simple permit for “non-commercial events” (i.e., elopements). However, it’s totally free! How cool is that?!

If you have any questions at all regarding whether your location requires a permit, just ask! That’s what I’m here for! Remember, beyond being an Oregon elopement photographer, I have a team dedicated to planning and coordinating!

How much does it cost to elope in Oregon?

One of the most common questions I hear as an Oregon elopement photographer is how much it’s going to cost. Well, great news: YOU control the budget! 🙌 Seriously! You get to decide how simple or elaborate your elopement is. And believe me, I’ve shot everything from $10,000-plus elopements to several where the couple spent just a few hundred dollars — and they’re all unique, meaningful, and absolutely stunning in their own special ways.

A HUGE part of why you’re eloping is to take some pressure off and do things your way, right? That means there’s no predetermined, cookie-cutter budget template. Whatever your vision (and budget!) is for your Oregon elopement, I will work with you to make the expierence incredible!

Having said that, there are a few things that deserve a larger allocation of your elopement budget. Epic elopement photography is one of them, of course. I know, I know — I’m biased! 😜 But seriously, even though an elopement is a non-traditional wedding, it’s still your wedding day and you deserve to have the very best, most epic photos capturing every moment.

Choosing the right Oregon elopement photographer is one of the biggest, most important decisions you’ll make about your big day. Because of that, my Oregon adventure elopement packages are all-inclusive and completely customized for you. Aside from taking your pictures on the day of, I spend countless hours scouting for the best lighting and epic locations during the weeks leading up to your elopement. I research the coolest activities and coordinate your elopement day timeline, keep a close eye on the weather, and come up with Plans B, C, and D just in case. Plus, since I’m ordained, I can also act as your Oregon wedding officiant and sign and file your marriage license to make everything official!

While I handle almost everything as an Oregon elopement photographer, there are a few things that are slightly outside my wheelhouse. I don’t provide hair or makeup services, nor bridal bouquets or wedding cakes. However, I have a network of INCREDIBLE artists and vendors who I’ll highly recommend.

If you choose one of the Oregon elopement locations that require a special permit, don’t forget to account for that in your budget as well. Permits can range from about $50 to $300. Remember though, there are plenty of epic places to elope in Oregon that don’t require any fees or permits (like Smith Rock State Park!).

Another large chunk of your elopement budget should go toward special accommodations. Even if you’re an Oregonian, this is your wedding day — you and your partner deserve to celebrate and go big! This is very literally the adventure of your lifetime, a day you’ll be commemorating for the rest of your lives. Whatever your style is, a low-key cozy log cabin in the forest or a posh spa resort, set aside some of your budget to really treat yourselves.

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