There are so many ways to elope in Portland! If hiking to a mountaintop in your wedding clothes doesn’t appeal to you, you can design an unforgettable experience in the city. As a Portland photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to document some creative celebrations. Here are some tips for planning your Portland elopement along with four real life examples of couples who designed one-of-a-kind elopements in the city.

How to Elope in Portland

When to Elope in Portland

The Pacific Northwest is gorgeous partly because of the rain. That doesn’t mean you *have* to get married in a downpour. Rain is the heaviest in November through January. It’s the least heavy in June through September. Given that the temperature can get into the 80s in July and August, late spring and early fall really are the sweet spots for good elopement weather.

Where to Tie the Knot

Oregon is known for epic adventure elopements outside the city, but you can have an equally incredible experience in the city! I love photographing city hall elopements followed by an intimate reception with family and friends at couples’ favorite restaurants or dive bars. Waterfront ceremonies followed by a walk downtown are just as magical. You can rent a hotel rooftop for a couple of hours then head to a favorite food cart pod. Hoyt Arboretum even offers you a woodsy spot in the city.

As you can see, there are so many great places to have your elopement ceremony and reception around Portland. Here are some of my favorite location ideas.

• Cathedral Park
• The Nines Hotel rooftop
• Ecotrust Building rooftop
• Hoyt Arboretum
• Mt. Tabor
• City Hall
• Waterfront Park
• International Rose Test Garden
• Peninsula Park Rose Garden

Each of these spaces has its own regulations about the permits and/or appointments you need to acquire. Give yourself time to sort them out well ahead of your elopement day.

How to Plan Your Elopement Photography

Before you elope in Portland, remember to book your photographer. Your small celebration is just as worthy of being preserved as any large wedding is. As a Portland photographer, I love documenting elopements. I highly recommend booking photography for your post-ceremony celebration in addition to the getting ready, portraits, and ceremony portions of the day.

4 Creative Ways to Elope in Portland

1. A Classic Courthouse Elopement

When Jordan and Nadine decided to elope in Portland, they opted for a classic courthouse ceremony. The architecture here makes it such a cool place for portraits.

Before and after the ceremony, we spent time together bopping around their favorite bar and exploring downtown. They just wanted to enjoy the time together. Their day was low key, sweet, and so fun.

2. Your Ideal Date Night

Lydia and Michael put a personal twist on their Portland elopement. They rented a classic car and spent the day doing their favorite date activities. We drove around to their first date spot and walked down one of their favorite streets. 

From there, we headed to a record store. I loved taking film photos of Lydia and Michael in their wedding clothes surrounded by vintage records.

For their ceremony, Lydia and Michael met up with their officiant, a friend, and their dog at a park. They found this random park tucked in a neighborhood in the SW hills. They found this location by chance while out exploring with their dog. It goes to show that you can find the perfect elopement spots when you least expect them.

3. A Forest Ceremony Followed by Karaoke

Olivia and Zac had a micro wedding ceremony on a redwood deck at the Hoyt Arboretum. Their ceremony and portraits have all the misty magic people love about the Pacific Northwest. And they didn’t even have to leave the city.

Afterward Olivia and Zac took their wedding guests to The Alibi. This karaoke bar is a Portland staple. It was a fun, interactive way for everyone to celebrate together. 

4. A Mid Mod Micro Wedding

If you want a vintage aesthetic when you elope in Portland, consider driving to the Gordon House in Silverton. Frank Lloyd Wright designed this midcentury modern beauty. It’s the perfect spot for an elopement or micro wedding with an elevated design. Kelsey and James took advantage of the stellar backdrop and didn’t need any decor to make the space feel special. 

Are you interested in having me preserve your Portland elopement? I’m Andreia, a Portland wedding photographer. I’d love to document your day on film and digital photography! Get in touch with me.