Complete Guide: How To Elope In Oregon

Are you dreaming of going off to elope in Oregon? You’ve come to the right place.

Whether you have your heart set on eloping in Oregon or you’re just toying with the idea, there is no denying the diverse beauty of this state. 

While elopement has its simplicity, there are still several logistics that go into planning any wedding. In today’s article will walk you through everything you need to know to happily elope in Oregon. 

Best Places To Elope In Oregon 

Whether you’re searching for coastlines, flourishing forests, or colorful desserts, you’ll be sure to find a jaw-dropping backdrop in Oregon.

When picking your destination, you’ll want to keep the weather in mind as the time of year will affect your view, access to the location, and overall experience. 

If you’re aiming for clear skies and sunny weather, June to August will be the best time to elope in Oregon. However, this will also be the busiest season for tourists as well as other weddings. 

You may need to plan further out if you intend to come in the summer as you might face a bit of competition when it comes to reserving the venue. 

If you’re looking to avoid some of the crowds, September to mid-October is another excellent time to plan your wedding. You’ll be greeted with cooler weather and golden foliage while avoiding the rain and snow. 

If you’re unsure what kind of location you’re looking for, it can be helpful to ask yourself a few questions. 

• What kind of environment would you like? (intimate, lively, quiet) 
• What kind of scenery would you like? 
• Do you mind a bit of walking or trekking, or would you like the location to be easily accessible? 

Now that you have a better idea of the type of venue you’re looking for let’s jump into the best places to elope in Oregon. 

Please note these are not listed in any specific order. 

1. Hoyt Arboretum

• Address: Hoyt Arboretum, 4000 SW Fairview Blvd, Portland, OR 97221
• Location permit: Situation dependent  

Hoyt Arboretum encompasses acres of land filled with grand sequoia, redwood, and Douglas fir trees just minutes from downtown Portland.

The park has four distinguished areas to choose from that are designated for weddings and other events. From open meadows to a center stage ceremony of profound forest views, their predetermined locations will not disappoint. 

This is a great location if you’re looking for an intimate outdoor ceremony.

2. God’s Thumb

• Address: The Knoll, Lincoln City, OR 97367
• Location permit: Situation dependent  

Gaze upon Oregon’s coast as you climb up the Basalt peak in the shape of a gigantic thumb (hence the name). This is a perfect elopement destination for adventurous couples that are not afraid of a bit of trekking on their wedding day. 

You will have to take the knoll Loop trail to reach your final destination, a 4.3-mile (6.9 kilometers) hike in total.

3. Painted Hills

• Address: John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Kimberly, OR 97848
• Location permit: Required 

The painted hills are delicately colored with stripes of red, tan, orange, and black. The hills will have a slightly different resemblance depending on the time of year you intend to visit. 

With these breathtaking colors that scale across the hilly landscape, it’s a famous sight to see. While it will make for a unique location and epic pictures, keep in mind this is a popular destination. 

It’s unlikely that you will be by yourself. If you intend to get married on the weekend, prepare to be greeted by crowds.

4. Smith Rock State Park 

• Address: Smith Rock State Park, Terrebonne, OR 97760
• Location permit: Not Required 

Smith Rock State Park is filled with deep river canyons and unique rock formations that make for an impressive backdrop and stunning photos. 

While a permit is not permitted for your ceremony, the park only allows weddings to take place in the amphitheater area. You can reserve this space six months in advance; the exact rental fee is unclear.

5. Cape Kiwanda 

• Address: Cape Kiwanda Dr, Pacific City, OR 97112
• Location permit: Situation dependent  

Cape Kiwanda is a white sandy beach surrounded by an epic sand dune, craggy cliffs, and beautiful scenic views. Climb to the top of the sand dune to say your I do’s while you gaze upon the ocean and magnificent rock formations. 

Keep in mind that this is a popular location, and you may have a bit of an audience even if you opt for a small ceremony.

6. Cathedral Park

• Address: 6905 N Philadelphia Ave. Portland, Oregon, 97203 United States
• Location permit: Situation dependent 

Cathedral Park is tucked beneath the St. Johns bridge, alongside the banks of the Willamette River. 

The towering architecture, lush green trees, and waterfront views make for a grand elopement. This is an excellent location with paved paths and accessible restrooms if you plan to have a guest list.

How To Elope In Oregon

Time for the not-so-fun but equally important part, the logistics. Marriage is accessible for same-sex couples, US citizens, and foreigners with the proper identification. 

In order to elope in Oregon, you will need a marriage license, a wedding officiant, and two witnesses.  

How To Get A Marriage License 

To retrieve a marriage license, you need the following documentation: 

• Legal photo identification such as a driver’s license or passport
• Social Security Number (for American citizens)
• Certified copies of your birth certificate with proper translation if necessary (for foreigners)
• Passport with certified English translation if necessary (for foreigners)
• Proper evidence of the termination of your previous marriage, if applicable

The next step is to make an appointment with the county clerk; both you and your partner will have to appear in person for this appointment.

The clerk can be located in any part of the state and does not have to be in the county you intend to marry in. You can find a list of county clerk’s offices here.

Before you head into the office, save yourself a bit of time and complete your application online.

Once you file for your license, you will have to wait three days for the ceremony to take place. Depending on the county, you can bypass this waiting time by paying a small fee. 

You can file for your marriage license 60 days prior to the wedding. After 60 days, the license will be void and no longer legal to use. 

The price varies between counties but will typically cost between $50 -$60. 

How To Find An Officiant 

Any judicial officer of Oregon, county clerk, clergyperson of a religious congregation, or ordained minister has the power to officiate a wedding in Oregon. 

There are a variety of sites where you can find listings of registered officiants, such as wedding wire. They will give a brief description of the type of ceremony they perform along with their pricing. 

Are you hoping to keep this an intimate ceremony? Have a friend or family member officiate your wedding.

They will be responsible for following a few short steps to achieving this certification and can find more information here.

Witness Requirements 

You must have two witnesses attend your wedding to legally marry in Oregon. They will also be responsible for signing the marriage license. 

Both witnesses must be at least 18 years old. The officiant cannot be considered a witness to the wedding. 

 It is unclear whether or not they allow family members to act as witnesses, so make sure to double-check with the county clerk when obtaining your marriage license. 

Location Permits 

If you decide to marry in a state or national park, you may be required to obtain a special use permit. The permit will not only depend on your location but also the number of people you plan to have at your ceremony. 

You may get by without a permit within a state park if the ceremony only consists of you, your partner, two witnesses, and the officiant. If you plan to have additional guests, you will need to take the necessary action to retrieve a permit. 

To ensure you follow the proper protocol, it is best to contact the park or location you intend to marry. 

Elopement Packages Oregon

Keep the elopement easy and leave the logistics to someone else! Oregon has various agencies that will help you plan everything from start to finish. 

If you’re looking to keep it simple, you can opt for a starter package with inclusions such as help with a venue and an officiant. This will cost around $500. 

A more inclusive package will start at around $4,000 and continue to increase. This typically includes: 

• Assistance with venue booking and permits 
• An officiant 
• Hair and makeup 
• Dedicated wedding planner 
• Photographer 
• Videographer 
• Bouquet and boutonniere 

Final Thoughts On Eloping In Oregon 

Filled with natural wonders and aah-inspiring views, Oregon makes for a beautiful elopement destination. It can be the perfect place for an intimate ceremony surrounded by redwoods or a coastline wedding. 

Whatever stunning location you decide to go with, make sure you have filed for a marriage license and have a wedding officiant and two witnesses present. 

Want to elope somewhere in the US, but not sure where? Read the following guides:

• Elope in California
• Elope in Tennessee
• Elope in Hawaii