Eloping can be a wonderful way to celebrate your love and commitment to each other without the stress of a traditional wedding. If you’re considering eloping in Oregon, you’re in luck – Oregon offers a beautiful and diverse range of landscapes, from rugged coastline to forested mountains to rolling hills, making it a fantastic place to tie the knot. Here are some tips on planning your destination elopement in Oregon:

Choose your location

Oregon has no shortage of stunning locations for elopements. Some popular spots include the Oregon Coast, Mount Hood, Crater Lake, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Painted Hills. When choosing your location, think about the type of scenery you want as your backdrop, the time of year, and the level of difficulty in accessing the location. You may need permits or reservations for some areas, so make sure to do your research ahead of time. Or hire an elopement photographer familiar with Oregon who can recommend the most stunning locations and even take you on a photo road trip! (Hi, it’s me.)

Get your marriage license

To get married in Oregon, you’ll need a marriage license. You can apply for one at any county clerk’s office in the state. Both partners must be present and provide identification, and the fee for the license varies by county. You can obtain the license up to 60 days before your wedding date, and it’s valid for 60 days. In Oregon, you’ll also need an officiant and two witnesses.

Hire a rad Oregon elopement photographer

While eloping is a more low-key affair than a traditional wedding, you’ll definitely still want to have photographs to remember your special day. Hire a photographer who specializes in elopements, and make sure you communicate your vision and expectations for the photos. Your photographer can also help you choose the best locations for photos and suggest the optimal time of day for the best lighting, help you plan a timeline, and even recommend vendors and photo-friendly vacation rentals.

Book your Airbnb or VRBO

While you *could* get a hotel, why not splurge? A vacation rental will serve as your elopement trip headquarters. With so many stunning homes in impossibly scenic spots, your getting-ready photos will be incredible. Just imagine waking up on the morning of your elopement walking to your private beach or exploring the surrounding area. That’s the good life! You’ll also want to ensure the owners of your rental are okay with professional photos being taken on the premises.

Plan your ceremony

Just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean you can’t have a meaningful and personal ceremony. You can write your own vows or choose to have a friend or family member officiate. There are no rules when it comes to elopement ceremonies, so make it your own.

Consider hiring a planner

While eloping is certainly less stressful than planning a traditional wedding, it can still be super helpful to have someone to take care of the details for you. Consider hiring an elopement planner to help with logistics like finding a location, arranging permits, and coordinating vendors.

Pop the champagne!

After your ceremony, celebrate your love with a romantic dinner or a walk in the great outdoors. Make your elopement day as special as you want it to be, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Eloping in Oregon is such a beautiful and romantic way to celebrate your love. By following these tips, you can plan a stress-free and unforgettable elopement in one of the most stunning states in the country.