Oregon is one of the most beautiful destinations in the United States! There is beautiful scenery, great food, and something for everyone to enjoy. You’ll love eloping and even honeymooning in Oregon – here’s everything you’ll need to know to make it happen.

Legal guidelines

Check here for all of Oregon’s current laws about marriage. There are options to apply in person or by mail, but in short, you must apply for a license at least three days prior to your wedding and use it within 60 days. For your ceremony, you must be married by an ordained officiant and have two witnesses present.

Where to elope

Oregon is so stunning, it’s often compared to Iceland. You’ll have your choice of eloping at one of Oregon’s many waterfalls, famous coastline, mountains, or desert.

When choosing where to elope, you’ll need to take into consideration the season, accessibility, and special use permits. Helping guide your decisions, understand the permit process, and suggesting beautiful and often lesser-known locations is one of my favorite jobs as an adventure elopement photographer.

When to elope

The best time to elope in Oregon is up to personal preference. If you prefer overcast or foggy Pacific Northwest vibes, I suggest getting married between fall and spring (bonus: overcast skies provide beautiful lighting for photos!). If you’re hoping for sunshine or dry weather, then July or August would be your best bet.

Below are more details to consider during each season.

Winter: December - February

Expect moody skies and rain throughout winter on the west side of the Cascade mountain range in Oregon. Eastern Oregon generally has more blue skies and the potential for snow in the lowlands. However, if it’s snow you’re looking for, visit Crater Lake National Park, Mount Bachelor, or Mount Hood.

Some popular hikes and photo locations are inaccessible until spring or even mid-summer on years with heavy snowfall. Don’t worry though — there are plenty of beautiful locations still available throughout the winter months.

Spring: March - May

In spring, snow begins to melt in the mountains to make a few more hiking and photo locations accessible. You should still expect overcast skies and rain throughout western Oregon, but eastern Oregon is usually drier.

Spring is the perfect time to see waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest. Snow melts and water flows reach their peaks!

Pro tip: Spring is many wedding vendors’ shoulder season, so it should be easier to find vendors with your elopement date available than it would be in summer.

Summer: June - August

Summer is the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept secret. You can expect perfect 70+ degree days throughout western Oregon or 80 to 100 degrees in eastern Oregon.

All mountain passes and hiking trails are open by July, and July and August show Oregon at its best. Find wildflowers in the mountains, long days with sunshine, and unfortunately, crowds in the more well-known locations.

Pro tip: Avoid crowds by eloping at sunrise or sunset on a weekday.

Autumn: September - November

The rain returns to the west side in September, but we’ll still have days, or even weeks, of sunshine until the end of October. Eastern Oregon, again, sees less rain, but cooler temps come quickly here.

Fall colors can typically be seen throughout the state in October. Most hiking trails and mountain passes are open until early November, but the weather can change quickly during this time of year.

Choosing vendors

One of the best perks of eloping is choosing which vendors you’d like to include (or not) on your wedding day. It’s your choice to carry a bouquet, get your hair and makeup done, hire a videographer, or do something extreme for your wedding. The only limit here is your imagination.

If you’re in need of vendor recommendations, ask your photographer or other hired vendors — they will be happy to share who they love to work with!

Start planning your Oregon elopement