Did you know? Young Hip & Married is now officiating weddings in Portland, Oregon! We are so excited to work with couples in Portland and expand our team in the Pacific Northwest. To inspire your Portland nuptials, we’re sharing our picks for where to elope in Portland.
Check out 17 places in Portland where you can tie the knot! And stay tuned for our next blog post showing off more awesome elopement spots in the rest of Oregon.
Note: Be sure to check with local government organizations, venues and private owners to see if permits or permission is needed for you to elope in your chosen spot!
Where to elope in Portland, Oregon
Mt. Tabor Park
Mt. Tabor Park is Portland’s version of Vancouver’s Stanley Park or Toronto’s High Park. It offers gorgeous views, greenery, lakes and a stunning escape into nature in the heart of the city. With lots of areas to explore and hiking trails galore, you’ll definitely be able to find a private area for your I do’s.
Mt. Tabor Park is the perfect spot to tie the knot, take beautiful photos and head off for a fun night in the city, right around the corner. It’s also a great place to elope in Portland for those adventurous souls. Mt.Tabor is actual a dormant volcano!
Portland Japanese Garden
It does not get more stunning than the Portland Japanese Garden! Here you’ll find an oasis of authentic Japanese landscaping over 12 acres filled with a teahouse, shrines, ponds, waterfalls, bridges and more.
You’ll also catch a fantastic view of Mt. Hood. If you really want the most stunning backdrop for your Portland elopement, check out the Portland Japanese Garden in the fall when the leaves are changing!
Elk Rock Island
In the middle of the Willamette River lies Elk Rock Island. This 12 acre island was formed by a volcano and is often a secluded spot, perfect for a private elopement in Portland. In addition to getting hitched, the island is also a great place for swimming, hiking and taking in incredible sunset views.
Be warned: this island is accessible by a land bridge at low tide but at high tide, you may have to wade through the water!
Washington Park
Washington Park is the perfect place to elope in Portland no matter what you’re looking for. This city park is home to gardens, giant redwood trees, museums, a zoo, playgrounds, sports fields, forests and more. No matter what backdrop you’re looking for, you’ll find it here.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
If you’re looking for tranquility, rare flowers and beautiful decor, you’ll find all of that and more at the Lan Su Chinese Garden. This garden, located in Chinatown, has an authentic Ming Dynasty style and was created by Su Zhou artists.
More than just a peaceful escape from the busy city, it’s a beautiful place to say your I do’s. Following Chinese traditions, you can even visit the tea shop after your elopement for a tea ceremony.
Portland International Rose Test Garden
What could be better than eloping in a beautiful rose garden? Almost nothing. The Portland International Rose Test Garden is home to over 10,000 rose bushes and 650 varieties of roses. This beautiful garden helped gain Portland its nickname as the city of roses.
The flowers bloom from April to October, with peak bloom (and peak crowds) in June. Fun fact: this is the oldest continuously operating public rose test garden in America, having opened in 1917.
Council Crest Park
Journey to the highest point in West Hills for another scenic spot to elope in Portland. You can drive or hike to the summit, where you’ll be able to watch sunrises and sunsets. On a clear day, you’ll even be able to see local mountains in the distance.
Fun fact: This park used to be known as a local make out spot for high schoolers. How romantic?
Cathedral Park
One of the coolest and most stunning places to elope in Portland has got to be Cathedral Park. Located on the banks of the Willamette River, and directly underneath the busy St. Johns Bridge, lies an oasis of greenery and architecture.
Escape the city noise and get back to nature in Cathedral Park’s 23 acres. There’s even a beautiful amphitheatre, perfect for newlyweds to tie the knot!
Pittock Mansion Acres
The Pittock Mansion is a French Renaissance-style château built in 1914 and now offers historic tours to the public. But it’s not just the beautiful home that draws eloping couples here, it’s the beautiful grounds. Pittock Mansion Acres offers some of the nicest views in all of Portland.
Best of all, the grounds are free to discover (while the mansion itself is paid) but do inquire about possible permits needed for elopements.
Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden
No matter the season, Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is one of the most beautiful places in Portland. It should definitely be on your elopement shortlist! This gorgeous botanic garden has over 2,500 rhododendrons and other flowers across 10 acres.
It’s also home to lakes, fountains, waterfalls, bridges, tunnels and beautiful landscaping. You’ll be spoilt for choice when deciding where to say your vows.
Hoyt Arboretum
A popular place for large weddings and intimate elopements in Portland is Hoyt Arboretum. This botanical oasis is filled with large trees and beautiful vistas, making it the perfect peaceful place to get married in the city.
The venue is managed by a non-profit organization and rental fees are very budget friendly. If you want to get married in true Pacific Northwest style, you’ll find that at Hoyt Arboretum.
Tanner Springs Park
The perfect marriage of city and nature in Tanner Springs Park might be the perfect marriage spot for you and your boo! Tanner Springs is a city park in downtown Portland.
Located high in the sky, this urban area brings together greenery, ponds, fountains and trees with giant art installations and stellar views of the city. If you’re looking for an industrial meets forest vibe, we definitely suggest you check out Tanner Springs Park.
Union/Pine
If you’d prefer to elope indoors, Union/Pine offers up one of the best venues in Portland. Traditionally used for larger weddings and events, there’s no reason your intimate Portland elopement can’t happen here too.
Union/Pine is as trendy as it gets – an industrial blank space that’s brought to life with decor, florals, arches, seating and more. Have fun turning this canvas into whatever you want for your Portland elopement!
Forest Park
If your perfect elopement is running off into the forest, there’s no better place to elope in Portland than Forest Park. This giant park in the Tualatin Mountains is the largest urban park in the United States.
There are more than 80 miles of trails and roads, meaning you’ll have no problem finding your perfect elopement spot. Choose your trail, take in the views and get hitched in the middle of the forest!
The Colony St. Johns
Another awesome indoor elopement spot is The Colony St. Johns. This venue is all about charm! It’s a colonial mid-century building ready to be turned into your dream elopement location.
While the 10,000 square foot venue can easily accommodate large weddings, they also pride themselves on pulling off intimate gatherings, making it one of the best places to elope in Portland. Your perfect Portland elopement might just be a romantic candle-lit moment at The Colony!
Peninsula Park Rose Garden
We’re back to the roses! At Peninsula Park Rose Garden you’ll find over 9,000 rose bushes and 60+ varieties of roses in Portland’s oldest rose garden. The garden itself is sunken, meaning you can easily take in the views of rows and rows of blooming flowers.
The garden also has a swimming pool, if you want to celebrate your elopement by going for a dip!
McLean House
If you’re looking to elope in Portland in a charming, cozy and indoor venue, McLean House might be for you. This 17 room house was built in 1927 and has been lovingly restored over the years.
It’s the perfect place for an intimate dinner elopement with just your nearest and dearest. Rain or shine, McLean House offers options for you to tie the knot on the beautiful grounds or inside the historic home.
Planning a wedding in Portland? Get in touch!
So, do you know where to elope in Portland now? Which of our 17 spots is calling your name? If you’re ready to book your Portland elopement, meet our Portland officiant and get in touch now!
