So you want to starting planning your elopement in Oregon?! AMAZING! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to see how amazing your elopement is going to be. But first, let me walk you through some of the steps you’ll need to take and a few tips and tricks for the planning process. This will help make your special and adventure filled day easy, fun and seamless!
Step 1: Choose Your Season For Your Elopement In Oregon!
First things first, you’ll need to choose a time of the year and a season to start planning your elopement in Oregon! If you want nicer weather than is typical for Oregon, July through September, and sometimes the first few weeks in October, is your best bet! Even June can still be rainy! If you want snow, planning for December – March will be better. Once you’ve decided what season you want to get married in you can choose an actual date. Then, you can start narrowing down locations! HOT TIP: eloping on a weekday usually means less crowded locations and more vendor availability!
Step 2: Figure Out Where You Want Your Elopement To Be!
There are so many beautiful locations in Oregon, and so many types. In the North East we have High Desert featuring arid landscapes, insane rock features, and amazing lakes and mountains. In the South East it is the actual Alvord Desert an incredible landscape similar to the Salt Flats of Utah. Then, of course, the entire Oregon coastline. There are so many spots there, come check out my top 5 favorite coastal locations blog with all the details, HERE! And, all along the I-5 corridor features spectacular forest, rivers, lakes and mountains. It can be a tough choice to pick the perfection location for your Oregon elopement, so ask me (aka your photographer) for recommendations based on the vibe you are looking for! And, if needed I can also help advise you on permits for your chosen location!
Step 3: Pick Your Perfect & Dreamy Vendors
Okay, you’ve picked a season, a date, and a place… so let’s talk vendors!! There are SO many things you might want or want to skip when it comes to vendors. It is all totally personal to the kind of experience you want to have on your elopement day and where you choose to elope. So, here are some rad humans I recommend to keep your day running smoothly that travel the entire state of Oregon!
Flowers – Wildflower Portland – @wildflower_portland
Video – Lilli Productions – @lilliproductions
Officiant – Officiant Jimmie – @officiantjimmie
Hair & Makeup – Fleurt Beauty Company w/ Meaghan – @fleurtmeaghan
Food – Just A Dash – @justadashkitchen
Dessert – Lux Sucre – @luxsucredessert
Step 4: Don’t Forget Your Marriage License
Don’t forget about the most important part – your marriage license 😉 ! If you are from Oregon, you can obtain your marriage license in your home county a minimum of 3 days before your wedding day. Then you can turn it in at the same courthouse up to 60 days after your ceremony. If you are not from Oregon, plan on flying in several days before your ceremony weekday so that you can apply for and pick up your license in whatever county you are staying.
Then make sure you plan on being able to turn it in afterwards. Sometimes your officiant can do it for you, too! You do not have to get married in the same county that issued the license, so no need to worry! Make sure you also have two witnesses other than your officiant to sign your license, so plan for that. If you get confused, call the county courthouse for help! HOT TIP: Myself and whoever is my assistant on your big day are always happy to sign as witnesses for super intimate ceremonies!
Are you ready to plan an Oregon Elopement of your dreams with me? Let’s do it!
Fill out my contact form and we can make it official! When I am apart of your elopement, you can expect me to put my all into making it the day that you are envisioning. Let’s do this! I can’t wait to hear from you!
