Let’s find your dreamy, intimate wedding venue in Oregon!
Have you been searching for gorgeous small wedding venues in or near Portland, Oregon? How about a venue that has amazing nature views? Or a venue in the countryside?
As a photographer who specializes in elopements and micro-weddings if you’ve been searching for the perfect small wedding venue in Oregon that accommodates around 50 – 100 guests, I’ve rounded up some of the best small wedding venues that Oregon has to offer. All of these locations are perfect for a micro-wedding or a small wedding depending on what you’re looking for.
Let’s dive in…
Small Wedding Venues in Oregon That Have Amazing Nature Views
Whenever you think about Oregon I’m sure one of the first things that crosses your mind is the scenery. From the stunning coastlines to Mt. Hood to the dense forests Oregon promises to enchant you with its natural beauty.
If you want to have a small wedding with incredible nature views here are a few places I’d encourage you to consider!
The Griffin House on the Columbia River Gorge
Imagine having your wedding ceremony surrounded by the Cascade Mountains and evergreen trees while looking out to the water. If you want your wedding ceremony to look exactly like a romantic landscape painting then it doesn’t get better than The Griffin House.
Mt. Hood Organic Farms
If you want the iconic Mt. Hood to be a part of your wedding day then you have to consider Mt. Hood Organic Farms which is nestled at the base of Mt. Hood and also has gorgeous grounds with apple and pear orchards, English gardens, forest, ponds, and so much more.
Youngberg Hill
A winery can also serve as the perfect backdrop for your intimate wedding and it’s hard to top Youngberg Hill. You’ll be surrounded by sprawling vineyards, the distant Cascade Mountains, and lots of beautiful, lush greenery if you choose this venue.
Small Wedding Venues in Portland / Close to Portland
If you want to keep everything accessible and convenient (such as proximity to the airport, lots of hotel options for guests, etc.) but still have a wedding with beautiful natural surroundings Portland is a great option!
I’ve rounded up some incredible wedding venues for you to take a look at in Portland.
Lakeside Gardens
Lakeside Gardens offers a special package just for intimate weddings and you can have your ceremony at their Gazebo or with a white pergola as your backdrop. They also have an option to exchange your vows indoors if you want a winter wedding.
Hoyt Arboretum
This venue has four beautiful outdoor spaces for you to choose from such as the Stevens Pavilion Picnic Shelter or perhaps you’d like to have your ceremony at the Wedding Meadow. Another amazing feature of the Hoyt Arboretum is that all rental proceeds support Hoyt Arboretum’s global tree collection and programs! Please keep in mind that couples typically choose this location for their wedding ceremony but Hoyt Arboretum doesn’t have a traditional wedding reception venue so you will need to plan accordingly.
Cathedral Park
Cathedral Park is underneath the St. John’s Bridge and offers you a wedding venue that blends architecture and natural beauty. You’ll have an abundance of beautiful green spaces for photos and your ceremony will have the St. John’s bridge serving as a stunning backdrop. However, like Hoyt Arboretum, this location does not have a dedicated building to have a reception but since both Cathedral Park and Hoyt Arboretum are in Portland you’ll have an abundance of small, beautiful venues to choose from for a reception after your wedding ceremony.
Small Wedding Venues in Oregon in the Country
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a few amazing small wedding venues in Oregon in the country for you to add to your list of wedding venues to consider!
Five Pine Lodge
This venue offers so much! Whether you want to get married next to a wildflower pond underneath Pondersona pines, or next to a cozy, towering fireplace Five Pine Lodge offers you all of the above and promises to be magical.
Mt. Hood Ski Bowl
This is another location where Mt. Hood can serve as the backdrop for your special day. This venue promises you alpine charm mixed with adventure and fun!
The Old Schoolhouse
The Old Schoolhouse can be found in Willamette Valley and it offers you orchards, mountains, and beautiful vineyards to serve as the backdrop for your wedding. You can have an intimate farm dinner or have your wedding ceremony inside their rustic and charming ballroom.
Venues That Allow You to Bring in Your Own Vendor Dream Team
So maybe after pursuing these different venue options, you’ve found one that’s caught your eye but now you’re wondering out of the options I listed above which ones will let you bring/create your own vendor dream team. I totally get it – you want your own vendors who can help you bring to life your own unique vision!
Here are locations that allow you to pick your own vendors and where you can have your entire wedding celebration from the ceremony to the reception:
If you want to choose your own vendors I’d start by considering these options!
Venues That Have Multiple Spaces
If you’re looking for a venue with multiple spaces to simplify your day – no worrying about set-up or tear down, and no asking your guest to move chairs from the ceremony to the reception- here are some great options from the list above offer flexibility and convenience:
- The Griffin House on the Columbia River Gorge
- Mt. Hood Organic Farms
- Youngberg Hill
- Lakeside Gardens
Planners That Can Bring Your Vision to Life
One last important thing I wanted to mention in this blog is sharing with you how you can find wedding planners who can bring your vision to life!
This is something that can sometimes feel really difficult when you’re in the process of planning your wedding which is why I wanted to share some of my pro wedding tips with you on how you can find the perfect planners for your wedding!
- Start by mapping out your vision and goals. Make sure you think about what exactly you need from your planner, your budget, and how you imagine this person working alongside you.
- Do your research. With whoever you are considering take the time to really look at their portfolios and also what other people have to say about working with them before making a decision!
- Schedule a call with them and ask questions. One thing I always would urge you to do before a meeting with anyone for your wedding is to make sure to come up with a list of questions and bring them to your meeting. Asking questions about how they face challenges, how they envision working alongside you, and how they can bring your vision to life are all super important so that you’re ensuring that you’re finding the right person for you!
- Trust yourself. If the planner you are considering just feels right chances are they are! Your gut instincts will always tell you the answer – make sure that you listen to it.
Finding a perfect planner doesn’t just happen by chance but when you find the right one for you the experience is absolutely magical!
Final Thoughts: Small Wedding Venues in Oregon
I hope you’ve enjoyed this post about small wedding venues in Oregon for you to consider! You can’t go wrong no matter where you choose to have your wedding!
If you are still in search of a photographer to team up with for your small wedding, I’d be so honored to learn more about you and your partner’s love story. You deserve a photographer who captures your day in a one-of-a-kind way and truly takes the time to understand your quirks and unique dynamics. You can click here to contact me!
And if you’re not wanting to plan a small wedding but an elopement in Oregon check out the blog post I wrote here just for you on How to Elope in Oregon!
