A few weeks ago, I shared my list of The Best Elopement Locations in the US and one of my top places was in the beautiful state of Oregon! Now, my love for the scenery in Oregon runs deep and I’m sure I’m not alone in this. So I wanted to put together an extensive list of what you may need if “how to elope in Oregon” is in your Google history!

The scenery in Oregon is as diverse as it is beautiful. With everything from forests, dunes, Glacier-carved mountains, canyons, rivers, lakes, and the most beautiful coastlines, the Beaver State isn’t playing around! In true Pacific Northwest fashion, prepare to be blown away.

Location, Location, Location.

Let’s go over the scenery options for your locations. Let’s begin with what Oregon is best known for: its beautiful coastline.

For most beach locations, you will need a permit. To be sure whether you need a permit or not, contact the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department at (541) 994-8152. Or you can read over the full application and instructions here.

Some of my favorite coastline locations to elope in oregon are:

Cannon Beach in Northwestern Oregon.

Nye Beach in Newport Oregon.

Hug Point State Park in Arch Cape Oregon.

Pacific City in Tillamook Oregon.

Seaside in Northwestern Oregon.

Heceta Head Lighthouse near Florence Oregon.

Coquille Point in Bandon Oregon.

Samuel Boardman State Park in Brookings Oregon.

Neck in neck with the coastal locations are the waterfall locations!

Waterfalls symbolize a constant. The continuous flow of the water over rocks reminds us of the constants in our lives. And what better constant than love?

There is no limit to astonishing waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest, and Oregon boasts quite a few of them. And many of these locations are within a State Park.

For any location within a State Park in Oregon, you might need a permit. To find out if you will need one you’ll have to call the park (or the nearest park to the beach location) and discuss your plans.

Depending on the event details, you may need a special use permit for "non-traditional park activities”. If you are having “a small wedding being held in a park where no structures are being set up and the public is not being excluded from the area” you fall into the category of not needing a special use permit! But if you are including more than 50 people in your elopement, you will need a permit.

And for locations within a National Forest (such as Proxy Falls or Willamette National Park) you might need a special use permit if you are asking for special privileges on National Forest land. To be sure, you can contact them here.

At the top of my "How to elope in Oregon" list are:

Wahclella Falls is such a majestic waterfall. You’ll find it along Tanner Creek surrounded by impressive rocks and lush greenery. It’s a perfect backdrop to your elopement day. You won’t need a permit for this location! Just a regular marriage license from the state of Oregon and an officiant for your ceremony.

South Falls in Silver Falls State Park is the most distinguished waterfall and it plunges more than 175 feet into a dark pool. Ever since the opening day in 1933, visitors have been using these grounds for weddings and more. You will need a day-use parking permit for Silver Falls.

Latourell Falls is such a photogenic waterfall! It’s located in Guy W. Talbot State Park. The unique rock formations of this waterfall feel as if you traveled somewhere otherworldly. The water plunges for more than 200 feet, creating a long ribbon of cascading water and beautiful mist.

Proxy Falls in Willamette National Forest. Proxy Falls is special. It’s a stunning set of cascading waterfalls that plunge into a pool of cold water.

Bridal Veil Falls is another wonderful roaring waterfall. You’ll find Bridal Veil Falls near milepost 28 on the Historic Columbia River Scenic Highway about 3/4 of a mile to the entrance of Bridal Veil Falls State Park.

White River Falls State Park in Maupin Oregon. The water plunges for more than 90 feet into an amazing pool of icy water. This makes it a popular spot during the summer months in this part of Oregon.

We have covered the coastline and the impressive waterfalls, but there’s a lot in the central part of Oregon that we haven’t talked about yet.

Smith Rock State Park is located in Oregon's High Desert near Redmond and Terrebonne.

Crater Lake National Park is located in the Cascade Mountains of southern Oregon. Known for its namesake Crater Lake that was formed by Mount Mazama. Here is all the information for getting a permit for this national park.

Mt Hood National Forest is located about 50 miles east-southeast of Portland, on the border between Clackamas and Hood River counties.

Columbia River Gorge is the largest National Scenic Area in America for good reason. It’s made for exploring! It works like a dream for those super adventurous couples out there. It’s also one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon!

Willamette National Forest is HUGE. It covers 1,678,031 acres, with more than 380,000 acres categorized as designated wilderness, including seven mountain peaks.

Mayer State Park is a state park located in the east end of the Columbia River Gorge, near Rowena, Oregon.

The Painted Hills is one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon. They truly are unique and a must-see sight in Oregon. The combination of volcanic ash, rocks, lava, and decayed matter give the Painted Hills their remarkable colors. Here is the permit info!

Alvord Desert is a desert located in Harney County, in southeastern Oregon. It is one of the most isolated and unique land formations in the state, as well as one of the driest. So if you plan to have your elopement here, be sure to plan accordingly. Another plus is that because the Alvord Desert is federal land that isn't an organized park-type area, you don't need any special permit.

So you know the “where” of the “How to elope in Oregon” and that’s awesome! But where do you stay and eat?!

This will be different depending on which location grabs your heart and soul. But I have a few websites I would love to direct you to!

There is of course the tried and true Airbnb route. There are lots of hidden gems that you can find on Airbnb! Such as modern lofts, treetop studios, spaces with lots of natural light, and other charming locations.

One of my favorite aspects of renting an Airbnb is that you have more control over what is important in your getting-ready space than you would in a hotel. And it feels much more intimate than sharing a location with others!

If you are looking for a more unique experience (such as a hobbit hole, a yurt, or a lighthouse) check out this list of 10 unique places to stay in Oregon.

But what about food?!

The excitement of trying new food spots is one of the first things my mind goes to when planning a trip too. So here are some recent lists of must-try food locations in Oregon.

Top 40 Best Portland Restaurants (2021 update) by the Female Foodie
15 Oregon Restaurants Worth the Drive by Eater
The 10 Best Restaurants In Oregon by Culture Trip
11 Unassuming Restaurants In Oregon by Only In Your State

The best thing I could recommend is asking around town!
Ask the locals what their favorite food locations are and see how many amazing places they help you discover.
There are a couple of things we haven’t covered yet that are going to be very important to elope in Oregon. First and foremost: your marriage license. So how do we make sure your Oregon elopement is official? You will have to apply for an Oregon marriage license in the county you will be eloping in. To complete your application and sign your license, you can visit any of Oregon’s county clerk’s offices.
Just be sure that it’s completed at least 3 days before your elopement and no earlier than 60 days before.
What about cost? In Oregon marriage licenses ranges from $50 to $60 in cash or certified funds (like a Cashier’s Check or Money Order).
While you can apply for a license in any Oregon county, you’ll need to submit the license to the same county that issued it. But don’t let this stress you out, your officiant can help you with this!
And don’t forget that in addition to your marriage license, you’ll also need at least two witnesses present during your elopement. Choose your witnesses ahead of time or if you’re feeling spontaneous and eloping in a location with lots of visitors (such as a National Park or Forest) you can plan to ask hikers to be your witnesses. I’m happy to be one as well!

And last but not least, your officiant.

Lucky for us, having an officiant doesn’t always mean hiring one! You can ask a close friend, a family member, or someone special to the both of you. All that is required for them to marry you is that they are ordained! The State of Oregon will only require that your ordained officiant is at least 18 years old. And another plus is that if you ask a friend or family member, it’s easy for them to get ordained online.

That’s all folks. These are the top things to keep in mind!

Happy elopement planning in this beautiful state, and you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing how to elope in Oregon!