How to Plan a Columbia River Gorge Waterfall Elopement
Kaitlyn and Jared wanted their wedding day to be small, intimate, and stress-free—they dreamed of a location that offered mountain views, waterfalls, and trees, and we could think of none better than the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon.
About the Columbia River Gorge
The entire Gorge is basically just a corridor full of waterfalls and stunning overlooks. There are so many to choose from, whether you want to hike or if you’d rather just sight-see.
The Gorge less than an hour outside of Portland, which made it an excellent spot for Kaitlyn and Jared to host their elopement and still be able to invite their family along for the ride.
Choosing the right season
If you want the stunning waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest as the backdrop for your intimate elopement, you’ll want to time it for the best flow, which typically occurs in the spring, from about April to June. The greenery is lush as ever, the forest covered in moss and ferns—though, spring is a wet season here in the rainy PNW so brace for the chance of rain and bring your umbrellas!
When it comes to picking a date for your waterfall elopement, I highly recommend eloping mid-week to avoid the weekend crowds. I would also recommend a morning elopement like this one, because even on a weekday, the Columbia River Gorge is one of the most popular spots in the state. We were able to avoid all the crowds by choosing a sunrise ceremony and a morning hike!
Hiring a photographer & planner
When looking for a photographer for your adventure elopement, I highly recommend looking for someone local who can also serve as your elopement planner. They’ll know the ins and outs of the area and be able to help you with all the logistics involved, and help give you ideas to truly make it the most special day it can be.
I recommend hiring your photographer about 6-9 months out or longer if possible!
PSST! Check out our travel schedule and pricing here, then get in touch about your elopement here on our contact form.
Booking your travel & lodging
I would recommend giving yourself at least a few days for your adventure—or maybe a week or two! Consider tying this trip into your honeymoon and exploring more of the Pacific Northwest.
FLIGHTS: Great news, the Portland airport (PDX) is only half an hour from the Columbia River Gorge!
LODGING: Kaitlyn and Jared decided to stay at a hotel nearby, closer to Portland. It saved them some money so they could focus more on what matters! There are also some really cool Airbnbs and vacation rentals if you are looking for a more adventurous and unique vacation.
Including loved ones (yes, you can!)
Eloping doesn't mean you have to exclude your loved ones. After a morning adventure and a private exchange of heartfelt, handwritten vows, Kaitlyn and Jared met up with their family for their legally binding ceremony at the base of a waterfall, and afterward were able to celebrate with them at a picnic. Since they chose a morning adventure, we were wrapped up before noon which also meant they also had the rest of the day to spend with their loved ones, exploring more of the gorge and sight-seeing!
Dressing for the occasion
ATTIRE: With any adventure elopement, no matter the location, you’ll want to look for attire that is comfortable and allows you a full range of motion. At a waterfall, you’ll be climbing over rocks,
FOR DRESS-WEARERS: Look for fabrics that won’t wrinkle and will allow you more flexibility, like tulle, chiffon, or lace. You can totally wear a long dress with a train, just don’t be afraid of the Adventure Bride Ombre (TM TM) at the bottom of your dress. I’d recommend looking for a dress with a bustle or asking your tailor to add a bustle to make it easier to walk around between activities or photos.
FOR SUIT-WEARERS: Look for suits with fabrics that are breathable and flexible! And give yourself a bit of breathing room to move around—you’ll want to be able to sit, squat, reach up, and so on. I recommend going to a bespoke or custom suit tailor instead of a rack store like Men’s Warehouse—Indochino and XSuits are two of my favorites to recommend.
SHOES: You’ll want to pack a study pair of waterproof shoes or boots with ankle support. It will be wet and muddy. It’s a waterfall after all! You’ll want something with high ankle support so you can stomp around a bit and not worry about getting your socks wet. (Ew.)
Even if you like the idea of exploring barefoot for a while, I do recommend packing a good pair of shoes to wear to protect your feet. If you don’t mind getting a bit dirty or wading into the river, you could also consider a pair of water sandals like Tevas or Chacos. I’d still pack a closed-toed shoe, sneaker, or boot to change into afterward.
FOR MORE: Check out my post on how to dress for an adventure elopement for more tips and where to shop!
Officiants, witnesses, & marriage law
You’ll need to find an officiant (psst, we offer officiant services!), and you’ll have to apply for your marriage license in Oregon which I recommend doing about 3-6 weeks ahead of time. You’ll need two witnesses to sign your paperwork, but don’t worry, even if you aren’t inviting guests, you can still find witnesses when you’re out and about on public lands! (More on marriage law and finding witnesses here!)
Planning the Ceremony
Eloping is all about personalization—and that applies to your ceremony too! Kaitlyn and Jared wanted their family to be there to witness and support them, but they also wanted intimacy and privacy, as they’re both on the introverted side.
So they kept their actual ceremony short and sweet and simple, with little talking on their part, and decided to exchange their handwritten vows on their own beforehand to give themselves that private moment just with one another. That way, they could say everything they wanted to say and truly speak from the heart without anyone else listening in.
Elopement permits
You most likely won’t need a permit to elope along the Columbia River Gorge. Groups under 75 do not need a permit. The Gorge is kind of weird in that they don’t allow paid officiants to do ceremonies… but well, this is a service we offer for free with all of our elopement packages. You could also ask a friend—you can get ordained through the Universal Life Church in just a few minutes on their website! (Learn more about special use permits here on the USFS website.)
Make it your own
The best thing about an adventure elopement is that you can truly make it your own. Choose details that mean a lot to you, and ditch the rest. Don’t want to cut a cake? You don’t have to. These two went with homemade cannolis and
Don’t want to deal with a hundred ungrateful wedding guests? Don’t want the stress of having to impress a crowd or host an enormous party? Do it on your own. Hike around and explore a waterfall instead, and eat cannolis. Climb a mountain and have a picnic to watch the sunset. Rent a cozy cabin and stay in your PJs til noon, watching cartoons. Do the things you love to do, where you love to do them.
Do. Whatever. You. Want.
There are no rules!
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