A lot of prep goes into planning your Oregon wedding day, and few decisions feel as important or stressful as picking your venue. It sets the tone for your celebration and becomes the backdrop for so many of the meaningful memories you’ll make throughout the day. So, how do you choose a wedding venue that’s right for you?
Whether you’re dreaming of a scenic ceremony in the Columbia River Gorge, an intimate indoor space in Portland, or something completely different and unique, there are several things you’ll want to consider when choosing your venue. There are the obvious ones, like the general location and your budget, but there are plenty of other details that can make a big difference, too.
You’ll want to think about the guest experience, including how accessible the venue is. It’s also smart to consider how the venue will look in photos, which can vary quite a bit from one venue to another. In this blog, I’m going over all of these things and more to help you find a wedding venue that feels like you!
Start With Your Wedding Venue Vision
Before getting too caught up in the logistics, start by thinking about the experience you want to create. Forget about things like budget, location, or venue availability for a minute and picture how you want your day to feel. Maybe you want a full wedding weekend, a venue that includes lodging for your guests, or something that gives you a little bit of an indoor and outdoor experience.
You should also think about the vibe you want. Do you want something relaxed and easygoing, adventurous and outdoorsy, or something elegant, timeless, and intimate? There’s no right or wrong answer here, and it’s your time to really dream big.
Your venue is going to play a huge role in the overall feel and experience of your wedding, so having a clear idea of what you want your wedding theme or style to be can help narrow down your options and make it easier to find a venue that feels like the right fit.
Choose Your Oregon Wedding Venue Location
After you’ve got a vision for your day, you’ll want to think about where your wedding will take place. Luckily, Oregon is full of incredible and diverse landscapes, so you really have so many options here. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can find in each location.
Portland
Portland is Oregon’s biggest city and is perfect if you want to have the buzz of urban life as part of your wedding. It’s full of really unique and interesting venues that span from intimate greenhouses to rooftops with gorgeous skyline views. Portland International Airport is also right here, which makes venues in the city easy to get to, especially for out-of-town guests. You can check out my top Portland wedding venues for my full list of my favorite venues in the city!
Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is one of my absolute favorite places in the entire state. You’ve got the incredible canyon carved by the Columbia River, stunning waterfalls everywhere, and Mount Hood towering over everything in the distance. It’s also home to incredible food, a vibrant arts scene, and lots of culture. If you’re looking for a mix of nature and elegance, this is the place for you. If you want an in-depth look at some of my favorite venues here, you can check out these venue spotlights:
The Griffin House Venue Spotlight
Rocky Hill Weddings & Events Venue Spotlight
The Orchard Hood River Venue Spotlight
Or, for a full rundown of my favorite venues in the area, check out this blog featuring my top Columbia River Gorge wedding venues
Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast is perfect for couples looking to really soak in the power of nature. It’s a dramatic landscape, where dense forests come up literally right next to the powerful Pacific Ocean. In the summer, you’re treated to incredible sunsets with the sun dropping into the ocean. And in the fall and winter, you get the iconic foggy PNW vibes that are super moody. If you’re feeling drawn to this area, here is a list of my top Oregon Coast wedding venues!
Willamette Valley
The Willamette Valley is Oregon’s wine country. It’s filled with beautiful rolling hills and has a super peaceful, relaxed, and timeless vibe. If you want something a little classy and elevated, you can’t go wrong with this part of the state. As a bonus, many of the venues here feature impressive design, from modern buildings with stunning architecture to more timeless buildings that feel like a European escape.
Central Oregon and Bend
Central Oregon and Bend are super unique in that they don’t feel like a typical PNW landscape with lots of trees and rain. In fact, it’s more of a desert landscape that feels a lot more open and expansive. There are venues that feel western and ranch-inspired, and other locations like Smith Rock, with dramatic towering desert rocks carved over millennia by the Crooked River. This area is great if you want sunshine and incredible, panoramic views on your day.
Consider Your Guest Experience When Choosing a Wedding Venue
Choosing a wedding venue that matches your style is important, but you also want to make sure it works well for your guests. Depending on how many people are coming from out of town, think about how far they’ll need to travel and how remote the venue is. This is especially important for an Oregon wedding, since many venues are in the middle of nowhere, whether that’s deep in the forest, along the coast, or up in the mountains.
Lodging is another important consideration, especially if you’re planning a full wedding weekend. Places like Portland and the Columbia River Gorge typically have plenty of options, but things can be more limited if you’re getting married in a remote part of the coast or desert. You may want to look for a venue with on-site lodging or check out nearby hotels ahead of time so you know what your guests will have available.
If you expect some of your guests to have mobility considerations, accessibility is also something to keep in mind. That could mean easy parking close to the venue, limited stairs, or other accommodations that make the space easier to navigate.
Lastly, make sure the venue can comfortably accommodate the number of guests you plan to invite. You don’t need to have your guest list completely nailed down yet, but having a general idea will help you narrow down your options. Look for venues that can create a comfortable layout for your group, without feeling too tight or too large.
Understand Your Budget and What’s Included
A venue is one of the biggest expenses you’ll have when planning your wedding. In fact, The Knot estimates that it’s the biggest expense for most couples, taking up around 29% of their overall wedding budget. Knowing this, it’s important to choose a wedding venue that fits your budget while still leaving you enough room to invest in the other details that matter to you.
When you’re inquiring with venues, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind and ask about if you can’t find the information online. For starters, is there a minimum spend or any additional fees? This will give you a good idea of what to expect budget-wise. You’ll also want to ask what’s included in the venue fee. For instance, some venues include rentals as part of their fee, while others charge srental items separately.
Finally, ask about any required vendors. Depending on the venue’s policies and the prices of those vendors, this could have a pretty big impact on your overall budget. You don’t want to book a venue only to realize later that required vendors or additional fees have you spending more than you planned for.
Research Your Wedding Venue Options
After settling on your general location and finalizing your budget, it’s time to start narrowing down your wedding venue options. When building a shortlist, I recommend taking a look through galleries and videos to get a better sense of the vibe of the property. Online reviews can also be especially helpful in learning about the experience of past couples.
How to Choose a Wedding Venue in Oregon
Oregon is full of incredible venues, and one of my favorite resources when it comes to choosing a wedding venue is Here Comes the Guide. It features tons of incredible wedding venues, and it’s super easy to search by location, style, guest count, and more. Whatever you’re looking for in Oregon, you’ll probably find something on there!
You can check out my blog of my favorite wedding venues in Oregon for my top picks!
Tour Your Favorite Wedding Venues
Here’s when the wedding venue process really starts to feel real! Visiting your favorite venues in person gives you a much better idea of what your wedding could actually look like there. You’ll get to see how the space feels and flows, tour the areas you’ll use throughout the day, and picture everything from getting ready to your ceremony, reception, and outdoor spaces.
Questions to Ask When Touring a Wedding Venue
Touring a venue is also a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about what it offers. Here are a few things I recommend asking during your tour.
- Will there be any other events taking place on the same day? Some venues rent their space to more than one couple, so if privacy is important to you, make sure you understand the venue’s policy.
- What are the parking and restroom options? This is especially important if your venue is in a more remote or natural location.
- What are the venue’s rules and restrictions? Ask about things like noise ordinances, decorations, alcohol, and anything else that could affect your plans.
- What does the setup look like for catering? If you’re bringing in a caterer or food truck, make sure there’s enough space for them to work and easy access to the dining area. Your planner or caterer can also help you figure out what you’ll need.
Photography Questions to Ask
Since photography is such a big part of your wedding day, there are a few photography-specific questions worth asking as well.
- Where do couples usually take portraits? This is especially important if you have a specific backdrop or vibe in mind.
- Is there a rain backup option? This is good to know for planning purposes and can make a big difference when it comes to your photos.
- Are there any photography restrictions? Some venues have rules about when or where you can take photos, so it’s important to know about those ahead of time.
*Pro Tip: Even if you think you’ve found the perfect venue, touring a few different spaces can help you see what’s out there, figure out what you actually like, and ask better questions.
Remember to Consider Photography During Your Wedding Venue Search
While it’s important for your wedding venue to match your vision and budget, as an Oregon wedding photographer, I also think it’s smart to consider how the venue will photograph! Your photos are what you’ll get to cherish from your day long after it’s over, so it’s worth thinking about how the different spaces will look and feel in photos.
Getting Ready Spaces
It’s easy to overlook getting-ready spaces when choosing a wedding venue, but they’re a core part of your wedding day and set the tone for everything that comes after. When touring these spaces, pay attention to the size and lighting. Lots of natural light and enough room for your loved ones and wedding party will make for better photos and give everyone more space to get ready comfortably. Clean backgrounds can also make a big difference when it comes to creating images you love.
Ceremony Location
There are a few things to consider when it comes to your ceremony location, starting with the direction of the sunlight. You’ll want to have a rough idea of when your ceremony will take place, which will give you a better idea of where the sun will be and how that could affect your photos.
You’ll also want to consider the views your guests will have. Whether you’re getting married in an intimate garden setting or somewhere with an expansive backdrop, the setting will also affect how your photos turn out.
Portrait Locations
Next up are your portrait locations. Depending on the vibe you want for your portraits, you’ll want to keep the available options in mind. If you want beautiful views in the background, look for a venue with an expansive backdrop. On the other hand, if you want something with interesting architecture, make sure you prioritize that when choosing your venue. You’ll also want to think about privacy and how much time you’ll need to get to your portrait locations, especially if you’re planning to go somewhere off-site.
Reception
The reception is when you get to really relax, enjoy yourselves, and have some fun. Lighting is a big consideration here, and your options will depend on the vibe you want. You could have lots of natural light and big windows, or something cozy with bistro lights and candles. Also think about the dance floor setup and how it will look, especially if you’re planning to have photos of everyone dancing and celebrating there.
Curious about how all these pieces translate into actual photography coverage? Learn more about how much coverage you’ll need here.
Decide Between an All-in-One Wedding Venue or Multiple Locations
Another key consideration to make when choosing a wedding venue is whether you want everything in one place or to have multiple locations throughout your day. There are no correct answers here, but each option comes with its own considerations.
All-in-One Wedding Venue
An all-in-one wedding venue is a great option if you want to keep the logistics as simple as possible. While you won’t have as much variety throughout your day, you can have a more relaxed timeline without worrying about transportation or moving between venues. It also means you get to spend more time with your guests instead of traveling from one place to another.
Multiple Locations
If your dream venue doesn’t offer everything you want in one spot, that’s totally okay too! You can plan to use a different location for photos, or even head to a nearby park or scenic area if your venue doesn’t have much greenery or variety. This can give you more diverse photography backdrops and create a more custom experience that feels like you. The tradeoff is that it does require a little more planning, and you’ll need a detailed timeline to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Book Your Oregon Wedding Venue
Once you’ve found a venue that checks all of your boxes, it’s time to book it. I recommend securing it as soon as you can, ideally 12 to 18 months in advance, especially for popular venues or dates. This gives you the best chance of getting your dream venue on the date you want. Once your venue is booked, you can check one big thing off your wedding planning to-do list and move on to the next part of planning!
Sometimes, your dream wedding venue won’t be available on your preferred date. That can be disappointing, but you still have options. If you’re set on the venue, consider being flexible with your date and seeing what they have available. That could mean moving your wedding day or even using multiple locations if the venue is available for part of the day. If your date is more important than the venue, then having a few backup options in mind is a good idea.
Finally, I always recommend working with a wedding planner. While some venues offer in-house coordinators, their role may be limited to managing the venue itself rather than managing all of the details of your day. A wedding planner can help bring everything together and make sure your day runs smoothly from start to finish. Plus, a local wedding planner will often have experience working with venues in the area and can recommend vendors, locations, and other details based on what you’re looking for.
How to Choose a Wedding Venue: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best online platforms for finding unique wedding spaces?
There are tons of online resources that can help you find wedding venues that match your vibe. Places like The Knot and Zola have huge databases of venues you can search through. Personally, I really like Here Comes the Guide. It’s built specifically for finding wedding venues, has lots of filters to help narrow down your search, and is super easy to use.
What factors should you consider when selecting a wedding venue?
There are a few different things to keep in mind when choosing a venue. First, think about the aesthetics, including the overall vibe and how well it matches your vision for the day. Then there are the logistics, like how easy the venue is to get to and how many guests it can accommodate. Finally, there’s the budget, including any additional fees for things like rentals, catering, or required vendors.
What is the rarest month to get married?
There’s no bad month to get married, but I find that December and January tend to have fewer weddings. Since it’s winter, you won’t have as much daylight, and the weather usually isn’t as warm or sunny. That said, these months can be a great option if you want moody PNW vibes or a more intimate experience. Plus, venues tend to be less expensive during the off-season, which can be a nice bonus.
Choosing your wedding venue is a big decision, and one that can feel overwhelming. But the good news is it doesn’t have to be that way. By narrowing down your location, considering your budget, asking the right questions, and getting an early start, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect space for your wedding celebration.