Your Portland Wedding
Congratulations on your engagement! Planning a wedding in Portland can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide offers a simpler path to creating a day that truly reflects our relationship.
Step 1: Dream Together
Take a quiet moment with your partner to imagine what your ideal day might look like. Your wedding can be whatever you want it to be.
Are you drawn to an intimate gathering with just your closest friends, or do you envision a grand celebration with everyone you know? Perhaps you’re considering eloping to a beautiful spot on the Oregon coast—and remember, elopements don’t have to be just the two of you. Many couples include their parents and a few close friends, such as both of your best friends. These micro-weddings give you the intimacy of an elopement with the joy of having your closest supporters present.
Or maybe you’d prefer a hybrid approach—having a small ceremony with your inner circle and hosting a larger reception later to celebrate with extended family and friends.
The Pacific Northwest offers endless possibilities. You could have a breathtaking ceremony at the Griffin House overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, a cozy celebration at a local grange hall or smaller venue such as the troutdale house, or a simple gathering in your dad’s backyard.
What matters most to each of you? Maybe it’s amazing food, meaningful photos, a specific venue, or simply being surrounded by certain people. Make a short list of your top three priorities and compare notes. This helps focus your decisions when choices become overwhelming.
Consider creating a small vision board with images that capture the feeling you want. This becomes your quiet compass throughout planning.
Remember, this is your special day. Don’t feel obligated to go big because of others’ expectations, and don’t feel limited to something small if you dream of something more elaborate. The perfect wedding is the one that feels true to your relationship.
Here’s the rewritten section for your wedding planning blog post:
Step 2: Consider Your Budget
Have an honest conversation about what you can comfortably spend. This is your special day, but it’s also just one day in your whole life together.
Here’s what you might expect for key services in Portland:
- Overall wedding: $20,000-$56,000+ (varies widely)
- Photographer: $3,000-$7,000
- Videographer: $2,000-$6,000
- Catering (per person): $25-$150
- DJ: $780-$2,000
- Flowers: $3,000-$10,000
- Wedding planner: $1,000-$8,000
Remember, your budget might influence decisions you made in the previous step about your wedding style or vision—and that’s completely OK. Don’t hesitate to revisit your initial plans if the numbers aren’t aligning with your financial comfort zone. Many couples adjust their vision several times before landing on the perfect balance.
These figures are just ballpark estimates to help you start planning. If you already have a budget in mind, don’t be shy about asking vendors for recommendations within your price range. A photographer might know a fantastic florist who creates beautiful arrangements at a lower price point, or your venue coordinator might suggest caterers across various budget levels. Most wedding professionals are well-connected and can point you toward options that lean toward the upper or lower end of the going market rates, even if they don’t know exact pricing for every vendor in town.
Create a simple spreadsheet to track your spending. Allocate more to what matters most to you, and, if necesary, be prepared to compromise on the elements that aren’t as important to your experience.
Step 3: Think About Guests
Make a preliminary list of people you’d like to share your day with. Consider whether you want an intimate gathering or a larger celebration. Remember, each guest affects your budget and venue options.
Some helpful considerations:
- Invite couples as a unit
- Decide on your approach to plus-ones and children
- Think about how you’ll divide the guest list if families are contributing
Step 4: Choose Your Season
Portland shines from the end of June through the first week… ish of-October, with July and September offering particularly lovely weather. Summer brings warm, dry days with long evenings perfect for outdoor celebrations.
If you prefer fewer crowds and potentially lower costs, consider the off-season. Portland’s mild winters can create a cozy, intimate atmosphere for your wedding. and a lot of vendors offer notable discounts on off season weddings. you can often get a good deal if you book a mid week wedding as well. I personally offer fantastic winter discounts if you ask me about them. (see a perk of reading this blog, yay! now you know)
Step 5: Find Your Space
Portland and its surroundings offer venues to match any vision. The number of venues is notable! I have a map on my wedding planning tools page, that lists a ton of them! but its not even exhaustive, you can find that map here: https://caspersonproductions.com/wedding-planning/
consider if its gonna be raining when you pick a venue, the number one thing I don’t see people look for, is a rain plan, this is oregon so when touring a venue, think about what to do if it rains (this is less important in July and August, but if your getting married in october, a rain plan is very important, just in case)
Step 6: Consider a Planner
A wedding planner can quietly transform your experience. They offer:
- Guidance through unfamiliar decisions
- Connections to trusted vendors
- Day-of coordination so you can be present
- Support ranging from full planning to day-of help
Step 7: Build Your Vendor Team Thoughtfully
One of the simplest ways to find trusted vendors is to ask for recommendations from vendors you already connect with. If you love your photographer’s style and approach, ask them which DJs they’ve enjoyed working with. Your florist might know the perfect videographer who shares their aesthetic sense.
This approach helps build a team of professionals who work well together and share similar values. It also gives you peace of mind knowing your vendors come pre-vetted by someone you trust.
For a curated list of trusted Portland wedding vendors, visit https://caspersonproductions.com/wedding-planning/
Your First Quiet Steps
- Talk with your partner about what matters most
- Set a comfortable budget
- Draft an initial guest list
- Consider your ideal season
- Begin exploring venues that feel right
- Decide if a planner is right for you
- Create a simple folder for your ideas
- Take a breath and enjoy this moment
Remember, wedding planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Move at your own pace and create a celebration that feels authentic to your relationship.