Bend Oregon Wedding Guide

In this guide you’ll find:

  • Best Central Oregon wedding venues

  • Micro wedding and elopement locations

  • Permit information

  • Recommended wedding vendors

  • Where to eat in Central Oregon

  • Where to stay and the best accommodations

  • Things to do in Central Oregon

Best Central Oregon Wedding Venues

RANCH AT THE CANYONS

Tuscany inspired desert luxury! The details of this venue are unparalleled, and with Smith Rock formations as your backdrop. The venue has over 600 acres of farmland and 500 acres of protected land, the Ranch at the Canyons is both a working ranch and a wildlife habitat. Couples looking for all things private and remote will bask in the glory of this beautiful terrain. The venue is prepared to receive ceremonies large and small with their two venues full of amenities that you can choose between.

Capacity: Up to 200 Guests

Distance from Portland: 180 miles

LOLOMA LODGE

A picturesque wedding venue in the woods amongst cozy A-frame cabins and filled with vintage touches. The Loloma Lodge has played host to hundreds of events. Tucked at the base of the Western Cascades, the location features a stage, lodging, a reception area and a ceremony site. If you’re looking for a “middle of nowhere” feel to your ceremony, this is the site that has everything all-in-one!

Capacity: Up to 200 guests

Estimated Cost: Over 5k that includes access to the Lodge for 3 days. - Vendors and accommodations at the lodge (available for up to 35 people) is extra

Catering Available: No

Local Food/Wine: No

Distance from Portland: 155 miles

BRASADA RANCH

A gorgeous ranch resort offering amazing mountain views, delicious food, and adventure options! Plus spa and resort amenities. Modeled as a year-round wedding destination, the Brasada Ranch has venues to accommodate anything your heart desires. There are options for a ranch, barn or more intimate settings. And the venue offers panoramic mountain views, a trestle bridge, along with many other glorious sights you can imagine. At the Brasada Ranch, your wedding will be magical as they’re fully equipped to take care of your every need.

Capacity: Up to 200 Guests based on the venue

Estimated Cost: Around 3k based on wedding size

Catering Available: Yes

Local Food/Wine: Yes

Distance from Portland: 160 miles

SKYLINER LODGE

You’ll be nestled amongst the giant trees for a cozy, romantic mountain wedding. Check out this amazing wedding there! This venue is full of lush, wooded areas and views. The Skyliner Lodge is actually listed on the National Historic Registry. You’ll be able to create the wedding of your dreams set with majestic scenes and beautiful colors, all in one of Oregon’s most beautiful forests.

Capacity: Around 100

Distance from Portland: 175 miles

FIVE PINE LODGE

Why not have the full spa experience before the honeymoon? At the Five Pines Lodge, you can have an intimate, wooded wedding and get the royal treatment too! Along with the spa, the venue features an on-site catering team and both outdoor and indoor spaces that will create the perfect vibe for your special day. Your guests won’t miss out as the venue also has an athletic club, activities, and cabins to keep them busy in the meantime. This venue is just outside of downtown Sisters, a wonderful area to grab coffee, hangout for dinner, or spend time in the wine bars!

Capacity: Up to 200 guests

Estimated Cost: Elopement packages available from around 2k. Weddings for the 2022 season are around 130 dollars per guest.

Catering Available: Yes

Local Food/Wine: Yes

Distance from Portland: 153 miles

HOUSE ON THE METOLIUS

The House on the Metolius is definitely a historic site as people have been getting married here for over a hundred years! The view of Mt Jefferson and the Metolius River will leave you speechless as this spot is considered the pinnacle of wedding venues. It can accommodate both outdoor and indoor weddings and big and small. 

Capacity: 180 Guests

Estimated Cost: 15k-23k

Catering Available: Yes, through their preferred vendors

Local Food/Wine: Yes

Distance from Portland: 150 Miles

BLACK BUTTE RANCH

Located near Sisters, Oregon the Black Butte ranch offers scenic wooded and mountainous views as a backdrop to a dream wedding. The venue has space for indoor and outdoor ceremonies of all sizes, and the staff is fully prepared to accommodate your every need from planning to the car ride home for grandma. Jump on this spot in advance as it’s listed on nearly every single wedding site as one of the top wedding locations in Oregon.

Capacity: 200 Guests

Estimated Cost:  up to 10k based on number of guests and catering.

Catering Available: Yes

Local Food/Wine: Yes

Distance from Portland: 145 miles

WHITE ASPEN CREATIVE

Picturesque isn’t a grand enough word for this venue that doubles as a photography studio. The White Aspen Creative is painted in white all over and creates the feel of the ‘ideal’ ceremony. Along with the scenery, the staff here is devoted to all things events and weddings, so you can count on expert support in helping you pick everything to create a stress-free wedding day.

Capacity: 150 Guests

Estimated Cost: Elopements start at 3k and Weddings start at 4k

Catering Available: No, book your own vendors

Local Food/Wine: No

Distance from Portland: 168 miles

ELK LAKE RESORT

Located on the banks of Elk Lake within the Deschutes National Forest, the Elk Lake Resort is the epitome of everything people love about Central Oregon. However, the scenery isn’t all that makes up this awesome venue. It features marina and cabin rentals and comes with experienced staff who will ensure you have everything you need for your special day.

Capacity: 150 Guests

Estimated Cost: 5k for rehearsal, ceremony and reception sites - Vendor prices separate

Catering Available: Yes 

Local Food/Wine: Yes

Distance from Portland: 220 miles

SUTTLE LODGE AND BOATHOUSE

With views of Mt Washington on clear days, the Suttle Lodge is a gorgeous escape from Summertime heat and for a perfect wedding day. Surrounded by tall pines, this venue almost looks like a fairy tale! The venue offers covered outdoor spaces, a reception area, and accommodations on site. 

Capacity: 200 Guests

Catering Available: Yes

Local Food/Wine: Yes

Distance from Portland: 139 miles

Bend Elopement & Micro Wedding Locations

SMITH ROCK

You can reserve the amphitheater for a wedding or elopement, but the park is not issuing any more special use permits for weddings outside of the amphitheater area. Usually the park only allows 1 wedding/event in the amphitheater per month, so make sure to inquire plenty ahead of time. If you are planning a very small elopement, you’ll likely need the still photography permit but you won’t need to reserve the amphitheater.

Parking is five dollars for day use, and it’s open from dawn until dusk.

Want to know how to get married at Smith Rock?

Distance from Portland: 142 miles

PAINTED HILLS

The Painted Hills are one of the amazing wonders of Oregon. Red and yellow hills painted in stripes cover the landscape and everywhere you turn it makes you gasp. The Painted Hills are another area run by the National Parks Service—like the John Day Fossil Beds. They have the same rules with a $50/day still photography fee for groups up to 10 and require a special permit for a wedding.

Distance from Portland: 200 miles

JOHN DAY FOSSIL BEDS

Green rock formations and other worldly landscapes. The park is a national monument, so there are no entrance fees, but there is a 50 dollars/day still photography fee for groups up to 10. You also need a special permit if you want to have a wedding at the park.

Distance from Portland: 200 miles

LAVA BUTTE

Sharp, dark lava rocks. The Lava Butte falls under the Deschutes National Forest and is run by the National Forest Service. Day permit fees are $5 per vehicle, and you’ll need to visit the Deschutes National Forest website to see if you need a permit for your event, it usually depends on the group size and if you are bringing in any objects (like an altar).

Distance from Portland: 175 miles

SUTTLE LAKE

A gorgeous summertime lake escape from the heat, on a clear day you can see Mount Washington! The Suttle Lake day-use area is the Deschutes National Forest park area and requires a day permit parking pass of $5 per vehicle. Same as Lava Butte, you’ll need to check with the forest service about a special use permit.

Distance from Portland: 175 miles

COVE PALISADES RESORT

Another gorgeous summertime lake for boating, jet skiing, camping, engagement photos, or a small elopement or micro wedding! You could even rent houseboats and get married on a houseboat on the lake. This is a state park, so day use parking permits are $5, and you may need a special use permit to host a small wedding, you’ll need to check with the parks permit office.

Distance from Portland: 133 miles

Best Wedding Vendors

Styling: Ae Creative, Mae & Co

Florals: Good Seed Floral, Brier + Ivy, Noble Floral Co, Selva Floral Design, Bramble Floral

Dress Boutique: Bespoke Bride

Hair & makeup: NW Makeup & Hair, Styled By Mal, Kayla Nicole Beauty

About Central Oregon

Bend, Oregon is a beautiful and scenic location for a wedding, with a variety of outdoor and indoor venues to choose from. Central Oregon has a high desert climate, with warm summers and cool winters. It is generally dry, with low humidity and minimal rainfall throughout the year. In the summer, temperatures in Bend can range from the low 80s to the mid 90s Fahrenheit, depending on the location and elevation. The region can get quite hot during the day, but evenings tend to be cooler. In the winter, temperatures in Central Oregon can range from the low 20s to the mid 40s Fahrenheit, again depending on the location and elevation. The region can get quite cold at night, but days are generally mild and sunny. Bend does not have a rainy season, but the region does see some precipitation, especially in the winter. The region typically gets most of its rainfall between November and April, with the heaviest rain falling in December and January. Overall, Central Oregon has a pleasant and varied climate, with warm summers and cool winters.

It is a great place to visit year-round, with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in every season. Here are a few reasons why you might consider getting married in Bend:

Natural Beauty - Bend is located in the heart of Central Oregon and is surrounded by stunning natural beauty. The area is known for its forests, mountains, and rivers, and there are many outdoor venues that take advantage of these natural surroundings.

Outdoor Activities - Bend is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, with activities such as hiking, biking, fishing, and golfing. If you and your partner enjoy the outdoors, Bend could be a great place to celebrate your wedding.

Local Breweries and Wineries - Bend is home to a thriving craft brewery scene, with more than 20 breweries in the area. The region is also home to a number of wineries, which can make for a unique and memorable wedding reception.

Small Town Charm - Bend is a small city with a population of around 90,000. It has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, which can make it feel like a home away from home for you and your guests.

Good Weather - Bend has a mild and dry climate, with warm summers and cool winters. This can make it a pleasant place to visit year-round, and can also provide good weather for outdoor weddings.

Central Oregon Tips

Where to Eat in Bend

FIX & REPEAT

Contemporary restaurant that features modern-style bowls and toasts.

PODSKI FOOD TRUCKS

The Podski Food Lot features a wide variety of food trucks featuring items from all over the world. Plus, there’s a great beer cart on site!

DESCHUTES BREWERY

Deschutes is known all over the world for their amazing beers, but they also have a public house featuring American fare with their beers on tap.

TUMALO CIDER

Artisan cider house featuring small-batch ciders focused on dry, complex apple profiles.

SPARROW BAKERY

Famous bakery featuring soups, sandwiches, and of course, their signature Ocean Rolls.

SPORK

Cited as “culinary magic” by the New York Times, Spork is a vibrant and unique restaurant featuring Mexican and Thai fusion dishes.

BARRIO

Located in downtown Bend, the restaurant features Latin-inspired fare—think tacos, tapas, paella, and margaritas.

BANGERS & BREWS

A gastropub that specializes in gourmet sausages that have an Argentenian flair.

Things to Do in Central Oregon

Where to Eat in Sisters

THE OPEN DOOR

A trendy wine bar with a versatile menu. The restaurant also features an amazing open air patio. 

SISTERS COFFEE CO

Founded in 1989, this is the local, family-owned spot for craft coffee that’s roasted on site.

SNO CAP DRIVE IN

Famous drive-in spot for old-fashioned milk shakes and burgers.

HOP & BREW

A one stop coffee, beer, and pizza joint loaded with one of the best tap menus in Central Oregon.

SISTERS BAKERY

Homestyle bakery with a variety of doughs and sweets along with gourmet espresso and coffee. 

COTTONWOOD CAFE

American style cafe serving breakfast and lunch with ingredients sourced from local providers.

ANGELINE’S

Bakery and cafe that specializes in gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.

Where to Stay in Central Oregon

LOGE CAMPS

Outdoor focused hotel that has modern rooms, but really tempts you to leave your phone and go outside to explore!

SEVENTH MOUNTAIN RESORT

A destination spot perfect for winter or summer outdoor adventures.

TETHEROW HOTEL

A resort located on the edge of the forest that offers a golf club and fine dining.

SUNRIVER RESORT

Luxury Central Oregon resort that offers golf courses, spa treatments, and fine dining.

SIGNATURE BEND

This boutique hotel is newly renovated and located only minutes from downtown Bend, Oregon.

AIRBNBS

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