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
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.
Best Central Oregon Wedding Venues
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Central Oregon Tips
Where to Eat in Bend
Contemporary restaurant that features modern-style bowls and toasts.
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 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.
Artisan cider house featuring small-batch ciders focused on dry, complex apple profiles.
Famous bakery featuring soups, sandwiches, and of course, their signature Ocean Rolls.
Cited as “culinary magic” by the New York Times, Spork is a vibrant and unique restaurant featuring Mexican and Thai fusion dishes.
Located in downtown Bend, the restaurant features Latin-inspired fare—think tacos, tapas, paella, and margaritas.
A gastropub that specializes in gourmet sausages that have an Argentenian flair.
Things to Do in Central Oregon
Float/surf the Deschutes river downtown, or float at Tumalo state park
Waterfalls: Tumalo Falls, Sahalie Falls, Steelhead Falls
Ski/snowboard Mt. Bachelor
Hike: 3 Sisters, Three Fingered Jack, Misery Ridge at Smith Rock, Green Lakes
Kayak at Sparks Lake
See the Lava River Cave
Climb at Smith Rock
Explore Old Mill District - shopping, food, and breweries
Where to Eat in Sisters
A trendy wine bar with a versatile menu. The restaurant also features an amazing open air patio.
Founded in 1989, this is the local, family-owned spot for craft coffee that’s roasted on site.
Famous drive-in spot for old-fashioned milk shakes and burgers.
A one stop coffee, beer, and pizza joint loaded with one of the best tap menus in Central Oregon.
Homestyle bakery with a variety of doughs and sweets along with gourmet espresso and coffee.
American style cafe serving breakfast and lunch with ingredients sourced from local providers.
Bakery and cafe that specializes in gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.
Where to Stay in Central Oregon
Outdoor focused hotel that has modern rooms, but really tempts you to leave your phone and go outside to explore!
A destination spot perfect for winter or summer outdoor adventures.
A resort located on the edge of the forest that offers a golf club and fine dining.
Luxury Central Oregon resort that offers golf courses, spa treatments, and fine dining.
This boutique hotel is newly renovated and located only minutes from downtown Bend, Oregon.
AIRBNBS
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