Cape Horn Estate Wedding

As a wedding photographer there are always wedding venues that live on my bucket list. Venues that I’ve seen on social media or wedding blogs that I hope to work at one day. Cape Horn Estate in the Columbia River Gorge was one of those spots. Finally this past winter a couple reached out and I was so excited to hear about their wedding at Cape Horn Estate and I looked forward to it all summer. It was a perfect day with moody PNW skies that cleared to bright sunshine just in time for the ceremony.

Ceremony setup at Cape Horn Estate

About Cape Horn Estate

Cape Horn Estate is located in Stevenson, WA on the other side of the Columbia River. It’s not far from big city accommodations like Portland’s hotels and restaurants. In fact it’s a 35 minute drive from Portland International Airport and the perfect venue to wow your out of town guests with the natural beauty we’ve all come to love in the Pacific Northwest.

The venue has a private, all-inclusive feel with indoor and outdoor options for wedding ceremonies and receptions. When weather permits, ceremonies take place on the beautiful lawn with a stone pathway leading to a stone arch that frames the dramatic cliffs of the gorge. The grounds are well maintained and lush throughout summer and feature beautiful hydrangea flowers, evergreen shrubs, and romantic string lighting. The lawn is large enough to fit an outdoor reception of up to 350 guests and is anchored by their Skamania bar which works great for a cocktail hour setting or cake cutting interlude. The Skamania is also available as an indoor venue for up to 70 guests. Across the parking lot their largest indoor facility, The Grange, has a getting ready suite upstairs, kitchen, and can fit 150 for a ceremony or reception. It’s great knowing that your venue has a backup plan for weather with Oregon and Washington weather being what it is.

Cape Horn Wedding Cost

The venue rental fee for weekends varies and ranges from $5,900 - $7,700. The venue rental includes tables and chairs, existing furniture, installed patio string lights, existing bar setup, and cake table. The venue is owned by Hoda and Hani who also run a great Lebanese restaurant in SE Portland. Weddings at Cape Horn Estate can either be catered by Hoda’s or an outside caterer. They offer their own catering packages that include a full course dinner menu for $225.00 per person (minimum 100 guests) plus 22% gratuity is added to the food and drinks cost only.

Skamania Bar with reception tables on lawn

Reception table detail with sweetheart table in background

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Cape Horn Estate Wedding Photos

I had a great experience working at Cape Horn Estate and truly can’t wait to go back. It quickly became one of my favorite outdoor wedding venues in Portland. There are so many wedding venues in the Portland area but great, beautiful venues that provide a great day-of experience for guests always stick out as the few that I can’t wait to work at again and again. Below are some more photos from this event.

First dance on Skamania patio

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer…

Jenny and I would love to work at Cape Horn Estate again and we’ve got 2027 wedding dates available. You can learn more about our work on our website and learn about our pricing here. We’d love to help document your wedding day!

Wedding at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

This was my first wedding at Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden in Southeast Portland and I'm so glad that I finally had the opportunity to photograph a wedding there. I've been visiting this beautiful park for years with my niece and nephews and I was so excited when these two reached out to me to document their wedding day.

Crystal Springs is a beautiful wedding venue and one of my favorites in Portland. Beyond hosting weddings, the garden is an amazing city park to visit. Its 9.5 acres are full of natural beauty and a unique collection of plants. Throughout the year over 90 different species of birds can be spotted there. I recommend visiting the garden in the Spring when the park's namesake plants are in full bloom.

This wedding had a small world feeling from the start. In our initial consultation we came to find out that we actually lived in the same apartment building and like me, the bride and groom both had spent time in Boise and Northern California. To top it off they were getting married about 5 minutes from our home.

Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is the perfect setting to celebrate and dance under the moonlight on a warm summer Portland evening. The garden has 3 different ceremony locations and it's easy to feel a sense of privacy and intimacy in each of them.

These two had their ceremony and reception on the large meadow site overlooking Crystal Springs Lake. Following toasts we took a walk and explored the meandering trails, stopping along the way to take photos and take in the nice evening light.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer…

Jenny and I would love to photograph your wedding at Crystal Springs and we’ve got 2027 wedding dates available. You can learn more about our work on our website and learn about our pricing here. We’d love to help document your wedding day!

20 Beautiful Outdoor Wedding Venues in Portland

Six months of the year Portland is a rainy, down right gloomy place but when summer time hits the sunshine lights up the city and warms my soul. I’ll take any chance to be outside and as a wedding photographer there’s nothing I love more than natural light and beautiful spaces. With so much rain, the wedding scene is well prepared for indoor wedding ceremonies and there are so many beautiful halls to get married in. If you’re like me though and you love sunshine, here’s a list of some of the best outdoor wedding venues (and places that have outdoor ceremony options) in the Portland, Oregon area (updated for 2026).

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Exchange Ballroom

Eastside Exchange, 123, NE 3rd Ave.
Portland, OR 97232
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 9 minutes.

The Eastside Ballroom is located on the east side of the Willamette River and it’s Cascade Rooftop over looks the Downtown Portland skyline. If the weather is right, the rooftop makes for the perfect setting for your Portland wedding. The rooftop can accommodate 150 people and works great for smaller ceremonies or cocktail hours. Afterwards you and your guests can transition into the Exchange Ballroom for an evening of fun.

(503) 334-8624

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Ecotrust Rooftop Terrace

721 NW 9th Ave. Suite 20
Portland, OR 97209
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 9 minutes.

Another rooftop wedding venue because who doesn't love a rooftop? The Eco Trust Rooftop Terrace is a beautiful setting for smaller events but can also accommodate up to 150 people for a ceremony and dinner or 225 for a cocktail style reception. There's a wood burning fireplace, a wet bar, and an indoor atrium. On top of all that you will also be supporting a wedding venue with a social and environmental mission.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Blockhouse

1988 NW 18th Ave.
Portland, OR 97209
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 10 minutes.

Blockhouse is an intimate event space somewhere between secret garden and private greenhouse. If you’re planning on a smaller wedding, depending on your event style, Blockhouse can accommodate 48 people but can increase to 60 people for fully seated events and 75 for cocktail style. There is also the option of adding more space by renting the beautiful Pomarius Nursery next door. If you love plants and want a wedding focused on intimately connecting with your guests, Blockhouse is for you.

(971) 271-7636

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Crystal Springs Rhododenron Garden

5801 SE 28th Ave.
Portland, OR 97202
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 12 minutes.

Crystal Springs is a favorite place of mine. In the Spring my niece and I walk to feed the ducks and look for cute little ducklings. The gardens also make for a lovely wedding venue. Ceremonies at the garden can take place on the meadow overlooking Crystal Lake or in the woodland site surrounded by old growth rhododendrons.

Check out photos from a Crystal Springs Rhododendron wedding here.

(503) 975-6743

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Lewis and Clark College

0615 SW Palatine Hill Rd.
Portland, OR 97219
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 12 minutes.

Named one of America’s most beautiful campuses, Lewis and Clark College is an incredible Portland wedding venue. The Fir Acres Estate Gardens, with it’s wisteria arbor terrace and reflection pool, are beautifully landscaped and remind me of something right out of a 20th century period piece.

(503) 768-7000

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Peninsula Park

700 N Rosa Parks Way
Portland, OR 97217
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 13 minutes.

Peninsula Park is Portland's oldest rose garden and with it's historic gazebo makes a beautiful location for a simple outdoor wedding ceremony Portland. Both the rose garden and the gazebo are available for a 2 hour rental through the Parks & Recreation Department. Following your ceremony, have your reception at one of the park's picnic sites or take your reception to one of Portland's many tasty restaurants.

Check out photos from a Peninsula Park Wedding here.

(503) 823-2525

Website

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Waverley Country Club

1100 SE Waverly Dr.
Portland, OR 97222
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 14 minutes.

I've never wanted to take up golf more than when I first saw the grounds at Waverley Country Club. The club has one of the nicest stretches of riverfront property there is in Portland and what better place to enjoy it than by celebrating your wedding there on a warm summer evening. Waverley offers a classic, elegant aesthetic with a crisp-white clubhouse, stunning interiors, and professional club-level service.

(503) 654-6521

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Photo Credit: Waverley Country Club

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Rossi Farms

3839 NE 122nd Ave
Portland, OR 97230
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 15 minutes.

Rossi Farms is a fifth generation working farm located within Portland city limits. The farm features a beautiful barn that doubles as a reception hall and indoor ceremony site, as well as a large lawn, and vintage homestead homes.

(503) 253-5571

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Cathedral Park

6635 N Baltimore Ave.
Portland, OR 97203
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 16 minutes.

What better way to get married in Bridge City than under one of it’s most iconic spans. Cathedral City Park is located on the eastern banks of the Willamette River underneath the St. John’s Bridge. Named after the gothic cathedral-like arches, the park is a unique and popular wedding location. Couples have their choice of exchanging vows on the steps below the bridge or in the amphitheater on the edge of park.

(503) 823-7529

Website

Unfortunately the staircase and deck at Cathedral Park continue to be unavailable due to bridge construction.

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Leach Botanical Garden

6704 SE 122nd Ave.
Portland, OR 97236
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 23 minutes.

Once the residence of a local botanist and pharmacist couple, this 16 acre property was left to the City of Portland. Today the garden is home to many northwest native plants and is the perfect place for your garden wedding. Outdoor ceremonies take place on the East Terrace next to the beautiful Carriage House.

(503) 823-1671

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Outdoor Wedding Venues near Portland

If you’re open to traveling outside of the immediate Portland metro area the options for wedding venues with outdoor ceremony setups are wide open. You can pretty much take your pick of Oregon landscapes within an hour drive of the city. Whether you’re looking to tie the knot under a canopy of trees, say I do in front of Mt. Hood, or exchange vows on a farm the possibilities are endless. These are my favorite wedding venues outside of Portland with beautiful outdoor setups.

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Langdon Farms

24377 Airport Rd. NE #3
Aurora, OR 97002
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 23 minutes.

I don’t often think of golf courses when I consider wedding venues but Langdon Farms is so much more than the location for your next tee time. As a wedding venue, Langdon Farms has multiple outdoor ceremony locations to pick from. Their Orchard location has an old Sycamore tree and a rustic, white barn. Receptions happen at the Red Shed, a large open air space perfect for all weather events. Langdon Farms is a bit of countryside just outside of the city.

(503) 776-5211

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Abernethy Center

606 15th St.
Oregon City, OR 97045
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 24 minutes.

Abernethy Center has it all. The venue has two beautiful garden spaces for outdoor weddings, a classic white wedding chapel, and an elegant ballroom to boot. Abigail’s Garden features a white gazebo underneath a beautiful weeping willow and a spacious reception tent. The Veiled Garden and Abernethy Chapel are great options to consider as well.

Check out photos from an Abernethy Center wedding here.

(503) 722-9400

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Vernonia Springs

54658 Nehalem Hwy S
Vernonia, OR 97064
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 40 minutes.

Vernonia Springs is a private park, glamping campground, and beautiful wedding venue all in one. It’s the perfect setting for a wedding weekend with friends and family. The large property has hiking trails, a small lake, plenty of yurts, and of course all you need to have a wedding ceremony and reception.

Check out photos from a Vernonia Springs wedding here.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Bridal Veil Lakes

Henderson Rd.
Corbett, OR 97019
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 40 minutes.

Old growth forests, lush greenery, wildflowers, and a spring fed lake. Bridal Veil Lakes is a serene, dreamy, wedding venue that feels like a summer getaway in the countryside. Your guests are going to love this enchanting spot. Oh, did I mention there are canoes?!

(503) 981-3695

Website | Facebook

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Wonser Woods Estate

24250 S Raney Ln
Estacada, OR 97023
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 43 minutes.

Wonser Woods Estate is 622 acres of Oregon natural beauty. The venue can do it all from intimate indoor weddings to large outdoor celebrations. The estate has several outdoor ceremony options from beautiful lawns, rose gardens, or acres of Christmas Trees and wine grapes. Take advantage of their massive outdoor tent and their outdoor fire pit for your evening reception under the starry sky.

(503) 260-3703

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Clackamas River Farm

26700 SE Samuels Rd.
Eagle Creek, OR 97022
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 44 minutes.

Clackamas River Farm is, you guessed it, on the banks of the Clackamas River. The 45 acres of peaceful property has a 130 year old Victorian Farmhouse, a big red barn, and a garden full of flowers. The venue only books one event per weekend leaving couples ample time to setup and enjoy the property.

(503) 784-9965

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Cape Horn Estate

81 Woodard Creek Rd.
Stevenson, WA 98648
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 45 minutes.

Ceremonies at Cape Horn Estate take place beneath a beautiful stone arch that frames the dramatic cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge. Receptions take place on their lush lawn surrounded by colorful hydrangeas and greenery. The venue has both indoor and outdoor options available in the event of weather.

See more wedding photos from Cape Horn Estate here.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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The Oregon Garden

879 W Main St.
Silverton, OR 97381
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 55 minutes.

The Oregon Garden is an 80 acre botanical garden with 20 themed specialty gardens sure to provide beautiful backdrops for your outdoor wedding. Beyond the manicured gardens, the venue features a classic white gazebo, a beautiful refurbished barn, and ballroom. The Bosque and Market Garden spaces perfect for summer ceremonies and magical evening receptions.

(503) 874-8100

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The Griffin House

The Griffin House, Westcliff Dr.
Hood River, OR 97031
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 58 minutes.

Wedding ceremonies at The Griffin House take place on the spacious lawn with sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge below. The property has a beautiful house for getting ready and the large lawn accommodates a covered tent for receptions.

Website | Instagram | Facebook

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Noble Ridge Tree Deck

1212 Snag Mountain Rd.
Washougal, WA 98671
Drive time from Downtown Portland: 1 hour and 9 minutes.

Holy smokes this place is cool! If you love the Redwood Deck at the Hoyt Arboretum but were hoping to have a ceremony with more guests, this is your spot. Following your forest ceremony, you and your guests can enjoy the view from the wedding lawn before transitioning back to the deck for an evening in the treetops. Since the the deck is at 2500’ elevation their event season is mostly limited to July through September.

(360) 772-1478

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Additional Wedding Resources

Questions to Ask a Wedding Photographer

Portland Engagement Photo Locations

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About Chris Brodell

My wife and I are wedding and portrait photographers based in Portland, Oregon. We’ve been photographing weddings for over a decade and love what we do. Documenting milestone moments in our client’s lives is such a rewarding job and we love sharing our experience and resources whether it’s about wedding venues, timeline tips, or fun things to do in Portland.

Our wedding coverage starts at $3500. Check out our wedding packages here.

Check out more of our wedding photos or learn more about us here.

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Vernonia Springs Wedding

Over all of the years that I’ve photographed elopements on the Oregon Coast almost every trip includes passing by the turnoff for Highway 47 to Vernonia and wondering what exactly is out that way. This summer I finally had the chance to take that turn and photograph a wedding at Vernonia Springs.

Vernonia Springs is a 28 acre forested private park, glamping campground, and wedding venue just outside of the small, historic town of Vernonia, Oregon. The property is bustling with natural beauty and is the perfect spot to spend your wedding weekend surrounded by friends and family. The property has several yurts and platform tents for your wedding guests to spend the weekend and enjoy the night around the fire. The property has a beautiful flower garden that was buzzing with pollinators and butterflies as well as a peaceful lake. It is also surrounded by great hiking trails and the amazing Banks-Vernonia State Trail that makes use of the old railroad line for walking and biking. 

Come wedding time, the property has a large suite for getting ready with a private bathroom, a large lawn with a stage for ceremonies, and a log reception pavilion for dinner and dancing. If you’re providing drinks, your guests can also visit the Hillbilly Bar. 

I loved capturing all of the little details and décor for this wedding including all of the elements that make Vernonia Springs beautiful.  Following their ceremony, I had the opportunity to work with these two a couple of times for portraits around the property and I had so much fun capturing candid moments of guests throughout the day. 

Vernonia Springs is a 45 minute drive from Portland and only 1 hour from Cannon Beach in case you want to plan an Oregon Coast mini honeymoon following your wedding. 

The venue is available to rent for your wedding for $5995 for 24 hours and can accommodate weddings up to 100 people. You can learn more about weddings at Vernonia Springs here. 

I’m so glad that I was able to document this wedding day and I’m already planning on adding Vernonia Springs to my list of favorite outdoor wedding venues.

Opal 28 Wedding

Tucked away off NE 28th Ave and NE Glisan St in Northeast Portland is Opal 28, an intimate event space, where these two had their beautiful wedding on a Portland summer Friday. This was my first time photographing a wedding at Opal 28 and I loved it. 

Smaller, intimate weddings are such a great experience and with 60-ish guests this one didn’t even feel all that small. Their ceremony took place on the venue’s private outdoor patio with a small number of guests seated in chairs and the remaining folks watching from the cocktail area below. 

Prior to their ceremony I photographed some getting ready moments at the venue’s Airbnb units above that the couple and their families had reserved. Afterwards we carpooled to nearby Laurelhurst Park for a first look and some family portraits. Opal 28’s distance from Laurelhurst Park and Oregon Park is super convenient and makes up for the venue’s limited outdoor spaces for portraits. I love spending time at Laurelhurst Park which made it quick and easy for me to find backgrounds and areas for portraits.

Following their ceremony the couple had a fun cocktail hour outside before moving inside to the venues two “great rooms” for dinner, toasts, and dancing. The venue offers a full service bar as well as in house catering and it’s own private chef who helps tailor your meal to your preferences. 

It was such a fun wedding to photograph and I loved getting the chance to finally work at Opal 28. 

You can learn more about weddings at Opal 28 on their website including how to reserve the event space for your wedding.