Columbia River Gorge Wedding Venues
[Updated November 2022] I’m pretty obsessed with Columbia River Gorge wedding venues. Why? Because honestly it’s one of the most beautiful places in the Pacific Northwest. There’s something for everyone - waterfalls, forests, fields of wildflowers, watersports, mountains, hiking, wine-tasting, beer-drinking, boating, biking, you name it. A huge percentage of my wedding and engagement sessions take place in the Columbia River Gorge and I am VERY okay with that. It’s close to Portland but it feels like being in another world!
Why choose a Columbia River Gorge wedding venue?
Columbia River Gorge wedding venues are amazing because they are filled with stunning natural scenery. There are so many epic opportunities for beautiful wedding photos in the Columbia River Gorge. You can take pictures in front of mossy waterfalls, dark forests, heart-stopping cliffs or alongside a beautiful river. If your guests haven’t experienced the Pacific Northwest before, bringing them out to the Columbia Gorge is a perfect way to acquaint them with all the beauty that Oregon and Washington have to offer. The views alone are worth it.
The Griffin House
Location: The Griffin House is located on Westcliff Drive, on the western edge of Hood River. It sits 500 feet above the Columbia River with direct views of the gorge. It’s 5 minutes to downtown Hood River and 1 hour from Portland.
Capacity: Up to 175 guests.
Why should you get married at the Griffin House?: The Griffin House has possibly the best views of any wedding venue in the gorge. AND, the owners are incredibly focused on hospitality and making sure their clients have the best possible experience there. I love their forward-thinking attitudes and can-do mindset. Also: this location is absolutely insane for wedding photography. The photos you can get here are just stunning.
See more of this wedding, plus read an interview with the venue owner! https://www.katyweaver.com/griffin-house-wedding/
Website: https://www.thegriffinhouse.com/
Bridal Veil Lakes
Location: Bridal Veil Lakes is located in 30 minutes from Portland in Bridal Veil, Oregon along the historic Columbia River Highway. It’s off exit 28 on I-84 between Multnomah Falls and Latourell Falls.
Capacity: Up to 250 guests
Why Bridal Veil Lakes is a fantastic Columbia River Gorge wedding venue: Bridal Veil Lakes is tucked away into the forest and it is SO beautiful and peaceful! The whole area is lush, green, and stunning. The lakeside venue is super private and really allows you to connect with your guests in nature. It’s such a romantic, luxurious venue and it photographs SO well!
Check out this full Bridal Veil Lakes wedding from June 2019 on my blog! https://www.katyweaver.com/bridal-veil-lakes-wedding/
Website: http://www.bridalveillakes.com/
The Columbia River Gorge Hotel
Location: The Columbia River Gorge Hotel is 45 minutes from Portland International Airport, located off of Westcliff Drive on the western edge of Hood River.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Why book the Columbia River Gorge Hotel as your wedding venue: The Columbia River Gorge Hotel has it all: scenic views, close proximity to Hood River, guest accommodations so everyone can stay on-site, and a historic property with tons of beautiful photo locations. This is a great all-in-one, all-inclusive wedding location for couples who want to maximize time with their guests and the scenic beauty and history of the area! The hotel only books one wedding per day, which allows you to use both indoor and outdoor spaces depending on the weather.
Read more about the Columbia River Gorge hotel by checking out this recent 2021 wedding on my blog! https://www.katyweaver.com/columbia-river-gorge-hotel-wedding/
Website: http://columbiagorgehotelandspa.net/index.php
Tin Roof Barn
Location: The Tin Roof Barn is located on the Washington side of the Gorge, along the White Salmon river near Husum.
Capacity: 150 guests
Why the Tin Roof Barn is one of the best Columbia River Gorge wedding venues: this is one fun party barn! It’s by far one of the prettiest rustic venues you can find in the Pacific Northwest. The orchards, fields, views and one-of-a-kind barn all make for a classic wedding backdrop. There are lots of beautiful spots to take photos on the property, as well as nearby! There are also options for indoor or outdoor weddings, which means you don’t have to worry about the rain!
Show me more Tin Roof Barn Weddings!
June 2019 Tin Roof Barn Wedding
Another June 2019 Tin Roof Barn wedding
A 2017 Tin Roof Barn Reception
Website: https://atinroofbarn.com/
Skamania Lodge
Location: Skamania Lodge is located in Stevenson on the Washington Side of the Gorge. It’s just across the river from Cascade Locks, near the Bridge of the Gods. It’s 30 minutes from Hood River, and 50 minutes from Portland.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests
Why Skamania Lodge is one of the best Columbia River Gorge wedding venues: There are so many great things about this venue! First, the lodge is huge. You can have a BIG wedding here, and all your guests can stay on site! So you can spend lots of time with the people you love. Second, they have tree houses you can rent! Can you imagine getting ready in a tree house on your wedding day? SO COOL! Third, the property has tons of great photography options. You have a stunning eastern view of the gorge. You have open fields and wildflowers and mountains. But, you also have a moody, shady forest too! I love taking photos here and I think it’s such an awesome place for a party.
More from this elopement (this couple stayed at Skamania and held their ceremony at a nearby abandoned house): https://www.katyweaver.com/skamania-stone-house-elopement/
Website: https://www.skamania.com/washington_wedding_venues/
Maple Leaf Events
Location: Maple Leaf Events is located about 50 minutes from Portland in Stevenson, Washington.
Capacity: 150 guests in summer, 120 in winter.
Why Maple Leaf Events is a great Columbia River Gorge wedding venue: Maple Leaf Events is a family-owned indoor/outdoor venue that operates year-round in Stevenson, Washington. Their property has 5 acres of forests and gardens overlooking the gorge, as well as indoor reception hall. Their rental includes tables, chairs, and getting-ready suites. I love their open vendor policy and the fact that they have several Airbnb cabins on-site, so you can spend the night if you want! This venue feels very private and it’s the perfect wedding escape in the gorge.
Website: https://www.mapleleafevents.com/
See more photos from this 2021 Maple Leaf Events wedding here: https://www.katyweaver.com/maple-leaf-events-wedding/
Gorge Crest Vineyards
Location: Gorge Crest Vineyards is located about 1 hour from Portland in Underwood Washington, near White Salmon.
Capacity: unknown, but they have several large spaces for indoor and outdoor weddings! My guess is 100+
Why Gorge Crest Vineyards is one of the best Columbia River Gorge wedding venues: If you want stunning views of Mt. Hood while being surrounded by vineyards, this is your place. The sunny, garden venue has beautiful orchards, wildflowers and views. It’s very picturesque and showcases all the beauty the Pacific Northwest has to offer!
Website: https://www.gorgecrest.com/
Gorge-ous Weddings
Location: Gorge-ous Weddings at Wind Mountain Ranch is in the heart of the gorge on the Washington side near Carson.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Why Gorge-ous Weddings is a top Columbia River Gorge wedding venue: the mountains here are SO EPIC. It’s honestly one of the best venues in the gorge because it REALLY shows off the stunning cliffs so well! I love taking pictures here! They have a few outdoor ceremony spots as well as a huge white tent for the reception. It’s a perfect place for a big outdoor wedding!
Show me more of this wedding! I would love to! https://katyweaver.com/blog/2015/12/08/lea-and-andrew-columbia-gorge-wedding-photography/
Website: http://gorge-ousweddings.com
Thunder Island
Location: Thunder Island is an actual island in the Columbia River, located in the town of Cascade Locks. It’s about 40 minutes from Portland, and right next to the beautiful Bridge of the Gods.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests
Why pick Thunder Island as your Columbia River Gorge wedding venue: Why rent a venue when you can rent an entire island instead? Thunder Island is such a unique spot in the gorge to get married. The island is owned and operated by the Port of Cascade Locks. It’s accessible by a small footbridge and has epic views of the surrounding mountains and the Bridge of the Gods. You can also rent the Gorge Pavilion on the mainland for your reception, and historic “House 3” for getting ready in. It’s conveniently located right in the middle of Cascade Locks with plenty of hotels and restaurants nearby.
Website: https://portofcascadelocks.org/thunder-island/
Cape Horn Estate
Location: Cape Horn Estate is located in Skamania on the Washington side of the gorge.
Capacity: 300 people
Why Cape Horn is one of the best Columbia River Gorge wedding venues: I’ve done weddings at the venue before it changed owners (the wedding pictured above took place in 2012 at the venue formerly called Woodard Creek Landing) and I LOVED the location SO much. It’s in a beautiful part of the gorge with really great cliff views and a lot of beautiful scenic locations close-by for photos! It really gives you a great “feel” of the gorge! The new owners have spruced it up a lot and it seems like a really awesome place for an outdoor party!
Show me more of this wedding! https://katyweaver.com/blog/2012/08/30/blair-and-scott-columbia-gorge-wedding-photography/
Website: http://capehornestate.com/
The Ruins Events
Location: The Ruins Events, (formerly Springhouse Cellars and Wildwood Events) is located in downtown Hood River.
Capacity: 185 outside or 104 inside.
Why The Ruins Events is one of the best Columbia River Gorge wedding venues: this venue is super unique! If you want to be close to nature but also have a cool architectural, almost industrial vibe, this is your place! The venue has both indoor and outdoor spaces and it’s walking distance to the rest of downtown Hood River (wedding afterparty at the breweries anyone?!). It’s a really different venue and space than a lot of places in this area! Perfect if you love nature but also want a more urban vibe.
Show me more of this wedding! https://katyweaver.com/blog/2018/06/19/wildwood-events-indoor-wedding-in-hood-river-oregon/
Website: https://www.theruins.org/weddings
Husum Highlands Bed and Breakfast
Location: Husum Highlands Bed and Breakfast is located on the Washington side of the gorge near the town of Husum. It’s up a long and winding gravel road with spectacular views of Mt. Hood.
Capacity: 200 people
Why Husum Highlands B & B is one of the best Columbia River Gorge wedding venues: This venue is gorgeous for photography! The whole location has such lovely lighting and a great mix of backdrops - from open fields to moody forests to pretty gardens. The view of Mt Hood is prety insane too! It’s a really perfect spot for an outdoor wedding!
Show me more of this wedding! https://katyweaver.com/blog/2018/09/18/husum-highlands-bed-and-breakfast-wedding/
Website: it’s current under construction! But check out their wedding wire instead: https://www.weddingwire.com/biz/husum-highlands-bed-breakfast-husum/0346d3a6058407fe.html
Multnomah Falls Lodge
Location: Multnomah Falls Lodge is located off of the historic Columbia River Highway on the Oregon side of the gorge. It’s about 40 minutes from Portland. The waterfall is massive. You can’t miss it.
Capacity: 100 people indoors or 50 outdoors
Why Multnomah Falls Lodge is one of the best Columbia River Gorge wedding venues: Because you can get married a few hundred feet away from a 630 foot tall waterfall! How cool is that?! The historic lodge is super romantic too! One caveat to remember - this place gets 2.5 MILLION visitors a year, so I consider it a better option for elopements or shoulder season weddings than anything peak summer. Ideally you want to plan on a time of day when there are less tourists. But I’ve done a stunning intimate winter wedding in the lodge before and it was pure magic!
Show me more of this wedding! https://katyweaver.com/blog/2017/01/23/columbia-river-gorge-elopement-dan-and-dijana/
Website: https://www.multnomahfallslodge.com/weddings
More Columbia River Gorge Venues
Here are a few more Columbia River Gorge wedding venues for you to check out! I haven’t done photos at these spots yet but I would LOVE to do weddings here in the future!
Noble Ridge Tree Deck https://www.nobleridgetreedeck.com/
Creekside Estate and Spa https://www.creekside-estate.com/
Carson Ridge Luxury Cabins https://carsonridgecabins.com/washington-state-elopements/
The Perch http://www.theperchweddings.com/
Westcliff Lodge https://westclifflodge.com/events/jesse-sara-wedding-photos-may-2014/phototour10/
Columbia Gorge Discovery Center https://www.gorgediscovery.org/gather/wedding/
The Dalles Ranch http://www.thedallesranch.com/
Learn More
Wanna see more? Check out these other posts with more venues across the Pacific Northwest! Or contact me for questions!