When these two first contacted me about their wedding at Abernethy Center in Oregon City I was super excited! I had been wanting to photograph a wedding there for awhile and I couldn’t wait for the day to come. Abernethy Center is more than just a wedding venue…it’s three of them! The venue is spread out over several blocks in historic Oregon City, OR and features 3 wedding ceremony sites and 3 reception areas making it possible for the venue to host more than one wedding in a day. The venue is also only a 24 minute drive from Downtown Portland.
Leading up to this wedding we weren’t too sure whether or not it was going to happen. Not only were we still in the midst of a pandemic but the wildfires nearby left Portland and most of Oregon smothered in smoke and hazardous air quality levels just a few days before their wedding date. But then the best wedding gift ever arrived! A small rainstorm helped clear the air one day before their wedding and left us with mostly clear skies and fresh air.
Abernethy Chapel
Veiled Garden Wedding Ceremony at Abernethy Center
Their ceremony took place in the Veiled Garden in front of a white gazebo surrounded by a lush Pacific Northwest background of trees and ferns. Normally this space can accommodate up to 300 wedding guests but these two stuck to health guidelines and kept their guests within their quarantine bubbles. While we lucked out with weather, the Veiled Garden can be paired with the classic white Abernethy Chapel in the event of rain.
Following their wedding ceremony their family and friends walked across the street to the Abernethy Ballroom. I love that within a short walk this wedding venue provides a beautiful ceremony location and an elegant indoor reception area without having to drive across town. Also, there is plenty of parking!
Abigail’s Garden Wedding Venue
One of the other outdoor ceremony options that Abernethy Center offers is Abigail’s Garden. It’s a great location for an all outdoor wedding in the summer. The ceremony location is an open green space with a beautiful gazebo framed by a weeping willow. Beyond the ceremony site there is a large wedding tent which features outdoor heaters and a wooden dance floor.
Abigail’s Garden Ceremony Location
Reception tent at Abigail’s Garden
Booking your wedding at Abernethy Center
Abernethy Center is located at 606 15th Street, Oregon City, OR 97045. To schedule a tour and find out more about their availability, visit their contact page or call them at (503) 722-9400.
Their team also provides full service, partial, or day-of wedding coordination to help keep the day moving along. As a photographer I always love working with wedding coordinators and think they do a great job of managing timelines
Abernethy Center Wedding Photography Packages
I love working at Abernethy Center and I’ve included them on my list of the best outdoor wedding venues in Portland.
My wedding photography starts at $2800. You can view my wedding portfolio here.
Book me for an Abernethy wedding in 2023 for 8 or more hours and receive $200 off your wedding day coverage.
I’d love to hear from you!
If you have any questions about Abernethy Center or my approach towards wedding photography, please complete my form below and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours!