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
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