I finally had the opportunity to photograph a wedding at Oaks Pioneer Church in the Sellwood neighborhood of Southeast Portland. Maybe it’s all the Little House on the Prairie that I watched as a kid but I’ve always wanted to photograph a wedding in a little white chapel.
This tiny white church was originally located in the town of Milwaukie, Oregon but was moved up river in 1961 to it’s current location in Sellwood. The church is available for small weddings and elopement rentals and can accommodate up to 75 people. The church has everything you think a historic chapel would have like rich wood paneling, stained glass windows, a working organ, and a pot belly wood stove. There’s also a small bridal suite and bathroom on the side of the church too.
These two got married on a weekday morning surrounded by their parents and siblings. Following their ceremony we took some photos around the neighborhood and hopped into a limo for some photos around Portland.
As a photographer, I think the best time of day for a wedding at Oaks Pioneer Church is in the late afternoon or early evening when the sun is positioned slightly behind the church. That way after your ceremony we can shoot portraits in front of the church without having to squint in direct sun. Following your ceremony you can visit the Sellwood Riverfront Park or Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge before heading off to your reception.
For more information on the church including booking and availability, visit their website here.
If you’re in the neighborhood, pay it a visit. The surrounding area is super cute and if you visit in the fall you will be treated to some lovely fall color.
I love that this little gem is right in my neighborhood and I can’t wait to photograph another wedding or elopement at Oaks Pioneer Church.
