The Evergreen Wedding

This was my first wedding at The Evergreen in Southeast Portland and I really loved it. While I love outdoor wedding venues, indoor venues that are full of natural light are a must in Portland and The Evergreen shines. This historic space has large windows on both the west and north sides of the building as well as two large skylights above. The wedding suite has a wall of south facing windows which make taking well-lit getting ready photos a breeze.

The Evergreen can accommodate some pretty large wedding celebrations (this one was around 120, I think) but overall the venue can accommodate 200 people for seated receptions.

Following their ceremony, we took some family photos on the street outside while their guests enjoyed cocktail hour at the Loyal Legion, a wonderful beer hall connected to the venue. In addition to family photos, Alder St. and the nearby neighborhood has plenty of great backdrops for couple and wedding party portraits and of course the venue itself and Loyal Legion make for great settings too.

If you’re getting married at The Evergreen, I’d love to chat! You can view more of my wedding photography here and learn about my wedding packages.

Best Places to Propose in Portland

Portland is full of beautiful and romantic spots perfect for popping that big question. Whether you and your loved one live in Portland or you’re just visiting for the weekend, these are some of the best places to propose in Portland, Oregon. From unique city parks to scenic viewpoints, one of these locations is sure to inspire your marriage proposal plans.

Where to Propose in Portland

1. Redwood Deck

The Redwood Deck in Hoyt Arboretum is a beautiful wooden deck surrounded by tall trees and nature. The deck is relatively private, depending on the season and day of the week, and makes for an intimate and peaceful place in the forest. It’s the perfect place to go for an easy nature walk and take a break and pop the question on the deck.

To get a sense of the space, check out this small wedding I photographed there.

2. Rose Garden 

Like the Redwood Deck, this location is also in Portland’s Washington Park. The International Rose Test Garden is home to a huge amount of roses, more than 10,000 blooms! Typically the garden is in bloom from May to October. Just about anywhere here would make for a romantic proposal but keep in mind that this is a popular destination among tourists so you might end up in a few tourist photos.

Cathedral Park under the St. Johns Bridge

3. Cathedral Park

Cathedral Park, located under the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland, is one of the more unique city parks in the city. The bridge columns create such a cool atmosphere with scale and depth.

Unfortunately due to bridge construction the staircase and deck may be impacted throughout 2022. I’d recommend visiting the park before moving forward with your plans.

4. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

This garden and city park is one of my favorite parks nearby and one of my favorite wedding venues in Portland. It’s 9.5 acres are full of Pacific Northwest flora and fauna and the space is perfect to find a private little nook to propose.

Photo credit: Portland Aerial Tram

5. Portland Aerial Tram

In practice this one might be a little tricky but I think it’s worth the mention just because it’s fun. The Portland Aerial Tram goes between the OHSU medical campuses and treats travelers to beautiful views of the city and Mt. Hood. It’s a four minute trip so you’ve got to be quick!

Unfortunately the tram is closed currently due to covid.

6. Holman Swim Dock

The Holman Dock is located just south of the Hawthorne Bridge and can be accessed via the Eastbank Esplanade. It’s a great spot to get down to the water and have the twinkly city lights from downtown set the romantic mood.

7. Portland Spirit

Set sail on the Willamette River with a sightseeing or dinner cruise on the Portland Spirit.

Want something a little more private on the river? Book a Yacht Tub…it’s a hot tub boat.

Foggy sunrise on Mt. Tabor in Southeast Portland

8. Mt Tabor

Mt Tabor Park is natural gem in the middle of Southeast Portland with dense forested areas and nice views of the city at the top. What I also love about Mt Tabor is that you can find your own little quiet spot to have a picnic and propose.

9. Portland City Grill or Departure

For that classic restaurant proposal with city views, Portland City Grill is the perfect spot. It’s located on the 30th floor of Big Pink in Downtown Portland. Another option is the rooftop of Departure.

10. Waterfall Proposal

Multnomah Falls is the largest waterfall in Oregon and probably the first waterfall that comes to mind as a breathtaking spot for a waterfall proposal. It’s a popular attraction though but definitely worth considering if you're ok with a few onlookers.

Latourell Falls isn’t too far away from Multnomah Falls but often feels a lot less busy. The coolest thing about Latourell is it’s an easy walk from the parking area and you can walk right up to the bottom of the falls for a misty, windy, romantic marriage proposal.

"Abiqua Falls, Oregon" by Thomas Shahan 3 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Abiqua Falls is located about 1.5 hours outside of Portland and it’s truly a unique experience. Getting down to the waterfall usually involves a bit of rappelling down a rope but once you’ve arrived you’ll be in a breathtaking rock amphitheater.

Marriage Proposal at Hug Point State Recreation Area

11. Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is a magical place and a favorite weekend destination for many Portlanders. There are countless beaches and scenic viewpoints that I think would work great as the setting for your marriage proposal. Haystack Rock, Ecola State Park, or Hug Point are just a few places near Cannon Beach that would be perfect.

Check out some photos from this Hug Point proposal I helped coordinate.

12. Vista House

The Vista House is a beautiful location and has sweeping views of the Columbia Gorge.

13. Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival

Each Spring the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm transforms into a scene straight out of Holland with fields full of colorful tulips and if you’re lucky a view of Mt. Hood. They even have a wooden windmill too. It’s a beautiful place to visit and a perfect spot to propose. If you’re feeling adventurous, hop a ride on a hot air balloon and propose in mid air!

14. Mt Hood 

Trillium Lake is one of the most easiest viewpoints to access, at least in the summer months.

Timberline Lodge puts you higher up on the mountain and provides a great place for celebratory meal afterwards.

If you and your partner are hikers, you can get stunning views of Mount Hood from the Timberline Trail near the Top Spur trailhead.

Portland Proposal Ideas

While any of the above Portland locations would make for a beautiful place to propose, I think the best location is the one that is most meaningful to you and your partner. Maybe that location is at your favorite park or maybe it’s just in your own backyard.

Proposal picnic setup on Cannon Beach

1. Plan a picnic

Many of these Portland places would work great for a picnic spot. Team up with your friends or family to set up a little magical spot beforehand and put together some of you and your partners favorite snacks. “Stumble” upon it while you’re taking a neighborhood walk and I’m sure your partner will love it.

2. Revisit your first date

A great proposal idea is to revisit your first date location. Head to that coffee shop where you first met, your old high school, etc. If you met out of state, try to include significant pieces that remind you of that first impression.

3. Take a hike

If you and your partner love the outdoors, you probably also love hiking to scenic vistas and taking in the view. Luckily in the Pacific Northwest we have no shortage of impressive nature nearby. You could include a picnic in this one too or even include your friends and family all waiting at the viewpoint when you arrive.

4. Scavenger hunt

If you’re feeling a bit more creative, design a scavenger hunt around the city that your partner will enjoy solving or include their friends and assorted activities along the way which all lead back to you.

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Portland Proposal Photographer

Need some help documenting your perfect Portland marriage proposal? Contact me and we can work together. Since proposals are a unique, personal experience I recommend you come ready with a plan. I’m then happy to provide feedback as it relates to photography.

Oaks Pioneer Church Wedding

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.

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.

I can't wait to take the 5 minute drive and photograph more weddings here next summer! For more info about booking your wedding at Crystal Springs, you can visit their wedding website here.

If you're new here, you can view more of my Portland wedding photos here and learn more about me here. I'd love to learn more about your wedding plans!

Timeline Tips for Getting the Best Wedding Photos

In the months leading up to the big day my clients frequently ask how they can organize their wedding day timelines to get the absolute best from their wedding photos.  Over the many years that I’ve been shooting weddings, I’ve definitely learned a lot along the way. I’ve decided to put together a resource with some tips that I feel are essential to making your wedding photography flow as smoothly as possible and help to provide you with lasting moments that you can look back on for years to come. Please note these suggestions take into account photography coverage lasting anywhere from 6 to 8 hours.

Getting Ready PHOTOS

(Recommended Time: 45 mins to 1 hour)

Getting ready is such a fun part of the day to shoot!  It’s a great opportunity to capture some really nice candid moments of the couple surrounded by their family and friends as they anticipate the day ahead.  This time also helps to re-connect my clients and I to one another and let folks know that I’m there to have fun and help out however I can.  This is also a great time to document all of the details before they've been exposed to the long day.  I love shooting wedding dresses, shoes, bouquets and boutonnieres, programs, and all of the little decorations that you've worked so hard on.

For the best getting ready photos, I recommend picking a well organized room that is basking in natural light.  If you’ve added a second photographer, we’re happy to split up and document both of you during this time.

First Look Photos

(Recommended Time: 15 to 20 minutes)

First looks are super popular these days.  It's an amazing moment to capture candidly and a nice way for the couple to relieve some pre-ceremony jitters.  It also provides the chance to capture the joy of seeing one another for the first time away from all the guests.  It also can help free up your timeline a bit and allow you and your partner to take portraits with family your wedding party before the ceremony. Although first looks are nice they are definitely not necessary, I love shooting the traditional approach too.

Wedding Party Portraits

(Recommended Time: 20 to 25 minutes)

These photos can happen at a number of different times throughout your day.  Depending on where final preparations are happening, these photos can take place once you're all ready to go.  If you opt for a second photographer, we can split up and save time and shoot both sides independently. If you are opting for the first look, these portraits can happen after we've spent some time with just the two of you.  Alternatively, these portraits can also take place after your family portraits and before your reception.

Family Portraits 

(Recommended Time: 30 to 40 minutes)

Formal family portraits are that part of the day that most couples know needs to happen but often fret about how it will happen.  I always encourage couples to set aside anywhere from 30 to 40 minutes for this portion of your day.  If we're able to keep the groupings to an essential minimum (immediate family) then this part of the day can go smoothly and often be wrapped up before our allotted window of time.  I try my best to expedite this process in order to get you and your guests back to celebrating.  Before your wedding day, I'll ask you to provide me with a list of family groupings that are important to document.  More often than not family portraits happen immediately after the ceremony. Keep in mind if you do opt for a first look, family portraits can happen before the ceremony too.

Couple Portraits 

(Recommended Time: 20 to 30 minutes)

Beyond the first look it’s always nice to take some time with you and your partner to shoot some portraits of just the two of you.  Best case scenario is that we are given a minimum of 20 minutes around sunset.  Some couples look at this as a quick mini session that takes place around the venue.  If a couple is looking to create something really special I’m always down to travel nearby to a designated spot to work away from the bustle of the event and really focus on the couple.  Obviously if we travel elsewhere a more generous time window will be needed.

Dance Floor Photos

I love being there when the dance floor opens up and people start to really cut loose and have fun. Taking photos of your friends and family getting low with Lil’ Jon makes my day and my clients are always so pumped to see photos of their grandma on the dance floor. I find that an hour or so of dancing coverage usually does the trick.

Sample Wedding Day Timeline

When building your timeline it’s important to think about light and how it will look on your wedding day. I often suggest to check out what time sunset is on your wedding day and build your timeline around that. This helps to ensure that nice golden light (“magic hour”) for your couple portraits. Of course, I’m always flexible when it comes to timeline logistics. If we can’t quite get the timing right, that’s OK. We’ll still get great photos. Depending on your venue and the weather, we might need to make adjustments.

It’s also important to consider light during your ceremony. How does the light hit your ceremony location? Will you and your guests be in bright sun or a mix of half shade and half sun? If you can pick a time when your ceremony takes place in the shade that’s awesome otherwise aim for when the sun is up and behind you and your ceremony location.

Below is a basic summer timeline for 8 hours of wedding photography coverage. For more details and logistics and for an easy to edit wedding day timeline download one from me here.

1:45pm	Photographer arrives	Chris Brodell
2:00pm - 2:30pm	Getting Ready Photos	Photographer
2:30pm - 2:45pm	First Look	Photographer
3:00pm - 3:30pm	Wedding Party Photos	Wedding Party
4:00pm - 4:30pm	Ceremony	Officiant
4:30pm - 5:30pm	Cocktail Hour	Catering
4:30pm -5:10pm	Immediate Family Photos	Photographer
6:20pm	Dinner begins	Catering
7:20pm	Toasts	DJ
8:00pm	Couple portraits	Photographer
8:30pm	Sunset
9:45pm	Photographer departs	Photographer

Every wedding is different and every couple has different priorities.  These are simply some things to think about.  As you begin to plan your wedding day, please don't hesitate to ask me any questions you might have or check out my wedding guide. I want to help you make your day enjoyable and stress free!