6 Expert Tips for Planning Your Oregon Wedding
If you're recently engaged and planning your wedding in Oregon, congratulations! This beautiful state has a wide range of stunning wedding locations, venues and vendors to choose from.
To help you plan the perfect Oregon wedding, here are some expert tips to keep in mind:
Start planning early - Weddings in popular locations and during peak seasons can fill up quickly, so it's important to start planning as early as possible. This will give you the best chance to secure your dream venue and vendors.
Set a budget - Before you start booking vendors and making decisions, it's important to set a budget for your wedding. This will help you make informed decisions and avoid overspending.
Research venues and vendors - Take the time to research different venues and vendors in Oregon to find the best fit for your wedding. Read reviews, check out their portfolios, and meet with them in person to get a feel for their style and services.
Choose a unique venue - Oregon has a wide range of unique and beautiful wedding venues to choose from. Whether you're looking for a rustic barn, a coastal venue, or a modern city location, you're sure to find something that fits your vision.
Consider the weather - Oregon can have unpredictable weather, especially in the spring and fall. Be sure to plan for potential rain or other weather conditions and have backup plans in place.
Hire a wedding planner - Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, especially if you're trying to do it on your own. Consider hiring a wedding planner to help you with the details and keep everything on track.
Start Planning Early
Even though this amazing state of Oregon has a huge array of locations and amenities, there are definitely some favorites and those book up super quick! My top five vendors to secure right away are the venue, photographer, planner, florist and hair and makeup artist. Once you have these wedding vendors secured, take a breath and make sure you are enjoying the engagement time!
Are you ready to check “hire photographer” off of your to-do list?
Set a Budget
Setting a budget can sound pretty scary-but it doesn’t have to be! Start with how much cash do you and your fiance have to contribute, and is anyone else paying for components of the wedding. Then start making a list of all the things-I recommend having a scale for each item, if possible. This allows you to dream big on certain things and scale back on others. And don’t forget to add in extra for those surprises that are bound to pop up.
Research venues and vendors
This is where the fun starts! When you start the vendor search, remember that each vendor does business differently and that it is perfectly okay to say no if you feel that it isn’t a perfect fit. And if you find a perfect fit, ask that vendor for recommendations! This is a great way to get a super cohesive vendor team for your wedding. I have a wonderful list of preferred vendors that I share with my couples!
choose a unique venue
When you are getting ready to look for a venue, make a list of your must haves and non-negotiable’s. I recommend also making a list of things that you can compromise on. Oregon has some stunning locations and is unique in that you can combine different looks effortlessly! Want to elope at a waterfall but then have a kick ass reception in downtown Portland? Easy!
You might also want to check out the 7 Common Mistakes Couples Make When Planning a Wedding
consider the weather
There is a reason that Oregon is so green…rain! But even the heat can pose to be a big downer if you don’t have backup plans in place. Some factors you will want to consider are when you want to have your wedding, if you want to have it outdoors or offer a hybrid option of indoors and outdoors, and will you need to factor in additional rentals in case of weather.
hire a wedding planner
Wedding planners are truly worth their weight in gold!! You don’t know what you don’t know, right? Well, I know this seems like a no brainer-but wedding planners do this for a living! They can help you navigate each one of these steps-and so many more! I work with some of the best that offer a wide array of services from day of planning to full coordination and everything in between!