Questions couples ask us.

Five: the two of you, your officiant, and two witnesses.

The deck and staircase beneath the St. Johns Bridge can normally hold a much larger wedding — but the permits for that have been unavailable since 2022. Until they come back, an elopement is the only way to marry beneath the bridge, and an elopement is limited to the people a marriage legally requires. That's five, and it isn't something we can flex, even by one.

The picnic area is separate, and that we can reserve. So everyone you love is still there. They're waiting at 4:30 with a table already set, and the first thing they see is the two of you walking up married.

4:30 PM. Not 3:00 — that's your ceremony time, and it's just for the five of you.

We'd suggest putting Reception at 4:30 PM, Cathedral Park on your invitations and leaving the ceremony time off entirely. It saves a lot of explaining, and it means nobody turns up early hoping to watch.

Apply at any county clerk's office in Oregon — it doesn't have to be Multnomah, but it does have to be Oregon. Out-of-state licenses can't be accepted. Licenses can be secured three days ahead, and same-day licenses are sometimes available depending on timing and courthouse availability. Bring it with you on the day and we complete the paperwork afterward.

If you arrive without a valid license we can still hold the ceremony, but the marriage won't be legal and the package is non-refundable — so please build this into your timeline.

No. Ceremonies are secular. You're welcome to read your own vows or use the standard ones, and your officiant will talk it through with you beforehand either way.

Both of you must be 18 or older on the day of your ceremony. No exceptions.

Yes. Our ceremonies are performed in English by an ordained officiant, but you're welcome to bring your own instead — they just need to be ordained and legally able to perform marriages in Oregon. Online ordination is quick and free, so a friend or family member can usually do it in an afternoon.

This is how couples handle a ceremony in another language, a ceremony in ASL, or simply having someone they love do the honors. Because your officiant takes the place of ours rather than joining the group, the count stays at five.

The price doesn't change either way. Just let us know before you book so we can sort out the paperwork side of it.

Yes, and there's no paperwork involved — no license, no filing, no county clerk. Everything else about the day works exactly the same.

We welcome couples of all backgrounds and orientations. If your celebration doesn't fit the shape of a standard legal wedding, just ask.

One short phone call, shortly after you book. It takes about ten minutes, and it's the only piece of the permitting that needs your voice rather than ours.

We send you everything you need beforehand and remind you when it's time. Everything after that is handled on our end.

A few weeks' notice is our normal minimum, and that window starts once you've made your call. Late bookings are occasionally possible; email us and we'll check.

Remember the marriage license waiting period stacks on top of this if you don't waive it.

Sometimes. Guest counts affect food, seating, and staffing, so we need to know well in advance — and upgrading between tiers depends on vendor availability for your date.

Email us as soon as you know and we'll tell you what's possible.

Starting in November, yes. The ceremony still happens beneath the St. Johns Bridge, and the reception moves indoors to the Weddinglandia chapel. Dates are being announced soon — email us to be told first.

Cathedral Park has a free public lot, plus street parking throughout the surrounding neighborhood. Both fill up on sunny weekends and during events, so tell your guests to allow an extra fifteen minutes.

Yes, and we think that's part of the charm. Cathedral Park stays open to the public throughout your celebration — walkers, dogs, kids on the lawn, someone else photographing the St. Johns Bridge.

Your picnic tables are yours for the afternoon, so your setup is protected. The ceremony area is shared public space, but your officiant and photographer know how to work with it — in practice it has never been a problem.

Anything you want. We've seen full gowns and we've seen jeans.

Two practical notes: the ground beneath the St. Johns Bridge is uneven, so bring a second pair of shoes if you're in heels. And Portland afternoons cool off quickly in September and October — a coat or wrap you actually like being photographed in is worth thinking about.

The picnic area and parking lot are accessible. The ceremony area beneath the St. Johns Bridge involves a staircase and uneven ground.

If you need your ceremony signed, the simplest route is bringing your own officiant — someone who signs can be ordained online in an afternoon, and they take the place of ours rather than adding to the five.

Tell us about any accessibility needs when you book and we'll work out the details with you well before the day. We'd rather solve it early than improvise.

The ceremony happens beneath the St. Johns Bridge regardless — that's the one part of the day with a roof over it.

If the weather calls for it, the reception moves indoors to the Weddinglandia chapel, same day, same everything. We make that call by 10:00 AM and tell you right away.

Because the park permit is in your name, you're the host and the alcohol is yours. We just do the shopping.

Your package includes a beverage allowance: $60 for Just the Two of Us, $200 for The Garden Party, $400 for The Soirée. We buy your beer and wine at cost with no markup, a straight pass-through with receipts available, and it arrives sealed on the day. If you'd like more than the allowance covers, let us know at least 14 days ahead and we'll add it to the run.

As host, you or someone you designate pours and serves — we don't tend bar. Two rules from the park: no glass, so cans or plastic only, and no hard alcohol or spirits.

We and our vendors may use images, video, and artwork from your day for portfolio, website, and social media. It's how a small collective like ours gets found by the next couple.

If you'd rather we didn't, just tell us in writing before your date and we won't. No explanation needed.

Personal items — photos, a guest book, something borrowed for the table — are welcome. Just let us know ahead of time so we can style them in rather than finding a spot for them on the day.

The food, florals, linens, and place settings are all included and coordinated with our vendors, so there's nothing you need to bring.

Yes. Vegan options are always available, and we can work around allergies and other restrictions with enough notice. Tell us when you book so we can plan the spread around it rather than adding to it.

No problem at all. Choose the non-alcoholic option when you book and your full beverage allowance is credited back on your final invoice — $60, $200, or $400 depending on your package. Seasonally infused water is included either way.