If you are looking for Griffin House Wedding inspiration, step into the enchanting love story of Max and Ben. For their second celebration, they planned a scenic 5-day experience in Hood River, OregonYes, you read it right, two celebrations! Their first was an intimate San Francisco wedding focused on their nearest and dearest in the heart of the Mission District. Spreading these celebrations over time added a layer of profound meaning, giving them double the joy and double the time to connect with their community.
For their Oregon celebration, Max and Ben wanted more than just a single wedding day; they wanted an immersive Pacific Northwest experience. The week leading up to their wedding was a cascade of festivities across Portland and the Columbia River Gorge, designed to help family and friends forge deep lifelong connections.
If you are planning your own multi-day destination wedding in Oregon, Max and Ben’s timeline is the ultimate blueprint.
The Ultimate Pacific Northwest Wedding Itinerary
Max and Ben shared with us that building memories across local landmarks was the true essence of their wedding week. Here is how they captured the spirit of Portland and Hood River leading up to the big day:
Day 1: Local Portland Wanderings
As Portland Wedding Photographers we find it great to give guests a true taste of the city, start with cozy local favorites. Explore charming cafes like Cafe Umbria, savor a quintessential Pacific Northwest breakfast at Broder PDX, and get lost in the literary haven of Lan Su Chinese Garden and Powell’s Books.
Day 2: Welcome Gathering at McMenamins Kennedy School
Kick off the group festivities at an iconic historic venue. A warm welcome gathering at McMenamins Kennedy School set a relaxed, nostalgic tone for the days ahead.
Day 3: Willamette Valley Wine Tasting & Portland Nightlife
Indulge in an Oregon wine country tasting adventure. We joined the grooms at Sokol Blosser Winery for an epic pre-wedding portrait session in the vineyards before heading back to the city for a high-energy night of dancing at the lively Crush Bar.
Day 4: Columbia River Gorge Group Hike & Hood River Drinks
Connect with nature by hosting a group hike along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. It’s the perfect way for guests to mingle before meeting up for casual welcome drinks at Ferment Brewing Company in Hood River.
Day 5: The Griffin House Wedding Day
The much-anticipated wedding day at The Griffin House, where love took center stage on the cliffs. The day culminated in some of the most unique, ecstatic dancing we have ever witnessed!
Night 5: Whiskey Tango Late Night Afterparty
Wrap up the ultimate celebration by keeping the energy alive with a late-night afterparty at Whiskey Tango in downtown Hood River.
Photographing Love on the Cliffs of The Griffin House
The mesmerizing view from the cliffs of The Griffin House is truly a sight to behold, overlooking the grand majesty of the Columbia River Gorge. Having been lucky enough to photograph weddings at some of the most beautiful places in the world—like Anne-Marie & Riley’s Villa Cimbrone wedding in Amalfi, Italy, we can confidently say that the view from this Hood River wedding venue is undoubtedly one of the best.
To bring out the dramatic beauty of the landscape and the energy of the dance floor, we utilized our Geekoto speed lights and gear alongside our MagMod tools Opens in a new window to sculpt the light with cinematic precision. To handle the massive volume of candid moments, Aftershoot helped us cull and edit the gallery with blazing precision, ensuring every emotional beat was preserved.
The incredible Catherine Nguyen with Luxe Event Productions designed and coordinated everything flawlessly. Together with the dedicated team at The Griffin House, everyone was showered with thoughtful care.
Are you planning a Hood River wedding at The Griffin House? We would love to capture your story. Being Portland Wedding Photographers, we are a quick drive from this premiere Hood River wedding venue. Contact us for a free consultation.
Details:
Be sure to read the KIND WORDS Max and Ben shared about their experience with us below.
★★★★★
5-Star Review
“I cannot speak highly enough of Jos & Tree. The very first thing I booked for my wedding were wedding photographers — after all, photos are the only concrete thing that you’ll have from this beautiful day (aside from a new partner for life). Jos & Tree capture the magic of a lived moment better than any wedding photographers I’ve ever come across.”
— Max A.
Photographers: @josandtree JOS & TREE + 2 dedicated off-camera lighting assistants
Portland Wanderings: Cafe Umbria, Broder PDX, Powells Books, Chinese Gardens
Portland Welcome Gathering: McMenamins Kennedy’s School
Portland Night Club: Crush Bar @crushbarpdx
Wine Tasting Adventure: Sokol Blosser Winery
Day Before Hike: Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail
Welcome Drinks in Hood River: Ferment Brewing Company
Wedding Venue: The Griffin House @thegriffinhouse
Ceremony Location: bluff | Cocktails: Eastern Lawn | Reception: Tent
Design & Coordination: Luxe Event Productions @luxeproductions
Day of Lead: Catherine Nguyen @cathythin
Max Suit: Alexander McQueen @alexandermcqueen
Catering & Bar: Devil’s Food @devilsfoodcatering
DJ: Jess the Ripper @jesstheripper | Band: Stumptown String Quartet
Entertainment: Drag Performer Jay Colby @itsjaycolby
Rentals: Arden collective @ardeneventcollective
Floral: swoon floral @swoon_floraldesign
Dessert: Lauretta Jeans @laurettajeans
Signage/Calligraphy: Hey Halle @hey.halle
Shuttle: Blue Star – Facebook
Lighting: Greenlight Creative @greenlightpdx
Late Night After Party Bar: Whiskey Tango @whiskeytangohrv
Accolades: The image of Max and Ben getting dressed in reflections was awarded by the International Society of Portrait and Wedding Photographers during their recent June 2023 contest.
Have we mentioned the mesmerizing view from The Griffin House cliffs enough? It’s a sight to behold, overlooking the majesty of the Columbia Gorge River. We’ve been lucky to photograph weddings at some the most beautiful places in the world (see Anne-Marie & Riley’s Villa Cimbrone wedding in Amalfi, Italy), and the Griffin House view is undoubtedly also one of the best.
Looking for more Hood River Gorge wedding inspiration? See our full portfolio below:
Checkout other Griffin House Weddings we’ve photographed:
See their 1st wedding we photographed in in San Francisco here:
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