Mt. Tabor Wedding Photographer | A Real Park Wedding In Portland

A Real Park Wedding in Portland

There’s something about getting married at Mt. Tabor that feels intentional.

It’s not flashy. It’s not over-produced. It’s just trees, sky, and the people you care about standing close.

This wedding took place in the fall, under the giant oak trees at the top landing of Mt. Tabor Park, and it felt exactly how the couple wanted it to feel.

Grounded.
Quiet.
Joyful.
Quick.

Why They Chose Mt. Tabor

They love walking there with their dog.

It wasn’t about booking a venue. It wasn’t about impressing anyone. It was about choosing a place that already held meaning.

Mt. Tabor offers nature within the city. It feels secluded without being remote. It’s budget-friendly. It’s easy to access. And it doesn’t feel performative.

Before heading to the park, we gathered in their backyard for drinks and snacks. That small decision shifted the entire tone of the day. It felt like a gathering with friends instead of an event with pressure.

The Ceremony Under the Oak Trees

The ceremony happened beneath the massive oak trees at the top landing of the park.

If you know Mt. Tabor, you know how beautiful that section is. Tall trees, soft ground, filtered light, and just enough openness to feel expansive without feeling exposed.

It was a fall day with soft overcast skies and intermittent rain sprinkles. The light stayed even and flattering. No harsh shadows. No dramatic glare.

Just calm.

And then there was the squirrel.

A big, bold squirrel perched in the tree directly behind them during the ceremony. Loud. Distracting. Absolutely committed to being part of the moment.

It even made it into the digital camera footage.

It’s one of those details that makes the day unforgettable.

A Ceremony I Didn’t Expect to Officiate

The couple asked me to marry them.

So I did.

I set up a small digital camera on a tripod to record the ceremony and stepped into the role of officiant.

It was quick. It was meaningful. It was deeply personal.

There’s something powerful about standing that close to a moment like that — not just documenting it, but participating in it.

It didn’t feel staged.

It felt real.

Digital, 35mm Film, and Super 8

This wedding was documented using digital, 35mm film, and Super 8.

Digital captured the full scope of the day with clarity.

Film added softness and texture — the kind that feels timeless without trying too hard.

Super 8 brought movement. The way the leaves shifted. The way they stood close together. The quiet in-between moments that don’t translate the same in still frames.

When all three formats work together, the story feels layered.

You don’t just see the wedding.
You feel it.

Why Mt. Tabor Works So Well for Small Weddings

If you’re considering a Mt. Tabor wedding, here’s what I can tell you honestly.

It’s beautiful year-round, but fall light under those oak trees is especially flattering.

There are multiple areas for portraits, from wooded sections to open overlooks.

It’s easy to get to. There’s ample parking.

Yes, there are usually people enjoying the park. But most simply let you have your moment. It doesn’t feel intrusive.

It feels like Portland.

Who Mt. Tabor Is Perfect For

Couples who:

Want nature without leaving the city
Prefer intimate gatherings
Care more about experience than spectacle
Have personal ties to the park
Want flexibility instead of a rigid venue

It works beautifully for small ceremonies and elopements.

It works for couples who want to move, explore, and let the day unfold naturally.

If You’re Planning a Mt. Tabor Wedding

Mt. Tabor is a perfect backdrop for a small wedding ceremony.

The views are beautiful. The trees provide natural framing. The light shifts softly throughout the day. And you don’t need elaborate decor because the landscape already carries so much presence.

Sometimes simple is exactly what makes a wedding meaningful.

If you’re planning a wedding at Mt. Tabor Park and want it documented in a way that feels natural, intentional, and true to your day, I would love to hear about it.

And if a squirrel joins your ceremony, we’ll document that too.

If you’re considering getting married at Mt. Tabor and want photography that feels grounded and true to the day, I’d love to connect.

Small weddings here are beautiful in their simplicity.

You can reach out here to start the conversation:
https://amandajae.com/contact

Portland Courthouse Wedding Photographer | An Intimate Downtown Ceremony

An Intimate Downtown Ceremony

There’s something refreshing about a courthouse wedding in Portland.

No production.
No timeline pressure.
No elaborate decor.

Just two people, a clerk, a judge, and a decision.

This wedding at the Multnomah County Courthouse was exactly that — and it ended up being one of the most unexpectedly fun days I’ve photographed.

A Real Multnomah County Courthouse Wedding

This couple was visiting Portland from Wisconsin.

They were in town for a vacation — exploring the city, trying new restaurants, soaking in the Pacific Northwest atmosphere. They weren’t planning a big wedding. They wanted simplicity. Intimacy. Just the two of them.

When I arrived at their Airbnb to photograph them getting ready, I learned they were heading downtown afterward to get married at the courthouse.

I hadn’t planned to attend the ceremony.

But I still had film left in my camera. I had no other plans that afternoon. So I asked if I could join them.

I’m so glad I did.

What the Ceremony Felt Like

Quiet.
Stress-free.
Quick but meaningful.
Joyful.

The Multnomah County Courthouse was surprisingly beautiful inside. Large windows. Clean lines. Soft natural light pouring through the building. It was nearly empty, which made everything feel calm and private.

The judge and clerk were kind and welcoming. The entire process was simple and straightforward.

It cost less than $130.

It didn’t feel like a compromise.

It felt intentional.

After the Ceremony

After they signed the paperwork, we walked through a nearby city park on our way back to the car.

We stopped on a bridge.
We stood in the grass.
We took portraits as the city moved quietly around us.

Then we drove to a dive bar called QT’s.

The bride and I ordered Shirley Temples.
The groom had a beer.

They hung out there for a while before heading to dinner reservations and later a pinball machine bar.

That was their wedding day.

No stress. No rigid timeline. Just moments.

The Details That Made It Theirs

Three things from that day still stand out.

First, they told me they were pregnant.

That moment shifted everything. This wasn’t just a courthouse ceremony — it was the beginning of something bigger.

Second, inside QT’s they noticed subtle nods to the Midwest. As Wisconsin natives, it made them laugh and feel strangely at home.

Third, the groom was thrilled by the vintage physical media details inside the bar — old movie posters and VHS tapes on the walls. He loves vintage formats.

It fit perfectly with their wedding choices.

They had thrifted and antique-sourced all of their attire. The veil. A vintage cake topper. Everything felt thoughtful without feeling curated.

I made the bride’s bouquet from flowers in my own garden.

Nothing about the day was elaborate.

Everything about it was personal.

Why We Shot It on 35mm Film

This entire wedding was photographed on 35mm film.

The couple specifically requested film because they prefer physical media and vintage formats. It aligned with their personalities and the overall feel of the day.

The grain.
The softness.
The texture.

Film captured the courthouse light and dive bar atmosphere in a way that felt cohesive and nostalgic.

When you choose a courthouse wedding rooted in simplicity and intention, film can elevate it without making it feel staged.

What Surprised Me

I didn’t expect to be there.

I thought I was only photographing them at their Airbnb.

But when I realized I had film left and no other commitments, I followed the day wherever it led.

That spontaneity is part of why I love intimate weddings.

There’s room for flexibility.
There’s room to say yes.
There’s room for unexpected joy.

Why the Multnomah County Courthouse Is a Great Option

If you’re considering a Portland courthouse wedding, here’s what I can tell you honestly:

The building is beautiful inside.
The lighting is incredible.
It’s quiet and not overcrowded.
The staff were kind.
Parking was manageable.
It’s affordable.

And here’s something practical.

Applying for a permit to get married in a Portland park can be complicated and time-consuming.

If you get married at the courthouse instead, you can take photos at a nearby city park before or after — without dealing with permit lines or long waits.

You get simplicity and beautiful portraits.

Who a Portland Courthouse Wedding Is Perfect For

Couples who:

Want intimacy
Prefer simplicity
Are traveling
Don’t want a big production
Value experience over spectacle

It’s not a lesser option.

It’s just a different one.

And when done intentionally, it can feel just as meaningful as any traditional venue.

If You’re Considering a Portland Courthouse Wedding

You don’t need a guest list of 150.

You don’t need an elaborate plan.

You can get married quietly at the Multnomah County Courthouse, walk through the park afterward, have a drink at a dive bar, and still have it documented beautifully.

If you’re planning something similar and want photography that feels honest, relaxed, and rooted in the moment, I’d love to hear about it.

Sometimes the simplest weddings are the most unforgettable.

If you’re planning a Portland courthouse wedding and want it documented in a way that feels intentional and honest, I’d love to hear your plans.

Whether it’s just the two of you or a small group of guests, we can keep it simple and meaningful.

Reach out here and tell me your date and vision:
https://amandajae.com/contact