Three unique Central Oregon wedding venues

Planning a Bend wedding but want a unique venue? Here are three Central Oregon venues you might not know are wedding venues. As a wedding photographer, I can recommend all three of these for beautiful photos, great light, and a unique wedding venue.

Rainshadow Organics Wedding

Known for their farm to table dinners and organic produce sold all over Central Oregon, Rainshadow Organics offers a stunning wedding venue. Surrounded by Oregon’s natural beauty and expansive farm, it’s the perfect place for a memorable celebration.

Guests are treated to the fresh scents of herbs and flowers grown on the farm as they arrive. The ceremony can take place in the charming barn or outdoors, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. Afterward, everyone can indulge in delicious farm-to-table cuisine in gorgeous long tables, made with ingredients straight from Rainshadow Organics’ fields.

For the reception, there is a large stage area which is perfect for a live band or DJ. They also own a large house across the street which works well for getting ready.

If you love farm to table or fields of wild flowers, Rainshadow organics is a great unique Central Oregon wedding venue.

Elk Lake Resort Wedding

If you live in Bend or visit over the summer chances are you’ve been to Elk Lake resort to go swimming, paddle boarding, or even just have a drink at their bar- but did you know that you can get married there? With a dedicated ceremony site that perfectly frames Mt. Bachelor to a tented reception area away from the bustle of the beach, it’s a great location to consider. This wedding has an elevated summer camp vibe while keeping some of the campiness.

Guests can stay in cabins or camp in many of the camp sites and with so many activities. Use your wedding as an excuse to rent this pirate themed boat and you can have an entire wedding weekend. You can also get married here during the winter and snowcat in!

Getting ready at cabins at Elk Lake Resort

High Desert Museum Wedding

If you visited Bend when you were a kid chances are you went to the High Desert Museum. With birds of prey, dioramas on the wild west and river otters its a place that basically every kid in Bend goes at least 10 times in their life but it can also make a unique wedding venue.

The towering pine forests and rustic charm provides a photogenic backdrop for ceremonies and outdoor receptions and for indoor receptions the lobby of the museum is expansive and beautifully designed. They keep a few exhibits open for guests to wander around and it’s truly such a unique venue. You can even have pay for fun upgrades like cocktail hour in the pioneer village or having a bird of prey exhibit.

There are plenty of places to take photos at – from natural landscapes to a covered wagon. If you don’t want the more pioneer themes there are beautiful pine forests and aspen groves.