Raise the Roof: Six Top-Notch Rooftops Offer Luxurious Spaces & Breathtaking Views Of Portland And Beyond
June 24, 2019
It’s not always easy to decide on a wedding’s setting. Should you have the celebration indoors or take it outside? Would you like to give guests terrestrial or cityscape views? For couples stuck between the aesthetics of nature and city, a rooftop wedding in Portland just might be the answer, offering the best of both worlds. The Tualatin Mountains hug the western side of the city, while the Cascades rise in the east. Snowcapped mountains show off their peaks on clear days, and the city itself is exceptionally green, abounding in tree-lined streets and leafy installations incorporated into cement constructions. Rooftops are versatile spaces for urban weddings—the sky’s the limit, quite literally.
With a relatively temperate climate year-round, Portland is the perfect destination for a sleek wedding beneath the Pacific Northwest sky. And the best rooftop venues in the area will have people covered in the event of rain. With upscale food and drink options, twinkling city lights beneath the glimmering stars and plenty of space to whirl and twirl, Portland’s rooftops are truly special.
EXCHANGE BALLROOM & CASCADE ROOFTOP
123 NE Third Ave.
(above) A better perspective of Portland’s skyline, however, comes from across the river. For that kind of glitzy scene, the Exchange Ballroom, in Northeast Portland, is a worthy choice. This venue offers the breathtaking Cascade Rooftop, which can hold as many as 140 people. In addition to stunning city views, you’re likely to see a pretty sight of Mount Hood in the distance on clear days. With exclusive catering and video agreements, this venue has experienced vendors that know the space’s layout and details well and are ready for your call.
ECOTRUST
721 NW Ninth Ave.
The Ecotrust Rooftop Terrace in Northwest Portland is a prime candidate for consideration. It’s a preserved part of Portland’s history, retaining the character of the original 1895 warehouse. If the living-greenery roof, garden atmosphere and cozy central fireplace, which can serve as a ceremony backdrop, don’t totally sell you, the way the organization uses its profits from wedding rentals might be the clincher. “All of the profits from weddings at our venues go to Ecotrust to support the nonprofit’s environmental and social equity work,” says Kaley Charlet, the wedding and events manager. This space can host 150–200 people and offers exclusive catering options that are among some of the best and most forward-thinking in the city.
