Table of Contents:

• Where is The Griffin House?
• Why Get Married at The Griffin House?
• FAQ’s About Weddings at The Griffin House
• Wedding Packages + Pricing at The Griffin House

The Griffin House is one of those wedding venues I will never get over, y’all… endless views of the Columbia River Gorge, the coziest home full of vintage charm, and an incredible location in Hood River, OR. What more could you ask for?

That’s why I’ve put together this guide, where I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about planning a wedding or elopement at The Griffin House! You’ll quickly learn why this venue is such a special place to celebrate—from the enchanting landscapes everywhere you look, to the amazing in-house staff who will help you curate your best day EVER.

Where is The Griffin House?

Starting off strong here with one of the best things about The Griffin House: even though it’s extremely private and secluded, The Griffin House is actually only 1 hour from Portland! It feels far away… but in reality, it’s super accessible from the city, and really easy for you + your guests to travel to. 

The house itself is set on this epic cliffside property just 5 minutes from Hood River, and is seriously one of the most unreal properties in the entirety of the Columbia River Gorge. The views you get of the vineyards, the lush greenery, the winding river, and the mountains in the distance are absolutely insane, given how close you are to the largest city in Oregon. 

A fun fact about this property: it actually used to be a dairy farm, a fox farm, and a prohibition-era speakeasy with a secret tunnel that went through the cliff! Doesn’t that just sound like something straight out of a storybook?! The scenery sure fits that storybook vibe, so it’s not surprising at all. Eventually, the Griffin family bought the house and began hosting parties out on the lawn—the start of its reputation as one of the most fabulous places to host an event in the Columbia River Gorge.

As soon as you set foot on the property nowadays, you can feel just how much love and celebration this home has seen over the years. The Griffin House is truly a venue unlike any I’ve ever experienced.

Why Get Married at The Griffin House?

Now that you know where The Griffin House is, can I start gushing about why this venue is so spectacular?! Here are just a few of the MANY reasons you should host your wedding or elopement at The Griffin House, one of the best wedding venues in the Columbia River Gorge.

Unparalleled views of the Columbia River Gorge

I mean, is there anything else to say?? This venue is known for its absolutely iconic views overlooking the Columbia River Gorge, nestled on top of a dramatic cliff with vineyards, trees, mountains, and the Columbia River in the distance. It’s private, it’s secluded, and it’s basically your own little fairytale world to enjoy for the weekend, alongside all your favorite people.

Gorgeous grounds with multiple venue sites

If you haven’t already caught on to this, the historic grounds of this venue are absolutely stunning at every turn. They’ve created the most amazing combination of untouched natural beauty and luxurious, curated design that really works in harmony with the landscapes. 

Walking onto The Griffin House property immediately makes you feel such a sense of place; the stone terraces, the sweeping lawns, the rocky gardens… it’s such an emotional, immersive experience in every way. The thoughtful design of the venue makes it a blank canvas that you can use however you’d like, no matter the size or type of your celebration!

The Griffin House has 4 different sites you can use throughout your wedding day (or weekend):

→ Welcome Terrace: The perfect place to welcome your guests as they arrive, and enjoy a little pre-ceremony gathering or post-ceremony cocktail hour

→ Ceremony Lawn: This is THE lawn you see in all of the photos, curving along the original property’s rock wall, looking directly down over those quintessential Gorge views. My favorite part is the grassy, grand staircase that makes for such a killer entrance!

→ Eastern Lawn: A smaller lawn with equally panoramic views of the Gorge, ideal for cocktail hour and/or portraits! Especially when the sun shines through those trees—it’s magical.

→ Clear Tent: A 2,600 square-foot tent that provides an amazing, blank canvas for your reception!

Cozy house full of vintage charm

Yes, the outside areas of this venue are insane, but so is the house itself! The Griffin House was built back in 1900, so it’s over 120 years old (crazy right?). The home has been renovated over the years, but it still retains sooo much of its historic, vintage charm while also offering luxurious amenities, thoughtfully curated spaces, and gorgeous furnishings.

A couple key features of the house as it’ll be used on your wedding day:

→ There are two getting-ready spaces: The Griffin’s Wing, and The Griffin’s Den. Both are chic, beautifully decorated, and spacious for you and your wedding party! The Den even has indoor/outdoor access, so you can go back and forth between enjoying the fresh air and cozying up in the lounge.

→ There’s space for up to 20 people: Yes, this house is intimate and homey, but it’s still got plenty of space for you and your friends + fam to get ready. Up to 20 of you, in fact!

Plus, I just HAVE to mention what is quite possibly my favorite room of the entire house: the bathroom on the main floor. Yes, the bathroom! Just trust me, when you see it in the photos below, you’ll get it haha. It’s this incredible bathroom with dusty pink tiling, inspired by mid-century pastel bathrooms, and I’m completely obsessed with it! Who wants some moody getting-ready pics in here? 🔥

Completely custom-tailored celebrations

Y’all, the Griffin House team is truly unbeatable. They’ve done an amazing job of creating a venue that allows for completely custom, tailored-to-you celebrations—whether you’re having an intimate microwedding with just 20 people, or a big party with 150 of your friends and fam. They will always go the extra mile to make sure you feel understood, that your vision is being seen, and that every element of your wedding day is executed seamlessly. YOU get to choose how your day looks and feels, whether that be with your guests, your vendors, or the spaces you choose to celebrate in… it’s an immersive experience from start to finish, and one that feels perfectly you.

Freedom to work with any vendors

And on that note, The Griffin House doesn’t require you to work with any specific vendors in order to host your wedding at the venue. They want you to be surrounded by the people you pick, and that means they won’t enforce venue requirements on you. You’ll need to get your caterer and planner approved by the team to make sure they’re up to standard, but that’s it! Plus, with their list of trusted vendor recommendations to guide your search, you’ll be in the very best of hands.

Full access to a curated furniture collection

You can remove “rentals” from your to-do list and wedding budget—because The Griffin House will provide them FOR you. When you book your wedding with them, you get access to their exclusive furniture collection filled with gorgeous furnishings, from Moroccan rugs and sheepskins to vintage pieces, as well as classic tables, chairs, and lounges. No need to worry about decorating the space on your own and transporting furniture in: they’ve got you covered.

FAQ’s About Weddings at The Griffin House

So, are you in love with this venue yet?! I hope so, because it’s time to move on to the final deets + logistics you’ll need to start planning your Griffin House wedding. 

What is the guest capacity for weddings at the Griffin House?

The Griffin House can host weddings of up to 175 guests.

When is the best time of year for weddings at The Griffin House?

The Griffin House is a four-season venue—each and every season offers its own unique atmosphere, ambiance, and mood, so there’s really no “best” time of year to get married here. You’ll want to consider what type of vibe you’re trying to create, whether you’d prefer the warmth and energy of a sunny summer day, or the quiet and stillness of winter. Whatever season you choose, be prepared for the wind to make a cameo as it often does in this part of the Gorge!

Can we bring our own vendors?

Yes! The only vendors you need to get approved by the venue team are your caterer and planner; other than that, you have complete free rein to bring in whoever you’d like, and trust to help you bring your vision to life.

Is The Griffin House dog-friendly?

Yep! Only you, as the couple, are allowed to bring your pups, and they must be approved by the venue ahead of time. Highly recommend hiring a wedding dog care service to help you manage them throughout the day, and make sure you’re not responsible for watching them at all times 🙂

Wedding Packages + Pricing at The Griffin House

Feeling like The Griffin House might just be your dream Columbia River Gorge wedding venue? Eek, I’m so stoked for you! 

While The Griffin House doesn’t currently list their packages or starting pricing on their website, we do know that the following is always included in every Griffin House wedding package:

• Full access to the grounds all day
• Two getting-ready spaces
• Personal Venue Coordinator
• Curated furniture collection
• Ceremony arch
• Outdoor lighting
• Reception tent
• Seating for up to 175 guests
• Vendor recommendations

For more info about your wedding, you can reach out directly to The Griffin House, and their amazing team will get back to you with everything you need.

Hiring Your Griffin House Wedding Photographer

Hey y’all! If you don’t know me, I’m Dawn, a Columbia River Gorge wedding photographer who’s obsessed with Hood River & The Griffin House. It’s become one of my all-time favorite venues ever since photographing an elopement there, so I’d be stoked to capture your wedding or elopement at this amazing venue, too. 

If you’re ready to find your perfect Griffin House wedding or elopement photographer to document your special day, you can check out my packages here. Then reach out, and let’s make your perfect Griffin House wedding happen 🤍

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Want to see an example of a real elopement at The Griffin House? Check out James + Miranda’s here.