We stopped by Camp Angelos near Dabney State park on the Sandy River since my friends are planning a wedding there. It looks like a great outdoor location. In fact, it's booked eleven months in advance on weekends already. (If you're interested it's worth a call to see if someone cancelled.) I love their idea to have a long weekend wedding. With people traveling from afar for the wedding, why spend one night together. Why not spend a whole weekend together? There are hotels nearby in Troutdale 10 minutes away for older family members that can't camp or those that don't care for camping. Within a thirty minute drive are lots of hikes and waterfalls or downtown Portland for visitors to explore.
There are numerous spots that overlook the Sandy River and the beach on the river has a pavilion with a giant fire pit and warming log ovens. My friends are planning a whole pig roast here.
Up at the main lodge is the big hall with a hidden kitchen area. It has high wood beam framed ceilings with tall windows. It also has a nice back deck for enjoying the fresh air and cocktails. Behind the lodge is an outdoor pizza oven pavilion next to a charming grape arbor. I can't wait to use that! To the side of the lodge is a cute fishing pond fed by a natural waterfall with a gazebo. It's undergoing renovations right now, but will be fantastic when finished. The gazebo is apparently an awesome spot to put the bar so adults can mingle and relax away from where the kids like to cavort. In front of the lodge is a large lawn edged with giant cyprus trees, perfect for large ceremonies. There are also a couple of other nice locations along the river or in a meadow for smaller ceremonies.
There's so many great spots for wedding photos, the photographer will go crazy: the grand porch, the waterfall, the grape arbor with twinkle lights, the gazebo and pond, riverside on the beach, at the caboose, or, heck, even shooting on the archery court.
We will be decorating with twinkle lights near outlets, candles in mason jars hung in the trees, banners, garlands, and flowers, just enough to make the natural setting pop. Oh, and we will whip up a special flag out of some nylon and paint for the flag pole.
There's basketball, archery, baseball, volleyball/badminton locations. I think it may be bring your own equipment or rent it though. I will find out and post an update. There seems to be good hiking through the fern forest along the Sandy. There's two classrooms where day care will be hosted by family friends over the weekend in case parents want to adventure. Other than the wedding day, time will be spent larking about the property perhaps even doing a scavenger hunt.
Camp-style bunk-bed cabins can hold 144 guests. It's communal bathrooms, camp style, but the maintenance is good. There's a few rooms in the main lodge with an extra entrance of their own. Also, a caboose with beds is tucked in the forest by the archery range. If an arrow goes awry, the steel will protect you. You are also welcome to pitch tents where you like. They also just put in new mattresses on all the beds.
It's going to be an awesome camp adventure wedding weekend. Going old school for the wedding! read more