Deschutes Riverfront Retreat is a micro-wedding venue near Sunriver, Oregon, for up to 45 guests, including children. The same three private acres hold 11 bedrooms that sleep up to 30, so the wedding party stays on site all weekend. Every booking has a 2-night minimum, weddings add a $500 event fee, and there are no day rentals. The grounds include 450 feet of private Deschutes River frontage.
Updated October 2026
Where to have a small wedding near Bend or Sunriver where guests can also stay
For a wedding of up to 45 near Bend or Sunriver, the answer is one private riverfront retreat that also sleeps 30. Deschutes Riverfront Retreat is an 11-bedroom home on three private acres on the Deschutes River, in the Three Rivers area near Sunriver, Oregon. One booking covers the ceremony site, the dinner, and the beds for the wedding party.
It is not the right venue for every wedding. The limit of up to 45 guests is firm, there is no amplified music (no DJs, no subwoofers, no professional music setups; live music ensembles and small Bluetooth speakers are fine), and the renter must be 30 or older. For a ceremony with just the two of you or your closest few, see Central Oregon elopements. For a group weekend that is not a wedding, see large group rentals near Sunriver.
Why the Deschutes near Sunriver suits a micro-wedding
The setting is the reason couples choose it. The retreat sits at the end of a dead-end private road. There is forest on one side and river habitat across the water. It is about as private as Central Oregon gets.
The ceremony, the dinner, and the next morning's coffee all happen on the same three acres, so nobody drives between a church, a hall, and a hotel. The drive-times table is further down this page.
Up to 45 guests, including children, because the home is on well and septic
The total wedding guest count cannot exceed 45, including children, even if they are not staying the night. The home is on a well and septic system, so the cap is firm. The cap protects the septic system and the neighbors.
Overnight occupancy is a separate number. The retreat sleeps up to 30 guests (maximum 24 adults), and occupancy limits are enforced. The rest of the 45 come for the day and sleep elsewhere. Camping is not permitted unless approved in advance.
Where to hold the ceremony on 450 feet of private Deschutes River frontage
The couple in the photo above married beneath a triangular floral arch at their riverside ceremony, with attendants on either side. The retreat has 450 feet of private river frontage and a private dock. There is also a stone-paved walking path and a riverbank fire pit ringed with chairs among the pines.
- The riverside, as in the ceremony photo above.
- The private dock, with Adirondack chairs, and a rope hammock strung between pines on the riverbank.
- The grassy clearing by the Cottage, with a flagstone path leading to it through the pines.
- The wrap-around covered deck, with room for outdoor dining, as a fallback if the weather turns.
Two large living areas with vaulted ceilings and stone fireplaces are the indoor option. An arch like the one in the photo counts as a rental item and needs pre-approval.
The wedding party stays on site in 11 bedrooms that sleep up to 30
The wedding party sleeps on site in 11 bedrooms across two buildings, with 6 baths in all. Six bedrooms are in the Lodge and five in the Cottage. The retreat sleeps up to 30 with a maximum of 24 adults. Nobody drives back to a hotel after the toasts.
The bed-by-bed table for all 11 rooms is on large group rentals near Sunriver; the floor plans and 3D tour are on the whole retreat page.
The Primary Suite has a king bed and panoramic river views, which makes it the natural room for the couple. Four of the 11 rooms include bunks, so plan on some sharing among the younger guests. Extra sleeping in the Lodge: a futon and a small twin sofa bed by the pool table. There are also 2 pack-n-plays and 6 cots, with no linens provided for these.
The Cottage is the original rustic 1960s fishing and logging cabin, steps from the Lodge, with a wood stove and a separate living space. It is not rented on its own; it comes as part of the full 11-bedroom retreat. Floor plans and 3D tours are on the whole retreat, Lodge, and Cottage pages.
Where up to 45 guests gather on the deck, at the picnic tables, and on the riverbank
Dinner happens outside at four 8-foot picnic tables set in a row. About 16 folding chairs and some folding tables extend the seating. Seating 45 means renting more chairs. The wrap-around covered deck has a large gas grill.
Inside, the 12-foot dining table seats twelve on benches and chairs, with additional chairs and folding tables available. Two large living areas with vaulted ceilings and stone fireplaces, one upstairs and one down, hold the rest of the group. The game room downstairs has a pool table, ping pong, and an arcade cabinet for guests who drift away from the speeches.
Outside, guests spread across three acres: the covered hot tub on the flagstone patio, private 6-hole disc golf, bocce, outdoor ping pong, and yard games. The riverbank fire pit is ringed with chairs for the evening, in season only.
How a two-night wedding weekend on the Deschutes runs
A two-night wedding weekend runs from check-in after 4 PM on Friday to check-out before 11 AM on Sunday, with the ceremony on Saturday. Two nights is the minimum stay, and a third night gives the group a day on the river after the wedding.
Friday
- Check in after 4 PM. Early check-in cannot be guaranteed until the week of, based on other reservations, so do not schedule deliveries before then.
- Rehearsal dinner on the gas grill at the picnic tables, or at Sunriver Brewing's Sunriver Pub at 57100 Beaver Drive, Building 4. The pub is open daily 8 AM to 9 PM for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Hot tub and the game room after dinner. Quiet hours start at 9 PM.
Saturday
- Coffee on the dock; the kitchen has a Breville espresso machine.
- The wedding party gets ready in the Lodge and the Cottage.
- Ceremony on the grounds. Dinner at the four 8-foot picnic tables, with about 16 folding chairs and the 12-foot table inside as overflow.
Sunday
- Breakfast for the overnight group across the 12-foot table and the picnic tables.
- Everything returned to its original location with garbage removed, inside and out. Check out before 11 AM; late check-out cannot be guaranteed until the week of.
No DJs or amplified music at weddings on the Deschutes
No amplified music: no DJs, no subwoofers, no professional music setups. Live music ensembles and small Bluetooth speakers are fine. If unsure, please ask. Quiet hours run from 9 PM to 8 AM.
Plan the evening around dinner, toasts, and conversation. A dance floor is a large rental item, and those need pre-approval.
What tables and chairs are on site, and which rentals need pre-approval
Seating 45 at dinner means renting some chairs. Large rental items such as a tent, an arch, a dance floor, or lighting need pre-approval. If unsure, please ask.
Everything must be returned to its original location with garbage removed, inside and out, so build rental pickup into Sunday morning.
Fire, candles and sparklers at a Sunriver wedding
The property is non-smoking. No sparklers or open flame of any kind are allowed, and there are no candles. Strict county fire rules apply, and in summer the fire pit is closed.
Fires are seasonal. There are no fires June through September, and May and October are weather dependent. A wedding in July will not have a fire pit, and a wedding in October may or may not.
Plan the send-off and the table decor around that: no sparkler exit and no candle-lit table.
Vendors through Epicurate: chefs, photographers and more
The retreat shares a vendor list through Epicurate for chefs, photographers, and more. The categories are private chefs, delivered meals and charcuterie, mobile massage and photographers, including wedding and engagement photography. Couples wishing to be married in Deschutes County are responsible for finding their own officiant. A planner, photographer or caterer working the wedding has a page of their own: the planner and vendor sheet.
Self-catering works for a group this size. The kitchen has a large butcher-block island, a Vitamix, a KitchenAid mixer, a sous vide and a Breville espresso machine. The large gas grill is on the covered deck.
For a dinner out with the wedding party, see where to eat near Sunriver.
The Oregon marriage license: the Deschutes County Clerk in Bend
A Deschutes County marriage license costs $55. There is a three-day waiting period from the day the license is issued until it can be used. The County Clerk's office is in the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street, Suite 202, Bend, open each business day from 8am to 4pm.
Both parties must appear together to review, sign and purchase the license. The license is only good in the State of Oregon for 60 days from the effective date. The clerk may grant a waiver of the three-day waiting period for an additional fee, but cannot guarantee one.
Anyone authorized by an active religious congregation or secular organization can perform the ceremony. So can certain federal, magistrate and State of Oregon judicial officers. Deschutes County Circuit Court does not perform marriage ceremonies, so couples find their own officiant.
Parking for 15 vehicles and the drive to Sunriver
There is parking for up to 15 vehicles on site, with plenty of room for vans and trailers. Up to 45 guests in 15 vehicles means about three to a car, so ask day guests to carpool from Sunriver. Please drive slowly on Chief Paulina Drive, a shared dirt road with families and pets, and tell vendors the same.
From the house: Sunriver Resort and SHARC are five miles and about ten minutes, Bend and Mt. Bachelor are each about 30 minutes, and the Big River boat ramp, a public put-in, is 2.5 miles up the road.
For guests flying in, arrival details are in getting to Sunriver.
What a wedding weekend costs and how to book direct
A wedding weekend costs the retreat's nightly rate for a minimum 2-night stay, plus a $500 event fee, which covers the extra cleaning and garbage. Nightly rates run about 1,000 to 4,000 dollars plus taxes and fees. The calendar is on Book Now. Booking direct on this site avoids the service fees Airbnb and VRBO add. VRBO adds a traveler service fee at checkout.
The renter must be 30 or older. A copy of a driver's license and a signed rental agreement are required after your booking is confirmed. If your booking is requested at least 30 days before check-in and you cancel within 24 hours after it is accepted, you get a 100% refund. If you cancel at least 365 days before check-in, you get a 100% refund. If you cancel at least 180 days before check-in (180 to 364 days), you get a 75% refund. If you cancel at least 60 days before check-in (60 to 179 days), you get a 50% refund. If you cancel at least 1 day before check-in (1 to 59 days), you get a 10% refund. If you cancel less than 1 day before check-in, or after check-in, there is no refund. The policy in effect when you book is the one that applies to your booking. This policy is for direct bookings; Airbnb, VRBO and other booking channels use their own policies. Direct bookings are paid in up to three installments: 15% at booking, 45% due 180 days before check-in, and 40% due 30 days before check-in. The number of payments depends on how far ahead you book. Hospitable attempts to capture each payment automatically. Weddings and events booked direct follow the same cancellation and payment policy. A refundable damage deposit of 1,000 dollars is held on your card about a week before check-in and released after checkout.
Peak dates book up far in advance, so reserve wedding dates early and contact us with the guest count and any rentals before you book.
A dog at the wedding on the Deschutes
Dogs are welcome for a pet fee once approved on your reservation, so the family dog can be in the photos. The couple below posed with a golden retriever puppy, the river behind them.
Please keep pets off the furniture and beds, pick up after them, and do not leave them unattended in the home. The rest is on pet-friendly vacation rental near Sunriver. For the plain facts on bringing dogs to a wedding here, see the dog-friendly wedding venue page.
What wedding groups said
“We had our micro wedding celebration here for a long weekend and it was excellent. The guests loved the airbnb and had so much fun spending time relaxing by the river in the hammock, or playing frisbee golf on the property. It perfectly accommodated our guests!”
“This house was perfect for our family get together. With the amount of space indoors and outdoors, everyone could relax and enjoy their stay. My partner and I also had a small wedding ceremony in the backyard and it was perfect. My family kept saying how beautiful the home and location was that they’d want to book another stay in the future. Scott was such a great host from the moment I booked the house (~7 months in advance) until we checked out. His instructions were clear, he always responded in a timely manner, and overall he’s just an awesome host! Thanks again Scott!”
“Wow! Words cannot describe how amazing our weekend at this lodge/cottage was. We chose this location to host our wedding for close friends and family. The space was perfect for the occasion and allowed for plenty of room for our guests. Scott was responsive from the beginning and house rules and expectations were clear which made for a great overall experience. I recommend this property to anyone wanting a beautiful view with an accommodating host. Thank you Scott for everything !”
Frequently asked questions
How many guests can we have at our wedding?
Up to 45 total, including children, even if they are not staying overnight. The home is on a well and septic system, so the cap is firm.
Is there a minimum stay or a wedding fee on top of the stay?
Yes to both. Every booking has a 2-night minimum, weddings included, and there are no day rentals, so you have the property for the whole weekend. A $500 event fee covers the extra cleaning and garbage, in addition to your nightly rate.
Can we have a DJ or amplified music?
No amplified music: no DJs, no subwoofers, no professional music setups. Live music ensembles and small Bluetooth speakers are fine. If unsure, please ask. We observe quiet hours from 9pm to 8am.
Where do our guests stay?
The retreat sleeps up to 30 across 11 bedrooms, so your wedding party can stay on site for the whole weekend. Guests beyond 30 stay elsewhere; Sunriver Resort is five miles, about ten minutes away.
Is there parking for our guests?
Yes, there is parking for up to 15 vehicles on site. Please drive slowly on Chief Paulina Drive, a shared dirt road with families and pets.
Do you have preferred vendors and rentals?
We share a vendor list through Epicurate for chefs, photographers, and more. On site we have four 8-foot picnic tables, about 16 folding chairs, and some folding tables; large rentals like dance floors need pre-approval.