One of the great gifts of getting married at Hubbard Chapel is that the space has a built-in aesthetic. The 1892 architecture, the warm wood, the high ceilings, the beautiful windows — you start with a solid foundation and build from there. The question is: which direction do you go?
Here are five themes we’ve seen work spectacularly well in this space — and exactly how to pull each one off.
1. Oregon Garden Party
The vibe: Lush, green, local, celebratory. The Willamette Valley on its most beautiful day.
Key elements: Cascading greenery on the pews, potted herbs as centerpieces (guests take them home!), locally grown wildflowers, linen napkins, wooden serving boards for the appetizers. Oregon wines, obviously.
Pro move: Partner with a local flower farm for seasonal blooms. Not only does it support local business, but you’ll get flowers that are actually fresh, and the arrangements will feel organic and specific to your date.
2. Vintage Romance
The vibe: 1920s to 1940s warmth. Amber light, antique details, a touch of nostalgia.
Key elements: Candlelight everywhere (battery tea lights are your best friend in a historic space), vintage mismatched frames with old photos, lace table runners, champagne-colored linens, sepia-toned signage. A jazz quartet for the ceremony? Yes, absolutely yes.
Pro move: Rent vintage furniture pieces — a velvet settee, brass candelabras, an antique bar cart — to style the cocktail hour area. These pieces look like they belong in the chapel and photograph magnificently.
3. Modern Minimalist
The vibe: Clean. Confident. Intentional. Every single detail chosen for a reason.
Key elements: White on white on white. Single-stem bud vases on each table. A sculptural floral installation (one, dramatic, perfect) at the altar. No clutter, no fuss, no gilded anything. Let the chapel architecture be the decor.
Pro move: Invest in excellent stationery. When the overall palette is minimal, high-quality paper goods and signage become statement pieces. Letterpress or foil-stamped pieces look incredible.
4. Autumn Harvest
The vibe: Peak Oregon October. Warm, rich, cozy, and utterly gorgeous.
Key elements: Deep burgundy and terracotta florals, pampas grass, dried wheat, persimmons, gourds, pomegranates as decor. Amber candlelight. Plaid wool blankets for outdoor photos. A hot apple cider cocktail station. Guests will never want to leave.
Pro move: Schedule your photos for late afternoon — the autumn light in Hubbard is absolute gold between 4 and 6 PM, and the surrounding foliage will be at peak color.
5. Dreamy Celestial
The vibe: Stars, moons, magic. A little bit mystical, a lot beautiful.
Key elements: Deep navy and gold linens, tiny twinkle lights draped from the ceiling, crescent moon and star motifs on signage, white and gold florals with touches of dusty blue. A late-afternoon ceremony that transitions into candlelit reception as darkness falls.
Pro move: The bell tower exterior at dusk under string lights is absolutely otherworldly for photos. Make sure your photographer knows this is a priority shot.
✦ Universal Hubbard Chapel Rule
Whatever theme you choose, don’t fight the building. The chapel’s warmth and history should be part of the design — lean into what it already gives you. The venues that photograph most beautifully are always the ones where the decor feels like it belongs there naturally.
