Michael & Armando at Benson Hotel in Portland

Two men in tuxedos standing in front of a large tiled wall with small trees on either side.
A same-sex wedding ceremony taking place in an ornate, elegant ballroom with gold accents and large crystal chandeliers. Two grooms are holding hands in front of officiant, with guests seated nearby watching the ceremony.
A floral arrangement with pansy flowers on a table, and a candle in a decorative holder with molten wax dripping down on a blurred background.

Michael and Armando chose The Benson Hotel in downtown Portland for its incredible historic interiors. The grand marble staircase, beautifully preserved walnut woodwork, and bright, elegant Crystal Ballroom made it a fantastic setting for their ceremony. Dinner was a completely different atmosphere: an intimate, wood-paneled room where candlelight (M&A brought all these hand made candles from Mexico!) did most of the work. Their black-tie wedding included a champagne tower, a candlelit dinner, and a drag performance to finish the night (you had to be there!),

As a Portland wedding photographer, I'd give The Benson a 10/10, not just for the hotel itself but for its surroundings. Within a short walk, you have historic downtown architecture, the American Bank Building, and some excellent crosswalks with city views. Moving between these locations adds so much variety and energy to a wedding gallery, without having to spend much time away from the celebration.

Elegant hotel or event venue lobby with wooden double doors labeled 'Crystal Ballroom,' floral arrangements, chandelier ceiling lights, wooden paneling, and marble flooring.
A man with a beard dressed in a tuxedo with a boutonniere is looking to the side, and another man in a tuxedo is standing on a staircase in a lavish, wood-paneled interior, with pink flowers and a chandelier in the background.
A man in a tuxedo with a bow tie adjusting his front, standing in a wood-paneled room with chandeliers.
Two men in suits smiling and holding hands inside a richly decorated room with wood-paneled walls, large windows, and elegant furniture.
A luxurious lounge area with a lit fireplace, dark marble surround, wooden wall paneling, a crystal chandelier, and modern white chairs with dark cushions.
Close-up of a person wearing a black blazer and white shirt, with one hand adjusting the blazer.
Two men dressed in tuxedos standing in front of a large ornate mirror in a luxurious, wood-paneled room with floral arrangements and a high, decorated ceiling.
A table centerpiece with small potted pansy flowers and a tall pink candle with draped wax, surrounded by glass candle holders and elegant dining setup, in a dimly lit room with a blurred background.
Two men in tuxedos standing on a grand staircase with wooden railings and ornate details, inside a luxurious building with wood-paneled walls and marble steps.
Wedding rings in a velvet box, perfume bottles, a wedding invitation with a wax seal, and a decorative item with floral patterns on a wedding gift table.
Two men in tuxedos holding hands and walking outside on a city sidewalk.
Two men in formal tuxedos standing in front of ornate wooden doors with carved panels.
Close-up of two people holding hands, dressed in formal suits, with one person wearing a gold watch and ring.
Two men in tuxedos sharing a kiss in front of ornate gold double doors with intricate relief carvings.
Elegant wedding ceremony room with gold chairs arranged in a semi-circle, floral arrangements on the floor, a small table with a red candle in the center, tall windows with gold and cream curtains, chandeliers, and ornate gold detailing on the walls
A formal event hall decorated with gold and white paneling, multiple chandeliers, floral arrangements, and arranged chairs, with musicians playing violins.
Stacked crystal dessert glasses on a table with burgundy cloth and green foliage.
A man in a tuxedo sitting in a modern armchair in a decorated room, smiling and looking to his left, with wood-paneled walls and ornate ceiling details.
Two men hugging and smiling while others look on at a social gathering in an elegant indoor setting.
Two men in black suits holding hands while walking across a city street.
Two men in tuxedos face each other closely, appearing to be about to kiss, with blurred background.
Two men in tuxedos touch foreheads in an intimate moment, smiling with eyes closed.
Two men dressed in tuxedos, one with a boutonniere and the other with a pocket square, standing together smiling with one man's arm around the other's shoulders.
Two men dressed in black tuxedos standing outdoors against a green tiled wall with small trees nearby.
Two men in tuxedos holding hands and walking across a city street, smiling at each other, with a building and street sign in the background.
Two men in tuxedos holding hands and smiling, walking outdoors in front of a building.
Two wedding rings, one with small diamonds, placed on a decorative fabric with gold embroidery. In the background are blurred candles or decorative containers.
A wedding ceremony taking place in a grand, ornate room with high ceilings, large windows, and elegant chandeliers. Two men are holding hands at the center, facing each other, with guests seated around in a semicircle. The room is decorated with flor
A wedding ceremony with two grooms holding hands in a grand, ornate room. Guests are seated, watching the couple. An officiant stands nearby, and a woman reads from a book. The room features high ceilings, large chandeliers, and gold-trimmed mirrors.
Two men dressed in tuxedos with necklaces made of pearls, standing in an elegant, well-lit room during a formal event.
Two men dressed in formal suits with pearl necklaces exchanging vows during a wedding ceremony inside a grand, ornately decorated hall.
Close-up of a person in a black suit holding a small notebook or prayer book, wearing a pearl necklace with gold flower accents, at a formal event.
Two men in tuxedos, one with a light beard and the other with a bald head and tattoos, are standing face to face in a wedding ceremony. The man with the beard is emotional, holding a tissue to his nose, while the other holds a paper. They are holding
A same-sex wedding ceremony in a grand, elegant ballroom with tall windows and chandeliers. The couple shares a kiss in front of friends and family, who are throwing flower petals.
Decorative candles with greenery at the foot of a grand wooden staircase with ornate black railing in a fancy venue, and a close-up of a white rose, a gold-embossed menu, and a small pink object on a wooden table.
Elegant dining table decorated with pink and orange flowers, tall glass candle holders with pink candles, and small tea light candles in glass holders. The table also has plates, glasses, and napkins, with chairs in the background.
A long banquet table set in an ornate, elegant room with wood-paneled walls and arches, decorated with pink and purple floral centerpieces, candles, and glassware for a formal event or celebration.
A decorative wooden fireplace mantel with tall glass candleholders containing lit candles, and a large floral arrangement with white, pink, and peach flowers and greenery, reflected in a mirror behind it, in a warmly lit room with wooden walls.
A formal place setting with a white plate with gold trim, a burgundy napkin, two forks on the napkin, a knife and spoon on the right of the plate, three empty wine glasses, and a menu card labeled 'Nirta' on the plate.
A pyramid of empty crystal champagne glasses with flowers at the base, set on a table in a decorated indoor event space.
Two men in tuxedos pouring champagne into a pyramid of glasses during a celebration in a decorated elegant room.
Two men in tuxedos pouring champagne into a pyramid of glasses at a formal event.
Four men in suits and ties at a formal event, standing and smiling in a decorated room with large mirrors and ornate molding.
Two men in tuxedos sharing a kiss while holding cocktails at a wedding reception with champagne glasses and gold chairs in the background.
Two men dressed in tuxedos sitting at a formal table during a wedding or celebration, with one smiling and the other looking at him. The background features wood-paneled walls and floral decorations.
A woman giving a speech at a formal dinner event with guests seated at a long table decorated with flowers and candles in a wood-paneled room.
A man in a tuxedo sitting at a dinner table with other guests, wiping tears from his eyes, while another man in a tuxedo looking on.
Two men at a formal event, possibly a wedding reception, sitting at a table in a wood-paneled room with floral decorations and candles.
A long dinner table set for a celebration with floral centerpieces, tall candles, and glassware, in a dimly lit, elegant room with arched ceiling and wood-paneled walls filled with guests.
Close-up of a person dressed in formal attire, including a black tuxedo with a tuxedo lapel and a white shirt with a pearl button. The person is holding the lapel of the tuxedo with their left hand, which has decorated nails, including one with a mar
Elegant banquet table decorated with floral arrangements and candlelit glassware at an indoor event.
People at a wedding reception taking a selfie, including a young boy, a man with a beard, and a bald man with tattoos, all dressed in formal attire, in a decorated room with flowers and candles.
A man in a suit is giving a speech at a wedding reception, standing near a wooden wall with candles and flowers on a fireplace mantle behind him. Guests are seated at a long decorated table with candles and floral arrangements, listening attentively.
A group of people sitting at a decorated dinner table during a formal event or celebration, with floral centerpieces and glassware visible.
Two men in tuxedos with champagne glasses holding hands and smiling at a wedding reception. A woman in a gold dress with colorful hair is singing into a microphone on the right.
Two men smiling and laughing at a table in a decorated room with gold accents and mirrors.
Two men in tuxedos sharing a joyful moment at a formal event, sitting at a decorated table with a floral centerpiece, in a room with ornate mirrors and wood paneling.
A drag queen dressed in a white gown with gold embroidery, holding cash, interacts with two men in tuxedos at a decorated banquet table in a luxurious room.
Two men in formal tuxedos cutting a wedding cake decorated with flowers and gold accents.
Two men in tuxedos are dancing closely and smiling at each other in a warmly lit indoor setting, with blurred background of other people.
A drag queen in a shiny gold dress performing on stage with floral decorations and an ornate background.

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