Oregon Coast Elopement Guide: How to Elope on the Oregon Coast
And some of the best locations!
I can honestly say that when I saw the Oregon Coast for the first time, I became obsessed. It is filled with the most breathtaking views! I’m talking about miles of gorgeous beaches, rocky cliffs, lush greenery and pretty much the most epic views ever. Oregon can make you feel like you are on a whole other country at times and it’s easy to get lost in the beauty. Now that I live in Oregon, the coast is still one of my favorite spots to be. So if you are thinking about eloping at the Oregon Coast, you have made the right choice! If you’re a couple who loves the ocean and the outdoors, then the Oregon Coast is perfect for your elopement! With 363 miles of coastal beauty, I promise you will find the perfect spot to say your vows.
I know planning an elopement can be stressful and confusing, so I created this guide to hopefully give some guidance! To help couples feel a little less overwhelmed, I will be breaking down how to plan your Oregon Coast elopement. When you hire me as your elopement photographer, I will be there every step of the way when it comes to planning and will go into more detail with you on how to personalize your wedding day.
The 6 Steps to Planning an Oregon Coast Elopement:
*The short, narrowed down, version*
1. Choose a date & location and apply to any permits (if needed)
2. Start booking venders, travel, lodging
3. Plan out what you want to do on your elopement day(s)
4. Create a timeline
5. A few days before, get the Marriage License
6. Have the most magical Oregon Coast Elopement ever!
Quick Tips For Eloping on the Oregon Coast
1. Location: Find a location that reflects the experience you two want for your elopement day. And what makes sense for you. Don’t choose a location based on how iconic it is or how many times you saw it on Instagram. Find the perfect location based on what you are imagining. There are locations that will have people hanging around and maybe watching, and there are locations that you may have to hike 4 miles roundtrip. My point is, if that’s not what you want or not the type of experience you imagined, that’s okay and we will find you the perfect one that suits you and your needs!
2. Weather: Don’t stress about weather changes. It just isn’t controllable. Embrace the weather on your day, maybe make a back up plan for really bad weather and just have fun! This is your wedding day and yea rain may suck but if you embrace it instead of letting it bring you down, it’ll be so much more magical of a day. Dance, laugh & kiss in the rain! Plus, it’s the coast. You are going to get rain, wind, ocean spray and so on. Just let the weather come, it’ll most likely pass at one point.
3. Elements: There’s no way to avoid it, you will get dirty. It’s the beach, there’s sand everywhere, maybe even some rain. I know your dress may be expensive and perfect but the minute you step on that beach, there is no way to keep it from getting dirty. But that’s okay! Let it happen. If you come to terms with it before your wedding day, it’ll be a smoother day without the stress of worrying about dirtying your dress. You don’t want to look back at your photos and see the stress on your face because you were worrying about the sand and water. You can always get it professionally cleaned after or look up how to clean it afterwards!
4. When: From the time of year to time of week to time of day, your elopement could look very different and is also important to consider. If you are wanting the most privacy and least amount of crowds, Monday-Thursday will be your best bet. Add in an off season like September to May (give or take), and you might get no one in sight. Sunrise and Sunset will always have the best light and is always an important factor to consider (especially as a photographers stand point). You just aren’t going to get the beautiful golden glows in the middle of the day!
5. Leave No Trace: And last tip, having a wedding outside in such a beautiful place like the Oregon coast needs the reminder to always leave no trace behind. This world is big and beautiful and we should experience it but also need to respect it. Remembering to plan ahead and prepare, show respect to wildlife, minimize campfire impacts, stay on the paths or designated areas, always pick up after yourselves, leave what you find and be considerate of others . If you want to learn more about this, check out their site, Leave No Trace.
When to Elope on the Oregon Coast
When to have your ceremony
This will depend on many factors and every couples elopement goals will be different. But from a photographers stand point, ideally the best time for an Oregon coast elopement would be in the morning or around sunset for the best light. In the middle of the day the sun can be very harsh and shadows are more prone to show up on your faces in photos. And sometimes it is unavoidable, but if it’s possible to have your elopement in the later afternoon, I would definitely recommend. Now when it comes to the day of week, weekends will always be the most busy at the Oregon coast. Especially when there is good weather. Locals and tourists alike will want to spend their free days outdoors and will gravitate to the beautiful coast. So if exchanging your vows while no one is around is a must for you or if you are wanting some privacy, Monday-Thursday will be the safer bet. Picking a month that is considered an off season in Oregon will even cut the crowds even more. Yes during off season it may be wetter and more stormy, but sometimes choosing a less busy month will give you beaches all to yourselves! Checking the weather forecast as well as the tide charts will both be very important. Safety is key and the ocean can be very unpredictable and unforgiving if you aren’t careful.
Weather
Next, breaking down the weather and seasons that the Oregon Coast has is a must. They aren’t your typical sunny beaches that California may have and that goes into consideration when planning an elopement. It doesn’t matter if it’s summer or winter, there is always a chance of some rain. You may need to bring that rain jacket that is hidden in your closet, just in case. But being over prepared than not is always better. The Oregon coast is so beautiful but it is unpredictable and that needs to be pointed out. Don’t let that shy you away though. Embrace the rain if it comes on your wedding day! It will still be a special day!
Winter: December- April
Winter on the Oregon coast is wet and cold. But the most amazing wet and cold there is. The clouds stay low and there tends to be this beautiful fog covering the trees and hills. If you are wanting the least amount of crowds and love the dark but dreamy moody PNW vibes, this will be the perfect time to elope at the Oregon Coast! Bring blankets and extra jackets, maybe some warm drinks to have on hand, and you’ll have an amazing winter coast elopement! Accommodations may also be lower in price during this time.
Spring: April-June
Spring will start having more warmer days and may have some more drier days as well, but it is spring, so rain is still given. Things will be green and flowers start blooming. Crowds will still be low and you will have more pockets of dry spells so this may be a perfect time to elope on the Oregon coast for some couples!
Summer: June-September
If you want the prime weather for an Oregon coast elopement, this is probably it. Yes, the beaches, trails and restaurants will be crowded, but there are options to work around. Maybe have a sunrise elopement instead or work a little harder with finding a location that may not be as well known. There are tons of popular beaches that people are drawn to but if you go down the road a bit, you may find a more secluded area to exchange your vows. Airbnbs and hotels will need to be booked in advance since summer plans in Oregon are usually guaranteed to have great weather. That being said, summer still can have colder days. I have been to the Oregon Coast in July where it was cold enough that I needed to wear a jacket and beanie. So always pack for the unexpected!
Fall: September-November
Fall is gorgeous in Oregon. The leaves change, the weather cools down and you start to have a few rainy days again. Kids go back to school so it also starts getting less crowded again. With crispy air and low foggy days, this is another great option for an elopement. I have seen some of the most epic sunsets during the fall at the coast with so many different hues of pinks and oranges!
Quick Tip: Packing List
Like mentioned before, weather can change so unexpectedly when it comes to the Oregon Coast. Planning for the unexpected will make your elopement smoother and less stressful having to figure out back up plans the day of. Here are a few things to consider when packing:
Umbrellas (clear ones are great for photos)
Rain Jackets
Blankets
Extra Layers
Sunblock
The right shoes
Hand warmers
Water & snacks
How to Elope Along the Oregon Coast
Make it Legal
To legally get married at the Oregon Coast or anywhere in Oregon for that matter, you need to have an Oregon marriage license, an officiant and two witnesses. Your photographer can count as a witness for those who want to keep it very small and if you end up hiring me, my husband often comes along to assist me and can be another witness! You will need to wait 3 days from the time you pick up the paperwork until you can actually get married but if you are traveling in from out of state, you may be able to ask the clerk office to waive that rule by paying an additional fee, but you will most likely have to show proof that you are actually having the ceremony within those 3 days. But always call and ask to make sure!
Most locations on the coast will not need a permit. Some locations may require a permit if you set up props, like chairs or an arch. Most locations will require a permit if the guest count is above 50. And iff you’re getting married at a State Park or National Forest, a special use permit may be needed, but most the time it’ll be free depending on the guest count. To get more information on special use permits, check out Oregon State Parks page and see if any apply to you. But typically, permits won’t be required!
Cost
Elopements can cost from $5,000-$30,000, depending on so many different factors. What I love about elopements is that they are all so different and couples pick and choose what is the most important to them to spend their money on for their wedding day, which explains the wide range. This is your day, so the options are endless.
Here is a list of Vender ideas for your Oregon Coast Elopement:
Photographer
Florist
Hair/Make Up
Cake/Dessert
Officiant
Videographer
Rentals
Private Chef/Catering/Dinner
Other items to consider when planning your Elopement:
Travel
Hotel/Airbnb
Dress
Suit
Permits
Activities
Best Places to Elope on the Oregon Coast
The Oregon Coast stretches over 360 miles and has so many locations to choose from. Each as pretty as the other. Some locations will be a simple walk from the parking lot, while others may involve some hiking. If you want more of a detailed location list, I have a breakdown of the best Oregon locations to elope, but I do want to list some of my favorite coastal locations here! I also wanted to note that a lot of these locations are well known. If you end of choosing me as your Oregon Elopement Photographer, I will help narrow down locations as well as share some of my favorite not so known spots! If you are for sure drawn to one of these (rightfully so because they are beautiful), I would highly recommend eloping on a week day. It will help with the crowds and will hopefully bring you more privacy!
Locations
Bonus Tip: Travel
For those who are not local to Oregon, travel is something you will need to consider/know before planning an Oregon coast elopement. The biggest airport in Oregon is Portland International Airport. This will most likely be the cheapest airport to fly into but depending on what coastal town you are planning on eloping at, it could end up being a 6 hour drive. If you are headed to the closest coastal town to Portland, it still will be about 1.5 hour drive. There are smaller airports that may be closer to certain coastal towns, Eugene Airport or Rough Valley International Medford Airport, but they may be more expensive to fly into, so you may want to take that in consideration.
Accommodations
One thing to consider when planning your Oregon coast elopement is where you will be staying. I will be listing what towns to research accommodations in as well as some recommended places! Remember, during the busier months, it’s important to research and book these ASAP. Summers in Oregon are beautiful and a lot of tourists and locals will have planned for summer coast vacations months, maybe even a year, in advance!
Southern Oregon Coast
Brookings
Coos Bay
Central Oregon Coast
Pacific City
Lincoln City
Manzanita
Things to do on your Oregon Elopement day
or days surrounding
The one thing special about elopements is that whatever you two want as a couples goes. Dream big and make your special day the best day ever! There are no rules or traditions when it comes to elopements, just make the most of it and enjoy every second. That being said, you are not only getting married on the Oregon Coast but also visiting it! Might as well explore or take a few days to hang out, relax and see what it has to offer. Here are some ideas for couples who want to add some activities to their Oregon Coast elopement or days surrounding their elopement day!
Hike on the Oregon Coast
Picnic overlooking the beach
Hire a private chef
ATVs & Dunes
Whale watching
Go camping
Surfing
Kayaking
Campfire and s’mores on the beach
Bonus Tip: Timeline
Most elopement photographers will take the lead and help their couples build the perfect timeline for their wedding day. We know what works and what doesn’t and have done this multiple times with our other couples. Building a timeline will help the day go smoother, so that you as the couple will not feel rushed and can take a step back to actually enjoy it! Want to get ready together and enjoy a slow morning? Do it! Want to get ready together but still do a first look? That works too! The timeline can be as detailed or as open as you’d like.
Here is a sample timeline
Vender Recommendations
Oregon has some amazing wedding vendors that can help your special day come to life. Here are some that are highly recommended:
Cake/Bakery
Catering/Food
Hiii I am Seraphina!
I am an elopement photographer based in Oregon
Oregon Coast Elopement Packages:
What’s Included in all my packages?:
-Package hour coverage ranges from 4-14 hours
-Help with picking the perfect location(s)
-Assistance with figuring out what permits you need, if any at all
-Vender recommendation list
-Travel fees included, no extra travel fees (within the PNW)
-Elopement planning assistance (think what to bring, weather/tide, time of day, activities, etc.)
-Unlimited communication throughout planning
-Create a timeline for your day
-Document the entire story of your Elopement day
-Laugh, cry and gush with you
-Professionally edited, high resolution images
-Sneak peek photos within 72 hours
-Online gallery with unlimited downloads
-Printing rights to all images delivered
Starting at $4,000
Getting married on the Oregon Coast? I’d love to be considered as your elopement photographer!
Fill out the form below and I will get back to you!
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Samuel H. Boardman is one of my favorite strips of coast in Oregon. It has magnificent beaches, plunging cliffs and just epic views for 12 miles. From secret beaches, to huge waves crashing up against the cliffs, it has it all and is such a beautiful spot to take engagement photos or to elope!