If you’re debating having an elopement on the Oregon coast, this guide is for you! After photographing your 70+ elopements on the coast over the last 5 years, I know it like the back of my hand. As a photographer based in Portland, it’s one of my favorite places to enjoy and photograph— from the epic rockscapes, quiet beauty, and mossy forests, the coast is otherworldly.

Without further ado, here’s your complete guide to eloping on the Oregon coast in 2024! If this all sounds like it was made for you and your partner, let’s chat! Or I’m always happy to answer any questions via Instagram DM! :)

Locations

From the northern to southern tip, the Oregon coast has beauty in every corner. When choosing a location, there are plentiful options! Outside of the gorgeous scenery, here are just a few things to consider when making your choice:

Travel time: how far are you willing to drive from the nearest airport?
Vendors: do you want to be somewhere with plenty of vendors accessible? (Hair and makeup, florals, private chefs, etc.)
Venue: will you need a venue to host a celebration with the folks who you invite?
Accessibility: are you willing to hike in for your elopement? Or is a short walk to the beach more your vibe?

Northern Oregon Coast/Cannon Beach Area

The Cannon Beach area is one of the most popular elopement locations on the coast, for so many great reasons! Aside from being pretty dang gorgeous, it’s only about an hour and a half from Portland, and has plenty of options for lodging, food, and vendors.

When you hear Cannon Beach you may be thinking of Haystack Rock, but there are plenty of other beautiful spots in this area, with less crowds! Think cliff hikes, hidden beaches, mossy forests, etc.! There’s something for everyone here. Heck, they even filmed bits of Twilight right outside of Cannon Beach (and yes, you can elope at the filming spot!)

I would love to photograph your elopement in the Cannon Beach area, and help you pick out the perfect backdrop for your vows! Reach out to me here.

Southern Oregon Coast

The Southern Oregon coast is one of the most special places I’ve visited. With towering redwood trees, a rocky landscape that’s hard to beat, and beautiful wildlife, it’s bound to blow you away. I currently only take a couple trips a year here since it’s about 6 hours from Portland, but boy is it worth the drive! You’ll be a bit more limited on vendors here, but there are a few great ones, as well as really great venues, like Crook Point and Capella by the Sea! I would recommend this area if you’re up for an adventure and want an extremely memorable trip!

I would love to photograph your Brookings elopement. Please keep in mind that travel fees will apply. Reach out here!

Timing

Two things to consider here— time of year, as well as time of day!

The weather on the Oregon coast changes dramatically throughout the year. If you’re wanting a moody, foggy, ethereal vibe for your elopement, I would recommend the fall. (Just be prepared for the potential of a little rain!) The spring is green, beautiful and quiet. The summer will be sunny every day, on the hotter side (with a nice ocean breeze) and filled with life and fun! Winter is pretty consistently rainy, and I typically don’t recommend it as there’s typically a high chance of heavy rain and flooding.

When planning a time of day, I recommend either sunrise or sunset! These are the best options for both lighting and privacy. Sunrises and sunsets on the coast are beautiful for photos: you can see some examples of this below!

Permits & Rules

For the majority of the Oregon coast, there are no permits required to get married. The only exception is if you’re setting up any major structures, such as an alter or chairs! Despite this, it’s important to double check that this is still the case, and to be respectful of the environment and other people enjoying the coast. Stay on trail, don’t pollute, and leave no trace always!

To legally get married on the coast, you’ll need to obtain and Oregon marriage license. If you’re flying into Portland, you can apply for and pick up your license right in Portland before you head to the coast!

In Oregon, you will need an officiant and two witnesses to make your marriage license legal. I am happy to legally be your officiant if you want a small, intimate ceremony where you just read vows to each other! Witnesses can be guests who you invite, other beach goers, vendors, etc.!

All Inclusive Packages

At a minimum, the main vendors that you’ll want to hire are:

Photographer (view more about my packages here)
Florist
Hair and makeup artist

Some couples opt for more vendors, such as an officiant, videographer, private chef/caterer, etc. I would personally recommend you to hire vendors separately, and steer away from all inclusive packages! Choosing specific vendors who you personally align with will shape your experience for the better. A professional vendor team will always work together! I am happy to suggest Oregon coast vendors who I love to you!

Cost

Pricing for an elopement on the coast can range dramatically. The largest part of your budget should be focused on capturing the day through photography and videography— this is an investment that will pay off forever as you look back on your photos through your years together. I would anticipate spending somewhere around $6-12k after booking vendors, travel, lodging, buying your garments, etc. Inviting guests can raise this a bit!

Does this all sound like it’s a perfect fit for you and your partner? Reach out to me! I would love to photograph your day. I use a mixture of digital and film photography, and focus my approach around naturally documenting how your day unfolds! I’ve been doing a majority of my work on the Oregon coast since 2018. Reach out to me via the contact page here.

Not quite ready to book? Let’s connect on Instagram!