Oregon Coast Elopement Guide – How to Elope On The Oregon Coast

Thinking about having your own Oregon Coast Elopement? Want to see some more inspiration or know how it works? I’ll cover everything you need to know how to elope on the Oregon coast! The Oregon Coast is a magical place. With its iconic rock formations, rugged seaside cliffs, sandy beaches, and cute coastal towns – it’s no wonder the Oregon Coast is a popular elopement location. Are you dreaming of those quintessential PNW vibes? If so, this Oregon Coast elopement guide is for you!

The steps to eloping on the Oregon Coast are actually pretty simple, and this list will act as a table of contents for this page as well!

1. Choose a date or time of year – more tips on that soon!
2. Hire your Oregon Coast Wedding & Elopement Photographer! Hopefully me 😉
3. Pick your location – I help my couples with this part!
4. If Necessary, get your permit & marriage license!
5. Book lodging & other wedding vendors
6. Build your Oregon Coast Elopement timelline
7. Have the best day ever!

Throughout this process you’ll pick out wedding attire and send out invites if you’re having guests, and that typically happens around steps 1-3.

1. The Best Time to Elope on the Oregon Coast – How to Pick a Date

The best time to elope on the coast is from late May/ early June to early October. You’ll experience warmer temperatures and less rain. During the Fall and late spring, you can expect rain or a light drizzle. However, if you’re hoping for those moody pacific coast elopements, this is an ideal time for you. 

I’d also recommend opting for a weekday elopement to avoid crowds. Monday-Thursday, especially if you’re hoping to elope at one of the more popular locations like Cannon Beach.

2. Meet Your Oregon Coast Wedding & Elopement Photographer!

3. Best Places to Elope on the Oregon Coast / Where to Elope on the Oregon Coast

So you’re probably wondering when this Oregon Coast Elopement guide is going to tell you where on the Oregon coast you can get married. Without further ado, below are some of my favorite elopement locations.

Cannon Beach 

One of the most popular Oregon Coast elopement locations is Cannon Beach. Famously known for its iconic landmark, Haystack Rock. The basalt sea stack stands  235 feet from the shore and makes the perfect backdrop for a quintessential Oregon elopement. I love this cozy coastal town because it’s home to some of the best beachfront hotels, a wide range of Airbnbs, and some of the best local breweries and fine dining restaurants around. 

If you’re thinking about including your family in your Cannon Beach elopement – check out The Cutest Family Elopement at Cannon Beach for inspiration!

Places to Eat in the Area

Screw and Brew – a fun local public house and hardware store. Don’t be fooled by the name or the lingering nails. They serve refreshing brews and some of the best burgers around.

Pelican Brewing – is one of this sleepy coastal town’s finest tap houses. Perfect for a post-elopement gathering with our crew. It’s a more casual establishment, but the vibes are top-notch.

Places to Stay 

If you’re looking for a post-elopement accommodation that offers those luxury hotel honeymoon vibes, I highly encourage you to check out Stephanie Inn. But fair warning, you may never leave. 

Insider Tip: If you’re big day visions include this popular coastal town, I encourage you to opt for Monday-Thursday elopement. Due to its popularity, it can become quite crowded, especially on a sunny summer day. Don’t let this steer you away, though. The Oregon Coast on a cloudy Fall day offers some pretty romantic and moody vibes. 

Ecola State Park

Ecola State Park is located between Seaside and Cannon Beach and offers some of the most breathtaking ocean views of the Pacific. The park is a popular elopement location because of its endless hiking trails, prime picnic real estate, cliffside viewpoints, secluded coves, and lush green forest. You can’t go wrong here. Every inch of this State Park has jaw-dropping views.

Hug Point

Hug Point State Park is a hidden gem, and a stunning slice of the Oregon Coast. It is a less popular option compared to Cannon Beach but with equally amazing views. With rock formations, caves, and some pretty incredible waterfalls, Hug Points is an ideal elopement location.

Rockaway Beach

Rockaway Beach is an entire vibe all on its own. Located between Manzanita and Gariablidi, is a 7-mile stretch of sandy beach. Rockaway Beach is a perfect elopement destination for couples who crave an intimate celebration in a beautiful location.

Brookings – Oregon Redwoods & Redwood National/State Parks

This Oregon Coast elopement guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning those stunning old-growth forests that reside on the Southern Coast of Oregon. If you haven’t had the chance to visit, consider this your sign to do so! It’s incredibly close to Redwood National & State parks so it’d be very easy to include both locations in your elopement day.

4. What is needed to legally Elope on the Oregon Coast?

To legally get married in Oregon, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license from the county. You’ll have to pay the $60 fee, but it’s good for 60 days. You’ll also need an officiant to marry you and two witnesses to sign your marriage license. 

Depending on the size of your party, and whether or not you plan to include decor such as arches, chairs, arbors, or etc. you may be required to obtain a permit.  You can read more about permits and whatnot by contacting the State Park Coastal office.

Top Tips for a Successful Oregon Coast Elopement

• Check the tides on your elopement day. You’ll also want to check the sunset and sunrise times. You can do that here
• Consider eloping during the week, from Monday-Thursday for a more intimate, crowd-free elopement experience.
• Team up with an experienced elopement photographer, who had a great understanding of the topography, tides, and trails. If you’re looking for one, I know just the guy.  
• All beaches on the Oregon Coast are public land, which means you can’t reserve them. However, if you pair up with a knowledgeable elopement vendor, you can still find an intimate location for your big day!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this Oregon Coast elopement guide. If you’re interested in learning How to Elope in Oregon or need more resources to plan your Oregon Coast elopement – check out my detailed Oregon Elopement Guide!

5. Tips & Tricks for Oregon Coast Elopement Lodging & Vendors

When it comes to lodging, the tips I provide my couples stay consistent across the world. Keep it within an hour or so of your ceremony location, and make sure it’s a place you’d actually be happy to stay at. When it comes to photography, make sure it’s a clean space, has large open windows and spaces, and some room outside as well. Typically, you get what you pay for, and I think it’s a worthy investment to chip in a little bit more on a nice place to stay; especially if you value getting ready and detail photos, or if you’re having any form of reception or celebration afterwards.

I provide vendor recommendations for each of my couples based off of the vibe they’re looking for! Throughout the process of me getting to know them, it’ll be fairly easy to see what kind of vendors to recommend. Most wedding & elopement vendors throughout the west coast are familiar with adventure elopements and will be happy to help you get what you need.

6. Oregon Coast Elopement Timeline

Building a timeline is a pretty important part of the elopement planning process! I work with about 20 to 30 couples per year on building wedding and elopement timelines, and I have a fairly good idea of what works and what doesn’t. The most important parts about building an elopement timeline is being realistic about how long it’ll take you to get ready, buffer time for things to go behind, and if you have guests – accounting for them.

Here’s a sample of a real timeline!

7. Have the best day ever!

At this point, we’ve done everything we can to create the best day ever! With locations up and down the coast, there’s plenty to choose from. When it comes to the day of, trusting the process and allowing things to unfold as they will is the perfect mindset for a great day. After all, what matters is that you’re getting married!