Full Guide to Eloping on the Oregon Coast

The Oregon Coast is one of the most scenic regions of the Pacific Northwest, so it’s no surprise that it’s become a super popular place for adventure elopements! Rocky beaches, tide pools, lush forests, golden sunsets, moody fog-filled mornings. . . the coast simply offers a type of magic that you’ll find nowhere else. I’ve created this guide to eloping on the Oregon Coast to ensure you’re able to effortlessly plan a day that feels exciting, joy-filled, and authentic to you; I’ve included all of my personal favorite Oregon Coast elopement locations, permit instructions, fun activities, and even my top tips on choosing your beach elopement outfits.

Where is the Oregon Coast?

A shock to nobody, the Oregon Coast is, well, on the coast of Oregon! Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Oregon Coast Range to the east, the coast spans nearly 400 miles from the Columbia River all the way down to the California border. The northern part of the coast is a bit more developed, with all sorts of charming little beach towns scattered across the shores, whereas the southern part of the coast is more remote, secluded, and undeveloped—making it a prime location for folks who love wilderness adventures.

Many of the most iconic spots along the Oregon Coast are easily accessible from Portland, making the coast an incredibly popular destination for both Oregon locals and tourists alike. If you’re traveling in from out of state, I’d recommend flying into P DX, renting a car, and making a road trip out of it, whether you’re driving the easy 1.5 hours to Cannon Beach or the 6 hours down to Brookings!

Why You Should Elope on the Oregon Coast

With its incredible diversity of scenery + landscapes, the Oregon Coast is one of the most breathtaking places you could elope in the PNW bar none. When you elope on the Oregon Coast, you not only get dramatic coastal scenery; you also get abundant rainforests, rugged cliffs, massive sand dunes, giant sea stacks, dark caves, quaint beach towns, and even access to mountains further inland. It’s not hard to see why SO many people come to visit the Oregon Coast every year, and why so many couples have opted for an elopement along the coast instead of a wedding at a traditional venue. You’ll find all sorts of activities to choose from along the coast whether you’re an adventurer at heart or would rather keep your day laid-back and chill, from hiking to surfing to slow sunset strolls on the beach.

One of the other best things about the Oregon Coast is that it’s accessible pretty much year-round! Unlike many other popular elopement locations in the PNW, you can essentially elope at any time of year due to the mild weather and lack of snow the coast gets in the winter. This gives you a MUCH bigger timeframe to elope than most locations in, say, the mountains of Washington/Oregon, so there’s a lot more flexibility when it comes to choosing a date!

Still exploring all of your options? I’ve got a full Oregon Elopement Guide you may want to read through, where I give you more of the best places to elope in Oregon outside of the coast.

Best Time to Elope on the Oregon Coast

While we’re on the topic of seasons and weather, let’s dive deeper into when you should elope on the Oregon Coast + how to choose your date.

What is the best time of year to elope on the Oregon Coast?

As I mentioned before, one of the biggest draws to the Oregon Coast for eloping couples is the fact that they can elope there at pretty much any time of year. When you compare that to the very brief time frame of, say, a mountain elopement in Washington or Oregon, which can typically only occur in the warmest summer months, that opens up a ton of freedom to plan the elopement you’re dreaming of! Every season has its advantages and disadvantages, and every couple is unique in what they’re looking for out of their elopement location—so it’s hard to choose just one “best” time of year; there are a ton of factors that go into making this decision.

If your main priority is eloping when the weather is (hopefully) warm and sunny, then the best time of year for you to elope would be in the summer months; typically between July-August. This is when you’ll have the highest chance of beautiful weather, although you should still be prepared for chilly temperatures, clouds, and rain, because you are on the coast, after all—and the coast is known for being gloomy a majority of the time! These aren’t like the beaches in California, folks, so coming into it with proper, realistic expectations is key, no matter what time of year you choose to elope.

The biggest downside to eloping on the Oregon Coast in the summer is the crowds: unfortunately, you’re not the only ones who want to experience the gorgeous coast on a sunny summer day! During the warm summer months, it’s usually much harder to find secluded spots and privacy on the coast; you’ll have to consider eloping at sunrise, and on a weekday if possible, to avoid crowds. So consider whether or not that’s something you’re okay with!

Fall is sometimes called the “Second Summer” of the Oregon Coast, as the weather from September-October can actually be fairly pleasant and wind-free with temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s. But you never really know what you’re going to get (same with spring)—one day it may be blue skies and no clouds in sight, and the next it could be pouring rain and breezy. It’s all part of the adventure!

If you’d like to try and avoid crowds as much as possible, winter elopements on the coast are definitely an option—keeping in mind that the vibes will likely be very moody + the clouds and rain might be out in full force. But I truly believe that this type of atmosphere can be so beautiful for elopements, as long as you have the right mindset about it 🙂 Maggie and Dan, for example, eloped at Cannon Beach (and it was their very first time visiting), but the fog ended up being so thick that we couldn’t even see the ocean views we were there for. They were such great sports about it, though, and the day ended up being so gorgeous in a completely different way.

If you’re worried about the rain affecting your elopement on the coast, I highly recommend reading my guide to How to Embrace “Bad” Weather On Your Elopement Day!

What is the best time of day to elope on the Oregon Coast?

Sunrise and sunset are my favorite times of day for an Oregon Coast elopement, since that’s when you’ll be able to get the golden glow we all love! Remember, though, that with how cloudy the coast often is, you won’t always get a glowy golden hour or bright pink sunrise—it just depends on the day. Sunrise is great if you’d like to have your ceremony finished in the early hours of the day and have the rest of the day to explore, especially if you’d like more privacy, as much fewer people are out at sunrise. Sunset is usually more crowded, but if you get beautiful weather, the lighting is to die for, and you have plenty of time to get ready + enjoy your afternoon before it’s time for your ceremony. It’s really up to you and what’s most important to you, but as your photographer, I can also guide you through making this decision and let you know when the lighting will be best at certain places!

Top 8 Oregon Coast Elopement Locations

1. Cannon Beach

If you want to elope in a cute beach town with easy access to gorgeous forests, iconic landmarks, stunning beaches, and all sorts of adorable local shops, restaurants, and cafes, then Cannon Beach is the place for you! Located in northwest Oregon, Cannon Beach is a small coastal city most known for its charming atmosphere, sweeping ocean views, expansive beaches, and the very recognizable Haystack Rock. I’ve actually included multiple locations in the Cannon Beach area on this list, so for this particular section I’ll just talk about the area near Haystack Rock! If you’ve never heard of it, it’s this giant sea stack close to downtown Cannon Beach that makes for an incredible backdrop for elopement portraits. Because it’s protected by the Oregon Islands Wildlife Refuge, events aren’t allowed within 100 feet of Haystack Rock, but we can take portraits and/or have your ceremony further away + still have it in the background! Note that Haystack does get super crowded in the summers, so it may be a better option for a fall, spring, or winter elopement.

Check out my full Cannon Beach Elopement Guide for more info about this specific area of the coast!

2. Hug Point

Hug Point is another favorite of mine, located just a few minutes from Cannon Beach on the way to Manzanita; it’s amazing because it’s got quite a diverse variety of spots to explore besides the sandy shores of the coast. The shores and cliffs are lined with spruce trees and offer sweeping views of the coastline, but the views from the beach are just as incredible. Through just a simple walk along the beach you’ll find caves, tide pools, and even a pretty waterfall around the corner of the main cliffside. If you want to explore the area around this waterfall (which makes for the most epic wide shots), make sure you elope at Hug Point when the tides are low—otherwise, you won’t be able to walk around to the waterfall. Oh, and make sure you watch the tides so you can get back to the other side safely once you are at the waterfall!

Are you falling in love with this dreamy coastal spot just like I have over the years? Of course I have a full Hug Point Elopement Guide for you!

3. Ecola State Park

Located just as close to Cannon Beach is Ecola State Park, a really gorgeous Oregon State Park with panoramic views, miles of hiking trails, and plenty of scenic picnic areas where you could have a cozy post-ceremony picnic or pop some champagne. Being that Ecola is just a few miles from Cannon Beach, it’s super easy to visit both Cannon Beach AND this state park during your elopement, and get in a variety of hikes + sightseeing opportunities! Indian Beach is one of the prettiest beaches in the park, and fun fact: this beach was one of the film locations for the Twilight movie series (portraying La Push)! Crescent Beach is another beautiful stop just 1.25 miles down the hill from the Oregon Coast Trail. There’s a $5 day-use permit required to park in Ecola, so make sure to grab one at the fee station at the park’s entrance once you arrive.

4. Chapman Point

Chapman Point is a beautiful viewpoint between Chapman Beach and Crescent Beach that I love for portraits! Part of John Yeon State Natural Site and located at the north end of Cannon Beach, this spot features many large sea stacks, rocky shores, driftwood, and even bald eagles who frequent the area. If the tides are low, you can venture into the water and around the caves, and even further to Crescent Beach.

5. Oswald West State Park

Want a more underrated place to elope that typically doesn’t see as many crowds as places like Cannon Beach or Ecola State Park? Oswald West State Park is a beautiful one, just 10 miles south of Cannon Beach that features spectacular views, many miles of hiking trails, and lush old-growth forest that is a dream to walk through. Devil’s Cauldron is one of my personal top picks for elopements in this state park; it’s a breathtaking cove with a really beautiful trail + an overlook with dramatic ocean views. Short Sand Beach is one of the more popular destinations in the park, for surfers and boogie boarders especially, and you even get views of Neah-Kah-Nie Mountain from this beach! Plus, with such easy access to places like Hug Beach, Tolovana Beach, Ecola State Park, and Cannon Beach nearby, adding this park to your coast itinerary is a no-brainer.

6. Brookings

If you’re looking for a remote location along the coast with absolutely insane views, and you’re down for a longer drive, you just have to consider Brookings. It’s yet another quaint beach town and is most known for its incredible ocean vistas, hiking trails, picturesque overlooks, and quiet beaches that rival even the best beaches on the northern Oregon Coast. Brookings is wayyyy down south, almost at the California border, so it’s definitely more of a trek—but trust me, the views are out of this world and are worth every mile of the drive. You could spend hours and hours exploring Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor and its dramatic bluffs, beaches, hidden coves, and sea stacks; one of my favorite spots is the short trail to Secret Beach. Jaw-dropping, let me tell you.

7. Lincoln City

Lincoln City is a small town on the central coast, located between Tillamook to the north and Newport to the south. It’s the cutest little area to spend time in, with dreamy beaches, gorgeous recreation sites (such as Roads End), campgrounds, tide pools, hidden coves, even islands. Lincoln City has plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure that would be super fun to include in your elopement, including hiking, paddle sports, boating, and fat tire biking along the 7 miles of flat beach!

8. Cape Kiwanda

Last on the list (though there are MANY more great locations) is Cape Kiwanda, a really unique state natural area just north of Pacific City. Cape Kiwanda is different from any of the other beaches on this list, offering not only a beautiful beach area but also towering sand dunes, picturesque sandstone formations, twisting crevices and craggy cliffs, and spectacular viewpoints. The red and orange tones of the sandstone make for really gorgeous photos, but be aware that the standsone is very fragile and is constantly eroding, so it’s important that we respect signs in the area and avoid roped-off areas. The parking lot on either side of Hungry Harbor Road near Cape Kiwanda does charge a $10 day use access pass, so make sure to grab one before you head down to the beach.

Legalities of Getting Married on the Oregon Coast

Don’t forget about the legal stuff—let’s talk next about getting the proper permits as well as getting your Oregon marriage license!

1. Get any necessary parking permits

You’ll probably notice that I’ve already been mentioning parking permits for certain locations, as that’s an important part of visiting many different state and federally protected sites/landmarks/wilderness areas. Before you arrive at your elopement location, be sure to find out whether or not you need any type of reservation and/or parking permit; this way, you can add the costs into your elopement budget and make sure you have time to print any permits beforehand if necessary!

2. Get any necessary Special Use Permits

Additionally, you’ll want to check for Special Use Permit requirements at your Oregon Coast elopement location. Typically, for beaches along the coast and in Oregon State Parks, you won’t need a Special Use Permit unless you have a group of 50+ people, and/or you have props/equipment you want to set up, but it’s always good to double check. I’ll help you with this, so don’t feel like you have to do it all on your own!

3. Get your Oregon marriage license

Finally, you’ll of course need to obtain an Oregon marriage license before your elopement. In order to get legally married in Oregon, you have to be at least 18 years old, have two witnesses who are 18 years or older, and wait the mandatory three-day waiting period before your ceremony can take place. Once your license is valid, it’ll be good within the State of Oregon for 60 days, so you’ve got time to have your ceremony! The fee for an Oregon marriage license varies by county and is typically between $50-$75; as an example, the fee for a marriage license in Clatsop County (where Cannon Beach is located) is $60.

To get your Oregon marriage license, you’ll need to apply through an Oregon County Clerk’s Office (it can be any within the state of Oregon), fill out the necessary documentation, pay the fee, and wait three days—then you’re all set to make things official.

Where to Stay on the Oregon Coast

To make it easier to find the right place for you, I’ve separated these into the four main areas of the coast we’ve been talking about in this guide: Cannon Beach, Lincoln City, Pacific City, and Brookings. There are all sorts of incredible Airbnbs, cabins, and oceanfront hotels along the coast, so no matter where you’re eloping, there won’t be a lack of options!

Where to Stay Near Cannon Beach

Where to Stay in Lincoln City

Where to Stay in Pacific City

Where to Stay Near Brookings

Oregon Coast Elopement Photographer

I’d be so thrilled to document your Oregon Coast elopement, whether that looks like a multi-day roadtrip from the northern coast to the more remote southern coast, or a full day of exploring the Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park area. Inquire with me here and let’s chat all about what your dream coastal elopement adventure might look like!

Here are some bonus PNW elopement resources you won’t want to miss!