Mike & Gianna had the most perfect afternoon exploring the beaches of northern Oregon, dipping their toes in the water, exploring little seaside caves, and twirling about to make Gianna’s fabulous dress spin! We had such a blast doing nothing but exploring the coastline for their Ecola State Park elopement– a simple afternoon together with nothing to do and nowhere to be, just time to spend together on their wedding day💖
Mike & Gianna’s Ecola State Park Elopement
A private, romance-filled Oregon Coast adventure
Right off the bat, Mike and Gianna let me know how important it was to them to have a really meaningful, private elopement just for the two of them. The traditional wedding structure never spoke to them; they preferred to share this important moment together, engulfed in nature and simply enjoying each other’s company.
Their biggest desire for their elopement? A laid-back day admiring the scenery, laughing together as they pose for photos what will last a lifetime. Say less. Given that their relationship grew incredibly strong here in the Pacific Northwest, it only made sense that they’d elope in the place they feel most connected and at ease with one another.
All of this plus their dedication to keeping their elopement sustainable (no confetti, no off-trail hiking, etc.) meant that I knew we were going to have the most amazing adventure together!
Whimsical elopement portraits at Crescent Beach
If you know anything about the Oregon Coast, then you know that part of what makes it unique is the large, wildly dramatic rock formations. They’re quintessential to the Pacific Northwest, and no coastal elopement would be complete without seeing these massive beauties in the background!
When Mike and Gianna first visited Oregon and realized it was a place they may want to call home in the future, they fell in love with this one trail in Ecola State Park– not just for the gorgeous sandy beach, but for the scenery they got to enjoy along the way.
This trail down to Crescent Beach starts from high above the shores, overlooking the beach and ocean as you make your way down the winding forest path. Before you ever get to the beach itself, you get to enjoy incredible scenery that shows off the beautiful seastacks and blue waters in the distance; it’s pretty magical from beginning to end! Though this does mean you have go back up the hill on the way back… the views make it worth it, though 🙂
All that to say, of course we had to visit Crescent Beach on Mike and Gianna’s elopement day! The coastal forest was beautiful and lush at this point in the early summer months, offering such phenomenal scenery as we made our way down the hill. Who knew that stepping over roots in your elopement attire while carrying Trader Joe’s bags could be so… picturesque?
See more of my all-time favorite sea stacks in this Adventurous Beach Elopement in Brookings, Oregon!
Twigs & twirls by the ocean
A moment for Mike as he picked the twigs out of Gianna’s dress at the bottom of the trail like the true gentleman he is! These are the kind of sweet moments I will always be on the lookout for during elopements, because they’re just as meaningful and impactful as the vows you read to each other. Especially if your love language is acts of service (there will likely be many opportunities to pick dirt and branches out of each other’s attire at the end of a hike)!
Mike was the true MVP in this moment, not only because it was such an adorable gesture, but also because we needed Gianna’s dress to show up and show offff for these portraits. She had the twirliest of twirly dresses so obviously we spent the whole day spinning! I think the beach is the ideal background for a day full of such whimsy like this🥰
P.S. If you’re as in love as I am with the outfits these two wore, don’t fret– I’ve got all the info for you. Mike’s sage green suit is custom-made from Indochino, complete with mesmerizing swirly patterns on the lining & their elopement date embroidered inside. Gianna found her fairytale gown at Blue Sky Bridal!
Private vows in the caves of Hug Point
We ended their elopement hidden away in the dramatic caves of Hug Point, where Mike and Gianna exchanged their vows in the quiet privacy of the coast. Hug Point is without a doubt a favorite location of mine for elopements, because it not only offers lush greenery & picturesque coastal views; it also has caves, tidepools, and even a little baby waterfall to explore!
So off we went to check out the tidepools and falls after Mike and Gianna tied the knot, pointing out barnacles and tiny sea creatures as the clouds made way for partially blue skies in the background. And guess how we ended the night? Twirling away under the sunset, strolling barefoot through the sand as the bottom of Gianna’s dress slowly became more and more of a gradient. If your dress isn’t muddy by the end of your adventure elopement, you might need to adventure a little harder 😉
This was truly the most wonderful, relaxed day with Mike and Gianna, just exploring the coast to our hearts’ content without a care in the world. Northern Oregon, you never disappoint!
How to Plan Your Oregon Coast Elopement
If you’re like me and have seen pictures from places like Ecola State Park, Hug Point, and the iconic Cannon Beach and thought, wow, what a magical spot to say your vows in, then you’re in luck. I created an entire blog post all about eloping at Cannon Beach and the surrounding, equally stunning state parks! Check it out here for the best ceremony spots, places to stay, and even restaurant recommendations!
And if you’re searching for someone to document your elopement in Ecola State Park or another spot along the Oregon Coast, hi—you’ve found her! I’m Marla, an adventure elopement photographer based in this magical Pacific Northwest region of the US.
With your elopement photography package, you’ll get personalized timeline assistance, custom location recommendations, a list of my most trusted vendors, and more. Reach out and let’s get started, shall we? 🙂
