Table of Contents:
- Where is the Southern Oregon Coast?
- Why Elope on the Southern Oregon Coast?
- 4 Gorgeous Southern Oregon Coast Elopement Locations
- When to Elope on the Southern Oregon Coast
- Legalities of Getting Married on the Southern Oregon Coast
- Where to Stay for Your Southern Oregon Coast Elopement
- Southern Oregon Coast Elopement Packages
If you haven’t considered eloping on the southern Oregon Coast, you’re missing out on a whole world of beauty. A lot of people tend to think of Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock when they think of the Oregon Coast—and don’t get me wrong, these destinations are iconic for a reason! So allow me to use this blog post to introduce you to a part of the coast that doesn’t get quite as much love (but absolutely should), and maybe even to convince you to elope there 🙂 In this southern Oregon Coast elopement guide, you’ll find all my best recommendations, tips, and advice, including must-see coastal spots, permit information, and more. As you read through this blog post, I hope you can feel all the magic that this enchanting area has to offer ✨
Where is the Southern Oregon Coast?
First things first: what exactly do I mean when I say the “southern Oregon Coast?” That’s a prettyyy broad region, so let me clarify. The southern Oregon Coast is technically considered to include seven different coastal cities: Coos Bay, Bandon, Port Orford, Gold Beach, North Bend, Reedsport, and Brookings. However, the time I’ve spent on this part of the coast has mostly been in and around the Brookings area, so I’ll mainly be focusing on that area. All the photos you’ll see throughout this blog are within around 15 miles of downtown Brookings, as well! It takes around 6 hours to drive from Portland all the way to Brookings, so it’s definitely a trek—but one that is so worth every minute spent in the car, asking “Are we there yet?”
Why Elope on the Southern Oregon Coast?
If you’ve heard of the more well-known destinations in Oregon such as Cannon Beach, Crater Lake, Mt. Hood, or the Columbia River Gorge, you might be wondering why you should elope on the southern Oregon Coast out of all the spectacular locations available to you! Let’s see if I can persuade you 😉
It’s quieter than the northern Oregon Coast
I think one of my personal favorite aspects of the southern Oregon Coast is that it’s noticeably quieter, more secluded, and more remote than the northern part of the coast. You won’t find massive summer crowds taking up every square inch of the beach on a sunny day, or tons of tourists walking around the cute little beachside towns; no, you’ll have a LOT easier time finding spots that offer peace & quiet. There’s something about the more rugged, undeveloped terrain that just makes you feel so inspired, so energized, and so grateful for the opportunity to explore—all qualities that make for a fabulous adventure elopement.
There’s more than just sandy beaches
The Oregon Coast is veryyy famous for its massive sea stacks, most people immediately thinking of the iconic Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach. But did you know that the entire Pacific Northwest coastline is actually sprinkled with gorgeous, towering sea stacks of all shapes and sizes? The gorgeous formations around the Brookings area/along the Samuel H Boardman State Scenic Corridor add so much depth + flair to your elopement photos.
Not only will you find plenty of these super cool sea stacks; you’ll also get the chance to explore various tidepools, caves, cliffside trails, and naturally-formed bridges. It truly feels like some sort of magical fantasy land that you’ve been transported to, with nothing but breathtaking scenery to admire all around you. I love a good white-sand beach with miles of open shoreline, but I have to admit that all the unique geological elements of the southern Oregon Coast take the cake for me!
Outdoor adventures galore
You know I love a good adventure (hence why I live and breathe the PNW outdoors), so I cannot recommend the southern Oregon Coast ENOUGH for folks who are craving the same for their elopement day. You’ll feel right at home if you enjoy exploring dreamy landscapes and admiring natural beauty, whether that’s from a trail along the rugged coastal cliffs, a kayak out in the water, or maybe from the shores as you enjoy a romantic picnic, watching the sunset over the horizon. No matter what type of adventures you vibe with most, the southern Oregon Coast has something to offer everyone.
4 Gorgeous Southern Oregon Coast Elopement Locations
After hearing about the magic of the southern Oregon Coast for years, you bet I was thrilled out of my mind to finally get to see it all for myself when I photographed my first elopement there. While there are truly a never ending variety of scenic locations in the area that would be phenomenal for elopements, I’m going to focus on just three of the ones I’ve personally been to, and explore with my own couples. If you’d like more recommendations, I’ve got a few secret spots up my sleeve that I’ll let you in on once we start working together!
These locations are all located along the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor, which is an unbelievably beautiful 12-mile stretch of coastline that extends between Brookings and Gold Beach. Named after the first superintendent of Oregon State Parks, this portion of the highway has something to offer at nearly every turn—literally, you can just pull over on the side of the road or at a scenic overlook and see some of the most spectacular views of your life. Along the corridor you’ll find not only an incredible amount of overlooks and viewpoints, but picnic areas and trailheads, as well. Plus, all of these spots are within just 4 miles of each other, so you can easily hit them all up in the same day!
Indian Sands
Indian Sands Trail is a quick 1.1 mile loop near Brookings, along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor that offers stunning views of these crazy cool cliffside dunes. The dramatic coastline scenery of the cliffs, the forest, the ocean, the sea stacks + natural rock bridges, and these dunes make for a spectacular backdrop for an elopement ceremony, plus with how easy it is to get to, it’s a no-brainer. Those with mobility limitations may find the short, steep section of the dunes a bit challenging, but it’s an easy hike otherwise and takes only about 10 minutes to get to the viewpoint from the parking lot! And that journey there is just as magical, taking you through tree tunnels, lush overgrowth, and connections to other trails along the way.
Secret Beach
Accessible via a short 0.75-mile trail, Secret Beach is a breathtaking beach boasting both gorgeous ocean views and lush, forested coastline showcasing vibrant greenery. It’s easy, free, and incredibly rewarding for a low amount of effort—who wouldn’t want to take advantage of this magical trail? The only thing to note is that the beach itself is only accessible at low tide, so we’ll be sure to monitor tide charts before and on your elopement day. While Secret Beach used to be a little more on the down-low, it’s now become one of the more popular spots in the area, so be prepared to find slightly more crowds during peak season than you would at other beaches on the southern coast.
Whaleshead Beach
Remember how I was telling you about the huge, wildly cool sea stacks that line the entire Oregon Coast? Well, Whaleshead Beach is a prime example of these unique geological formations, seeing as its main (and most recognizable) feature is a sea stack shaped like a whale’s head. What’s extra interesting is that when hit by a wave, the sea stack almost looks like it’s spouting water just as a whale would! Located seven miles north of Brookings, you can either choose to drive down to the beach or park off the highway and take a forested trail down to the shores. It’s an absolutely gorgeous place to explore on your elopement day, offering wondrous views of the southern Oregon Coast’s most wild and rugged shorelines.
I recently visited Whaleshead Beach with Ashlee + Ryan for their Adventurous Beach Elopement in Brookings—look through their gorgeous gallery here for inspo!
Dying to see more magnificent coastal locations like these? Don’t miss my Full Guide to Eloping on the Oregon Coast, where I go through even more of the best spots along the entire coast!
When to Elope on the Southern Oregon Coast
If you’re dreaming of eloping on the southern Oregon Coast, you’re probably wondering when the best time of year is to say “I do” with those stunning ocean views as your backdrop. Let’s dive into how to pick the perfect date for your coastal elopement!
When is the best time of year to elope on the Southern Oregon Coast?
Let me tell you something pretty cool, my friend: the Oregon Coast is accessible pretty much all year-round. Yep, that’s right! No need to plan super duper carefully to avoid snowy trails or blocked-off roads due to winter weather; the weather on the coast is very mild compared to the more mountainous regions of Oregon, never getting too much snow. However, the coast DOES get a lot of rain in the winter, which, to be fair, is to be expected anywhere in the PNW.
With that said, there’s really no “bad” time to elope on the southern Oregon Coast—it simply depends on your priorities, and what you’re envisioning your elopement to look like. Want to explore the trails and enjoy sunny days? Go for a summer date! Maybe you love the cozy, moody vibes of a rainy day on the coast—a fall or winter elopement would be perfect for you. Dying to see the wildflowers bloom along the coast and maybe check out a waterfall or two at their peak flow? Spring on the coast is beautiful! If you want to dive a bit deeper into when to elope in the PNW by season + location, I highly recommend reading through this guide next.
When is the best time of day to elope on the Southern Oregon Coast?
Is there really anything better than watching the sun rise or set from a dreamy beach setting? I’ll probably always be partial to sunrise and sunset elopements, especially with the way golden hour lights up the coast with the most magical colors and glistening sun rays. Fortunately, though, the coast provides picturesque views that look amazing at any time of day, whether you’re getting up early for a sunrise elopement, tying the knot at an overlook under the mid-day sun, or exploring mysterious little coves at blue hour. I’ll help you plan your timeline and determine what times would be best for each part of your day!
And remember: the weather doesn’t have to determine how your elopement pans out. In fact, it shouldn’t; adventure elopements are best when you can truly embrace whatever comes at you, and make magic out of anything you’re hit with. For my best tips on preparing for all kinds of different weather scenarios, check out my blog post about How to Embrace “Bad” Weather On Your Elopement Day.
Legalities of Getting Married on the Southern Oregon Coast
Moving on from weather to the important legal stuff you need to know in order to elope on the southern Oregon Coast, which I’ll be more than happy to help you out with along the way.
Day-Use Fees + Passes
None of the three locations I mentioned in this guide require a day-use pass or fee to be paid, so chances are you won’t need one! You can show your gratitude for the opportunity to explore these beautiful places at no cost by following Leave No Trace principles, and minimizing your impact wherever possible 🙂
Special Use Permits
You most likely won’t need any kind of Special Use Permit for your elopement on the southern Oregon Coast, either. However, it’s always good to double check, especially when you’re visiting any state or federally protected land, such as Oregon State Parks.
Oregon Marriage Laws + Licenses
Finally, you’ll need to obtain your Oregon marriage license to make things official on the southern Oregon Coast. To get a marriage license in Oregon, you need to be at least 18 years old (or 17 with parental consent) and provide a valid photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport. Keep in mind that Oregon has a 3-day waiting period after your license is issued, so you won’t be able to use it immediately! You’ll also need two witnesses who are at least 18 years old to be present at your ceremony (I’m more than happy to be one of those!).
When you’re ready to apply for your marriage license, you can stop by any County Clerk’s Office in Oregon and complete their application form. The cost varies by county, typically ranging from $50-$75. If you’re in Brookings, for example, you’ll need to visit the Curry County Clerk’s Office, where appointments are required. A marriage license through Curry County costs $50, and you’ll also be able to request certified copies for an additional charge. Once issued, your license is good for 60 days!
Where to Stay for Your Southern Oregon Coast Elopement
Just like many other scenic PNW destinations, the southern Oregon Coast has no shortage of beautiful, thoughtful places to stay, whether you’d feel most at home in a tiny coastal cottage or a spacious, oceanview home. Below, you’ll find a list of highly-rated Airbnbs in the Brookings area, specifically, that I think would be a dream come true for a cozy, coastal adventure elopement.
Southern Oregon Coast Elopement Photographer
Hey there, I’m Marla! I specialize in capturing adventurous couples exploring the beautiful, beautiful Pacific Northwest, and helping you create the elopement experience of a lifetime. This breathtaking region of the coast is one of my favorite places to take couples as they start the next chapter of their journey together; it’s impossible not to fall in love with it. If you’re ready to embark on this adventure together and bring your dream elopement to life, let’s chat and get the ball rolling! As an experienced southern Oregon Coast elopement photographer, I’ve got you covered every step of the way.
If you found this guide helpful, you’ll love my other PNW elopement resources—take a peek at a few of my must-reads below.
