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Ecola State Park Intimate Wedding

The day

To say that this intimate Oregon coast wedding was much anticipated would be a total understatement! Kourtney and Sage had originally planned to get married in Hawaii, but due to the craziness of the current circumstances…well, that didn’t get to happen. However, plan B turned out to be SO perfect! They hosted the sweetest intimate wedding at Ecola State Park surrounded by their closest people!!

After their cliffside ceremony (and lots of hugs to go around) we headed out to Cannon beach! The perfect spot for some epic PNW elopement portraits of the bride and groom! And then we went to the couple’s favorite food spot on the coast and they got some melts (their first meal as Mr. and Mrs!) They ended the day back at their Airbnb, where they continued to celebrate with their loved ones. Literally the most intentional and intimate wedding, my absolute favorite to document!!

Intimate Weddings

While just a little different than an elopement, intimate weddings are truly the perfect way to include your loved ones in your day while still keeping it low-key. Choosing to invite only a few people may cause some initial concern (no one wants to feel left out after all.) But defining your priorities and planning the most perfect day that best suits you two is ALWAYS most important. I loved how Kourtney and Sage invited 8 of their family members to witness their wedding, while still staying true to them and making the day fun for everyone!

How to Plan an Intimate Wedding

Planning an intimate wedding in Oregon is SUPER easy! There are so many options for locations, and I am always happy to assist my clients in choosing the perfect spot for them. There are several things to consider before committing to an intimate wedding; here’s a few things to get you started!

1. Envision your perfect day (as a couple!)

Think of what environment you two love and are most comfortable in, and incorporate things you love to do together! Whether that’s going hiking, hanging with your pup, or grabbing a melt at your fave place by the beach! Think of how you want to feel and go from there! Season and location can be a big part of this, and is always something to consider! If you want an intimate wedding on the Oregon coast, for example, I recommend between August-October

2. Consider who you want to be there

When deciding the guest list for an intimate wedding, think about who you are most comfortable being around, and who you have the best time with. While some may choose guests based on obligation (and that’s totally understandable with family!) Really consider who will make the day as least stressful as possible! If you can’t narrow down a list and the idea of picking who can and can’t come, then maybe consider a private elopement or minimony, and then a reception or party with more people later!

3. Choose the right vendors

While elopements and intimate weddings tend to have much fewer moving parts than a traditional wedding, there are still some things you might want to book in advance! Vendors such as photo + video, hair + makeup, and flowers tend to be the most common for intimate weddings, but there is no limit on what you can include on your day! Always ask your photographer for vendor referrals, as we most often have a list compiled of fellow artists and vendors whose work we are familiar with and can recommend!