An intimate Cannon Beach elopement, plus tips for how to plan yours.

Why you shouldn’t sleep on a Cannon Beach elopement

The Oregon Coast is one of the most stunning destinations in the Pacific Northwest to get married. Over the last several years, I’ve seen Cannon Beach elopements become even more popular for my couples. It’s an easy destination to get to from the Portland, Eugene, or Vancouver areas and is sooo worth the drive. 

If you and your partner are looking for a sense of adventure, you can have it with an outdoorsy elopement or micro wedding, and keep the celebrations going after with a mini moon or honeymoon. The Cannon Beach area provides such a stunning variety of backdrops for your special day. One reason my couples really love Cannon Beach elopements are for the variety of photos we can get: be it a beach, lake, forest, or combination of all of those, we’ll get stunning photos.

Get in on my Cannon Beach Elopement Planning Tips

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An intimate Cannon Beach elopement

Alyce and Ryan’s Cannon Beach elopement was so special. We made their elopement a whole day-long adventure from morning to evening. They woke up in a cozy cabin on the Oregon coast, got ready together, and enjoyed their morning coffee. Stephen and I were able to be there to capture all these little details. 

A unique part of having an elopement is the intimacy of writing and sharing your vows together. Alyce and Ryan wrote their vows that morning. We then ventured out to the beach so they could share their vows in a quiet, stunning destination. To make the entire celebration more special, they brought a cake that they shared in wine glasses – so adorable!! 

Near the end of the day, we captured some stunning photos and video at a lake where they went canoeing together. This was such a unique detail that most couples don’t get to do with a larger wedding. If it’s been on your heart to have an intimate elopement, I highly recommend it, because it allows you to enjoy moments like this. 

If you want a day-long adventure like Alyce and Ryan’s along with an elopement video, I highly recommend booking my Package 4: All-Inclusive Adventure. You can view all my couples packages here.

Sold on an elopement? Here’s my Cannon Beach elopement guide to get you started.

Cannon Beach Elopement Tip #1: Plan your timeline in advance

Because your wedding day goes by so fast, it’s important that you plan your trip and the day out in advance. We want to make sure you get all the stunning photos and the meaningful experience that you’re looking for!

The first step: you’re in the right place!

Many elopement photographers like myself book out months if not years in advance, so you’ll want to start by choosing a Cannon Beach elopement photographer early. I recommend talking with a couple people and having a conversation to ensure that you’re a good personality fit. And of course, you’ll want to make sure that you love the photographer’s style. You can view more of my work here.

Consider where you want your Cannon Beach elopement to take place

I have a number of secret spots that I share with my clients to help them have an intimate and unique experience. I save that extensive list for you after you book with me, so that these spots don’t get overly crowded! 

I’m a certified Leave No Trace Aware Photographer, and a big priority for me is leaving our nature spots as beautiful as they were when we first found them. I work with each of my couples to plan an elopement that won’t be bombarded with tourists, and we prioritize leaving no trace when we come and go

Here are some popular Cannon Beach elopement spots that I love:

• Haystack Rock
• Hug Point
• Arcadia Beach

Determine the best time of year for your Cannon Beach elopement

Of course, you might already have a date in mind for your elopement! Any time of year on the Oregon coast is going to be stunning, but here are some factors to consider:

Summer:

I only offer weekdays for summer dates. This helps to ensure that we’re not fighting against crowds or having tourists in the background of your photos. The Oregon coast in the summer can get quite chaotic! 

That said, summer is a beautiful time to be on the Oregon coast. It can rain any time of the year on the coast, but you’re most likely to get a sunny day if you choose a summer date.

Fall:

My elopement couples have gotten some great sunny days in the fall, but it’s not as likely after August or September. This is a stunning time to be in the Cannon Beach area, and we still get the benefit of slightly longer days without the summer crowds.

Spring:

Spring allows for a few more sunny days and brings out even more greenery (although the Oregon coast is already SO green, which we love!). You’re likely to run into rain, so this is something you’ll want to consider, but rain on a wedding day is good luck!

Details you should consider for your Cannon Beach Elopement

Getting a permit & understanding the rules of your destination

To preserve Oregon’s beauty, many Cannon Beach spots require permits, especially if you have over 50 people. An elopement or micro wedding is a great way to celebrate your love because it makes it way easier to get married at the coast when you have 2-20 people. 

When we work together, I’ll help you with finding out what permits you might need, if any, but you’ll want to make sure that you officially buy them. You can learn more about Cannon Beach area permits here. 

Aside from permits, you’ll want to be sure you understand the rules of the spot you plan to elope in. For example, you might need to pay a fee for the park, or consider parking lot fees. Most areas also ban sparklers, floating lanterns, confetti, and other details that would cause waste. Make sure you’re prepared to clean up your trash and to take your bouquet/flowers with you so that we’re not leaving anything behind!

Alllll the wedding details

An elopement or micro wedding is seriously SO much simpler than organizing a large wedding. However, there are still details you’ll want to consider.

Perhaps the most important is your marriage license. A lot of my couples get legally married where they live at a local courthouse. That’s typically the easiest way, so that you don’t have to worry about hiring and traveling with an officiant to Cannon Beach. However, if bringing an officiant and getting legally married in Cannon Beach is important to you, then we can make it happen! Some of my couples will ask a family member to get ordained and have them officiate their ceremony. If you go that route, you’ll want to make sure you file for a marriage license in Clatsop County, where Cannon Beach is. You can contact them here to get a license. 

Along with the legal details for getting married, you’ll want to consider booking your other vendors to make the day special.

If you want to invite any witnesses or guests to your elopement, make sure that you pick a spot that everyone can access – consider beaches that are walkable and make sure you understand parking rules. I can help you plan this!

Below are some vendors that I looove for a Cannon Beach elopement:

Florists

These florists specialize in packages that are perfect for micro weddings or elopements.

Novella Theory

You can check out their website and Instagram:

https://www.novellatheory.com/

https://www.instagram.com/novella_floral/

Wildflower Portland

https://www.instagram.com/wildflower_portland/

https://wildflowerportland.com/

Brier & Ivy

https://www.instagram.com/brierandivy/

https://www.brierandivy.com/

Makeup and hair artists

I love these makeup and hair artists for Cannon Beach elopements. They’re able to help you get an effortless, beautiful look.

Underwood Makeup

https://www.instagram.com/underwoodmakeup/

The Wildeflower collective

https://www.instagram.com/thewildeflower.co/

West Coast Makeup and Hair

https://www.instagram.com/westcoastmakeupandhair/

Bakers

Cannon Beach bakery is a great local option to find your wedding cake. Dream Cakes is based in Portland but a great fit for getting a beautiful, custom cake for your Cannon Beach elopement.

Cannon Beach Bakery

cannonbeachbakery.com

https://www.instagram.com/cannonbeachbakery/

Dream Cakes

https://www.instagram.com/dreamcakespnw/

https://dreamcakespnw.com/

Planners

Curated Mess Co

https://curatedmess.co/

https://www.instagram.com/curatedmess.co/

Plan out your Cannon Beach elopement day

I help my couples time the day so that we’re able to get to locations at the right times. You’ll want to plan around tides and know which beaches are open when you want to visit them. 

When we work together, we’ll also talk about details that are important to you and your partner, like getting certain photos, visiting a unique spot, or enjoying a meal together at a certain time.

Some things that my couples love to include in their Cannon Beach elopement are:

• Sharing a sunrise coffee and reading or playing games together
• A curated or private chef dinner
• Going to a brewery
• Fishing
• Canoeing
• Hiking
• Run with your dogs on the beach
• Bonfire and s’mores on the beach

When we work together, we’ll brainstorm with even more ideas to make your Cannon Beach elopement and wedding gallery stand out!

Make your Cannon Beach elopement a whole trip!

Where to stay for your Cannon Beach elopement:

My couples love to stay in a variety of locations. Camping is a good option in the summer, but if that’s not up your alley, there are many cabins, Airbnbs or rental houses, and hotels.

These are just a few of my long list of favorite Airbnbs:

Cabin in Arch Cape

Mid-Century Riverfront Cabin

Beach Getaway in the Trees

Where to eat:

One special thing about an elopement or micro wedding is that there are so many food options, since you have a small enough party where you can eat at a restaurant! Here are some favorite reception dinner locations if you don’t want to have it at your Airbnb:

• Pelican Brewery
• Driftwood Restaurant and Lounge 
• Bistro Cannon Beach
• Public Coast Brewing
• Wayfarer

What to pack:

When we work together, I’ll work with you to suggest specific ideas for what to bring to ensure your elopement is comfortable. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Clear umbrellas for if it rains
• Hiking boots
• Rain jackets
• Warm socks
• A Polaroid (adds a special touch for those intimate moments before/after your elopement!)
• Cute vow books to share your vows

Ready to plan your Cannon Beach elopement? Let’s do it!

I’m familiar with a lot of Oregon coast locations, so if Cannon Beach doesn’t feel like quite the right fit, we’ll work together and scope out a location that’s perfect for your wedding! 

My schedule books up fast (I’m already fully booked for 2024), so if you think that you want to work with me for your Cannon Beach elopement in the next 1-2 years, now is a good time to reach out. You can learn more about the elopement experience and my packages here. 
Ready to start planning? Contact me here!

Get in on my Cannon Beach Elopement Planning Details

I’ve put together a guide with my top 10 favorite elopement Airbnbs in Cannon Beach. This guide also includes specific timelines to give you inspiration for planning your own Cannon Beach elopement, including a 4-hour, 5-hour, and 6-hour elopement. 

Sign up for that here!