How to Plan an Oregon Coast Elopement (Updated for 2025)
Oregon has so much to offer, but the Oregon coast is one of the best places to elope in the state. The beaches are huge and expansive, there’s rugged cliffs, tide pools full of anemones and starfish, caves and coves you can explore, and quaint little beach cottages you can stay at. The first time I visited Oregon back in 2015 I visited the Oregon coast and was completely changed as a person. I want to share that feeling with all of my couples, which is why I put together this guide to help you plan your Oregon coast elopement.
Table of Contents
Why have an Oregon coast elopement?
Best time of year to elope on the Oregon coast
Elopement Activities on the Oregon coast
Oregon coast elopement locations
Wedding venues on the Oregon coast
Hiking trails on the Oregon coast
Elopement locations on the Oregon coast that don’t require a hike
Elopement accommodations on the Oregon coast
Why have an Oregon Coast Elopement?
No Permits Needed
The Oregon coast is all public land, so you can marry on any beach for free! As long as it’s just you two or a handful of other people and you don’t have any chairs or anything like that, you don’t need a permit or reservation or anything. Being from Colorado, I’m used to a lot of natural spaces having hoops to jump through in order to elope on the land, but Oregon is far more relaxed on the rules.
Unique Accommodations
Oregon Airbnbs and VRBOs are some of my favorites in the country. There’s tons of A-frame cabins up and down the coast, cottages covered in shingles, mid century interiors, and beachfront properties where you can step out of your rental onto where you’re eloping. There’s tons of Airbnbs and VRBOs to choose from all up and down the coast with hot tubs for soaking in at the end of the day or a firepit to sit around while you watch the sun set.
Fewer Crowds
With the exception of the summertime, the Oregon coast is extremely quiet. Unlike California or Florida, there’s really not that many people who take up space around the beaches here. The beaches are extremely wide and long, and there’s not a ton of people who live near the coast, so most days it’s pretty quiet. The summer gets more populated, particularly in places like Cannon Beach, but it’s still significantly more empty than most other beaches in the US and can be easily avoided by walking down the beach a ways or waking up early for a sunrise elopement.
Best Time Of Year To Elope on the Oregon Coast
There’s really no bad time to visit the Oregon coast, as it’s a very temperate climate and rarely ever snows or freezes. However, this is Oregon. It rains. Like, A LOT. If the thought of rain on your wedding day would ruin your elopement, then Oregon and the Pacific Northwest just aren’t for you, I’d suggest planning your elopement for a different state entirely. Even in the dry months, the looming threat of showers is still there, that’s just the climate in these areas. You should really only consider Oregon if the moody weather and moisture is something that really appeals to you.
Summer: June-August
Summer is the most popular time to visit the Oregon coast, and a great time to enjoy the warm sun on the beaches. Temperatures are usually in the 70s, which is a bit cooler than the rest of the state, but warm enough to hang out on the beach. Summer is when it rains the least in Oregon, so that’s when everyone visits the coast- keep in mind, though, just because summer is the dry season, doesn’t mean that it can’t still rain in summer, it frequently does! While the summer is the warmest time to enjoy Oregon’s coast, it’s also the busiest time, so this will be when crowds on the beaches are at their peak. Avoid crowds by getting out at sunrise or sunset and avoid popular beaches like Cannon Beach.
Fall: September-mid November
Fall is great on the coast. There’s less crowds, less rain in early fall, and depending on where you are, the trees will be changing colors, which is downright stunning. The trees start changing in late September or early October and hit their peak around the last week of October and first week of November. The temps get a little cooler around this time, and the rain starts increasing, so prepare accordingly with rain gear and some layers for when the sun sets or for cold weather.
Winter: Late November-February
This is going to be the rainiest time on the Oregon coast, but you can still luck out with the weather from time to time and find a sunny day. The coast is significantly warmer than the mountains, it basically never snows, and the temps are usually in the high 40s-50s. If you’re willing to put up with the rain or you’re escaping someplace significantly colder in the winter, the Oregon coast is great this time of year, and hardly anyone else is around.
Spring: March-May
Spring is great in Oregon, and lovely on the coast as well. The weather is still rainy, but much less so than in winter. Blooms start popping up as early as February, but hit their peak around March or April. Coming from somewhere like Colorado where spring comes exceedingly late in the year and lasts only a couple weeks, I find that Oregon’s spring is lovely and stretches for a very long time. Stop by a tulip or peony field on your way to the coast if you have time and they’re blooming, the fields are gorgeous this time of year.
Elopement Activities on the Oregon Coast
Hiking
There’s trails all along the coast where you can explore cliffsides, rock formations, and beautiful vistas with relative ease.
Surfing
Oregon is not as ideal for surfing as California, but the breaks are significantly less crowded. Summer is the best time for ideal conditions and warmer water. Be sure to pack a thick wetsuit and bundle up!
Beach Combing
Explore tide pools, pick up sand dollars, and watch for whales. It’s not uncommon to run into someone on the beach who’s collecting seaweed or clams to eat later, people love foraging and harvesting wild things in Oregon.
Bonfires
Oregon beaches almost all allow bonfires, so you can dig a little hole, sit on some logs, and enjoy making s’mores or hot cocoa next to a warm fire. Just be sure to follow basic rules and don’t use pallets with nails, keep far away from the grass and driftwood piles, don’t make a fire during a fire ban, put it out with water, and don’t burn driftwood (it’s toxic!)
Elopement Locations on the Oregon Coast
The best wedding venues on the Oregon Coast for a micro wedding or elopement
If you want a full list of small wedding venues in Oregon, check out this blog here
Hiking trails for your Oregon Elopement
Elk Flats Trail- 3 miles
God’s Thumb- 4.7 miles
Hobbit Beach- 3.6 miles
Secret Beach- 1.6 miles
Oregon coast elopement locations that don’t require hiking
Devil’s Cauldron
Samuel H Boardman State Park
Ecola State Park
Cannon Beach
Cape Kiwanda
Elopement Accommodations In Oregon
Need an Oregon Coast Elopement Photographer?
I am in love with the Oregon coast and have spent months driving up and down the coast camping in my van so I can help my couples find the perfect spot to say their vows. I’ve helped loads of couples with planning and photographing their day and I can’t wait to help you tailor yours to your unique needs for your unique elopement.
