Eloping on the Pacific Northwest Coast: Finding Your Own Magic

The Pacific Northwest, with its dramatic landscapes and serene beauty, offers an enchanting backdrop for an intimate and unforgettable elopement. I know firsthand - because my husband and I ran off to the Oregon Coast & California Redwoods to elope last year.

And don’t get me wrong… While traditional weddings have their allure, eloping allows couples to truly personalize their special day, focusing on what matters most to them.

Below you’ll find a little more on our love story, a handful of reasons why eloping in this area is so magical, and tips and tricks to help you put together the perfect elopement experience.

One of my favorite shots from our engagement session (also our elopement photographer: Lucia Wallace Photo. See more from our engagement session on Lucia’s site here)

Our love story (the quick version):

My husband and I have been together for 11 years, and spent our first handful of years in Richmond Virginia where we met and where my husband grew up.
After 5 years together, we got engaged on Halloween day - one of our favorite holidays.
We enjoyed a lengthy engagement and always knew we wanted a smaller/elopement-style wedding (mainly due to some chronic health issues that I face. More on that story here.)
On October 1st of 2023 we decided we were ready! We very quickly planned an intimate getaway for ourselves, and eloped 30 days later on Halloween 2023 (exactly five years after our engagement).

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For more info please see my Disclosure here.

Additional Disclaimers:

Always obtain necessary permits and respect park regulations when planning an elopement.
Consider the environmental impact of your choices; choose sustainable options whenever possible, and always leave no trace.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice.

Where we eloped:

Jedediah Smith State Park

(in Crescent City, California)

We set out from our cottage rental (in Brookings) and drove about 40 minutes south - over the state border, into California - and into the redwoods, where we very much wanted to spend a portion of our day. We wandered for a few hours in the magical Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, and walked along the beloved ‘Grove of Titans’ trail.

Samuel Boardman Scenic Corridor

(in Brookings, Oregon)

We strategically timed our arrival to Samuel Boardman after studying the day’s tidal charts (and arrived at low tide), stopping at a few popular spots to run along the beach, explore sea stack rocks, and hike along coastal trails. Of the few hours we spent at Samuel Boardman, our favorite stops were at Lone Ranch Beach and at Cape Ferrelo - which we felt offered really beautiful beaches, vistas, and easy, safe walkability for a wedding gown.

Where we stayed:

Crook Point - which is an amazing wedding and lodging rental venue in Brookings, Oregon - conveniently located only a few miles up the road from Samuel Boardman, and about 40 minutes from Jedediah Smith.
(Their team was incredibly helpful in answering all of my questions, helping us get booked at the last minute/on-the-fly, and even showing us around their incredibly-special property to ensure we picked photos and vow spots that were perfect for us. Thank you Kathleen & Mary!) :)

We chose to exchange vows at the end of the day back on Crook Point property, as we knew the privacy would allow us for a truly quiet and special vow exchange moment.

Photography: Lucia Wallace Photo; hiking along Cape Ferrelo, in Samuel Boardman.

Extras:

Photographer: the incomparable, Lucia Wallace Photo (who also shot our engagement photos)
- Check out Lucia’s website here
- Check out Lucia’s Instagram here
Dresses (yes, plural!):
- Getting ready dress: Rococo Sand
- Redwoods dress: Olivia Bottega
- Coastal dress: Beloved by Casablanca
Hair & Makeup: done by me to keep it easy

Flowers: I wanted a dried bouquet that I could enjoy for years, and went with one from FeltGoodStudios (Etsy) that complimented our warmer orange wedding colors.
Food:
- Elopement Picnic Lunch: All of our favorite / easy-to-grab cooler snacks & drinks
- Elopement Dinner: Special-ordered lots of good food (that we could easily reheat in the oven) from Whole Foods kitchen.

What we ended up ordering/using/needing for prep stuff, and day-of essentials:

Whiteboard / Dry Erase Board. Thank goodness for whoever invented the dry erase board, because we get SO MUCH done with one on hand.
A big cooler. (A wedding gift to ourselves!) Ordering a nice/big cooler was clutch for helping us transport our food across the state from Central Oregon to the coast. It was also very helpful for having cold snacks and drinks on hand during our daytime elopement exploring and adventures. (We stopped during our elopement day to eat a picnic lunch sitting on that cooler - which I’ll fondly remember forever.)
A few large Tupperware storage bins. (For transporting all those essentials.)
Garment bags. (For transporting your day-of-best!)
A mini Polaroid camera. (So we could snap pictures each day of our elopement-week together.)
Dinner table setup / tablescape items. We opted to do as much ourselves as we could, simply because we didn’t want the fuss of dealing with planners or coordinators, etc. To give you an idea of some items you might like to add for your elopement dinner setup, here’s what I ordered to complete our table setup:
- A set of gold cutlery
- A set of square gold plate chargers (Dishwater provided by our venue. Be sure to check with your venue on the shape of plates that they use when ordering charger plates.)
- Gauze/cheesecloth napkin set
- Pretty napkin rings
- Standard tablecloth
- Decorative table runner
- Candles and vases
Random ‘emergency-kit’ items, such as: Tide pens to treat any surprise stains, oil-blotting sheets to keep us picture perfect, and clear umbrellas incase the weather turned on us.

Our car became like a Mary Poppins carpet bag. We used a few large Tupperware storage bins and our new cooler to get everything from our house to our Crook Point coastal cottage. On elopement day, we re-packed the trunk with our cooler of snacks, and one of our storage Tupperware bins with extra shoe options for both of us (incase shoes got wet or became uncomfortable), and some jacket options for me (we got very lucky with warm weather on Halloween day, but were prepared just incase).

Here’s a bit more about our two favorite places, Samuel Boardman & Jedediah Smith

Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor: Where the Coast Comes Alive

Imagine exchanging vows on a secluded beach, the crashing waves as your soundtrack and the towering sea stacks as your witnesses. Sounds pretty good, right? Samuel Boardman State Scenic Corridor along the Oregon Coast offers breathtaking coastal scenery, from the iconic Oregon Caves to the natural bridges of Natural Bridges Viewpoint.

Why elope here:
- Diverse landscapes: Explore hidden coves, hike through lush forests, and witness the power of the Pacific Ocean. (Our two favorite stops in terms of beauty and safe/easy access were Lone Ranch Beach and Cape Ferrelo.)
- Secluded beauty: Find your own private paradise amidst the stunning coastal scenery.
- Adventure opportunities: Kayak through sea caves, go whale watching, or simply relax on a secluded beach.

Jedediah Smith State Park: A Redwood Reverie

For couples who dream of a ceremony surrounded by ancient giants, Jedediah Smith State Park in California is an ideal destination. Standing underneath the awe-inspiring majesty of the towering redwoods creates a truly special feeling and unforgettable experience.

Why elope here:
- Intimate redwood groves: Exchange vows in a secluded grove, surrounded by the majesty of these ancient trees. (We honestly felt like this place feels sacred and just so special.)
- Hiking trails: Explore the park's diverse trails, from short nature walks to challenging hikes. We chose The Grove of Titans trail for its easy walkability and staggering beauty.
- Campground options: Enjoy a rustic camping experience or stay in a cozy cabin within the park and wake up on your big day right among the trees.

Photography (above & below): Lucia Wallace Photo; hiking within Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

Eloping Your Way: Finding Your Perfect Match

Whether it's a sunrise ceremony on a secluded beach, a vow exchange beneath a canopy of redwoods, or a simple picnic with just the two of you eating a box of Oreos with glasses of milk, the most important aspect of eloping is to create a day that reflects you as a couple, and your unique love story.

Focus on what matters: Prioritize experiences, whether it's a romantic hike, a shared meal, or simply spending quality time together. We knew we wanted our day to be easy, and filled with fun - so that we could just focus on each other.
Embrace spontaneity: Let the beauty of the surroundings guide your day, and be open to unexpected adventures. (Just make sure you keep an eye on the high tides, if you intend to explore the coast!)
Capture the memories: Hire a photographer and or videographer whose work or style you admire, who can help capture and document the big and small moments within your special day.
- Photographers can be expensive these days, but trust me when I say that you will never ever regret getting amazing photos of your wedding or elopement day. (When they say, “you only get one shot” at something - choosing a wedding photographer deserves to be on that list!)

Additional Tips & Ideas for making your day perfect:

Here is a my dried wedding bouquet, complete with love-letter ribbons tied onto the handle, and feathers from loved ones tucked in between flowers.

Involve Family somehow
If you’re keeping things intimate (i.e. just the couple), you might have family members who feel disheartened about not being there to witness the elopement. While we thankfully had lots of love and support from both of our families to quietly elope, we still wanted a way to incorporate family into our ceremony. We asked family members and friends to write us love notes or words of encouragement onto white satin ribbons - which I then tied onto the stem handle of my flower bouquet. It was a beautiful way to see a visual reminder of their love and support throughout the day.

Order things in advance
Make sure you order any wedding-day-items with ample time to receive them. (Include buffer time incase something goes awry with an order and you have to ‘Plan B’.)
If you’re ordering items that are custom or artisan made keep in mind those items can sometimes take longer!

Research & plan for specific marriage license requirements (and make appointments as needed) if you intend to officially elope or be married in another county/state.
Don’t wait too long to book or reserve the essentials. Whether it’s a specific photographer, lodging, or any other service you will need - don’t wait to book ’til the last minute.
Have a Plan-B ready. (This goes hand-in-hand with the tip above.)
Check with your photographer about their cancelation policy; plan your strategy if the weather turns foul; prepare a ‘day-of’ emergency kit with any essentials you might need on hand, etc. etc.

If you’re considering eloping in the Pacific Northwest - I’m here to tell you to DO IT! Embrace the freedom, the intimacy, and the magic of eloping your way in one of the most special corners of the country. Here are a few other PNW-infused elopement destinations:

Head to the Olympic Peninsula in Washington and spend your day roaming through parts of Olympic National Park.
Rent a cabin near Mt. Hood (outside of Portland, Oregon) and spend the day hiking and exploring through Mt. Hood National Forest.
Rent a place in Bend, Oregon and hold a small ceremony looking over Smith Rock State Park.
Rent a houseboat in Seattle and throw a retro themed elopement.

Whether you spend three years or thirty days planning for your elopement or micro-wedding, (and whether you spend $150 or $1,500 or $15,000), I can say wholeheartedly that eloping offers an opportunity to escape the traditional wedding frenzy and create a truly personal and meaningful experience.

Please drop me a line in the comments below and tell me about your elopement day (real or fantasy)!