We love being an Oregon coast elopement photographer not only because of the gorgeous views, but the adventure that can happen in Oregon is one of our very favorite things! Are you ready for an Oregon coast elopement? We are shelling out all the info on the best of the Oregon coast elopement locations. The three spots that capture our hearts in this blog are Hug Point, Arch Cape, and Cannon Beach. All of which are within a ten minute drive from each other! This stretch of magic is technically called “The North Coast”, which stretches from the Columbia River to Cascade Head.
How to Get Married in Clatsop County
let’s make it official!
These three spots are all located in Clatsop County. To obtain a marriage license application, you can request it delivered to you by mail by calling (503) 325-8511 or email a request with your mailing address to clerk@co.clatsop.or.us. You may also schedule an appointment to complete the application in person. By choosing to complete an in person application, you can waive the 3-day waiting period. Marriage Licenses are issued Monday – Friday between 8:30am – 4:00pm.To seal the deal, both parties must sign the license and pay the $60 non-refundable fee before the marriage ceremony. The license is not valid until activated. The activated license will be given to you in a packet to take to the marriage ceremony. Still have questions? The Clatsop County website has all the deets.
If you need officiants, Elope in Portland and Rooted & Wild are there to make your wedding official!
Our Favorite Oregon coast elopement locations!
Arch Cape
Arch Cape is named for the natural arch in the coastal rocks and the headland (cape) that extends into the Pacific Ocean, it is located along the Pacific coast, approximately four miles south of Cannon Beach, between Hug Point State Recreation Site to the north and Oswald West State Park to the south. The arch creates a one of a kind backdrop for all your elopement photos making it one of the best of the Oregon coast for elopements. Insert the heart eye emoji!!
If you’re looking for an adventure – Arch Cape can take you to Short Sand Beach in 15.9 miles roundtrip and at 990 feet, it’s a more challenging hike. Why it is a longer hike along with it comes incredible scenery and avoids the crowds. According to Local Adventurer, Arch Cape to Cape Falcon is the least traveled part of Oswald West State Park. Make way for your adventure! Oregon Beach Ceremonies is the place to be for your flowers in the area!
Arch Cape is surrounded by state parks, hiking, and sweet secluded beaches. You can hike along the Oregon Coast Trail, elope at a cave or a waterfall at Hug Point, explore Oswald State Park, or plan a peaceful post-elopement-getaway here. You may remember Oswald from one of our earlier elopement sessions, this is where we saw first hand the badass combo of hiking boots underneath a wedding dress and we have been obsessed with the Oregon coast ever since. Pay homage to the OG Oregon coast elopement with teary-eyed first look and plan your own show stopping moment at Arch Cape! Our Oregon coast elopement packages will 100% include locations in Arch Cape! It’s our favorite place!
Hug Point
Just five miles south of Cannon Beach, Hug Point offers easy access to a gorgeous beach. The Hug Point Hike is 0.5 mile round trip. Hug Point is dog friendly, has a forested picnic area and restrooms. Pro tip: if you’re not careful, the tide can strand you while exploring the point! Check out tide information before you go – and enjoy the seasonal waterfall and tidepools on your adventure! Think: tidepool photos in your wedding attire! We’re making it a thing, star couples gotta get down with the tidepools. (Last line to be sung to the beat of Beyonce’s Check On It for full effect).
Now IF tidepools are not your jam and you’re more of a waterfall couple, be ready to get a little wet and/or Dirrty (thinking all about Christina Aguilera now). This can mean you have your ceremony before you take epic photos in front of the waterfall, or you fully embrace the moment and marry your honey near the epic splashes! Word of advice from your fave photo team – waterfalls mean crowds, and crowds mean less solo time with your elopement location. A few ways to elope without crowds: go early in the morning, plan for a weekday elopement, and let us help you find the right waterfall for you! While we love Hug Point, we have also scouted various Oregon Waterfall Elopement Locations to fit your elopement dreams!
Cannon Beach
If you’re looking at places to elope in Portland Oregon, Cannon Beach is really closeby and AH-MAZING! The stats – Tillamook Head Traverse Hike will take you down to Cannon Beach. The first part of the 6.3 mi, 1350 ft, is a moderate level hike and shows off the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and cliff top views. Our strong hikers will want to continue 1.3 mi to the Ecola State Park Trailhead then down to Cannon Beach. If hiking isn’t your transportation of choice, there’s also a small public parking lot at Spruce and Third Street next to Public Coast Brewing (convenient right?), and a big parking lot in south Cannon Beach (Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site) at Hemlock and Warren Way. There’s also plenty of street parking around town. Our Cannon Beach elopement packages are full of adventure, and there’s lots to know! Cannon Beach FAQs here!
So what’s it like at Cannon Beach? Picture this – the weather is warm enough that after running around barefoot, you’re a little sweaty and sun soaked. You are ready for photos that span from cute and beachy to a little more sexy in the sand. This is all the fun that one of our couples had at our Cannon Beach Adventure Session, take a page out of their book and create your own adventure!
After an adventure at Hug Point and/or Arch Cape, you’ll want to end your elopement at Cannon Beach for your post nuptials- food, drinks, overnight events, etc. Local Adventurer has the scoop:
cannon beach activities for a 2-day elopement experience
- Haystack Rock – You can see them from Haystack Hill State Park and Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site is just south of it. This is a great spot for sunrise and sunset. If you’re lucky, you may see some tufted puffins on Haystack Rock (April – August)
- Castaways – moderately priced Cajun-Creole food
- Cannon Beach Hardware and Public House – hardware store that serves food. Get the fish and chips.
- Public Coast Brewing – try a flight and the burgers.
- Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge – Had a beautiful view of the beach, and the halibut cheek (a special) and the scallops were great.
- Surfsand Resort (mid-range – luxury) is the most popular hotel in Cannon Beach and in high deamnd.You can see Haystack Rock from your balcony! Check Rates: Booking + Hotels.com
The 4-1-1 on Your Furry Friends
Another reason these spots are the best of the Oregon coast elopement locations? ALL DOG FRIENDLY! Yep, we are letting the dogs out. Here are our top 5 tips for how to plan a dog friendly elopement:
know when dogs are allowed
(mark this done, Hug Point, Cannon Beach, and Arch Cape all allow dogs. Thank you Oregon!).
The first step in the planning process if you’re considering eloping with your fur baby is to check the rules of where you are eloping. Always check the “pets” section on the national parks website that will outline the rules clearly.
keep temperature in mind
When it’s hot out, it’s dangerous to keep dogs in cars for long periods of time. If your fur baby is only a small part of your elopement day, make sure it is cool enough for them and keep them in your AirBnB or in an air conditioned car.
consider your dog’s outdoor or hiking experience level
When taking your dog on the hike, ask your photographer for specific trail conditions. Hikes with extensive rock scrambling or high elevation gain might be unsuitable for dogs who are not used to these types of long hikes. We want a good experience for our humans, but also our four legged friends. Choose a hike that is suitable for your dog’s outdoor experience.
learn about dog friendly leave no trace guidelines
If you hike with your dog, abide by the leash requirements of the area. If you hike with your dog off leash, be sure they are staying on the trail. When dogs go off the trail, they are walking on vegetation and may cause damage. Also, if they go #2, you may not notice it and be able to pick it up. Dogs cause disturbance to wildlife when they dig holes, so avoid that as well.
pack the essentials
Dogs need their own set of equipment for any elopement whether you’re hiking with them or not. Be sure you have plenty of water, a collapsible water bowl, a harness if leashed for long periods, poo bags, snacks and treats, cooling vest if they heat easily, cute bandana or bowtie collar, leash, and paw protection if they have sensitive paws.
Check out one of our favorite dogs included in an elopement for inspo- Dog Friendly Elopement Near Glacier National Park.
Oregon Coast Elopement Packages
If the above coastal locations are at the top of your elopement list, you need a full-day elopement experience to capture your special day! Check out our elope in Oregon package! If you’re looking for all-inclusive elopement packages for the Oregon coast! We gottchu covered! Our Full Day Elopement Experience covers up to 12 hours of documentation, ensuring every minute of your elopement experience will be remembered. Let’s poppy the bubbly, chase some waterfalls, dance it out like the early 2000s, and of course – get your pup in the pics! While this is the best of the Oregon coast elopement locations, be sure to also check out our blog devoted to Where to Elope in Oregon (on the coast and inland edition!). Can’t wait to hear how we can make your love story the adventure of a lifetime!
[…] project also a time to rest. Siesta out on the beach? Yes please! Hug Point is not just good for Oregon Coast elopements, but also some personal enjoyment. What are your passions? How are you making time for […]