A Full Day Oregon Elopement Itinerary
This guide will give you some ideas for your own adventurous Oregon elopement, and some tips to get the most out of your day!
Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure: A Full Day Oregon Elopement Itinerary - Discovering the Beauty of the Pacific Northwest
Oregon is an unbelievable place, with diverse scenery, unique adventures, and plenty to do! For couples who want to get rid of the “fluff” and get married in a way that actually feels right, and to focus on what really matters, an Oregon elopement is the perfect way to tie the knot.
This guide will give you some ideas for your own adventurous Oregon elopement, and some tips to get the most out of your day!
Why Should You Have a Full Day Oregon Elopement?
An elopement isn’t just a ceremony and a few photos - the day you get married deserves all day! But, a lot of couples have trouble imagining what a full day elopement can look like, and what they can do for all that time.
But the truth is, it’ll go by so much faster than you think! Oregon has plenty of adventures - and the day you get married deserves to be celebrated. If you were having a big wedding, you wouldn’t limit it to just an hour or two, right? Downsizing and choosing to get married in a way that means something to you is no reason to change that!
A full day Oregon elopement allows you to really enjoy every minute without rushing, and it gives you plenty of time for fun activities and adventures that you’ll remember forever.
What to Do During Your Full Day Oregon Elopement
A full day elopement can last up to 10 or 12 hours - so here’s a breakdown of how your day might look!
Get Ready at a Cute Airbnb
Your elopement day will start with getting ready. The place you stay in is a part of your Oregon elopement experience, so choose a cozy home away from home! There are cute Airbnbs all over Oregon.
Here are a few great Airbnbs to consider for your elopement:
Ceremony
The ceremony is the main event of your Oregon elopement - the moment where you tie the knot and officially marry your best friend! I’ll help you find the perfect spot to exchange vows - in Oregon you can choose between views of the redwoods, cascading waterfalls, and rocky beaches (or you can even see all three in one day), so there’s no shortage of amazing locations.
The Southen Oregon Coast is a little more rugged and less developed, with plenty of amazing cermeony locations perfect for an adventurous elopement. It tends to be less popular, so you’ll have a much easier time finding some privacy as you exchange vows!
Another way to get the place all to yourself is to plan your ceremony for sunrise! This is when most people won’t be out and about yet, so even the most popular places are likely to be empty. The lighting will also be absolutely amazing! Sunset is another great time for a ceremony - though it likely won’t be as empty, it’ll be less busy than the middle of the day, and you’ll have that gorgeous golden glow.
Oregon Adventures
The most exciting thing about eloping is that you get to plan an adventure that’s unique to you, and one that reflects who you are as a couple! It can be something you love doing together, or something new you want to try - no matter what you have in mind, there are plenty of uniquely Oregon adventures to consider for the day you get married.
Here are just a few ideas:
Take a hike through the redwoods that ends in a gorgeous view of the ocean
Say your vows in front of a waterfall and go for a dip afterwards
Paddle board on a sparkling blue lake
Rock climb in the desert
Kayak down a river
Have a picnic on the beach
Ride an ATV on sand dunes on the coast
Hop in the water and go surfing
Ski down Mount Hood in the winter
Sample Full Day Oregon Elopement Timeline
To give you an idea of what your full day Oregon elopement can look like, here is a sample timeline!
Sunrise Elopement at Secret Beach
3:30 You wake up early, full of excitement for the day that’s coming
4:00 After a cup of coffee and breakfast, hair and makeup begins
5:30 After you’re both done getting ready, you hop in the car and drive to the trailhead
6:00 You arrive as the darkness is just starting to lift, and change into your elopement attire
6:15 You do a first look at the trailhead, then start hiking through old growth forest
7:30 You get to the secluded beach, where you see the waterfall cascading down onto the sand and the rocky sea stacks poking through the ocean
8:00 After some photos, you exchange vows in the glow of the morning sun
8:30 You explore the beach and set up your picnic, taking a break for lunch (or second breakfast)
10:00 You take some more photos before beginging the hike back to the trailhead, passing hikers who congratulate you along the way
11:00 You’re back at the car, and you head back to the Airbnb for a quick nap
3:00 Your family starts arriving at the cabin, ready to celebrate with you!
4:00 You all start cooking together, getting ready for a celebratory dinner
5:00 Dinner is served, you pop some champagne, and your family makes toasts to celebrate the two of you getting married!
Tips for Your Full Day Oregon Elopement
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you plan your full day Oregon elopement!
Embrace the Weather
Oregon, especially close to the coast, is known for moody weather - and the best way to deal with it is to just embrace it! The clouds add gorgeous drama and create nice even lighting, and they look great in photos. Even the rain can be stunning, as droplets catch the light and can look like lieelt fairy lights. It’s all part of the adventure, so bring some rain gear and some layers, and enjoy whatever weather Oregon brings!
Choose a Location You Love
One of the most exciting things about your Oregon elopement is that you have so many options for beautiful locations. Be sure to choose a spot that you absolutely love for when you exchange vows! Brookings, and the Southern Oregon Coast, is my personal favorite, as you’ll have amazing views of the ocean, and the area is more remote and less developed than more popular spots in the north.
Book an Oregon Elopement Photographer
As your elopement photographer, my job is to help you have the ultimate adventure! Your full day Oregon elopement should be custom tailored just for you, so that you can get married exactly the way you want to. I’ll give you personalized location recommendations, create a timeline for your day, and everything else you need for your adventure.
Ready to plan your own Oregon elopement? Contact me, and let’s get started!
The Best Places to Elope in the Pacific Northwest
In this guide, you’ll find the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest, and a few tips for planning your unique, adventurous wedding day!
RUBY BEACH, WASHINGTON
The Pacific Northwest is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the country - the top left corner of the US is jam packed with mountains, waterfalls, forests, coastal scenery, and more! Generally considered to include Washington, Oregon, and parts of Idaho and California, the PNW is the perfect elopement destination no matter what kind of adventure you’re looking for.
In this guide, you’ll find the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest, and a few tips for planning your unique day!
HURRICANE HILL, WASHINGTON
Best Places to Elope in the PNW for Mountain Views
The PNW has some of the most incredible mountain views - with jagged peaks, snow capped summits, and trails filled with alpine lakes and wildflowers. Here are the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest for mountain landscapes!
North Cascades National Park, Washington
North Cascades National Park is less visited than Washington’s other parks, but it’s one of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest! The incredible scenery, along with the relative remoteness of the park makes it a great place to explore on your elopement day. Check out the Heather Maple Pass Loop for a gorgeous hike, or the Washington Pass Overlook for an easily accessible spot!
Mount Hood, Oregon
Mount Hood is Oregon’s most prominent peak, offering miles of trails for hiking and skiing, and plenty to explore! As the second most climbed mountain in the world, this PNW elopement location is perfect for couples looking to adventure - whether that’s summiting the mountain or strolling along the wildflower meadows below.
HOH RAINFOREST, WASHINGTON
Best Places to Elope on the PNW Coast
The rugged coast of the PNW is jaw dropping, with rocky beaches, dramatic cliffs, and sea stacks poking through the water.
RUBY BEACH, WASHINGTON
Ruby Beach, Washington
On the Washington coast, remote beaches sprinkle the shoreline. You can spot tide pools by the sea stacks when the tide is low and explore the beaches lined by pine forests, with Ruby Beach being one of the most popular spots on the Washington coast!
Brookings, Oregon
The beaches in Washington are remote and rugged, while the ones in Oregon are usually bordered by cute beach towns! Brookings is located in the south of the state, close to several rocky beaches. One of my favorite spots is the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, famous for the stone bridges that connect the sea stacks!
RUBY BEACH, WASHINGTON
Best Places to Elope in the Forest in the PNW
The magical pines, towering Redwoods, and dense wooded groves found all around make for some of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. Here are some of the most scenic backdrops!
Del Norte, California
In Northern California, just past its border with Oregon, you’ll find the incredible coastal Redwood trees, towering high above, reaching into the foggy mist that often rests close to the ocean. You can walk the trails through the trees, and end up on the rocky coast!
HURRICANE HILL, WASHINGTON
Olympic National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park covers nearly all of the Olympic Peninsula on the west coast of Washington. You’ll find incredible, diverse scenery - including woodsy forests. Check out the Hoh Rainforest, a mossy, temperate rainforest, or the pine trees that line the mountain sides at Hurricane Ridge!
HURRICANE HILL, WASHINGTON
Best Places to Elope in the PNW Desert
The desert may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the PNW, but on the east side of Washington and Oregon, you’ll find some incredible, unique landscapes!
Alvord Desert, Washington
The Alvord Desert is one of the most remote, best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. The desert is several hours of driving away from anywhere, which means you’ll enjoy some solitude on your elopement day! The desert is surrounded by mountains, and there’s even a hot spring.
Painted Hills, Oregon
In eastern Oregon you’ll find a landscape that looks like it came straight from Mars! The Painted Hills are formed by different colors of sediment, creating striped hills and brightly colored layers. You can walk along the hills and feel like you’ve been transported from the PNW to another planet!
Best Places to Elope Near Hot Springs in the PNW
Did you know that the Pacific Northwest has natural hot springs all over? I can’t think of anything more relaxing than a sunset soak to end a day of adventures!
Cougar Hot Springs, Oregon
The Cougar Hot Springs in Oregon are one of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the national forest, there are several cascading pools of different temperatures, with clear blue water surrounded by pine trees.
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs, Idaho
The three tiered Rocky Canyon Hot Springs are close to Boise, Idaho, and offer hillside pools with views of the river! It’s a gorgeous place to relax, and the perfect place to spend your elopement day.
RUBY BEACH, WASHINGTON
Best Places for Waterfall Elopements in the PNW
The waterfalls in the Pacific Northwest range from small streams to cascading falls - and they make some of the best elopement backdrops!
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon
The Columbia River Gorge has the highest concentration of waterfalls in the country, making it one of the best places to elope in the Pacific Northwest. The gorge borders Washington and Oregon, but the south side is more scenic, with more falls to see. Check out easily accessible places like Horsetail or Wahclella Falls, or hike a little to reach Punchbowl Falls or Oneonta Gorge.
Palouse Falls, Washington
Palouse Falls is located in the desert region of eastern Washington, with a huge waterfall plunging over the rocky landscape. It’s easily accessible, but crowded - so be prepared to navigate around other visitors if you elope here!
RUBY BEACH, WASHINGTON
Tips for Eloping in the Pacific Northwest
Eloping comes with some extra logistics - and here are some tips to make your elopement in the PNW absolutely perfect!
Be Prepared for Any Weather
The weather in the Pacific Northwest is infamously unpredictable - especially during the rainy season, which is pretty much any time that isn’t summer. October to June, you can expect rain most days in many parts of the PNW - but it’s often interrupted by sunshine, and rarely pours harder than a light drizzle. No matter when you elope, be prepared with rain gear and extra socks! If you’re hiking, trails are often muddy after long periods of rain. The good news is that the overcast weather makes for great photos, and it’s all part of the adventure!
Research Elopement Permits
Many elopement locations in the PNW (and everywhere else) require a permit to have a ceremony. The rules vary depending on the location, so after you’ve decided where you’ll elope, do some research and figure out if you’ll need a permit!
Hire a PNW Elopement Photographer
As an elopement photographer, along with documenting the best day of your life, I provide each of my coupoles with a customized list of the best places to elope! Some couples are looking for long hikes, others want a more relaxed day - some want hot springs, others want mountains. Contact me, and let’s talk about what you’re dreaming of for your day!
RUBY BEACH, WASHINGTON
