Rachael + Andrew
There is just something so magical about the Oregon Coast, especially when you combine its dramatic coastal cliffs, lush green forests, and beautiful sandy beaches with a little bit of vintage romance! Rachael and Andrew's intimate elopement near Cannon Beach, Oregon, was truly one of the most beautifully curated days, filled with so many emotional moments, incredible scenery, and the sweetest details.
Inspired by the cinematic romance of Pride and Prejudice, The Princess Bride, and even a little bit of Twilight, their day felt like something straight out of a romantic film. From their charming Victorian rental home in Astoria to their emotional private vows in the forest and their intimate beach ceremony surrounded by their closest family and friends, every part of their day was so intentional and personal to them.
And one of my favorite details? Rachael thrifted her wedding dress! It fit the entire aesthetic of their day so beautifully and made everything feel that much more special.
Getting Ready at a Charming Victorian Home in Astoria
We started Rachael and Andrew's elopement day bright and early at 7 a.m. at the most incredible Victorian-style home they had rented in Astoria, Oregon. And I seriously cannot get over how beautiful this place was! It was easily one of my favorite rental homes I've photographed at, with so much character, beautiful architectural details, and the most romantic atmosphere.
One of the things I loved most about their rental was that it was large enough to accommodate all of their closest family and friends who were attending their elopement. Rather than having everyone stay in separate hotels or rentals, they were all able to spend time together under one roof, which made the entire experience feel so much more intimate.
We spent the morning capturing all of the little getting-ready moments before Rachael and Andrew shared their first look on the front lawn of the home. It was such a sweet moment, and the Victorian architecture made for the most beautiful backdrop!
After their first look, we headed back inside to take advantage of the incredible interiors for some editorial-inspired portraits. The beautiful details of the home, paired with Rachael's thrifted wedding dress and their romantic styling, created the most cinematic atmosphere. I absolutely loved how these portraits turned out, and it was such a fun way to incorporate their accommodations into their wedding day.
Exploring the Coastal Cliffs at Elk Flats
After spending the morning at their Victorian rental, Rachael and Andrew headed out for a little adventure, just the two of them!
Our first stop was Elk Flats, one of my favorite locations along the northern Oregon Coast, just south of Cannon Beach. This area is known for its incredible coastal cliffs, lush greenery, and dramatic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It's seriously one of the most beautiful places for an Oregon Coast elopement, especially if you're looking for something that feels a little more adventurous without committing to a long hike.
And somehow, we had the place almost entirely to ourselves!
We spent our time wandering along the coastal trails, soaking in the beautiful scenery, and taking portraits with the dramatic cliffs and ocean stretching out behind them. There was something so peaceful about having this incredible landscape practically to ourselves, and it gave Rachael and Andrew the opportunity to slow down and enjoy a little time together before their ceremony.
I always love incorporating moments like this into an elopement day, especially when couples are including family and friends in their celebration. Having a few hours set aside for just the two of you creates such a beautiful balance between celebrating with your favorite people and enjoying the intimacy of your wedding day together.
After exploring the cliffs and taking in all of the incredible views, we hiked back up to the parking area and made our way to our next location!
Emotional Private Vows in the Forest at Ecola State Park
Next, we headed toward Ecola State Park, where we explored one of the beautiful, lush forests along the Oregon Coast.
And oh my gosh, this forest was absolutely incredible!
The towering trees, dense greenery, and soft light filtering through the forest canopy made everything feel so romantic and cinematic. It was giving all of the Twilight, Pride and Prejudice, and The Princess Bride vibes that Rachael and Andrew had envisioned for their day.
This was also where they chose to share their private vows with one another.
Tucked away among the trees, with nothing but the sounds of the forest surrounding them, Rachael and Andrew read their vows to each other. And there were SO many tears!
It was one of those moments that reminded me just how special it can be to exchange vows privately, even when you're planning to have a ceremony with your loved ones later in the day. Without an audience, there's so much freedom to be completely vulnerable and present with one another.
We took our time here, allowing them to soak in the emotions of the moment before wandering through the forest for a few more portraits. The entire experience felt so peaceful, intimate, and incredibly romantic.
And the contrast between the lush, moody forest and the dramatic coastal cliffs we had explored earlier made for such a beautiful variety of scenery throughout their elopement day!
An Intimate Beach Elopement Ceremony Near Cannon Beach
After our time in the forest, we made our way to a beautiful beach near Cannon Beach, where Rachael and Andrew's closest family and friends were waiting to celebrate with them.
One of the things I absolutely loved about their ceremony location was that it offered incredible views of the coastal dunes and even Haystack Rock in the distance, without the crowds that you typically find on Cannon Beach itself.
If you've ever visited Cannon Beach, you know just how busy the main beach can get, especially around Haystack Rock. Choosing a quieter stretch of coastline gave Rachael and Andrew the opportunity to have a more intimate ceremony while still enjoying those iconic Oregon Coast views.
They exchanged vows surrounded by the beautiful sand dunes, with their closest loved ones gathered around them. One of their dear friends officiated the ceremony, which made the experience even more meaningful and personal.
I absolutely love when couples choose to have someone close to them officiate their wedding. There's something so special about having a person who knows your relationship and your story be the one to guide you through such an important moment.
Their ceremony was simple, intimate, and filled with so much love. Exactly what an elopement should be!
Ending the Day with Romantic Beach Portraits
After their ceremony, we spent a little time capturing group portraits with their family and friends before heading down onto the beach for one final round of couples portraits.
The wide-open shoreline, rolling dunes, and distant views of Haystack Rock were such a beautiful way to finish their day.
What I loved most about Rachael and Andrew's elopement was how effortlessly everything came together. Their day incorporated so many different landscapes and experiences, yet nothing felt rushed or overly complicated.
They had time to get ready with their loved ones in a beautiful Victorian home, explore the dramatic coastal cliffs together, exchange emotional private vows in the forest, and celebrate their marriage with their favorite people along the beach.
And throughout it all, they stayed true to the romantic, cinematic aesthetic they had envisioned.
From Rachael's thrifted wedding dress to the beautiful locations they chose, every detail felt so thoughtfully curated. Their elopement was such a beautiful reminder that you can create a wedding day that feels like something out of your favorite romantic film while still keeping the focus on what matters most: your relationship and the experience of getting married.
It was truly such an incredible day, and I feel so lucky to have been there to document it all!
Tips for Planning Your Own Romantic Oregon Coast Elopement
If Rachael and Andrew's wedding day has you dreaming of your own intimate Oregon Coast elopement, there are so many ways to create a similarly romantic and adventurous experience! Here are a few of my favorite tips for planning an elopement around Cannon Beach, Astoria, and the surrounding coastline.
1. Choose a Unique Rental Home for Getting Ready
One of my favorite things about Rachael and Andrew's elopement was their incredible Victorian rental in Astoria! Choosing accommodations with beautiful architecture, interesting interiors, or a specific aesthetic can add so much character to your wedding photos.
Rather than treating your accommodations as just a place to sleep, consider how they might become part of your wedding day experience. Historic homes, cozy coastal cottages, and unique vacation rentals can all make for beautiful getting-ready locations.
If you're inviting family and friends, renting a larger home where everyone can stay together is also such a wonderful way to make your elopement feel like a multi-day celebration rather than just a single event.
Just be sure to confirm that your rental allows your intended number of guests, photography, and any wedding-related activities before booking!
2. Explore Multiple Landscapes Throughout Your Elopement Day
One of the best things about eloping along the Oregon Coast is the incredible variety of landscapes you can experience within a relatively small area.
Around Cannon Beach, you can explore dramatic ocean cliffs, dense coastal forests, sandy beaches, and rolling dunes, all in the same day!
Rachael and Andrew were able to visit Elk Flats, the forests around Ecola State Park, and a beautiful beach for their ceremony, giving their elopement gallery so much variety without needing to travel across the entire state.
When planning your own elopement, I recommend choosing two or three locations that offer different scenery and building your timeline around them. This allows you to experience more of what makes the Oregon Coast so beautiful without spending your entire wedding day driving.
3. Consider Exchanging Private Vows Before Your Ceremony
If you're planning an intimate wedding with family and friends but still want some time alone together, consider incorporating private vows into your day!
This was one of my favorite moments from Rachael and Andrew's elopement. They were able to share an incredibly emotional and personal experience together in the forest before joining their loved ones for their ceremony later in the day.
Private vows give you the freedom to say whatever is on your heart without worrying about speaking in front of an audience. You can still exchange traditional vows or rings during your ceremony while keeping your more personal promises between the two of you.
It's such a beautiful way to create a little extra intimacy in your wedding day.
4. Look Beyond the Main Beach at Cannon Beach
While Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock are absolutely beautiful, they're also some of the most popular destinations along the Oregon Coast.
If you're dreaming of a more secluded elopement experience, I highly recommend exploring some of the surrounding beaches and coastal areas instead!
There are so many incredible locations nearby that offer equally beautiful scenery, including ocean cliffs, sandy dunes, and even distant views of Haystack Rock, without necessarily having the same crowds.
Keep in mind that some beaches and coastal areas have specific rules regarding ceremonies, group sizes, decorations, and commercial photography. Always check the current regulations and permit requirements for your chosen location before finalizing your plans.
5. Embrace the Moody, Romantic Atmosphere of the Oregon Coast
If you're drawn to the cinematic romance of movies like Twilight, Pride and Prejudice, or The Princess Bride, the Oregon Coast is such an incredible place to bring that inspiration to life.
The misty forests, dramatic cliffs, historic architecture, and soft coastal light naturally lend themselves to a romantic, storybook-inspired wedding day.
Consider incorporating vintage clothing, thrifted wedding attire, romantic florals, or unique accessories that reflect your personal style.
And don't be afraid of a little cloudy or misty weather! While sunshine can be beautiful, overcast skies often create incredibly soft lighting that works so well with the lush greenery and dramatic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
The key is to lean into the atmosphere of the location rather than trying to make your wedding day look like something it isn't.
6. Build Extra Time into Your Elopement Timeline
Although many of the beautiful locations around Cannon Beach are relatively close together, it's still important to give yourself plenty of time throughout the day.
Coastal roads can be busy, parking areas can fill up, and some locations require short hikes or walks to reach the best viewpoints.
For example, visiting Elk Flats involves hiking down toward the coastal viewpoints and then making your way back uphill to the parking area. You'll want to account for this in your timeline, especially if you're wearing wedding attire!
I always recommend leaving extra time between locations so you can explore, take breaks, and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
And if you're planning to include family and friends in your ceremony, scheduling your private adventures earlier in the day can be a wonderful way to enjoy both experiences.
For more information on how to elope along the Oregon Coast, visit my Oregon Coast Elopement Guide blog post.
Whether you're envisioning a romantic Victorian home, an intimate ceremony among the coastal dunes, or private vows surrounded by towering evergreens, the Oregon Coast offers so many incredible possibilities for creating a wedding day that feels entirely your own.
As an Oregon Coast elopement photographer and videographer, I love helping couples find beautiful locations, create intentional timelines, and plan an experience that reflects their relationship and everything they love.
From finding quieter coastal viewpoints to navigating logistics and documenting all of the little moments in between, I'm here to help you create an elopement day that's just as meaningful as it is beautiful.
If you're dreaming of your own romantic Oregon Coast elopement, I'd love to help you bring it to life!
VENDORS
Photography & Videography | Sally G Photography
House Rental | Citovic Mansion
Florals | Bloomin Crazy Floral
Officiant | Friend of the Couple
Dress | Vintage
Suit | Abercrombie & Fitch
