7 Best Locations for Your Oregon Coast Elopement

An Oregon Coast elopement is a perfect way to combine dramatic landscapes with an intimate celebration of your love. The views along the coast are epic - from big rock formations to the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean. Why wouldn’t you want to elope in a place as big and beautiful as your love?

An Oregon coast elopement at God's Thumb

7 Oregon Coast Elopement Locations

If you’re considering an Oregon Coast elopement, you may be overwhelmed by the number of venues. Not to worry! I’ve put together a list of seven of my favorite spots for an Oregon Coast elopement. Each has a unique character that could make it the perfect place for your wedding.

An Oregon coast elopement ceremony
  1. Hug Point

Hug Point is a state park on the Pacific Ocean. It has everything you could want out of an Oregon Coast elopement spot. Of course, there’s the wide open beach that’s ideal for golden hour portraits. The cliffs along the shore make everything feel big and wild, and the layers of color are beautiful. Near the beach you can find picnic areas, which are perfect for a lowkey reception.

Hug Point wedding ceremony for an Oregon coast elopement
Picnic on the beach for an Oregon coast elopement

What sets Hug Point apart from other locations on the coast are the easy access to the forest. You can walk up into the trees and enjoy romantic moments in the shade. There’s even a waterfall! 

Bride's dress blows in wind at Oregon Coast Elopement
Couple poses by a waterfall for an Oregon Coast Elopement

2. Cliffs at Elk Flats

The Cliffs at Elk Flats feature hiking trails with incredible views. Whether you go right or left on the trails, you’ll come to amazing locations for an Oregon Coast elopement! Below the steep cliffs, the ocean swirls. Beautiful meadows roll upward with waving grasses. 

Couple has their Oregon Coast elopement at Elk Flats

This location is beautiful any time of day, but the light is especially warm around golden hour and sunset. The light glitters on the water, and the sun casts a cozy glow on everything. It casts an intimate magic on a little ceremony.

Sunset at an Oregon Coast elopement at Elk Flats

3. Fishing Rock

If you head south on the coast past Lincoln City, you’ll come to Fishing Rock. This Oregon Coast elopement location is a gem. At Fishing Rock, you can experience the beach close up or from afar. The paths along the cliff tops offer windswept moments for couples to cozy up.

Beyond the cliffs, you can wind through the old forest or climb around the rocks. Explore the tide pools and dip your toes in the cool water. The beauty of elopements is that you get to be in the moment with the person you love most.

Couple explores Fishing Rock for an Oregon Coast elopement

4. Cape Kiwanda

Cape Kiwanda is a world all its own. Its cliffs and rock formations make it a favorite spot for outdoor adventurers. Not far from Lincoln City, Cape Kiwanda is another state park. (Oregon knows how to preserve natural beauty!) Trails wind around the shoreline through dunes and sandstone.

Couple brings their dog to Cape Kiwanda for their oregon coast elopement

As far as Oregon Coast elopement locations go, Cape Kiwanda is simply breathtaking. I love the giant dune. The way the colors of the cliffs and ocean play off of each other is so beautiful. Vibrant hues stripe the sandstone cliffs. The sunset is also hard to beat!

An oregon coast elopement at sunset at Cape Kiwanda
An oregon coast elopement on the beach at Cape Kiwanda

5. Cannon Beach

Topping plenty of roundups of locations for Oregon Coast elopements, Cannon Beach is a favorite for a clear reason. The vast stretch of beach and towering rockface put everything into perspective. You and your partner get to feel like the only two people in the world. It’s the kind of place that invites authentic connections.

Oregon Coast Elopement in front of sandstone cliffs

This beach is made for people who want to focus on the beauty in the small things. The quiet lets you notice the sun peeking around the iconic rock mid-ceremony. Seeing the birds circle around the giant rock is mesmerizing.

6. God’s Thumb

God’s Thumb is more of a hike than these other Oregon Coast locations, but the view is worth it! The steep green hillside brings great angles and color into photos. From the hilltop, you can see down the shoreline and watch the waves crashing. You can even see the Lincoln City skyline. When the clouds roll over the hill, they seem to stretch on forever over the horizon. 

As I mentioned, the four-mile hike is more of a commitment than some other beaches on this list. It’s a good fit for adventurous couples who want to feel on top of the world. If you do make the trek, make sure to freeze that incredible moment with great photos.

A couple explores God's Thumb at their Oregon coast elopement

7. Government Cove

As you may have guessed from the name, Government Cove isn’t quite on the coast. It’s actually about an hour west of Portland. Because it has so many amazing features, though, I thought it deserved a spot on this list. The rolling landscape around the Columbia River shows off so much of what makes Oregon’s nature special.

A couple has a picnic at Government Cove during an Oregon coast elopement
An LGBTQ couple cuddles at Government Cove

The meadows, forests, mountains, and sky create layer upon layer of texture and color. It’s easy to see how beautiful an elopement here could be. Whether you want to a ceremony under the trees or in the middle of a rolling field, you can find what you want at Government Cove. Even cloudy days have a sense of adventure.

Oregon Coast elopement portraits at Government Cove


Are you interested in having me photograph your Oregon Coast elopement? Get in touch, and let’s bring your dream to life!

Brianna SwanComment