My Favorite Oregon Coast Elopement yet

Some elopements feel like pure ease from the start. Olivia and Bryan’s was one of them. These two came out from Virginia to elope on the Southern Oregon Coast, drawn to the wild mix of landscapes, slower pace, and space to just be.

They weren’t interested in the pressure cooker that is a traditional wedding. In Olivia’s words: “We wanted to be able to focus on each other on our special day rather than worrying about the craze of wedding guests, timelines, catering, etc. I feel like my focus would be on everyone staring at us rather than being present in the moment and focusing only on ourselves.” Honestly? Preach.

For me, this day creatively had it all. Two awesome people completely present and trusting, down for anything, a dress full of movement (Olivia added a sick train to her form-fitting dress), the best Oregon Coast elopement locations for drama and variety, and the most amazing lighting this side of the Dolomites.

DAY ONE

Getting Ready

Day One started in the most on-brand way possible for them: at a lighthouse Airbnb. Like, literally a replica lighthouse. Hands down the best getting-ready spot I’ve seen in a while.

Oregon Coast Ceremony & Adventures

From there, they had a heartfelt ceremony with a handful of family overlooking the Pacific, then we hit some of my favorite coast spots. Sandy beaches, giant sea stacks, sea arches, rugged cliffs, sunset wind. Really, the full Oregon sampler platter.

DAY TWO – A Jurassic Canyon

Day Two brought us into the Redwoods and Fern Canyon. The second we stepped into the canyon, Bryan looked around and said, “This totally looks like a place that should have dinosaurs.” I got to tell him that Jurassic Park: Lost World was filmed there, and he was so pumped. After that, we wandered through towering redwoods, soaking in that rich, slanted light before meeting their family again for a laid-back picnic at Prairie Creek.

What stood out the most, though, was the way Olivia and Bryan were just so themselves the entire time. They danced on cliffsides, sprinted down sand dunes in full wedding attire, stood barefoot in creeks, and got goofy and real. There was never a point where they tried to make the day into anything it wasn’t. They leaned into the weird, the windy, the quiet moments—and that’s when the good stuff shows up.

Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom for the juiciest light!

During their gallery reveal, Bryan told me something that stuck:

“When I told my friend we spent a day and a half on our elopement, he said, ‘That sounds like torture.’ But it wasn’t bad at all. We were able to be present, with our photographer who was our friend and guide for the day. She prompted us, allowed us space to get present, curious, and engage with our surroundings.”

And that’s it. That’s the goal. Not to just check a box, but to really live in it.

Their elopement wasn’t about a performance. It was about presence. It was about goofiness, love, and that perfect balance of knowing when to run down a dune like a maniac and when to pause and take it all in.

Bagel (their dog) didn’t make it out in person, but her little tribute did—tucked into Olivia’s bouquet. And yes, Bryan brought the Miller Lite. Priorities.

This is what happens when you choose intentional over traditional. When you trust the process, leave space for spontaneity, and lean fully into what feels right.

Olivia and Bryan? You crushed it.

If you’re dreaming of a day like this, full of intention and connection with a splash of “epic” thrown in, reach out, and let’s co-create an adventure together reflective of YOU…