How to elope in Oregon TLDR:
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How to Elope in Oregon | Why Eloping in Oregon is the Absolute Best
- Epic views + mega diverse landscape
- Endless adventure possibilities
- Easy to understand marriage laws
- Beautiful weather (even when she’s moody)
- Amazing food/wine/beer/coffee
Wondering How to Elope in Oregon? After spending years in the Pacific Northwest and helping tons of couples plan their adventure elopement in Oregon, we’re sharing everything you need to know about how to elope in Oregon.
Hey there! We’re Sam and Kyle, your elopement BFF’s, from Celebrate Again’s sister brand, The Dropped Pin. We specialize in helping adventurous couples plan a wedding day that values intention over tradition. We’re adventure lovers, travelers, and adventure elopement photographers here to help you build the best day ever.
In the summer of 2017, we spent a month living out of our tiny Prius and a tent to explore the American West. As two homegrown Texans, we were dying to adventure somewhere magical, with dramatic scenery and unlimited adventure. With its rocky coastline, lush forests, snow-capped mountains, and surprising deserts, Oregon delivered. As your Oregon elopement photographers, we’re here to share what we know and help you through the entire process of planning an incredible wedding day. We’re breaking down how to elope in Oregon so you can have the wedding day you’ve been dreaming of.
Let’s be real, even though elopements are wayyyyy more laid-back than traditional weddings, there is still some planning involved. (Curious if you should elope? Check out our Should I Elope Quiz.) Since there are no set rules or traditional ways of doing things, you may feel like planning is a little too loosey-goosey. Fear not, friends, that’s why we’re here! There are many aspects of planning your elopement that you’ll want to consider to help make your Oregon elopement the most incredible experience. Knowing all the details of how to elope in Oregon can make planning a breeze, and that’s what we’re here for!
As your Oregon elopement photographers/elopement day BFFs, we’ve got your back! We’re breaking down each step of how to elope in Oregon to make sure that you have everything you need to plan a day that feels like you.
Your Oregon elopement can be a day full of adrenaline-pumping activities, focused on chill vibes, or somewhere in between. Whatever your vibe is, our goal is to make it happen.
So, buckle up, buttercup (and maybe get some snacks), because we’ve got all the info ya need to make planning your Oregon elopement a breeze.
How to Elope in Oregon | How much does it cost to elope in Oregon?
Before diving into the easy 10-step process of how to elope in Oregon, it’s important to first determine your budget and what you value most on your elopement day. This absolutely looks different for each couple and really boils down to what kind of experience you want and how you want to remember your day.
Start with asking yourself what’s important to you on your wedding day. If sustainability is a big priority, consider a thrift elopement. If you’re inviting guests and would like to spend a lot of time with them on your elopement day, brainstorm activities that would allow for that, like a fancy picnic.
If you want some insanely cool florals, that’s an important thing to consider when building your budget. Alternatively, maybe you want to splurge on an incredible experience, like a hot air balloon ride or a helicopter tour.
This definitely varies with each couple and depends on so many different factors, but we’ll give you a breakdown of costs to help you plan.
- Elopement Photography Packages Oregon: $4,400
- Florals: $60 – $300
- Officiant: $0 – $650
- Marriage License: $60-$65
- Attire: $500 – $2,000 (this is totally dependent on you check out our elopement wedding dress for ideas)
- Venue (permit): $0 – $500
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 1: Pick Your Oregon Elopement Photographer
Okokok we know this may not seem like an obvious step 1, but finding your Oregon elopement photographers first can make the rest of your planning process at least 5,000 times (approximately) easier. If you are new to Oregon or are trying to figure out the how/when/where of planning, this is step 1 for that exact reason! It is super crucial to hire an Oregon elopement photographer that is an expert, knows how to elope in Oregon, and can help you plan the elopement day of your dreams. Your Oregon elopement photographers (HI!!!!) will help you navigate the planning process, lend you their knowledge, share the best places to elope in Oregon, and will be down for whatever you’re dreaming up.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: You’ll be spending your entire wedding day with your Oregon elopement photographer, so vibing with your elopement day team is crucial! Schedule a call with them to see if you guys click and ask alllll the questions! We love having a lot of communication with our couples and really feel like getting to know them builds so much trust, which makes the images we collaborate on so incredibly meaningful. Trusting the folks behind the camera and their process is huge, so make sure you feel good when you chat with them.
Wanna see if we’re the right fit for you?
You’ll want to find an Oregon elopement photographer that not only has a style you love, but also has tons of experience scouting unique elopement locations, dealing with Oregon weather, know the process of how to elope in Oregon, and working on public lands.
>>>Check out our current elopement crush with this Samuel H. Boardman elopement to see more of our style!<<<
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: While your photographer is not the same thing as a “guide”, an experienced adventure elopement photographer can offer up a ton of helpful resources, answer questions, and make your Oregon elopement a stress-free experience.
Tips for picking your Oregon Elopement Photographer | How to Elope in Oregon:
- Consider their experience with adventure and working in Oregon.
- Is part of your elopement an awesome adventure, like backpacking or mountain biking?
- Check to make sure that your Oregon elopement photographer is down to adventure with ya!
- What is their process for getting familiar with places they haven’t explored yet?
- Do you like their style? This may seem like an obvious one, but it really is so important to make sure that you love the way your Oregon elopement photographer shoots and edits your photos.
- Get an idea of how they tell a story, handle different weather, shoot in funky lighting scenarios, and interact with couples by viewing their galleries and websites.
- Here are some of our current elopement crushes:
- Do they share your outdoor ethics? Prioritizing the Leave No Trace principles is something that our line of work depends on.
- While no one is perfect, and mistakes are undoubtedly made, having a photographer that works to Leave No Trace and values outdoor ethics is super important.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: We’re certified as Leave No Trace Aware photogs and can help you plan an elopement day that also doesn’t have a negative impact on the public lands we love!
- Can they help you create backup plans? We’ve been hit with wildfires, severe storms, and unbearable temps during our busiest seasons. While no one likes to think about these worst-case weather scenarios, it’s important to have these conversations at the beginning of your planning process.
- It’s a great idea to find an Oregon elopement photographer that can ease these worries!
- What do their Oregon elopement packages include? Take a look at their packages and pricing!
- Is travel included?
- What coverage and experiences suit your needs?
- Can they help connect you with other vendors?
- Do they provide resources to help you plan your wedding day?
- Do their packages include one photographer or two?
- Can they offer location activities to consider for your elopement?
Figuring this out on the front-end is super important and can save you a planning headache!
Oregon has a bit of a reputation for being a little…moody, but we’re setting the record straight! You may be surprised to hear that the summers are sunny AF, the spring has wildflowers popping like crazy, fall brings all the PNW vibes, and winter can be a literal wonderland in the mountains. The best time of year all comes down to your own priorities, your ideal scenery, and elopement day vibes.
There are a few things you’ll want to consider when picking the best time of year for your Oregon elopement:
Privacy: The PNW is a popular elopement destination for a reason! You can get married in beautiful locations with minimal effort. However, If you value privacy on your wedding day, you may have to get a little creative to give you and your boo the space you want for your wedding day.
Tips for more privacy | How to Elope in Oregon:
- Elope during a shoulder season!
- Spring (April- early June) and autumn (late September- November) see far fewer crowds than summer. You can expect the weather to be a bit of a gamble, depending on the month, but if you value privacy and are down for whatever mother nature throws at ya, then a shoulder season is a great time to elope in Oregon!
- Pick a weekday for your Oregon elopement!
- Choosing a weekday instead of a weekend may help you keep things more private.
- On public lands, you can always anticipate sharing the space with others, but eloping on a Wednesday instead of a Saturday can definitely help!
- Elope at sunrise or sunset!
- There are significantly fewer folks out around sunrise and sunset. The lighting is also the best during these times and can make your images look downright dreamy.
- Keep in mind sunrise is closer to 5am in the summer and later like 730am in the winter. Same with sunset. Sunsets closer to 9pm in the summer and 4pm in the winter.
Weather: When eloping in the great outdoors, keeping a flexible mindset is key, especially in terms of weather. Being prepared and embracing whatever weather is thrown your way, is the route of most eloping couples.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: If shooting for a sunny day is your goal, aim for summer (Mid-June through August). If you’re in love with the moody vibes, spring and autumn are your best bet. In love with the idea of some gorgeous snow during your elopement? You’ll want to plan for winter (Ideally January -March) up in the mountains to make your winter wonderland dreams a reality.
Best Time of the Year to Elope in Oregon | How to Elope in Oregon
Choosing the best time of year to elope in Oregon depends a lot on what you want your experience to be like, where you want to elope, and how go-with-the-weather-flow you are. Remember to prioritize your comfort level over everything and work with your Oregon elopement photographers to have a game-plan for sour weather, or backup locations in case of weather emergencies.
Spring (April – Mid June): The end of spring can bring you some sunny days, wildflower blooms, and dramatic winds. The beginning of the season will be more on the moody side with frequent rain and chilly temps.
Summer (Late June – Early September): Beautiful, sunny, and more predictable weather and while this season is too hot for the desert areas, it is perfect for areas that are not accessible during the colder months. Summer is also the wildfire season, so we make a point to work with our couples to have plenty of backup plans, as safety is the most important thing on your wedding day!
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: If you value privacy and want to stay away from crowds, know that summer is the most popular season, so consider eloping on weekdays, and basing the more private moments of your day around sunrise and sunset.
Autumn (Late September – Early November): Early in the season you’ll still have plenty of sunny days, but the crowds will begin to thin out and the temps will start to cool. You’ll have chances for some moody weather and some iconic PNW fog.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: Early fall is a great time to plan for any Oregon location, and especially the Alvord Desert!
Winter (Decemeber – March): Mount Hood is an absolute winter wonderland and if you’re wanting a magical winter elopement, this is the season to explore! You’ll want to stick to places to elope in Oregon that have higher elevation to increase your chances of snow instead of freezing rain.
Looking for some Oregon elopement photographers to help you find the best date?
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 3: Pick where to elope in Oregon
The best places to elope in Oregon are the ones that you can really see yourselves in. Check out this awesome post that really breaks down finding the best Oregon elopement locations. Choosing your location(s) is one of the biggest pieces to planning your adventure elopement. You’ll want to start figuring this out by considering “the big picture”. Here’s what that looks like:
- Views that feel like you: Decide what scenery you’re most drawn to. When you picture yourselves exchanging vows, what does that look like?
- Are you tucked deep in a lush, green forest?
- Are you cradled by beautiful mountains?
- Are you nestled beside a waterfall or surrounded by a vast desert landscape?
- Are there waves crashing around you as you exchange vows framed by the rocky coast?
- What activities do you want to include during your Oregon elopement? The activities you want to include in your elopement day can help you figure out the most ideal locations for you.
- Are you hoping for an epic hike or hot-spring soak?
- Do you want to chase waterfalls or experience an awesome wine tasting?
- Do you see yourselves in a hot air balloon or stargazing on-top of massive sand dunes
- Determine your accessibility comfort level: If you want Oregon elopement locations that are easy to access, this will be a huge factor when determining where you’ll want to elope.
- Consider how comfy you are hiking to a ceremony portrait location.
- Are you comfortable with driving for a bit on your elopement day?
- What is your max driving time to a location?
- Do you prefer to elope somewhere that is close to plenty of amenities?
- Do you prefer to feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere?
- Will guests be joining you? (Here’s a great guide for eloping with family and friends)If so, factor in their accessibility needs as well. You can absolutely have multiple locations, and spend pieces of your day without your guests as well. Consider how comfortable they’ll be when traveling long distances and in any locations that may have some elevation.
- How will they handle inclement weather?
- Are they comfortable with a little rain?
- What about wind or colder temps?
- Considering anyone that will be joining you on your adventure can help avoid unsafe or uncomfortable situations on your wedding day.
Some of our favorite Oregon Elopement Locations
Mount Hood: Mountain views, gorgeous lakes, and stunning waterfalls. Mount Hood is an incredible place to explore on your wedding day.
The Columbia River Gorge: The Gorge has some insanely stunning waterfalls that make the perfect backdrop to an elopement. The Gorge has over 90 waterfalls to explore and the lush greenery will make you feel like you just walked into a Lord of the Rings movie. Check out this insanely beautiful Wahclella Falls Wedding Elopement.
The Coast: Rocky, dramatic coastline…say no more. Oregon’s coast is absolutely insane and while it’s packed in the summers, knowing what time to go during the shoulder seasons can get you a n incredibly private experience. Check out this Cannon Beach Elopement Guide, this Cape Kiwanda Elopement , and this Oregon Coast Elopement Guide for more coastal inspo.
Bend Oregon: Super diverse scenery and ample opportunities for adventure activities can be found in Bend! You’ll find insane mountain biking trails, hot springs, rock climbing opportunities, and insane waterfalls all in Bend.
There’s no right or wrong way to pick where to elope in Oregon! Remember, we’re your elopement day besties from the moment you book with us! Our goal is to make your day incredible and your planning process an absolute breeze.
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 4: Get the Permits You Need to Elope in Oregon
This step is another where having an experienced Oregon elopement photographer can make your planning process approximately 10000% easier. Knowing which of the best places to elope in Oregon require permits, restrictions, fees, and other less than thrilling paperwork can save you a ton of hassle and keep you from getting a hefty fine on your wedding day.
Having a team that is committed to doing things by the book is vital to preserving our public lands and ensuring that couples decades to come can still say their vows in these beautiful spaces.
If the idea of permits makes you feel a little sweaty, have no fear! We absolutely have your back and can walk you through this process if your location requires a permit!
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: Many public lands in Oregon may not require a permit if your elopement meets certain criteria, but it’s important to know and understand the ever-evolving permit guidelines and process. The permitting system for public lands in terms of eloping is slightly nuanced and can undergo changes each season.
Leave No Trace When Eloping in Oregon | How to Elope in Oregon
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace are a set of guidelines that, when followed, help reduce the impact that we have on the outdoors. Knowing these principles and understanding how they may apply to your Oregon elopement can greatly reduce the impact on public lands and ensure that couples can celebrate in these spaces for years to come.
The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace
- Plan ahead and prepare: Research and know the area you’ll be exploring. Understand the wildlife you should be aware of and what is recommended if you encounter dangerous wildlife. Know what to expect with the weather, download your maps, know what you need to bring with you, and be sure that you’re prepared for any activities you have planned.
- Travel + camp on durable surfaces: Stay on designated trails when possible. Other durable surfaces like rocks, sand, and snow (when done safely). Don’t trample through meadows or moss as these are fragile.
- Dispose of waste properly: When nature calls, know how to answer with minimal impact! It may feel uncomfy thinking about what to do if you have to #2 on your wedding day, but this ties into principle #1! Certain trails may have facilities available for use, so keep this in mind when you’re choosing your locations. If you are eloping out on the trail, you’ll need to have a plan to pack out your waste where cat-holes are not allowed. For packing out waste, WAG bags are a great option.
- We love our Kula Pee Cloths
- Leave what you find: We know taking a token can be really tempting on your wedding day, but it’s best to leave nature as it is!
- Minimize campfire (fireworks) impacts: Only have a campfire where they are allowed and in designated rings! Wildfires have absolutely wrecked the western US and making sure that you’re doing everything you can to prevent them is so important. If you have a campfire, bring enough water to put it completely out.
- While sparklers are fun sometimes they are not allowed on public lands due to the hazard they represent.
- Respect wildlife: Don’t feed or pet wildlife. Do the recommended wildlife safety instructions for areas that you’re visiting. People are injured every season interacting with wildlife and you definitely don’t want that on your wedding day.
- Be considerate of others: When out in a public space, you can almost always count on sharing it with others. It is important to be respectful of their experience, share their views, and be respectful.
How to Prep Guests | How to Elope in Oregon
If you have your crew joining you, there is extra work to be done here to ensure that everyone is prepared to Leave No Trace and can experience the outdoors comfortably and safely. In many parks and other sectors of public lands, there are size restrictions on groups, so this is something to research and be aware of when planning your location.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: If your group size is larger than 12 folks, we encourage you to find an Oregon Airbnb wedding venue, a small venue, or celebrate in areas that can easily handle your numbers. The larger your group, the bigger the strain that is placed on public lands.
- Make sure your guests are fully aware of what to expect. Will they be hiking to any locations, or driving? Will hiking have some elevation? Will there be restroom facilities nearby?
- Share allll the info with them! Share GPS coordinates, trail info, and your timeline to keep everyone well-informed. Share the Leave No Trace resources we send you, so they can be prepared to explore the outdoors responsibly.
- Tell them what to wear to stay comfy. Encourage them to bring appropriate footwear for all wedding day activities.
- Prepare them for different weather scenarios. Encourage them to prepare for rain, wind, or uncomfy temps! Know what their comfort level is with adverse weather to keep everyone safe and at ease.
- Encourage them to bring snacks and water! Having hangry guests on your wedding day is less than ideal, so encourage them to take care of themselves and stay nourished/hydrated.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: We always recommend snagging some clear umbrellas for each guest just in case!
Ready to adventure?
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 5: Book your Travel and Lodging for your Oregon Elopement
Once you’ve picked your Oregon elopement location, you’ll be ready to book all of your travel and lodging. Finding where to stay for your Oregon elopement is all part of the story of your day. Your lodging can serve as a space for getting ready, your first look, dinner with your guests, or even a space for your ceremony.
Planning travel can be a little stressful, especially if you’re headed somewhere you’re not super familiar with. No worries, this is a stress-free zone and as your elopement day bff’s we can send you our best travel tips, tricks, and lodging recommendations!
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: When planning your elopement, you want to imagine each piece of your day, not just the big moments, but the quiet ones too, the ones that are precious and hold some big feelings. Imagine, waking up in a space that inspires you, or that makes you feel super cozy. Imagine ending your day cozying up in a hot tub, star gazing, or waking up in a beautiful, light-filled room where you finish writing your vows as you sip your coffee. Finding a space you love can help create beautiful memories.
Remember: Your wedding day isn’t just about the photos, stunning location, or even your ceremony- it’s about your ENTIRE experience! This isn’t any other adventure, this is the big one and your entire elopement experience can reflect that!
Need some lodging inspo?
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 6: Hire Your Oregon Elopement Vendors
An elopement can be as simple or as intricate as you want! It’s your day and your vibe! The elopement team you assemble can have a huge impact on your elopement day, and it’s important to collaborate with folks that see your vision. Here are some elopement day vendors you can consider for Oregon elopement:
Videographers: If you’re wanting to add videographers to your documentation team, we say do it! This can be an incredible way to relive your elopement day. You’ll want to find videographers that are down for your wedding day adventure, familiar with Leave No Trace, and fit the documentation style you like.
Florists: You can absolutely have flowers for your Oregon elopement! Find a florist that fits your style and can collaborate with you to build a bouquet that is sturdy enough to hold up through any adventure and is absolutely gorgeous.
You may also want to consider finding a Florist that specializes in dried bouquets for an option that is super sturdy!
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: Chat about Leaving No Trace with your florist and make sure that you are able to bring florals into the area you’ll be exploring.
Hair and Makeup: Consider if you’d like to have your hair and makeup done by an artist for your elopement. You’ll likely want to find an artist that can work on site. Many elopements have an early wakeup call, so see if they’re down for that.
Sustenance: We’re big foodies over here, so making sure you’re well-nourished on your wedding day is a high priority! You can always eat at a local restaurant or explore nearby cafes, but you also have the option to just totally indulge on your elopement day. Consider hiring a private chef that can cater a multi-course meal for you.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: If you’re wanting something that’s more on the casual side for your Oregon elopement, there are some incredible picnic companies that create some of the most incredible spreads to keep you satiated during your adventure!
Need some vendor recs?
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 7: Get your Oregon Marriage License
You’ve assembled your elopement team, picked the best places to elope in Oregon, gotten your permit (if needed), booked your travel, and found your lodging. Now, for the legal side of planning how to elope in Oregon!
Sam is ordained and able to sign Oregon marriage licenses as an officiant, giving us quite a bit of experience with Oregon marriage laws. It’s time to make things legal, baby!
In terms of ease, Oregon has made the marriage license process pretty simple. You can apply for your Oregon marriage license online. You can apply for your marriage license in the county that you’ll be flying into or eloping in! Your Oregon marriage license is valid in any Oregon county. Oregon does have a 3 day waiting period. However, the 3 day waiting period can be waived for a $5.00 fee. Here are some other important things to know about your Oregon marriage license:
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: Want a self-uniting ceremony in a state that doesn’t recognize it? We got you! We wanted to provide a way for couples that wanted a truly “just us” elopement could have it! While Sam doesn’t lead ceremonies, she’ll sign as your officiant, allowing you to have all privacy you want during your ceremony.
Oregon Marriage Laws | How to Elope in Oregon
- You must both be present to pick up your Oregon marriage license. If you cannot both physically be there to pick up your Oregon marriage license, you’ll want to contact the county clerk’s office for guidance
- You will both need a copy of photo identification (driver’s license, state id card, passport, etc.). The name on the application should also match the identification you bring.
- You’ll need to bring $60 (cash/card/cashier’s check/money order) with ya! Make it $65 if you need the 3 day waiting period waived.
- You’ll need an officiant to make things legal. However, Oregon recognizes anyone ordained through an active organization. This means that the state of Oregon recognizes folks ordained through the Universal Life Church! It is super simple (and free) for a friend or family member to become ordained online here. If you are having a “just us” elopement and don’t want an officiant to lead your ceremony, we’re ordained and can happily sign as your officiant! This would allow you to create and lead your own ceremony and keep things super private.
- Oregon requires two witnesses to sign your marriage license. This can be anyone over the age of 18! We are both down to sign as your witnesses, or you can always ask a fellow explorer to sign as witness if you’re having an elopement that doesn’t include any guests!
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: If the idea of navigating Oregon marriage laws makes your head spin, or feels like a huge to-do to add to your list, you’ve got other options! You can choose to be legally married in Oregon on your elopement day, or handle all the paperwork before your elopement in your home state! Remember, this is about your entire experience, even the paperwork, so do what feels right for you!
That’s it, friends! Making your Oregon elopement legally legit is that simple!
Ready to make things official?
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 8: Prepare your timeline
Elopements can definitely have a V chill timeline, but having even a loose idea of the flow of your day (or days) can be just the kind of structure a wild day needs in order to flow seamlessly.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: Helping you build a realistic timeline to account for other vendors, guests, desired experiences, travel time, chill time, and gorgeous lighting is a service that we include in all of our packages.
Check out our elopement timeline examples for some inspo!
Your day can flow however you want and there are no set rules to what you “have to” include on your wedding day…For real, if you wanted to lay in bed all day eating donuts and exchanging vows, you could totally do that. It’s your day and our best advice is to fill it with activities that make you feel so freaking excited.
Here’s a quick list of things you could incorporate into your Oregon elopement:
- Breakfast together
- A sweet cuddle session before getting ready
- A morning yoga or meditation routine
- Getting ready together or separately
- Exchanging gifts or letters
- Having a first look
- Having a private vow exchange
- Creating a piece of art together
- Paddleboard
- Skydive
- Canoe
- Mountain bike
- Cook together
- Have a pinata
- White water rafting
- Snow shoeing
- Skiing
- Pop champagne
- Have a bonfire
- Make s’mores
- Plan a backpacking trip
- Reading letters from family and friends together
- FaceTiming important folks in your life
- Sunrise hot air balloon ride
- Hike
- Play on the beach
- Have your ceremony
- Have a picnic lunch
- Tour wineries and breweries
- Ride on a gondola up to Mount Hood
- Hike to a waterfall in the Gorge
- Take a nap in the forest
- Have a yummy dinner crafted by a private chef
- Eat pizza on the beach
- Sing karaoke with your guests
- Go rock climbing
- Dance
- Stargaze
- Catch sunset
- Soak in a hot spring
- Get matching tattoos
For more ideas check out this resource on how to make your elopement special.
To give you an idea of how your day could flow, here’s a timeline from a real Oregon elopement:
How to Elope in Oregon | A+Ms Epic Oregon Coast Elopement Timeline
12:00 | Lunch together
1:00 | Get ready separately
1:30 | Drive to first look location
2:00 | Hike to viewpoint separately
2:30 | Private first look + vow exchange + explore
3:50 | Drive to picnic location
4:00 | Picnic on the beach + first dance
5:30 | Drive to ceremony location
5:45 | Walk to viewpoint
6:00 | Ceremony overlooking the ocean + explore
7:00 | Grab a pizza
8:00 | Drive to beach for sunset
8:10 | Hike down to beach
8:20 | Explore the rocky coastline, build a bonfire, eat s’mores + pizza, catch sunset, and stargaze
9:00 | Hike back out + End of coverage
Your day can look even more chill! There can be so much room for whimsy on your wedding day and if you’re the type of couple that prefers to feel your way through the day, you can absolutely do that. Here’s an example from an Oregon forest elopement that demonstrates how V chill your elopement day could be.
How to Elope in Oregon | E+N’s Super Chill Oregon Thrift Elopement Timeline
8:00 | Slow morning + smoothies
9:00 | Yoga together
10:00 | Write vows outside
11:00 | get ready
12:00 | Drive to trail
1:00 | Set up hammock in the forest + Nap
2:00 | Change into wedding attire
2:30 | First look + vow exchange
3:00 | Frolic in the forest
4:00 | Drive to lake
5:00 | Set up picnic + eat a yummy dinner
7:00 | Pack up + Head back to cabin
8:00 | Change into Swimsuits and jump in the hot tub
9:00 | Coverage ends
When figuring out how to elope in Oregon. our best advice for building an incredible elopement day timeline, is to always build in buffer time. Transitioning from one experience to another usually takes a minimum of 15 minutes and the last thing you want is to feel rushed on your wedding day. You can also peep this post on how to build your elopement timeline for more info.
How to Elope in Oregon Pro Tip: Approach your elopement like it is your most ideal day, where you can do as much or as little as you want. If you’re a super go with the flow type couple, you can also just have a list of events and only give yourselves a start and end time.
We’ll keep our eye on the time and make sure that we get where we need to go in a chill, yet timely manner. The beauty of elopement timelines is that you can build them to be as flexible as you want.
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 9: Pack up and Get Ready for Your Oregon Elopement
WOOHOO!!! It’s go-time, baby!! With every couple, we send out a big ole checklist to help you think through EVERYTHING that you may need to bring to be prepared for your Oregon elopement.
While you’re in the beginning stages of learning how to elope in Oregon and dreaming up your elopement day, we’ve got this sweet lil’ baby checklist to keep you feeling organized and stress-free:
Your Oregon Elopement Packing Checklist:
Wedding attire
Shoes suitable for your activities (hiking boots, sandals, water shoes, etc.)
Rings + and other jewelry you’d like to wear
Marriage license
Headlamps (if needed)
Water
Extra socks
Snacks
Your permit
Downloaded maps (on your phone)
Downloaded trails
A comfy bag to carry your things in
Layers (depending on weather)
Any items needed for activities
Any important details you’d like captured
Wedding attire
Shoes suitable for your activities (hiking boots, sandals, water shoes, etc.)
Rings + and other jewelry you’d like to wear
Marriage license
Headlamps (if needed)
Water
Extra socks
Snacks
Your permit
Downloaded maps (on your phone)
Downloaded trails
A comfy bag to carry your things in
Layers (depending on weather)
Any items needed for activities
Any important details you’d like capture
How to Elope in Oregon | Step 10: Get Hitched!
The day is here and all you have to do is enjoy it! Here are some things to keep in mind during your wedding day:
- Prioritize focusing on each other: Your elopement may have a lot going on and it can be easy to get swept up.
- Prioritize staying present with each other.
- Connect as much as you can, finding moments of the day where you can have true privacy (this means no photographers), just the two of you so you can truly drop-in.
- Roll with the punches: Things will undoubtedly not go according to plan, there is always the possibility of weather, road closures, or unexpected breaks.
- Sometimes things take longer than planned, or you get caught up in an experience.
- Stay flexible and plan for hiccups. It’s all part of the day.
- Take it slow: Like really slow! Drink it all in, friends!
- This day will be absolutely incredible and could fly by (in the best way possible).
- Take your time with each experience, build chill time into your timeline, and plan to take breaks to help slow the day down.
- Don’t stress: This is a stress-free zone!
- Come what may, at the end of the day you will have had an incredible adventure, be married to the love of your life, and have one hell of a story to tell (with bomb photos to match)!
- You’ve planned, you’re prepared, and you have two photographers dedicated to capturing every minute.
Ok, so this was definitely a ton of information to give you a step-by-step on how to elope in Oregon. While this may seem like a lot, we pinky promise that with an experienced team behind you, it isn’t.
Our job isn’t just taking beautiful photos, it’s making this whole experience easy, and unforgettable. We’re here with you through the entire process of planning your Oregon elopement, ensuring that you have the best day ever.
Let's Hang Out.
We’re here to be your elopement day BFF’s and share our expertise through the entire planning process.Schedule a call with us to get this party started!
We believe in intention over tradition and that your wedding day should feel like you!
Let’s craft a wedding day experience that lets you run wild.
Learn more about hiring us as your Oregon elopement photographers.
Not sure is an elopement is right for you? Check out this piece on elopement vs wedding to decide and peep this resource on how to skip the stress and get married without a wedding.
For more stunning places to elope, check out this guide to planning your Mount Rainier Elopement.
Feeling like you want some extra support right now? We gotcha bb. Check out some of our fave elopement guides we’ve made just for you:
- 🧐Should I Elope Quiz
- Elopement VS Wedding deciding which is right for you
- How to Get Married Without a Wedding for couples that want a different kind of day
- ✨How To Make Your Elopement Special
- ⌚️Elopement Timeline
- 👗Elopement Wedding Dress For Your Outdoor Wedding
- ☑️Elopement Checklist
- 🏠Eloping with Family
- 🧳Elopement Packing List
- Elopement Ceremony Guide
- 💦Waterfall Wedding Venues
- Ethereal forest wedding inspo
- Adventurous Hiking Elopement
- 🏞Best Places to Elope
Washington Resources
- How to Elope in Washington State
- The Pros and Cons of a Mount Rainier Elopement
- Your guide to planning your Olympic National Park Wedding
- North Cascades Elopement Guide
- Ruby Beach Elopement Inspo + Planning Tips
- Get to know your Washington Elopement Photographers
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