Two brides surrounded by their six guests cheering
Two brides sharing a kiss on an Oregon beach after their elopement ceremony. The sun is shining from behind large rock formations

Southern Oregon Coast Elopement

Anna Belle + Nicole

Why They Chose to Elope on the Oregon Coast

The decision to elope came naturally to Anna Belle and Nicole. They both already knew they wanted to spend their wedding day very intentionally. The idea of a Southern Oregon Coast elopement was an easy decision for them. Early on in their relationship, they took a road trip together from Los Angeles up to Brookings, OR. They love to hike, be present in nature, and adore the peace and calm that comes with spending time outdoors. 

Anna Belle and Nicole chose to kept their elopement day very small, inviting just 6 of their closest friends and family members to drive up from Los Angeles to meet them in Brookings. They wanted to avoid the drama and financial costs that were associated with larger weddings. By keeping their day small,  they were able to minimize the tension and hard feelings that come with guest lists and entertainment.

By choosing to elope, Anna Belle and Nicole prioritized themselves and what they truly wanted out of their day. For this couple, especially Anna Belle dove right into the planning process to design their perfect day.

wedding couple kissing in coastal forest surrounded by green ferns

Creating their Vision

Anna Belle and Nicole took the reins on planning and crafting every detail of their day.  Anna Belle is naturally a DIY planner. Over the course of a few months, she designed their invitation suite, crafted their own silk florals, and was very clear about delegating preparation tasks to her friends and family. 

When they reached out to me in regards to their timeline, two things were made clear: they wanted their ceremony on an accessible beach, and wanted to incorporate the redwoods. I suggested that they share a First Look and Private Vows in a local redwood trail, before driving to their ceremony site together! Afterward, we took sunset romantic photos on the coast.

While Anna Belle and Nicole were taking in their just-married life, their friends and family were busy making meal preparations at the Airbnb (per Anna Belle’s directions of course). This plan worked out so seamlessly so that the couple truly did not have to stress over anything!

  • elopement details including vow books, shoes, rings, and jewelry
  • elopement details including vow books, invitation suite, rings, and jewelry
  • detail photo of bride's veil and floral bouquet
  • three wedding rings on two maple leaves

Their Oregon Coast Elopement Story

Anna Belle and Nicole woke up in the morning to share breakfast and a light lunch before retreating into separate spaces of their Airbnb. Prior to their First Look, their family and friends were instructed to not let them see each other at all! Nicole was nervous, smiling shyly for the camera at first. She shared a very sentimental watch that Anna Belle had gifted to her with their anniversary date. Anna Belle was doing her own hair and makeup before having her mom and grandmother help her put on her dress and veil.

  • bride in a tan pantsuit smiling
  • bride in a tan pantsuit smiling
  • bride showing off her wrist watch
  • boutonniere being pinned onto bride's jacket
  • writing vows in a vowbook
  • bride having her hair styled by her sister using a hot tool
  • hands zipping up the bride's dress
  • bride smiling between her grandmother and mother helping her get dressed
  • hands held between grandmother and granddaughter on her wedding day
  • bride's friends fluffing out the bride's dress and veil
  • bride's friend helping her pin her veil
  • bridal portrait

First Look and Private Vows in Redwood Forest

Once they were ready, they drove separately to the Redwood forest where Nicole waited patiently for Anna Belle. She was nervous and waiting longer than anticipated because Anna Belle had forgotten her bouquet at the Airbnb! All the nerves melted away when Anna Belle finally arrived and they shared a very sweet First Look. Then they took some time to share their Private Vows on a bridge that overlooked the trail. It was warm and sunny, and so magical to be in such a beautiful and grand forest.

  • staging the first look between brides. one bride is turned away from the camera, and the other is getting ready to approach
  • right before first look, one bride smiles before she approaches
  • one bride taps the other on the shoulder for first look
  • a smiling reaction from the bride who turned around during first look
  • two brides laughing during their first look
  • two brides hugging during first look
  • two brides hugging during first look
  • two brides standing on a bridge in a redwood forest
  • portrait of two brides in a redwood forest
  • an emotional reading of private vows between two brides. one bride is wiping away her tears
  • an emotional reading of private vows between two brides. one bride is smiling
  • two brides standing on a bridge in a redwood forest
  • an emotional reading of private vows between two brides. one bride is smiling
  • two brides walking through a redwood forest. one bride is helping hold the train of the other
  • two brides walking through a redwood forest
  • two brides walking through a redwood forest smiling

Beach Ceremony

After their intimate private vows, they met with their friends and family who had set up the ceremony space on the beach. It was incredibly windy that day, and so they decided to lay Anna Belle’s DIY floral arch flat which was absolutely beautiful on the sand. Anna Belle’s sister officiated the wedding. With just 6 guests, their ceremony was very intimate and they were truly to take it all in before the sunset.

  • Beach sign for Meyers Beach South with safety information
  • Two brides walking on the beach with large rock formations in the background
  • Two brides walking on the beach with large rock formations in the background
  • Sister officiant waiting at the ceremony site on the beach
  • Mother of the bride recording the ceremony with her cell phone
  • A set of shoes and sandals strewn across the beach
  • A close up image of wedding florals for the ceremony site
  • Two brides arriving into their ceremony site with onlooking guests
  • Grandmother and mother of the bride helping arrange bride's veil in the wind
  • Two brides looking at each other intimately during their elopement ceremony
  • Oregon coastal elopement ceremony with six guests
  • View of two eloping brides between their guests
  • Bride placing wedding band on her partner's finger
  • Two brides embracing each other's faces before kissing
  • Two brides share a first kiss during their beach elopement
  • Two brides share an embrace after their beach elopement ceremony
  • Guests hugging the newlywed brides
  • Two brides surrounded by their six guests cheering

Oregon Coast Romantics and Cabin Reception

Finally, after an evening of exploring the Oregon Coast, Anna Belle and Nicole returned to the Airbnb to the dinner set up by her friends and family. Everyone was busy cooking and preparing grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. Anna Belle had even prepared a cheese board earlier in the day. The evening was complete with a floral design on the table and a vintage heart cake

  • Two brides sharing a kiss on an Oregon beach after their elopement ceremony. The sun is shining from behind large rock formations
  • Two elopement brides walking along the beach. The sun is illuminating one bride's dress and veil from behind
  • A close up image of two brides kissing beneath the veil
  • Two brides looking at each other intimately while the sun illuminates the veil
  • Two brides walking through the sand on a sunny afternoon
  • One bride spins the other on an Oregon beach
  • Two brides walking up a sandy slope on an Oregon beach
  • Two brides sharing an intimate moment right before a kiss while standing among sea grass.
  • Two brides walking through sea grass
  • Formal portrait of two brides with the Oregon coast in the background
  • Wedding ring set in focus between the faces of two brides as they hold hands
  • Two brides looking at each other on the Oregon coast
  • Wedding portrait where one bride kisses the other bride on the shoulder
  • Two brides walking down a coastal slope at sunset.
  • Two brides walking among coastal grass at sunset
  • Two brides walking among coastal grass at sunset. There is an iconic rock formation in the background
  • Close up image of one bride's ring hand on the chest of the other. The other bride's smile is visible
  • Two brides hugging on the Oregon coast right after the sun has set
  • Two elopement brides looking at each other intimately, with arms wrapped around each other
  • A distance image of two brides kissing on the Oregon coast.
  • Two brides dancing on the Oregon coast during blue hour
  • Eager guests waiting to surprise their friends when they arrive to their Airbnb
  • Two brides arrive to their cabin. There are streamers visible
  • White streamers strewn across the image while guests cheer in the cabin
  • Guests recording their couple's reaction as they enter the cabin
  • Detail image of the reception space, including faux candles and floral arrangements
  • Image of grazing table spread, with a white wedding cake in the center
  • Close up image of white vintage heart cake
  • Elopement couple smiling at the camera, getting ready to cut their wedding cake
  • Close up of wedding couple's hands cutting their cake
  • Wedding couple smiling while feeding each other cake.
  • Guests clapping for their friends

Vendor Team

Photography / Marjorie Therese Photography
Dress / Brides for a Cause
Nails / Nails by Darla
Rings / Heidi Gibson Designs

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