So you’ve decided to elope on the Oregon Coast! Amazing! There aren’t many more spectacularly beautiful places to elope, lets get into everything you need to think about when planning your day.

• Choose a date!

Each season is a little different and has its pros and cons. You can find another blog post I did about when to elope on the Oregon coast here. I highly recommend late spring or late summer/fall, those are my personal favorite times to be on the coast, but you really can’t go wrong as long as you are willing to embrace whatever vibes the day brings!  

• Where to Elope!

Locations can make all the difference for setting the vibe for your day. Think about the images you love most, do you want rolling sand dunes? Stretches of open beach that meats up with the mountains in the distance? A rugged cliffside that you can stand on with your love and feel tiny in a vast landscape? Do you want a quaint beach town with hidden gem restaurants? Or maybe you want a coastline speckled with rock stacks shooting up from the rolling waves? Oregon has all of the above and so much more. I can help you find a location that fits your vision. Once we start your planning process, I will help you find the perfect place to tell the story of your love. You can also find a few Oregon coast ideas right here!

• Make it legal!

1. In the state of Oregon, the couple who wishes to get married, must go to any county clerks office. You can look up what county you’re getting your license in, hours of service, fees, and application process may vary slightly from county to county. You can complete an application online or in person, but both parties do have to appear in person with photo ID in order to complete your application and obtain your license. The cost is $60.00 and certified copies are $4.00 each. 

2. Please note “There is a 3-day* waiting period from the day you pay the fee and receive the license until the license is valid to use. Once the license is valid, you have 60 days to have a ceremony performed anywhere within the State of Oregon. Licenses obtained at our office are not valid to be used outside of Oregon.”

3. Once you receive your license and wait the 3 day waiting period, you have 60 days to perform your ceremony and fill out the marriage license, you will each need to sign, as well as two witnesses and your officiant.  

4. Have your officiant mail it back to the county clerks office within 10 days after completing your ceremony and filling out the application! (If you work with me, I am ordained and am happy to help with this process!) 

• Lets talk special use permits!

Depending on where you want to get married you may need a special use permit for your elopement, typically this is required at national parks (Crater Lake in Oregon.) It’s always a good idea to check and make sure no other permits are needed at other state parks or state protected land. We want to avoid any potential fines. Most state parks and other areas require permits with larger groups of 50-75+. If you’re eloping or having an intimate wedding, this may not be an issue, but it’s always better to be prepared and check the laws! (I also assist with this process if you choose to work with me! Wooo!)

• Lastly, start dreaming up your day!

The best part about eloping or having an intimate wedding is that your day can truly be yours and you can do anything you want. Maybe that’s taking time to wake up and see the sunrise together, having a slow morning and breakfast together, maybe it’s spending time with the people that are most important to you. You get to define your schedule and incorporate anything you want into your day. I hope you dream big and small, and make it meaningful and uniquely yours. 

Happy planning! Feel free to reach out with any questions!