Jaqui + Michael – A dreamy sunrise elopement on the Oregon Coast
Hug Point– Gem of an elopement location just down the road from Cannon Beach
One of the best things about the Oregon Coast is the plethora of options. Though there are many iconic scenes, like Cannon Beach, they can be crowded.
Folks choosing to elope tend to be crowd-avoidant… and definitely don’t want to say their vows in front of a bunch of strangers.
This moody Oregon Coast elopement is just a few minutes down the road from Cannon Beach, taking advantage of early morning hours and the slightly less traveled road. The name of this beach is Hug Point– so named for the history of transportation in the area. Stagecoaches and horse drawn carriages used to use the beaches in this part of Oregon as a highway. The drivers used to have to “hug” close to the bluff, and eventually some unnamed folks chipped out a rudimentary road in the rocks.
The fun geology of Hug Point– nature nerds rejoice!
The rocks and bluffs of this beach are really the best feature. The road at the cape is fun to explore, but there are also many caves, nooks and crannies to investigate– that also make for great photo opportunities.
Perhaps the most famous feature at Hug Point, and the reason a lot of folks visit… and the reason I will likely recommend this as a stop on your adventure elopement day (depending on the tides) on the Northern Oregon Coast… is the WATERFALL.
It’s true, Oregon is famous for its waterfalls. And also famous for its rugged, beautiful coastline. There are a few spots along the coast where the two combine.
Wandering the beach and bluffs in the early morning light, Jaqui and Michael lit sparklers for an extra touch of magic and whimsy.
What would you expect for an Oregon Coast Elopement?
We watched as the blue world of early morning slowly warmed, turning the clouds high in the sky pinker and pinker as the minutes passed.
Upon arrival, at 4:30 am, we were definitely nervous we wouldn’t get such beautiful vistas… as it was positively dumping rain. With the windshield wipers on full blast, the drive down highway 101 was a little more than nerve wracking.
An adventure elopement is all about embracing the elements and enjoying what the natural world delivers… to a reasonable extent. Frolicking in the rain in a wedding dress makes for excellent photos and a fun time, but can also be quite cold. Luckily, elopements are way more flexible than a traditional wedding.
My mind started reeling, thinking of back up plans in case the deluge didn’t let up. But, the Oregon Coast did what it does, and the downpour cleared and we were met with a classic Oregon Coast sunrise.
Some more resources re: eloping on the Oregon Coast:
How to Elope on the Oregon Coast
Best Spots on the Oregon Coast
Eloping on the Southern Oregon Coast
Family Elopement Celebration on the Oregon Coast
Oregon Coast Elopement Photographer
I love helping folks plan their adventure elopements. The Oregon Coast is vast and varied, and it has so much potential for the perfect elopement day. When you decide to embark upon that journey, I’d be honored to help you plan and document your day.
I’d also just be happy to answer any questions you have about eloping in Oregon, so please do not hesitate to reach out. Even if you’ve just got questions or are just at the beginning stages of planning an elopement.
