Planning Your Brookings, Oregon Elopement
So you’ve decided to elope on the Southern Oregon Coast, but now you’re wondering where to start? No worries. As your Oregon Coast elopement photographer, I’ve got your back on all the ins and outs (and unexpected quirks!) of planning a Brookings, Oregon elopement.
Why Elope on the Southern Oregon Coast?
You’ve probably seen beautiful photos of Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor and felt instantly drawn in. And yes, it really is that beautiful, and it’s perfect for elopements. Epic views around every corner and a remote feeling that makes you feel like you’re exploring pristine and untouched nature. That’s why this is my favorite location in Oregon to recommend to eloping couples who are looking for epic views and privacy during their elopement experience.
Brookings offers a lot of options, and you don’t have to have them all figured out. If you want help choosing the right season, locations, and flow for your Brookings elopement, I’d love to walk you through it.
Where to Elope Near Brookings
Brookings has so many beautiful locations within a short distance. You’ve likely seen beautiful photos of the highlights like Natural Bridges and Secret Beach, but there are so many off-the-beaten-path locations all around Brookings. Since I’ve taken the time to extensively explore locations in the area, I’ve got a ton of recommendations for the couples I work with that are just as beautiful and feel more private for intimate elopements.
I also always love letting couples know that the California Redwoods are just a short drive away from Brookings. You can easily fit in the Redwoods and the Southern Oregon Coast with a full or multi-day elopement experience.
Want access to my location recommendations for Brookings? Learn more about my elopement photography and planning services here.
When to Elope in Brookings
Brookings has beautiful, mild weather year round. Winters are cooler and rainier, but still relatively warm with average highs in the fifties. Summers are warm and dry, with average highs in the sixties. If you want to play it safe with weather, I’d recommend May to October for the best chance at a dry day. If you are looking to avoid crowds, I’d most recommend September through June as things can get busy during July and August.
Learn more about the best seasons to elope on the Oregon Coast and the best time of day.
How to Elope in Brookings
One of your most pressing questions is probably how to do the official marriage part of your Brookings elopement. Here’s a breakdown of the essentials!
Marriage License Information for Brookings, Oregon Elopements
In Oregon, you can get your marriage license in any county that is most convenient for you. The closest county clerk’s office to Brookings is the Curry County office in Gold Beach. Whichever county you choose, be sure to follow their specific requirements for application.
You should also keep in mind that Oregon has an automatic 3-day waiting period before your marriage license can be used. Often you can pay a fee to have this waiting period waived if you are traveling from out of state. It’s important to call ahead to the County Clerk’s office to see if they allow waivers so that you can plan accordingly.
Officiant and Witness Requirements for Your Brookings Elopement
Oregon requires that you be legally married by an officiant with two witnesses present.
Here’s how I help couples who are keeping their celebrations ultra small with these requirements:
- You can hire an officiant and bring a witness. I can act as your second witness.
- I can act as your officiant and we can ask two passersby to serve as your witnesses.
Learn more about how I help couples plan their Brookings, Oregon elopements.
Where to Stay for Your Brookings Elopement
Finding somewhere great to stay is, in my opinion, one of the most important pieces of your elopement experience. This location is likely going to be featured heavily in your getting ready photos, a first look if you’d like to incorporate one, and post-elopement celebrations/relaxing. It also goes a long way to turning your elopement into a full elopement/honeymoon adventure experience. You want to find something epic.
Here are a few of my favorite suggestions for where to stay for your Southern Oregon Coast elopement:
Extra Tips for Planning Your Brookings Elopement
Plan Ahead
Because this area is more remote, there are fewer elopement vendors available than in other areas of Oregon. That means if you’d like to book with a florist, hair and makeup artist, officiant, bakery, or caterer for your day, you’ll need to plan ahead to make sure you can find someone with availability for your date.
Researching vendors is something I help my Brookings, Oregon elopement couples with! Reach out to learn more about how I can help!
Don’t be Afraid to DIY
So this goes hand in hand with the previous tip. If you’re running on a tighter schedule or not finding your perfect fit for vendors, don’t be afraid to DIY parts of your elopement day. For example, you can often find beautiful florals at grocery stores and make your own bouquet, or substitute traditional cake for a stop at a local donut shop, or do your own hair and make up (I had a pretty remote elopement, so this is what I did!).
Doing something yourself? Make sure you practice ahead of time so you are not nervous about getting it right on your elopement day!
Consider a Multi-Day Elopement
There is so much to explore in the Brookings area, you are probably already starting to feel a bit of FOMO or decision paralysis about what exactly to include in your elopement day. You have beautiful beaches, coastal lookouts, and the redwood forests all nearby. This is why I recommend going for a multi-day elopement on the Southern Oregon Coast. Instead of stressing about what to fit in or exhausting yourselves trying to location hop, with a multi-day elopement you can take your time and relax.
I offer half-day, full-day, and multi-day elopement photography packages. You can learn more here.
Your Brookings Elopement Photographer
As a Brookings elopement photographer, I help with more than just photography. I help the couples I work with plan everything from locations to vendors to what to pack. If you’ve never visited the Southern Oregon Coast and the locations you’re planning your elopement for, I highly recommend working with a photographer like me who can help guide you through the process!
You can learn more about my Brookings Elopement Photography and planning services here.
