The Secret to Planning a Cannon Beach Elopement (What to Do and NOT Do)
You’re in love with the idea of eloping at Cannon Beach, but you’re starting to see stories about how busy it is there? No worries. As a Cannon Beach elopement photographer, I’ve got your back on all the ins and outs of planning a Cannon Beach elopement without the crowds.
Why Elope at Cannon Beach?
Haystack Rock and Cannon Beach are some of the most iconic scenes on the Oregon Coast. That coupled with the quick hour and a half drive from Portland make it an ideal location for a lot of eloping couples. You’ve got beautiful scenery, convenience, and a super cute town to explore.
The only caveat is that all those things mean Cannon Beach can get super crowded. That’s why I’ve got some tips and tricks to help you with planning so you can avoid the crowds!
Planning an Oregon Coast elopement involves more than just picking a location. I help couples navigate timing, tides, and locations while capturing their experience in a way that feels natural and unforced.
Choosing Locations for your Cannon Beach Elopement
Haystack Rock is obviously the big location option on Cannon Beach itself. However, it’s not the only location you should consider for your elopement experience. Think about nearby locations like Ecola State Park or Hug Point to start getting away from the crowds, and work with your Cannon Beach elopement photographer to find even more off-the-beaten path locations nearby.
To best avoid crowds, plan for Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock to be just one stop during your day and then head to a hidden gem nearby.
Planning an elopement and choosing locations can feel like a lot, especially from out of state. That’s exactly why I help couples with both Oregon Coast elopement photography and thoughtful planning support.
When to Elope at Cannon Beach
Cannon Beach has beautiful, mild weather year round. Winters are cooler and rainier, but still relatively warm with average highs in the fifties. Summers are warmer and drier, with average highs in the sixties. If you want to play it safe with weather, I’d recommend June to early October for the best chance at a dry day.
And most important about the “when” to elope at Cannon Beach, is how to best avoid crowds. The slowest months will be September through June, and you’ll want to aim for a weekday. You’ll also want to aim for early morning to get the best chance at privacy. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT elope on a weekend or at mid-day on Cannon Beach. You will encounter crowds and it will be very difficult for you to find privacy for photos and vows.
Learn more about the best seasons to elope on the Oregon Coast and the best time of day.
How to Elope on Cannon Beach
One of your most pressing questions is probably how to do the official marriage part of your Cannon Beach elopement. Here’s a breakdown of the essentials!
Marriage License Information for Cannon Beach, 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 Cannon Beach is the Clatsop County office in Astoria. 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 you’ve chosen to see if they allow waivers so that you can plan accordingly.
Important Note: It’s essential to abide by the 3-day waiting period or pay to have it waived. Officiants will not fudge the dates for you and ignoring it could cause significant issues if you’d like to get legally married during your elopement day.
Officiant and Witness Requirements for Your Cannon Beach 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 Cannon Beach elopements.
Where to Stay for Your Cannon Beach Elopement
Finding somewhere great to stay is one of the most important aspects of your elopement experience. It really sets the tone for your elopement, so it’s important to find somewhere you love.
Here are some additional things to consider as you choose:
- 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.
- If you are planning a honeymoon/elopement experience, having an epic stay with great amenities goes a long way.
- You’ll want to find somewhere nearby your elopement location so you don’t spend your whole day driving.
- This is your main back up location in case of inclement weather – choose somewhere you wouldn’t mind spending the whole day if needed.
Here are a few of my favorite suggestions for where to stay for your Cannon Beach elopement:
These are the kinds of details I help my couples navigate every step of the way as an Oregon Coast elopement photographer and planner.
Activities for Your Elopement at Cannon Beach
You deserve more than just a quick ceremony and calling it good for your elopement experience. I always recommend adding some of your favorite activities to your day to make it feel unique to you and to help you feel fully celebrated.
Here are some of my favorite to recommend for Cannon Beach:
- Beach bonfire in the evening
- Picnic on the beach (there are companies you can hire to do a cute picnic set up for you or you can go DIY!)
- Chilling in the hot tub or sauna at your cabin
- Roasting s’mores
- Stopping by a brewery
- Hiking the trails
Here are some more activities to consider for your Cannon Beach elopement.
Extra Tips for Planning Your Cannon Beach Elopement
Plan Ahead
Because the Cannon Beach area is more popular, you’ll want to start planning your elopement at least six months out so that you have the best chance at the lodging you want and the vendors you’d like to work with.
Researching lodging and vendors is something I help my Cannon Beach, Oregon elopement couples with! Reach out to learn more about how I can help!
Pay Close Attention to Your Timing
If you are including Haystack Rock and Cannon Beach in your elopement, make sure you are working with your elopement photographer to settle on the best timing for your elopement locations so you can best avoid crowds while still getting to experience your top locations.
Consider a Multi-Day Elopement
There is so much to explore in the Cannon Beach 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 cliffs, and epic waterfalls all nearby. This is why I recommend going for a multi-day elopement on the Northern 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 Cannon Beach Elopement Photographer
As a Cannon Beach 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 Northern 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 Cannon Beach Elopement Photography and planning services here.
