2020 and 2021 were the years of micro-weddings and intimate elopements. This Oregon Coast elopement still included family and a high attention to detail! Just because you’re having a smaller celebration, doesn’t mean you can’t include some of the elements more typically seen at a big wedding! Make this day about YOUR love.
Who: Candace & Jason
What: Intimate Coastal Wedding
When: October 4, 2020
Where: Coos Bay, OR
Why: When you’re forced to cancel your dream wedding, you run off to the coast instead!
This couple, SHOOT they had the best style. The whole day I just marveled at the details. First of all, Candace’s mom MADE HER VEIL. And it is to this day my favorite veil I’ve ever seen, I mean what the heck. They brought the bouquet (and boutoni… man flower broach) from the floral shop Jason buys her flowers from, he insisted they be only from there (they live in Oakland). Candace DIY-ed all of the silk masks. I mean again… THIS COUPLE!
C&J met in college where they became friends for a few years before starting dating senior year. Originally they planned for a 120+ person wedding in Portland, so two months out they decided to plan a coastal elopement at a “halfway” point so their WA and CA families could attend.
Candace wore her Aunt’s vintage Edwardian necklace that her uncle bought while in England, which I was obsessed with and commented on all day because I want one just like it. Her dress was from BHLDN (Wtoo by Waters) and his suit from Bonobos. Candace had planned to wear heels but while scouting in the days before the wedding, she stepped on a rusty nail and had to get stitches! So she took it like a champ and bought a pair of vans!
Jason surprised Candace by writing the song she walked down the aisle to, and they played their “our song”, “House” by Kindness at the end.
Candace bought a sweet little house-shaped purse for her niece with flower petals to perform her duties as the flower girl (and to provide her a little distraction while we took loads of pictures). The bridesmaids dresses were from BHLDN (and another detail I obsessed over, I mean those colors… every photographer’s dream).
Candace and Jason read their vows, including references from Bob’s Burgers, and Candace’s sister officiated and performed a knot-tying ceremony.
There wasn’t a reception due to COVID restrictions, but the families had a bonfire with toasts and pizza delivered by Front Street Provisioners. They said it was some of the best pizza they’ve ever had, and they’ve lived in NYC!
Candace: “My advice to couples planning weddings right now is to be flexible and work with an awesome photographer! Flexibility was key and realizing we couldn’t please anyone but ourselves. The wedding wasn’t what we originally imagined but it was honestly such a magical intimate day and I couldn’t have imagined the ceremony being any different!”
More Elopements
Another favorite elopement took place at the Ruby June Inn in White Salmon, WA. Check it out here.
There’s no shortage of amazing place in the Northwest to elope! Reach out here if you need help planning the perfect day!
If your heart is set on having an Oregon Coast elopement, I know a good spot! Lots of ’em actually… Here is another favorite! If you don’t want to elope, but you would love to have those style of photos, a great option is having a day-after session! Basically this just means putting on your wedding apparel and running around in nature together!
