I’m Dani, the photographer behind Ronny & Rene Photography, and the Oregon Coast is one of the places that feels most like home to me. Elopements here just hit different. The experience is raw, intimate, and deeply meaningful: just you, the ocean, and the promises you are making to each other.
Based in the Willamette Valley and regularly documenting celebrations along the coast, I help couples navigate tides, weather, and timing so the day feels calm, intentional, and true to who you are. My approach is relaxed and supportive, giving you gentle guidance when you need it and space when you do not, so your photos reflect how it actually felt to be there.
If you are dreaming of a windswept, (maybe rainy) heartfelt Oregon Coast elopement, I'm your photographer!
Oregon Coast elopement photographer specializing in timeless, nostalgic, documentary style imagery.
Eloping on the Oregon Coast
My go-to spots to elope on the Oregon Coast, in order from north to south:
Cannon Beach
Home to the famous Haystack Rock, Cannon Beach offers classic Oregon Coast scenery and a wide shoreline that photographs beautifully in all weather. It is ideal if you want recognizable views along with a picturesque little town with walkable restaurants, shops, and accommodations.
Hug Point
Just south of Cannon Beach, Hug Point offers a more tucked away feel with sea caves, a small waterfall, and towering cliffs that create a cozy, intimate setting. It is especially beautiful at low tide when you can access the best part- paying attention to tides is a must here.
Manzanita
Home to the cutest little street, Manzanita is a fun niche beach area with great camping and views. I suggest Manzanita to couples that want that vast dune-grassy look. Nehalem Bay is also a perfect campground with beach access.
Short Sands (Oswald West State Park)
This beach sits inside a protected cove surrounded by towering coastal forest. A short hike through old growth trees leads to a wide sandy beach framed by cliffs, giving the entire experience a secluded, storybook feel. It is perfect for couples who want a blend of forest and ocean and do not mind a little adventure to get there.
Cape Kiwanda (Pacific City)
With sweeping views, warm toned sandstone cliffs, and the iconic offshore haystack rock, Cape Kiwanda feels adventurous while still being easy to access. Sunset here is especially beautiful, making it a favorite for intimate ceremonies with a dramatic backdrop. The Headlands Coastal Lodge, right on the beach, is the perfect place to make your elopement a little more PNW luxury.
Fogarty Creek (Depoe Bay)
Fogarty Creek feels tucked away and peaceful, with a small creek winding through the beach before meeting the ocean. Surrounded by forested cliffs, it offers a sheltered, intimate atmosphere that is especially nice on windy days. The mix of water, greenery, and open shoreline creates a soft, romantic backdrop that feels private and calm. Huge tree-covered cliffs and an in-water rock formation give it a rugged feel different from other open sand beaches.
Newport: Agate Beach
Just underneath the Yaquina Head Lighthouse hill, this location is perfect for both widespread beach views and a tree covered cliff that bonus: blocks wind coming from the North. Newport is a fun town to explore the historic bay front and Nye Beach areas. It is a larger coastal town giving plenty of options for restaurants and lodging. Close to Lincoln City and Depoe Bay.
Seal Rock (Waldport)
Located about 10 minutes south of Newport, Seal Rock is in Waldport, Oregon. It is perfect for couples wanting a quieter, less touristy stretch of coastline with dramatic rock formations scattered just offshore. At low tide, tidepools and textured sand create beautiful details for photos, while the wide beach provides plenty of space for an intimate ceremony.
Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor
Located in southern Oregon, this stretch of coastline is perfect for couples seeking privacy and adventure. Rugged cliffs, natural arches, and hidden beaches create a secluded, wild atmosphere. Many spots require a short hike and can be on the tricky side- it's intimate but requires a little extra planning.
Best Oregon Coast Spots
Oregon Coast Elopements
SERVING
the PNW +
BEYOND
In general, you usually do NOT need a permit if:
- Your group is small (typically under 50 people)
- You are not setting up structures
- You are not blocking public access
- You leave the space exactly as you found it
Small vow exchanges with just a few guests and a photographer are typically considered normal recreational use of public land.
You WILL likely need a Special Use Permit if:
- Your group exceeds about 50 people
- You plan to bring chairs, arches, tables, décor,
- You want a reserved or exclusive space
- Your event goes beyond normal beach use
Oregon State Parks requires permits for larger “special events” or non-traditional activities on park land. Permits typically cost around $150 for up to 50 guests, with small additional fees for larger groups, and may require liability insurance listing the state park system.
Do I need a permit to Elope on the Oregon Coast?
Oregon Coast Elopement Permit Information
The Oregon Coast is beautiful year round, but the experience definitely varies by season. Summer while the warmest and most predictable, can be more crowded. Spring and fall have fewer crowds and more of the moody coastal skies that photograph beautifully. Winter elopements can be really romantic, with misty beaches and dramatic waves, but they require some flexibility and you most likely will be wet and wind-blown!
Sunrise and sunset are typically the best times for lighting. Early morning offers privacy and soft light, while sunset brings warm tones and glowing skies when conditions are clear. Weekdays are a good idea for couples seeking a quieter experience.
Tips for Eloping on the Oregon Coast
When to elope on the oregon coast
To legally marry on the Oregon Coast, you will need an Oregon marriage license obtained from any county clerk’s office in the state. Both partners must apply in person, and there is a standard three day waiting period before the license becomes valid unless you request a waiver.
The license is valid for 60 days and can be used anywhere in Oregon. After the ceremony, your officiant submits the signed license to the county for recording. All ceremonies require an officiant and two witnesses. I am ordained if you need someone official to sign your license!
From experience, have your license filled out and sign at the car, don't try and bring it on the beach. I've see one too many licenses get swept away in the wind!
Marriage License for an Oregon Coast Elopement
Protecting Oregon beaches are a big deal to us Oregonians. Oregon beaches are part of a fragile ecosystem, it's important to follow Leave No Trace principles.
Simple guidelines include packing out everything you bring, avoiding confetti or loose materials, staying on established trails, and respecting wildlife and tidepools. Even biodegradable items can disrupt the environment, so minimal impact is always best.
Leave No Trace on the Oregon Coast
Featured Oregon Coast Love Stories:
Oregon Coast Elopement at Hug Point
Oregon Coast Vow Renewal
Newport Couples Session
Places to Elope in Oregon
How to Elope in Oregon
Let's do this thing. Pop the bubbly, cue the confetti!
I Can't Wait To Begin This Journey With You
- Photography Coverage based on hours needed for the day
- A customized online gallery of 100+ images per hour
- A 1-4 week gallery delivery turn around
- 24-48-hour sneak peeks to share your day
- An Elopement guide full of tips for planning your elopment
- Timeline consultation and vendor recommendations
- Permit and licensing Guidance
- An officiant to sign your license if needed (me)
- Help throughout the planning process
Chat soon,
Dani
i'll be in touch
Thank You
I would say hire her for any and all important moments! The photos are beautiful and working with her was a treat. We couldn't have asked for someone more kind, thoughtful, generous, and truly passionate about her work and the people she was working with - everything felt so specific to us as a couple and the wedding that we wanted and the things we wanted to capture. The process from start to finish couldn't have been more seamless, easy, and enjoyable. And now we have memories we will be able to look back on and feel right in the moment again.
TAYLOR
"COULDN't have been more seamless."
We couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Dani made everything feel easy and natural. I had no idea how she captured the moments she did, they were truly a gift to look at when everything seemed like a blur!I still get teary-eyed when we look at these photos. We will cherish these forever.
KATIE
"EVERYTHING WE COULD HAVE ASKED FOR."
Thank you so much for the absolutely gorgeous photos for Kim & Josh's wedding. You are so incredibly talented, and your gift and sweet, sweet spirit blesses so many people. The moments you captured are truly a reflection of your heart, and I just can't tell you how grateful we are! Thank you so much & God Bless.
SHARON
"TRULY A REFLECTION OF YOUR HEART."
Dani has been there for so many of our special moments.. engagement photos, wedding, maternity and first family photos!! We LOVED her from the moment we met her and I obsessed over her photos on Instagram before hiring her over 4 years ago and I continue to obsess over her photography. She is not only an extremely talented photographer but she is truly an amazing human. We have no talent for having our photo taken and are both fairly awkward during the process, but she somehow finds a way to capture the sweetest moments and guide you to make photos turn out spectacular! I wouldn’t go to anyone else for future photos and Highly recommend her! Remember you get what you pay for and the quality and overall experience you get with Dani is worth every penny!!
BRITTANY
"YOU CAPTURED THE BEST MOMENTS!"
I knew we needed to go with Dani after seeing her pricing guide, it was so beautiful! Her whole process from start to finish made me feel so important and like I was her only bride even though I know she had tons! She captured the best moments, was not a "diva" about it but like a friend who knew exactly what I needed at every moment. She even helped get me sometime alone after the wedding when everyone was coming up to us! The photos were just the cherry on top. They were, of course, beautifiul and beyond what we could have imagined. I think we even got them back in less than two weeks. Thank you Dani for being exactly what we needed and beyond!
JENNY