Southern Oregon Coast Elopement Feature

So you’re thinking about eloping on the Southern Oregon coast? Coming from me – a frequent Brookings Elopement Videographer, I’d say that’s an EXCELLENT CHOICE!

The Southern Oregon Coast (& Northern California Coast) is PACKED with amazing scenery, hikes, activities, and more! One of the most impressive gems on the Southern Oregon Coast is the Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Samuel H. Boardman is located near Brookings, Oregon – a small town on the southernmost tip of Oregon, right on the border of California!

For that very reason, many couples choose to incorporate both states (and their natural wonders) into their elopement day: exploring the epic Oregon coastline for half of the day and exploring the awe-inspiring redwood forests near Crescent City (not too far of a drive away) for the second half!

Can you imagine a more epic way to get married!?

I’ll go into more details about ideas for your elopement on the Southern Oregon Coast – but, first, I wanted to show off this epic elopement film (and my mad skills as a frequent Brookings elopement videographer) that showcases a great way to incorporate both the redwoods and the coast in your day: check out Lindsay & Jude’s intimate, intentional elopement film, “To Stop & Watch the Tress with You:”

Okay, as promised, here’s a breakdown of how to elope on the Southern Oregon Coast:

• Book an Airbnb/VRBO/Cabin that speaks to your heart to serve as your home base for your elopement! Finding the right place to stay is a HUGE step in planning your elopement on the Southern Oregon Coast. The area is pretty undeveloped, so there aren’t limitless options: the further in advance you book (or the more flexible you are on your date) the more options you’ll have! I recommend looking between Port Orford & Brookings (I don’t recommend staying in Crescent City, as I’ve heard a lot of people feeling unsafe in their accommodations there.)
  
  
• Here are some of my favorite Airbnb’s in the area:
  • Harris Beach Bungalow
  • Stunning Modern Cliff House & Breathtaking Views
  • Light & Bright 3 BR Home w/ Beach Access-King Bed
  
  Also check out: Whaleshead Beach Resort & Crook Point

• Pick a date! The biggest factors to consider are weather, your schedule, vendor availability,  how busy the area will be, and how far in advance you’d like to plan. I recommend planning 3-12 months (or more!)  in advance and aiming for May though October for best seasonal weather. I also 1000% recommend planning your elopement for a weekday to have the best chance at less crowded locations!
  
  
• Hire an elopement photographer and videographer that know the area! Having a team that’s “been there, done that” can be SOOOO helpful in planning your elopement on the Southern Oregon Coast. They’ll know all the secret spots and ways to stay off the heavy traffic areas.
  • Obviously I 10000% recommend booking with me, Lilli Productions! Another great option is to work with me for videography and Miki at Venturing Vows for photography. We’ve done SO MANY elopements together and make the perfect team.
    
    
• Plan activities that suit your interests! The best part of eloping is that you can do whatever the hell you want to do. So, get creative and fulfill your heart’s greatest desires. Here are some ideas for you (some will work for any location in the world, some are more specific to the Southern Oregon Coast).
  
  • Hike and Explore all around Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor – here’s a map of the area!
  
  • Book a Kayaking Tour or Surfing Lesson with South Coast Tours – https://southcoasttours.net/plan-your-trip/
  
  • Book a Fishing tour –  https://brookingsfishing.com
  
  • Book a Whale Watching or Scuba Diving tour our of Port Orford – https://southcoasttours.net/boat-tours/
  
  
• What to pack? The weather on the Oregon Coast depends on the season, but it most likely won’t be hot! I always suggest to pack in layers, and always prepare for rain. That being said, Brookings is really on the “banana belt” of Oregon, so it tends to be a lot sunnier than the rest of the coast. I also recommend packing adventure essential like hiking shoes, comfy socks, sunglasses/hat, a windbreaker!

• Building Your Elopement timeline. The final step in bringing your dream day to life is creating a plan for the day! If you need help creating a timeline – check out my blog post that features a sample elopement day timeline here: www.lilliproductions.com/elopement-timeline-sample.

If you’re looking for some inspiration from your favorite Brookings elopement videographer (me, it’s me, Lilli Productions!) here’s how Lindsey and Jude’s day went, as told through 35mm film photos:

And there you have it! An example of a Brookings, Oregon and Crescent City, California coastal + Redwood forest elopement day. Being a frequent brookings elopement videographer has brought me so much joy over the years!

When choosing your vendors for your Southern Oregon elopement, I HIGHLY recommend booking a photographer and videographer that is familiar with the area and relatively local (as in, OREGON-BASED!) you want someone who can proudly call themselves a Brookings elopement videographer or photographer so that you can have the BEST experience in this awe-inspiring landscape!