I put together a comprehensive guide on where, when, and how to elope at Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast (Updated for 2023). Intimate weddings and adventure elopements are becoming more popular these days but picking your special place and coordinating how to do it isn’t always easy. There are so many wonderful, beautiful places to elope in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest but none easier than Cannon Beach. Below you will find some location tips for your Cannon Beach wedding ceremony, recommendations for what times are best, and suggestions for places to celebrate afterwards.
Learn more about my elopement photography packages here and see more of my wedding work here.
Cannon Beach Elopement Packages
4 hours: $2800| 6 hours: $3200
6 hours + Essentials (Bouquet, etc.): $4000
Unlimited photography planning and consultation for your day.
Includes my travel to and from Portland.
Final, Edited High Resolution Digital Files and Full Printing Rights.
Where to elope at Cannon Beach
CHAPMAN POINT
This is one of my favorite places to elope at Cannon Beach. Located on the northern stretch of the beach, across from Ecola Creek, is Chapman Point. Depending on the tide you can access the cove at the tip of Chapman Point which can be a quiet place for your ceremony. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can scramble up the rocks and have your ceremony on the bluff above. There is a small parking lot with a restroom on 5th St and for closer access to the point there is a small amount of street parking on Oak St. Thanks to its distance from the more popular areas of Cannon Beach, Chapman Point can sometimes be a little less busy.
HAYSTACK ROCK
The focal point of Cannon Beach is undoubtedly Haystack Rock and what better place to get married than at the base of it. Getting close to the mammoth sea stack is a short walk from either the town of Cannon Beach or a slightly longer walk from Tolovana. Both of these areas have ample parking and access to restrooms. The most convenient public parking is located at the intersection of S. Hemlock St. and E. Gower Ave. Once parked you can walk down Gower Ave. to Ecola Ct. and get right on the beach. To get even closer to the big rock you can head further south down S. Hemlock St. but services (parking and restrooms) are tricky.
SILVER POINT
At the southern end of Cannon Beach is a location called Silver Point. It’s a rocky stretch of beach with a smaller, yet still impressive sea stack. This part of the beach is definitely not as popular as the other spots and is a little tricky to access but it could be the perfect place for your elopement. Use Google Maps to find a side street that has access to the beach otherwise be prepared for a long walk on the beach from Tolovana.
HUG POINT
This isn’t technically Cannon Beach but it does deserve a mention. Drive south down Highway 101 about 10 minutes and you'll find a small state park called Hug Point. It’s a beautiful rocky part of the coast with craggy ledges and coastal caves. There is a small parking lot that fills up fast in the Summer months and restrooms are on site too.
Ecola State Park
The view from Ecola State Park is breathtaking (and if you’re a fan of the Goonies probably familiar). It looks down on to Crescent Beach with Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock in the distance. Depending on the size of your elopement and what you’re looking for it could be great. There is a decent sized parking lot that is $5 for the whole day. Unfortunately due to erosion some of the lookouts and several of the trails are closed.
Bonus Locations and TIPS
When you hire me to photograph your Cannon Beach Elopement, you will receive a full list of North Oregon Coast locations which includes photos and videos of each ceremony location, info about accessibility, and other helpful tips.
When to have your ceremony
The best time to elope at Cannon Beach is definitely during the week and in the morning or early evening. Cannon Beach in the Summer is a busy place and unless you want your wedding party to include hundreds of out-of-towners it’s best to stick to the weekdays. Exchanging your vows in the morning or early evening can work lovely for photos too as light is at it’s best. Be sure to check sunrise and sunset times and work with your photographer to pick the best time for photos.
Another important thing to keep in mind is what the ocean will be doing when you’re out there. Be sure to check the weather forecast as well as tide tables. At low tide you can access some pretty great places especially near Haystack Rock and Chapman Point but conditions can change quick so be safe out there!
Weather
The Oregon Coast can be a wet place. All that moisture is what makes Oregon so lush and magical (did you know there are 238 waterfalls in Oregon?!). It also means that there is a good chance your wedding vows may get a little soggy. Embrace it! If you’re looking for sunny beach weather, you might not get it. However, picking a wedding date in July, August, or September will probably increase your chances of sunshine. These are the driest, warmest months of the year but also the most popular. If you do luck out and get a sunny day, avoid having your ceremony in the afternoon when light is at its strongest. Nobody wants squinty photos in hard light and on a warm sunny day that sand gets hot!
Cannon Beach Wedding Permits
Unless you’re planning on having a big wedding ceremony (more than 50 guests) you probably won’t need a special use permit for your Cannon Beach elopement. Most intimate gatherings that don’t prohibit the public from also accessing the area are in the clear. That being said review the rules by Oregon State Parks and see if they may apply to you and your wedding.
If you plan to use tables, chairs, or any structures that require assembly with nails or screws you will need a permit. However, if you work with an expert like Pacific Coast Floral Design they can help design a ceremony structure that may not need a permit.
Cannon Beach Wedding Photos
Check out some of my recent work and get inspired for your wedding!
Vendor Recommendations
Cannon Beach and the Portland metro have some amazing wedding vendors from hair and makeup artists, florists, and officiants. Below are some of my personal favorites who are sure to make your day beautiful and stress free.
Cannon Beach Wedding Officiants
You may have the perfect, most well spoken friend who comes to mind immediately when thinking about your wedding day. That’s so awesome! Alternatively, you might want a professional to take care of all the logistics. Zachary of Old Ways Ceremonies, Carolyn of Oregon Beach Ceremonies, and Emily of Rooted and Wild are all wonderful officiants who help couples create ceremonies that are authentic and unique. They’re well-versed in elopements, the Oregon Coast, and Oregon marriage law.
Cannon Beach Wedding Hair and Makeup
The Union Knot is a full service bridal salon that specializes in bridal hair and makeup. They’ll have you looking your best on your wedding day.
Tiffanie Chante' is also a very experienced hair and makeup artist located in Cannon Beach.
Cannon Beach Florists
Nicole at Pacific Coast Floral Design makes incredible bridal bouquets inspired by the Oregon Coast. They offer a variety of beautiful, colorful, and fun arrangements for your day. Her team can also assist you with wedding ceremony structures.
Robin of Anderson Florists is located in Tillamook but works in the Cannon Beach area regularly. She can provide bridal bouquets for elopements or full service floral design for larger beach weddings.
Cannon Beach Wedding Catering & Dining
After your perfect day at the beach you’ll probably be hungry and ready to celebrate over a good meal and drinks.
For smaller elopements and micro weddings, I highly recommend The Bistro in Cannon Beach. Chef Jack and JJ are the sweetest people to work with and make incredibly tasty food.
If you want to stay on the beach for a smaller meal or if you are interested in a full-service intimate dinner at your beach house rental, Sage Bleu Catering can work with you to create an unforgettable experience.
Don’t forget desert! For more traditional Cannon Beach weddings or for some elopement sweets, check out Cannon Beach Bakery. They are a full service bakery that’s been operating for over 80 years.
Cannon Beach Hotels
Thinking about staying the night or making a weekend out of it?
If you’re looking for a romantic place to unwind, here are a few places that are worth checking out:
Inn at Cannon Beach (Bunnies! So. Many. Bunnies.)
Additional Resources
Still not convinced that Cannon Beach is the place for you? Check out some other locations and tips on when and how to elope in Oregon.
About Chris Brodell
I’m a wedding and elopement photographer located in Portland, Oregon. I photograph weddings and elopements in both the Pacific Northwest and the SF Bay Area in a candid and photojournalistic style and create images that are full of love, light, and vivid colors. To learn more about pricing and my approach, visit my adventure elopement photography packages below or complete the contact form.
Now Booking 2023 Cannon Beach Elopements
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