I was in Seaside, Oregon filling up the tank of my rental car (and watching this weirdly brave rooster strutting around the gas pump) when I got the first email from Kat and Jasper. I remember the exact moment because I'm rarely in Seaside, and Kat mentioned that was where they wanted to elope. Rad!


I also loved their intro. Being a mom and having a blended family just gave me a little extra sense of connection with Kat. I loved her immediately. Here's what she said:


"Last summer we got engaged and set a wedding date for 8/3/24. It was going to be a big big wedding...deposits paid and everything. Then, at the age of 43 (and with 4 teens/preteens between us already) I got pregnant! And you'll never guess baby girl's due date.....8/3/24!!! We couldn't have done that if we tried! We've had a few other curveballs as well in the last year... and wedding re-planning fell right off the end of the priority list."


So Kat and Jasper did what a lot of couples do when they start to feel the overwhelm of planning a big wedding - they looked into their options and decided to elope.


They were joined by their immediately family, so we planned out a day that gave them time to spend with everyone who traveled with them, as well as some time alone for just the two of them. Kat and Jasper stayed flexible (because you don't have a family of 6+ without learning that hardly anything goes exactly as planned) and things went beautifully.


Here are some highlights from their Oregon coast elopement.

A small wedding ceremony takes place on a rocky beach with waves and sea stacks.

Part 1: Getting ready

Shout out to Alyssa Underwood who did a stunning job with Kat's hair and makeup! She was also just such a sweetheart. (She travels along the northern Oregon coast so if you're looking for a makeup artist in the area, I highly recommend her!)

Hair styling session reflected in an ornate vintage mirror with warm lighting.
Artistic black and white silhouette of a person by a window.
Hair stylist applies hairspray while preparing client's elegant updo hairstyle.
Bride getting ready on wedding day, viewed through reflection in ornate gold mirror.

Part 2: The ceremony

The couple needed a beach location in the area that was easily accessible for family members who had mobility issues. So we used a location that was flat and had a clear path to the beach.

Person in white dress walks across fallen log on rocky beach.
Black and white photo of people gathering on a rocky beach with dramatic cloudy skies above.
Silhouette of person with raised arms standing on beach with dramatic rock formation in background.
Beautiful pink and burgundy rose bouquet rests on dark rocky surface.
Person in light dress stands on driftwood among rocky coastal terrain.
People walking along rocky beach shoreline on overcast day.
Two people walk along rocky coastline with forested mountains in background.
Wedding ceremony group walks along misty beach in monochrome photography.
Group gathered for beach ceremony with dramatic coastal cliffs and rock formations.
A beach wedding portrait with dramatic cliffs and a stunning bouquet of burgundy and pink flowers.
Small wedding ceremony taking place on dramatic rocky coastline with crashing waves.
Beach wedding ceremony with bright blue skies and ocean waves in background.
An intimate black and white beach wedding ceremony with dramatic coastal rock formations in the background.
A coastal wedding ceremony unfolds on a dramatic beach with towering rock formations and crashing waves.
A passionate kiss between newlyweds on a dramatic Oregon coast beach.
A joyful wedding celebration with family on a rocky Pacific Northwest beach.

Part 3 - Time alone

Setting aside time for just the two of you is extremely important when you have guests at your elopement. No matter who those guests are. It's important to be able to focus on your partner and have some time to yourselves so that you don't end up feeling like you're taking care of your guests all day. It's one of the biggest reasons to elope after all!


A wedding couple stands on rocky terrain with mountains and forest in the backdrop.
A vibrant burgundy and pink wedding bouquet held against a cream leather jacket and lace dress.
A wedding couple poses on rocky terrain with mountains in the background under moody skies.
A close-up of a bridal bouquet with burgundy amaranthus and pink flowers against a cream jacket.
Two figures walk along a scenic beach with dramatic rock formations and cloudy skies in the background.
An intimate moment between newlyweds against rugged coastal cliffs and moody skies.
Hikers walking on dirt trail through evergreen forest and meadow landscape.
A romantic coastal wedding shoot featuring a cream leather jacket over a lace dress.
Person in flowing dress stands on windswept coastal cliff overlooking the ocean.
Couple embraces on clifftop path overlooking stormy ocean in formal attire.
Person walking along green coastal path with dramatic ocean views and cloudy sky.
Couple stands on dramatic oceanside cliff with flowing dress catching wind.
Couple shares intimate moment on cliff edge overlooking rocky coastline at sunset.
Couple in formal wear share tender moment on windy coastal cliff.
Couple embraces on rocky ocean overlook with waves crashing below.
A couple stands on a cliff edge overlooking a misty ocean and rugged coastline.
Silhouettes reflect on wet sand between towering rocky cliffs at a misty beach during sunset.
A person in white stands on rocky coastal cliffs overlooking a misty beach landscape.
Couple walking along wet sand beach with dramatic coastal rock formations at sunset.
Couple walks hand in hand on rocky beach with bouquet of flowers.
Two small figures walking on beach between large dark rock formations and crashing waves.
Silhouettes against dramatic coastal landscape with dark cliffs and cloudy sky at beach.
Silhouetted figures on sandy beach with large rock formation and cloudy sunset sky.

Part 4 - Reception

Kat and Jasper had about 16 total family members with them for their elopement weekend, so they planned a dinner at a local restaurant on the coast to serve as a sort of reception after their ceremony. Family members put together a simple cake, and the restaurant deck served as a perfect first dance spot.

A couple walks along a sandy beach between rocky cliffs, carrying a floral bouquet.
Two people examine items on a dark table under a pendant lamp in a dimly lit room.
A well-stocked bar shelf displaying various liquor bottles and glasses in dim lighting.
An intimate restaurant setting with wooden tables, fireside dining and elegant place settings.
A white two-tier wedding cake decorated with red and purple flowers sits on a wooden table.
A person in dark clothing uses their phone while sitting by a window with flowers.
A staff member reviews paperwork with a guest in a cozy restaurant setting.
Guests interacting during a wine tasting event in a dimly lit restaurant setting.
Dinner gathering in a cozy restaurant with rustic wood paneled walls and warm lighting.
Guests celebrate on a sunlit deck during a wedding reception.
Wedding guests dance together on an outdoor deck at sunset.
A couple shares a romantic dance moment outdoors.
A couple shares an intimate dance moment on a wooden patio.
A group of people smile while looking at mobile phones outdoors.
A couple dances joyfully outside while others look on in the background.
People dancing and celebrating outdoors with enthusiastic movements.
An elderly couple laughs while dancing together outdoors.
Wedding guests celebrate with raised arms and joyful expressions outside.
A person holds up a phone at an outdoor gathering with a focused expression.
Two people sharing a light hearted moment outdoors on a sunny day.
People dancing and celebrating outdoors in casual spring attire.
Couple dancing and laughing together during an outdoor celebration.
Group gathered around a campfire at night on a beach with city lights in distance.
People enjoying an intimate bonfire gathering on a beach at night with lights in background.
A bonfire illuminates a dark beach with distant city lights creating a serene nighttime scene.