There are a lot of ways to spend your wedding day, but exchanging vows on the Oregon Coast with your baby giggling nearby, and your dog tagging along? That’s pretty hard to beat. Cannon Beach wedding photography is always about more than the scenery for me, and M and S’s day was proof that the most memorable moments usually happen in between the big ones.
Their day was filled with intentional choices that felt unmistakably like them, from a quiet first look at their Airbnb to personalized cakes they secretly picked out for each other and a private first dance on the beach before ending the evening with an incredible chef-prepared dinner overlooking the ocean. Every part of the day had meaning behind it, and those are my favorite kinds of weddings.
A Slow Morning at Their Airbnb Before an Arcadia Beach Ceremony
One of my favorite things about Airbnb elopements is that they give couples room to breathe. M+S settled into the day together in a place that already felt comfortable. After getting ready, they shared a first look tucked away outside before heading toward Arcadia Beach. Those quiet minutes before the ceremony always become some of my favorite parts of the day.
Their little family made the day even sweeter. Their baby was there for every step of the adventure, and I have to say, it was such a fun adventure. Even their dog got to be part of the celebration!
That’s one of the things I love most about elopements. There isn’t a rulebook saying who gets to be there. If your family includes tiny humans, four-legged family members, or both, they absolutely deserve a place in your story.
Windy Vows, Meaningful Details & The Sweetest Cake Surprise
The Oregon Coast likes to keep everyone humble. Hair is going to blow around, jackets might make an appearance, and you may spend a few minutes wondering if the weather is about to change its mind again. And somehow, that’s exactly what makes it perfect. Their ceremony at Arcadia Beach felt incredibly peaceful despite the wind. It was simple in all the best ways.
Afterward, we made our way back to their Airbnb for one of the most thoughtful reception ideas. Instead of sharing one wedding cake, M+S each surprised the other with a completely different cake based on what they thought the other person would love most. It was such a small detail on paper, but it perfectly summed up who they are as a couple—always paying attention, always thinking about each other first.
A huge shoutout goes to Tumtum PDX for bringing those ideas to life. They were beautiful cakes. The rest of their vendor team was just as wonderful. Alyssa Underwood created hair and makeup that stood up beautifully to everything the Oregon Coast decided to throw at us (which is no small accomplishment). And Destiny with The Culinary Concierge wrapped up the evening with an incredible private dinner that felt intimate, elevated, and perfectly suited for an elopement. If you’re considering hiring a private chef instead of a traditional reception, consider this your sign. It transforms dinner from something you simply eat into part of the experience.
A First Dance & Cannon Beach Wedding Photography
If you’ve ever worked with me before, you’ve probably heard me say this already, but I’ll happily keep repeating it. Have a first dance. Not because tradition says you should, or because you need another photo opportunity. Because after the ceremony, the congratulations, the hugs, and the excitement, there’s this tiny window where everything finally starts sinking in. You’ve done it. You’re married.
Giving yourselves five uninterrupted minutes to dance together, whether it’s on a beach, in a forest, or in your Airbnb living room, is one of the best gifts you can give yourselves. For M+S, that meant heading back down to the beach before sunset for a private first dance with nothing but the sound of the ocean around them.
Afterward, we wandered around for some Cannon Beach wedding photos before returning to the Airbnb one final time to sign their marriage license and settle in for dinner overlooking the coast.
The whole day felt lived in, comfortable, and intentional. Every decision was made because it mattered to them, not because weddings are “supposed” to look a certain way. I think that’s exactly what an elopement should be.
Cannon Beach Elopement Photographer | Before Our Eyes Photography
I love photographing couples on the Oregon Coast because every single day feels different. Some mornings bring fog rolling through the sea stacks, others bring dramatic clouds, soft sunshine, or enough wind to make everyone laugh halfway through their vows. You don’t really get to control the weather here, and that’s kind of the point. The best Cannon Beach elopements aren’t built around perfect conditions. They’re built around meaningful experiences. Those are the moments you’ll remember years from now.
I’m Mattie—a Cannon Beach elopement photographer, professional third wheel, and firm believer that your wedding day should actually feel like your wedding day. I’ll help you build a timeline with plenty of breathing room, guide you when you need it, disappear when you don’t, and document the moments that matter most without making your day feel like one long photoshoot.
If you’re dreaming up an Oregon Coast elopement that feels relaxed, intentional, and completely your own, I’d love to help bring it to life. Let’s start planning! And check out this intimate Cannon Beach wedding at Sunrise!
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