PNW ELOPEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER

MELISSA + SHASHANK

OSWALD STATE WEST PARK ELOPEMENT

At sunrise in summer, I took them to Elk Flats Trailhead along the Oregon Coast for an adventure that felt like stepping back into their wedding day. As busy parents with a deep love for the outdoors, they wanted to relive that just-married feeling by slipping back into their wedding attire and exploring one of the coast’s most breathtaking landscapes.

Where are the most scenic elopement locations in Oregon? The 2.9-mile round-trip hike began with a narrow trail and a manageably steep descent. Wanting to save the best for last, we forked off to the right on the trail leading us to Devil’s Cauldron. This dramatic cove is carved into the cliffside, where turbulent ocean water swirls below, creating a powerful and mesmerizing whirlpool.

After switching boots then heading back on the trail where we came, we followed the opposite fork down to a lush, grassy green cliff overlooking the ocean. Surrounded by towering cliffs, (Neahkahnie Cliffs) plunging into the sea and rock formations scattered throughout the water, the view felt absolutely unreal, one of those moments that reminds you just how incredible the Oregon Coast truly is.

(View on desktop for best view 🫶🏼)