From your favorite South Oregon Coast Hair & Makeup Artist

If you’ve booked your dream destination or adventure elopement on the south Oregon Coast, you’ll no doubt have found all the guides and resources from my colleagues in the industry. From other vendor recommendations to your permitting and marriage license process, to visiting the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park for the first time. Now I’m going to tell you what its really like and how to prepare for the best time while you’re here-as a hair and makeup artist that has supported couples in the area on their elopement day for the last 5 years.

Eloping in the Redwoods and on South Oregon Coast Beaches

Literally the most romantic and epic location to choose. I love it because as a visitor, you can easily see the Northern California Redwoods, and the most amazing rugged Oregon coastline with stunning beaches as your backdrop. In a 30 minute drive you are transported to a whole new world. Both are great for private vows and offer a ton of exploration if you’re a couple that prefers to wander until you find the perfect spot to say them. Its a must-see for any nature lover. There’s also something really special energetically about this region, the tree-topped earth abruptly sheers off into gorgeous crashing coastline. It’s dramatic, untouched and otherworldly.

What they don’t tell you about eloping on the Oregon Coast

Here’s what they don’t tell you about eloping and lodging here and this is not meant to be a buzzkill in any way! The seaside towns scattered down the Pacific Coast Highway in Oregon and California are very small. In my view, this is actually a really positive thing. If you are from a larger, more populated area of the country (as I am originally) there are some things you should be aware of so you can prepare for the best time possible. The pace is slow, things close early, there’s not a lot of nightlife, no distractions and its the best romantic natural escape hands down.

In the elopement community, we often talk about intentionality, authenticity, and the experience of it all. With some careful planning you can intentionally plan an authentic, intimate experience for yourselves during your stay. You’re elopement experience goes beyond just the time with your photographer and other elopement vendors on the day itself. You may choose to make a trip of it, and stay a while. Adding the honeymoon time while you’re here is a fantastic idea. If quaint little seaside towns are your thing, Gold Beach and Brookings are my favorite in southern Oregon.

How to make the most of your elopement trip to the South Oregon Coast.

Hopefully I’ve painted the picture of your environment when you visit, so here are my tips for making it the best time ever. Here’s a list for moments off the hiking trails and not on elopement day.

1. Attire Checklist: You can keep it really cute and casual. This one’s for around town during your stay here. Unless you’re the type to wear dinner shoes (the ones that look good, but you only wear to dinner because you’re sitting down, and they are a bitch to walk in) you can get away with dressed up jeans, anywhere for dinner. If you feel like you’re overpacking or overthinking, let this be your sign, you can keep this wardrobe list super simple. No one in the PNW uses umbrellas, we all opt for rain jackets with hoods, and sensible shoes for rain-another things to yeet off the list of things to bring. If you do plan to hit some trails, Cute jammies and luxurious lounge wear is a must. Think cute matching sets and cozy socks. If you’re not out adventuring, you’ll likely be at your lodgings, lounging.
2. What to Bring: In between vow writing, having things like small games, books, your Netflix backlog of shows to watch is a great start! Obviously rewatch Twighlight, I mean, you’re here-you might as well and I know you want to.
3. Before you visit: Two things-book your beauty services at home and splurge on good lodging. Some of these towns have populations of less than 6,000 people in the off season, so there are not walk in salons for a mani/pedi, or a great spot for a spray tan. Take care of all your grooming needs before you travel in. Guys too! A line up is hard to come by in a walk in basis, and finding someone to book, can be a challenge. If you’re having a hard time choosing lodging, let this be your sign to spend a bit more on the better Airbnb, or lodge. The lack of events and nightlife after dinner, you’ll definitely want to head back for a hot tub and fireplace experience. Do not sleep on booking somewhere with amazing Ocean Views!

I hope you find this helpful when you visit the most magical place on the west coast! Big thanks to Bri Nicole Photo Co. for sharing images for this post. The hair and makeup for these was done by me and all images captured are Bri’s work. Check us out, we’re collating together coming this summer, so if you’ve always wanted to elope on the south Oregon Coast and need a hair and makeup artist/photography dream team, find us here! If you wish to inquire directly about working with me, find me here!