From Stars to Tide Pools: A Two Day Oregon Coast Elopement with Caelum and Becks

The Oregon Coast has a way of stretching time. Mornings arrive quietly, light moves slowly across the water, and the landscape invites long pauses between moments. For Caelum and Becks, their elopement unfolded at this pace, beginning in the dark hours before sunrise and carrying them through beaches, tide pools, redwoods, and finally a secluded waterfall the following day.

Rather than compressing everything into a single timeline, they allowed their elopement to span multiple locations and experiences. The result was a wedding that felt spacious and unhurried, shaped by weather, tides, and curiosity rather than a strict schedule.

Planned and photographed by Samantha Maye of Maye.Be Take A Photo, this Oregon elopement centered on flexibility, exploration, and letting the environment guide the day.

Photography by Maye.Be Take A Photo

Caelum and Becks were both in graduate school when they began thinking seriously about getting married. Between limited time, limited budget, and living far from their families who were spread across multiple states, planning a traditional wedding never felt straightforward. The logistics alone raised more questions than excitement.

During the year they got engaged, they attended several weddings and heard the same sentiment repeated by friends who were already married. Most wished they had eloped. That feedback stayed with them, reinforcing a feeling they already had that a large wedding was not the right fit.

“There is the (totally true) stereotype around weddings, that they cost a fortune and are a full time job to plan”, the couple says.

Meeting Samantha Maye became the turning point. After seeing her photograph a friend’s wedding and connecting with her personality and approach, Caelum and Becks realized that eloping could still be intentional, elevated, and meaningful. With Samantha’s guidance, they moved away from the idea of a courthouse ceremony and toward something that felt aligned with who they were.

At its core, they wanted their wedding to feel like an elevated version of a day they already loved. Time outside, thoughtful details, formal attire without formality, and space to simply enjoy each other.

Their Vision & Planning Process

Planning Caelum and Becks’ elopement was a collaborative process focused on flexibility, clarity, and keeping the experience enjoyable rather than overwhelming. By offering planning and photography together, Samantha Maye handled location research, vendor sourcing, and timeline creation as one cohesive process. She provided personalized location guides, custom vendor recommendations, and a thoughtfully paced timeline that reflected how Caelum and Becks wanted their days to unfold, with planning conversations that remained adaptable and low pressure.

That support proved especially valuable as plans shifted due to weather. When forecasts showed high winds and rain at sunset, Samantha helped the couple pivot to a sunrise ceremony, avoiding the worst conditions and opening the door to astrophotography. She managed logistics, weather based adjustments, and vendor coordination so Caelum and Becks could focus on being present rather than managing details.

Care for the environment was built into those decisions as well as Leave No Trace principles were observed. Florals were left behind in areas where they were not permitted, including the redwoods, and were designed using only native Oregon flowers so they could be carried responsibly in approved locations. Being mindful of the landscape and adapting plans as needed helped ensure their elopement left no trace beyond footprints.

Oregon was not initially the only option. After filling out Samantha’s location questionnaire, Caelum and Becks were presented with possibilities that included New Zealand, California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and Alaska. Instead of narrowing it down immediately, they chose to turn the decision into a month long road trip.

Oregon ultimately stood out because it allowed them to experience multiple landscapes without having to choose just one. “We chose Oregon for the elopement itself due to the easy access to redwoods, dramatic coastal cliffs, and waterfalls so we really didn’t have to choose”, the couple explains. The southern coast offered dramatic cliffs and beaches, nearby redwoods created a completely different atmosphere, and Northern Oregon provided access to waterfalls. All of it was new to them, which added to the sense of adventure.

By splitting their elopement coverage across two days, they were able to fully experience each environment without rushing. The coast and redwoods shaped the first day, while a secluded waterfall became the focus of the second.

The Blue Hour Trek

Day one began early. Samantha met Caelum and Becks at their Airbnb around 2:45 am for a few getting ready photos before they headed toward the coast. They hiked down to the beach in the dark, carrying their floral arrangements and lights as they made their way to the overlook.

Once they reached the coastline, they paused for Astro photographs as the Milky Way hovered above the rocky shore. The beach was completely empty, and the early hours created a quiet, unhurried start to the day.

Watching the Light Change and Exchanging Vows

As the sky slowly began to brighten, they transitioned naturally out of astrophotography. Backpacking breakfasts were made while they watched the light shift across the water. When the cold set in, Caelum and Becks grabbed lanterns and wandered the beach, taking in the landscape where they would soon exchange rings.

With the beach still entirely to themselves, they chose a spot that felt right and shared a few words with one another before exchanging rings made by Caelum’s grandfather. After the ceremony, they lingered for a while, taking in the views and the stillness of the morning before hiking back up to the car.

Want to get started with planning your elopement? Take our Elopement Matchmaking Quiz to get matched with an elopement photographer and package! Take the Quiz

Rest, Reset, and Tide Pools at Harris Beach

After such an early start, rest became part of the plan. Caelum and Becks returned for their first nap of the day, giving themselves time to recharge before continuing on. Rather than pushing through exhaustion, they built space into the day that allowed the experience to unfold at a comfortable pace.

Around noon, they met back up at Harris Beach State Park during low tide. Dressed in casual attire, they spent about an hour tide pooling while Samantha documented the experience. Together they explored the shoreline, spotting anemones, starfish, and a small crab, shifting the focus from the morning ceremony to quiet exploration along the coast.

Into the Redwoods

In the afternoon, they headed into the redwoods. The higher sun created light beams filtering through the trees, and they chose an easy trail where climbing on downed logs was encouraged. It felt playful and unstructured, more like exploring than hiking.

This was one of the moments Samantha noted as especially memorable. Caelum and Becks did not take the day too seriously, laughing, climbing, and moving through the forest at their own pace.

Not sure if Oregon is the right place for you? Browse our curated list of top elopement destinations, from iconic spots to hidden gems.

A Change of Plans and a Private Waterfall

The following day had originally included ocean kayaking along the Samuel H Boardman Scenic Corridor, but high winds forced the company to cancel. With the activity no longer on the schedule, everyone was able to sleep in before driving north to the next location.

Day two began at a greenhouse loft rental, where Caelum and Becks took getting ready photos and portraits surrounded by the garden. From there, they drove to the trailhead for a waterfall hike. Because the hike was steep, they wore hiking clothes and packed their wedding attire. After accidentally taking the harder trail and crossing the creek twice, they reached the waterfall and had the space entirely to themselves. Becks changed into a bridal mini dress, and they shared small desserts, including one shaped like a duck. Before heading back, they stepped into the cold water, then changed back into hiking clothes and made the climb out.

Photography by Maye.Be Take A Photo

Clear communication was one of the biggest lessons they took from the process. Setting boundaries with family and expectations with vendors eliminated unnecessary stress and allowed them to stay focused on what mattered most to them.

Becks also encourages couples to choose clothing they truly feel comfortable in. Trying on many styles and listening to personal comfort rather than societal expectations made a noticeable difference in how she experienced the day.

When asked what advice to give to couples dreaming of their own elopement*

“Life is what you make it and societal norms are for suckers.”

Caelum and Becks’ elopement was shaped by movement, rest, and openness to change. From hiking in the dark for star photos to napping between adventures, the experience reflected their willingness to let the day unfold naturally.

Weather shifts, canceled plans, and unexpected detours became part of the story rather than obstacles. Each adjustment created space for something new, whether that was astrophotography or extra time exploring the redwoods.

By spreading their elopement across multiple days and locations, they gave themselves the freedom to experience Oregon fully. It was not about fitting everything in, but about allowing enough time for each moment to exist on its own.

Photography by Maye.Be Take A Photo