When you have a shared love for adventure, planning an adventure-themed destination elopement is the perfect way to start married life. Before journeying to Oregon for their destination mini wedding, Amanda and Steve started their relationship over a mutual passion for hiking and climbing. Shortly after they started dating, they planned a summer road trip to the Pacific Northwest…. fast forward 6 years and they would make the same journey from Utah to Oregon to be married!

Our incredible photographer Sam Starns is known for adventure and elopement photography but she should also be known as a mini tour guide as she has a slew of incredible locations up her sleeve…complete with fun nature facts for each location. When she suggested this stunning ceremony site in Brookings, Oregon, we immediately trusted her guidance and jumped at the opportunity to plan their day on the southern Oregon coast. She failed to let me know that this “easy” walk in from the parking lot was anything but easy. HA! I was the only one without hiking boots making the trek down a very steep trail from the parking lot to the beach. A killer quad workout was well worth it for this breathtaking view. Sadly, Sam didn’t capture any shots of me hiking this trail in my always trusty booties.

Amanda and Steve couldn’t have dreamt a better day to be married on the Southern Oregon coast. The weather was PERFECT (as I had promised them it would be) and almost too, dare I say, hot? It seems crazy to even say that but the sun shone bright and strong that early October day. It was in the mid-70’s with clear blue skies. We watched a whale swim up the coast as we set up their reception dinner, catching it spout several times just off shore.

Their intimate wedding overlooked the ocean as the sun set. Officiant Blu with Your Humboldt Officiant, designed the most beautiful ceremony for them, rich with meaningful passages that spoke deep to their relationship. Family overlooked and surprised them with bubbles after they said “I do.”

Post ceremony, Sam took them down to the beach for some adventurous sunset photos. Always up for an adventure, Amanda and Steve planned ahead by packing extra shoes so they could brave the water and scale their way up and down to the beach below. Her dress was filthy but these shots are priceless.

We started their elopement planning process with a pretty blank canvas. Sam Starns and Brookings, Oregon for 15-18 people. Okay, easy…. except that Brookings doesn’t have a ton of local options for wedding vendors or at least vendors that are easy to source. Not a problem, just a little challenge but one that wouldn’t stop us from putting together an epic styled elopement or mini wedding.

While hunting for possible post-ceremony dinner locations, we always search through traditional venues as well as private residences’/vrbo. One of the homes that we selected as a possible option is owned by Crook Point Vacations. The perfectly designed cottage (the interior screams amazing design) sits on the edge of the ocean and has views that stop you dead in your tracks. The Crook Point owners went out of their way to accommodate our special requests and to help bring our vision to life. We brought in tables, chairs, linens, and all tableware. Crook Point set up string lighting overhead and allowed us to bring in some heaters for what would surely be a chilly October evening.

Our vendor team really brought our (collective) vision to life. We worked closely with Flora Organica Designs to develop a jewel toned color palette that would blend well together. La Tavola velvet mustard napkins popped against the navy base linen and rose gold flatware. To set the mood, we used a combination of hurricane candles and rose gold votives that were scattered between lush floral centerpieces abundant with dahlias - Amanda’s favorite.

Guests dined under the stars to an exquisite meal by Black Trumpet Bistro (based out of Brookings). Steve’s parents picked out various PNW wines that paired perfectly with each course. Following dinner, they were treated to a delicious red velvet mini wedding cake and hot air balloon cookies (a nod to Steve’s proposal) courtesy of Verbena Cakes.