Table of Contents:
- Where is Cannon Beach?
- Why Elope at Cannon Beach?
- Cannon Beach Elopement FAQ’s
- Cannon Beach Wedding & Elopement Permits
- Best Time of Year to Elope at Cannon Beach
- Where to Stay for Your Cannon Beach Elopement
- Cannon Beach Elopement Photography Packages
Considering Cannon Beach as your elopement location is, well… canon in the PNW elopement world. It’s easily one of the most beautiful, easily accessible, and iconic destinations in Oregon. So it’s no surprise that it’s become super popular!
Today, I’m going to tell you WHY Cannon Beach really is such an amazing place to elope! Plus, I’m giving you all the up-to-date permit info you’ll need, recommending cool hikes to do in the area, and sharing my fav time of year to elope at Cannon Beach. (The answer might surprise you!)
Ready to dip your toes into all things Cannon Beach elopements? The water’s warm… jk, this part of the Pacific Ocean is actually very cold! Sorry!
Where is Cannon Beach?
The Oregon Coast is HUGE (over 350 miles long!), so let’s talk about where Cannon Beach falls along this scenic part of the state.
Cannon Beach is a small town located on the Northern Oregon Coast, about 80 miles west of Portland/PDX. It’s super accessible from the scenic Highway 101 that runs along the coast and down into California, so you won’t need to worry about driving any rough back roads or complicated routes to get there… just keep driving along the ocean and you’ll find your way to this gorgeous area!
A few other popular Oregon Coast spots that Cannon Beach is close to:
- Ecola State Park (3 mi)
- Hug Point (5 mi)
- Seaside (9 mi)
- Manzanita (15 mi)
- Rockaway Beach (26 mi)
Why Elope at Cannon Beach?
Cannon Beach is by far the most well-known spot on the Oregon Coast, famous for the iconic Haystack Rock that towers over the shoreline and a collection of other sea stacks that make up the jaw-dropping backdrop. It’s a gorgeous beach at any time of year, especially if you time it right and are there to watch the sunset over the water + see the reflection of Haystack in the sand. So dreamy!
I love Cannon Beach because you have easy access to the beautiful beach AND to the town itself. It’s so cute to walk around and visit the little boutiques + restaurants! Plus, it only takes about 1.5 hours to get to Cannon Beach from Portland. So it’s a great day trip if you want to head to Portland from the beach for some city portraits, or vice versa!
There are also a ton of great hiking trails along the coastline in Ecola State Park, cute shops to check out in town, and a bunch of beautiful hotels & Airbnb along the water. Cannon Beach is a perf place for your elopement if you want to escape to a cozy little beach town and enjoy some of the best views in the state!
Cannon Beach Elopement FAQ’s
Can I get married at Cannon Beach?
Heck yeah! Cannon Beach allows you to get married on the beach for FREE, as long as you have a valid Oregon marriage license and follow the rules properly.
Where can I get married at Cannon Beach?
You can get married anywhere along the beach that is public property, or anywhere in the nearby Ecola State Park! Just make sure to follow Leave No Trace principles when choosing your ceremony location—be respectful of other beachgoers, clean up after yourselves, and stay on marked trails if you head inland to go hiking.
Do I need a pass to visit Cannon Beach?
Nope! No pass is required to visit Cannon Beach. You would only need a pass if you visit Ecola State Park, which is either a $5 daily parking fee or an annual Oregon State Parks pass.
How many guests can we have for our Cannon Beach wedding ceremony?
You can have up to 50 guests at your Cannon Beach wedding ceremony, permit-free and at no cost. Once you go past 50, that’s when you’ll need a Special Use Permit. I usually don’t recommend going over 10 people, though, because it can be hard to fit large groups on such a popular and crowded beach!
Are dogs allowed at Cannon Beach?
Yup! In fact, your dogs might love Cannon Beach more than you haha. Endless sand to run around and play in, aka their dream come true!
If you’re cat parents, though… don’t miss my blog featuring 8 Adorable Ways to Include Your Cat(s) In Your Elopement!
Cannon Beach Wedding & Elopement Permits
Next up, let’s talk about what permits you might need for your Cannon Beach elopement!
(Spoiler alert: this section is going to be quick and easy, thankfully!)
Requirements for a small beach wedding or elopement at Cannon Beach:
All you need to get legally married at Cannon Beach (assuming you have <50 people)?
A valid marriage license!
Seriously, this is one of the reasons that Cannon Beach is such an amazing place to elope. You don’t have to worry about applying for a permit or following any complicated requirements like you might in a national park… it’s a (sea) breeze.
The only other time you would need a permit to elope at Cannon Beach is if you wanted to set up chairs, tables, arches, or other furniture/equipment for your ceremony—but honestly, that’s not even necessary with such beautiful scenery around you already. Especially if it’s just the two of you and a few guests, max!
How do we get a marriage license for our Cannon Beach elopement
Here’s a quick summary of marriage laws and requirements for your Cannon Beach elopement or wedding:
- You’ll need two witnesses 18 or older
- The fee for a marriage license in Clatsop County (where Cannon Beach is located!) is $60
- You’ll have to wait the mandatory 3-day waiting period before you can use your license
- Once you get your license, it’ll be valid for 60 days
For more detailed info, check out my step-by-step guide to getting an Oregon marriage license!
Best Time of Year to Elope at Cannon Beach
Now that you know the logistics of HOW to elope at Cannon Beach, you’re probably wondering when the best time is to elope at Cannon Beach!
Your first assumption might be summer, since that’s when the weather is the most warm, dry, and sunny. But honestly, my hot take is that WINTER is the best time to elope at Cannon Beach. Hear me out, I’ll take you through what each season looks like at this beautiful beach!
Summer (June-August)
Cannon Beach is incredible, but it does get superrr crowded especially in the summertime. Because everyone else wants to enjoy these gorgeous views just like you do, it can be hard to find a spot to shoot without other people in the background. If you want to elope at Cannon Beach in the summer, I recommend just taking PORTRAITS at Cannon, and then having your ceremony further away from Haystack, or at another beach altogether.
It’s typically warmest at Cannon Beach around July and August, with lows in the mid-50s and highs in the high 60s to low 70s. I recommend heading out to the beach in the afternoons or early evenings, since mornings on the beach are often foggy and overcast—then clear up as the day progresses! Keep in mind that EVEN though Cannon Beach can be beautiful and warm in the summer months, that marine climate will still be ever present with cloudy skies, dramatic sunsets, and unpredictable conditions… so it’s best to be prepared for anything.
Fall (September-November)
Fall is a magical time to elope at Cannon Beach, because you get a mix of sunny days and dramatic conditions that warns of the winter weather to come. Fall is actually often called the “second summer” on the coast, mostly in September and early October, with temperatures ranging from the low 50s to low 60s! Afternoons are usually the warmest, with cooler mornings and evenings.
Cannon Beach in the fall is windy, rainy, AND sunny… you never really know what to expect, and that’s part of the fun and adventure of it all! But what you can expect are streets with fewer crowds, a great time to hit the trails, and less expensive hotel stays (win-win-win). So as long as you’re down for unpredictable weather, and maybe a little bit of storm watching over these striking landscapes (from inside of your cozy, warm hotel of course), you can really embrace the fall experience for your Cannon Beach elopement.
Winter (December-February)
Winter at Cannon Beach is a totally different experience than summer. It’s more dramatic, stormy, and romantic, honestly—with massive waves hitting the shoreline, overcast skies and moody lighting, and WAY fewer crowds. You may not get 70-degree weather and sunshine all day (but let’s be real, that doesn’t always happen in the summer either!), but you WILL get beautiful sunsets, quiet beaches, and maybe even gray whale sightings if you’re lucky! Peak whale watching season in this area is from mid-December to mid-January, as well as mid-March to mid-April.
You can expect temps to be in the low 50s at their warmest, and mid to high 30s at their lowest, as well as quite a bit of rain. But the thing about coastal weather is that it can be super temperamental, meaning you might get stormy, rainy skies one moment and then sunshine breaking through the clouds the next! And whether it’s rainy, sunny, or a mix of both on-and-off, winter is also an amazing time to explore the coastal rainforests.
Spring (March-May)
The coast starts to warm up a little when spring arrives, with temperatures in the low to mid-60s. This is a great time of year to hike along the coastal trails and see the wildflowers start to bloom, plus you might even have the chance to catch some gray whale sightings in the earlier spring months. Cannon Beach won’t be quite as crowded in the spring as it will be just a few months down the road come summertime, so take advantage of the more peaceful beach visits and empty trails!
Animal lovers will also love eloping at Cannon Beach in the spring, since this is the time of year that the puffins return to nest on Haystack Rock. You can also explore the tidepools since spring tides are pretty low, and keep your eye out for elk!
Where to Stay for Your Cannon Beach Elopement
Cute Cannon Beach Airbnb’s
Some of these are a little farther away from Cannon Beach to help you escape the tourists during peak season!
- The Surf Haus — a private forested Airbnb in Arch Cape with a cedar hot tub, outdoor shower, and barrel sauna… so many ways to get some outdoor R&R!
- Sea Cured — a spacious home just minutes from the beach. Great if you’re eloping with guests who you want to stay with!
- Oceanfront Home — a dog-friendly beachfront retreat with breathtaking views!
Cozy Cannon Beach Hotels
- Tolovana Inn — great if you want to stay right up close to Haystack Rock!
- The Ocean Lodge — a cozy inn also just steps from Haystack!
- SurfSand Resort — stunning oceanfront views with amazing views of, you guessed it, Haystack!
Campgrounds Near Cannon Beach
Prefer to pitch a tent and sleep under the starry coastal skies? I got you! Here are a few popular campgrounds in the area that offer great spots, both near the water and further inland!
- The Retreat — offers both tent camping and cabin stays!
- Nehalem Bay Campground — camp right at Nehalem Bay State Park just a stroll away from the water!
- Camp Lookout State Park — scenic campsites with plenty of hiking opportunities!
Cannon Beach Elopement Photography Packages
I’m Bree, your Cannon Beach adventure elopement photographer, hiking buddy, friendly neighborhood cat lady. . . whatever you wanna call me!
If you want to find out how I can help you take the stress out of your elopement, guide you through the process of planning your dream day, and what it looks like to invest in me as your elopement photographer, check out my Cannon Beach elopement packages + pricing!
I can’t wait to hear all about what your dream elopement looks like and to help you make it happen. Reach out here to get started!
Because there are sooo many other incredible places in Oregon to elope, it can be really hard to narrow it down and figure out where to go. I’ve been doing this for a while now, so I can confidently say I’m somewhat of an expert in Oregon elopement locations 😉 Take a look at more of my fave places to elope in the area + additional planning guides below!
LEAVE A COMMENT
Comments