So you’ve decided to elope. Congrats on being incredibly cool and badass! But now you’re starting to wonder, “Wait, where can I elope?”

If your mind goes to picturing a mountain hike or a quick “I do” at the courthouse, you’re not wrong—but those ideas are just the very tip of the elopement iceberg. There are a lot of, quite frankly, antiquated assumptions about what an elopement looks like. Eloping today can look like so many different things! It just depends on what kind of adventure (or chill day) you’re after.

Maybe you’re dreaming of a secluded, misty beach at sunset. Or exchanging vows over morning coffee from inside a fire lookout tower. Or maybe your dream setup hasn’t hit the moodboard yet, but you’re certain it’s not renting a banquet hall with assigned seats and a hotplate chicken entrée. 

Whatever wild idea you’re cooking up—be it land or sky or sea—you can elope there! Let’s go over some examples below.

Public Lands

AKA: Nature’s Wedding Venues

This includes state parks, national parks, forests, and BLM land. If it’s scenically stunning and has space to roam, that’s a solid contender. 

Why it rules:
• Beautiful, budget-friendly, and no guest minimums
• Big WOW-factor with built in adventure vibes
• Hike in your dress, kiss on the cliffs, and fall down laughing in a field of wildflowers

Also consider:
• Permits might be needed (luckily, I help with that!)
• Keep our wild places wild by following Leave No Trace environmental ethics
• Especially in Oregon, the weather is gonna do what it wants—it’s important to have a backup plan

Campgrounds, Cabins, Lookouts & Fire Towers

Live out your cottagecore dreams

Combine your lodging and ceremony location into one! Personally, I love this route—there’s something so romantic about turning your vows into an overnight experience

Perfect for:
• Campfire toasts and morning-after polaroids
• Starry skies, cozy quilts, and easing into the morning together
• All the charm of being in nature but from the comfort of a fireplace

Folksy Protip: If you’re bringing friends and family along, I can help find the perfect private campground so you can avoid the general public while still keeping the group-campsite vibes!

City Spots & Quirky Venues

Adventure in the concrete jungle

Not everyone is craving muddy boots and trail maps. Maybe your dream day is urban, full of city lights instead of stars, and taking over your favorite arcade.

Starting points:
• That retro diner where you had your first date
• A rooftop with a killer view
• Your favorite karaoke dive-bar 
• Picking out vinyls for each other at the local record store

Basically, if it matters to you, it’s the right place. And that’s the thing that matters!

Private Elopement Venues

Small but mighty

Tiny venues, rental homes on the beach, backyard spaces with character—this route is perfect for couples who want a home base without the traditional wedding vibes. 

Great for:
• Inviting a few loved ones to attend
• Having an indoor option available (hello, Oregon weather)
• Creating a laidback celebration that feels like home

But What if We Can’t Choose Just One Place?

My favorite “problem”!

This is where the Folksy magic kicks in. Drumroll please…

(Okay that’s enough, thanks!)

You don’t have to pick JUST ONE perfect spot!
Plan a roadtrip. Elope over the weekend—hell, take a whole week if you want! Say your vows in one cool place and take photos in five. Watch the sunrise from the mountains then catch sunset at the beach with street tacos and champagne. There is literally no wrong way, so long as it feels right to you two.

Eloping doesn’t mean fast and minimal! Let it be slow, layered, and full of meaning. Your love story gets to unfold one scenic stop at a time.

A Few Pacific Northwest Places I’m Obsessed With…

MY Home state!

• The Oregon Coast (Astoria, Cannon Beach, Sam L Boardman, pretty much anywhere moody + misty + wild)
• The Painted Hills and high desert of central Oregon (unreal colors!)
• Mount Hood and all its surrounding forests, lakes, and views (gorgeous year-round)
• The Columbia River Gorge (waterfalls, moody vibes, yes yes yes)
• Olympic National Park on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula (beaches, rain forests, catnip to the unrepentant Twilight-lover in your life)
• North Cascades National Park in northern Washington (honestly underrated and totally worth the drive)

If you’re still feeling lost and overwhelmed with where to start, don’t worry! I proudly help my couples find locations that feel right for them, not just stuff that looks good for Instagram. I promise we can find locations to tell your love story!

From mossy trails to vintage motels to wide open desert skies—your elopement should take place somewhere that makes your heart soar. It should fill you with the feeling of THIS IS THE SPOT! 

Sometimes it’s love at first sight, sometimes it takes a little digging. Would you like help finding it? I’ve got maps, playlists, and a full tank of gas. 

If this has your heart screaming HELL YES then it’s time to reach out. I’d love to hear your love story and help you plan something fantastically folksy for just the two of you.

Got the wanderlust bug? Here’s more inspiration to fuel your journey!