As soon as Karley reached out to let me know that Kam had proposed, I knew this was going to be something special. . . and I couldn’t have been more right. A moody coastal elopement along the beaches of Oregon and into the Redwoods of California; a day filled with love, adventure, and moments that felt like poetry. This is what elopements are all about.

Karley + Kam’s Moody Coastal Elopement

A long-awaited celebration

Karley had actually been messaging me about her dream elopement long before she and Kam even got engaged, so I was just waiting for the time to come that we could start planning! Right after he popped the question, the journey began, and from the very start I was lucky enough to be part of their planning journey; helping them choose the perfect locations in Oregon + California instead of Acadia NP like we’d originally chatted about, crafting their perfect timeline, and soaking in every exciting detail alongside them. They even let me record our planning call for a Basecamp course, which I’m forever grateful for! Truly my dream couple right from the very beginning, ready for a true adventure around the most beautiful parts of the northwest and whatever might come with it.

A rainy adventure along the Oregon + California coasts

Even after SO much careful planning, we could never predict what the weather would be like on their fall elopement day, of course—and we ended up with the rainiestttt of coastal days. Some couples might let rainy weather affect their excitement about the day, but not Karley + Kam. . . their day honestly became even more magical than planned with the help of the moody coastal atmosphere. We spent the day running through the Redwoods and dancing in the rain on the hidden coves of the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, and I can’t imagine anything could have been better.

Getting ready at Crook Point Lookout

Karley + Kam’s day kicked off at the Crook Point Lookout House, a gorgeous luxury home nestled right on the cliffs above the Pacific Ocean. It was a dream come true for these two to spend their elopement morning in this stunning, scenic home, writing their vows on the patio as clouds of fog and mist swirled around them, the ocean barely visible in the backdrop amidst the gray skies. Once he had put the final touches on his words to his soon-to-be wife, Kam headed inside to put on his forest green suit, which he paired with suspenders and a bolo tie that I was OBSESSED with. Karley was the cutest as she watched him come out in his suit, then made her way back to her room to step into the most magical dress. The billowing sleeves, the silky train that draped onto the floor behind her, the textures and the layers paired with the loose curls of her hair. . . a true angel on earth, I swear. 

A breathtaking morning in the Redwoods

Y’all already know that I’m in love with the Jedediah Smith Redwoods, so of course that’s where we headed for Karley + Kam’s ceremony. They met up at one of my all-time favorite downed trees for their first look, and it was SUCH a breathtaking spot to do it. The massive roots, the lush greenery everywhere you looked, the rich browns of the dirt beneath them. . . I’ll never get tired of this scenery no matter how often I visit. We meandered through the forest for a while together, slowly making our way through the endless groves of ferns and towering redwood trees, the most vibrant greens surrounding us at every step. The little moments like these are the most precious to capture, y’all. . . moments when Kam picked up Karley’s dress as they walked along a trail, or where Karley gently wiped a tear off her cheek as she took in the beauty of the day. This is why it’s so important to intentionally slow down + be really present on your elopement day—so that these moments don’t pass by without you even realizing.

Want your elopement in the Redwoods to be just as dreamy? Don’t miss my full Redwoods elopement guide for all my best tips and location reccs.

An enchanting ceremony + guitar serenade on the coast

Because these redwoods aren’t too far a drive from the southern part of the Oregon Coast, it was super easy to head back up north for Karley + Kam’s ceremony in Brookings. Tears were shed as the raindrops fell around us, providing a gentle white noise as these two exchanged their vows in the foggy coastal wilderness—and at the most beautiful spot overlooking the ocean, no less. One of my favorite viewpoints in the area for sure, since you get stunning views of the giant sea stack in the background, too! 

As we explored the coast and danced in the rain over and over, Kam pulled out his guitar for a quiet serenade, and all of us shed so many happy tears. I know couples always hope for a bright and sunny elopement day, but honestly, this type of autumn weather is so perfectly, quintessentially Pacific Northwest. . . and that’s all you can ask for when planning an adventure elopement in Oregon. Pure magic. ✨

Matching tattoos to end the night

The day wasn’t over yet, though, because Karley + Kam headed back to their Airbnb to end the night with the COOLEST activity: getting matching tattoos! Eleni of Little Addiction Tattoos joined them after they’d signed their marriage license, giving them matching tattoos featuring a tall pine tree and the coordinates of the spot on the coast where they’d gotten married. I’m in love with this trend and think it’s such a unique activity to incorporate into your big day—especially with such meaningful tattoos commemorating the most special day of your lives. So grateful to have been a part of this incredible celebration with Karley + Kam!

Reach out now to book your own adventure elopement, whether it’s along the scenic coast of Oregon or deep in the mountains of Wyoming. This is your adventure, and I’ll be there every step of the way to help you bring it to life.

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Want to keep reading, instead? I’ve got a few more elopement planning blog posts I think you’ll love below:

Why You Should Add Film Photography to Your Elopement

12 Ways to Break Wedding Traditions on Your Elopement Day

How to Elope in a National Park in 2025: Locations, Fees, & More