For better or worse, Oregon Coast weddings attract couples from all over the world – this is Oregon

oregon coast wedding Seattle’s Dana and Horus Alkebu-Lan planned a wedding weekend with bonfires, music, dancing and ceremony at Haystack Gardens at the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach. (Julie Adams/Julie Adams)

It likely won’t, but it will either rain, or at least blow, or possibly both. There’s sand out of place, the occasional canine party crusher, countless birds and, of course, a never-ending stream of curious onlookers. But couples from all over the world who say “I do” know that it’s part of the package, a wedding on the Oregon coast.

In Crutsop County, where Cannon Beach tops the charts for coveted sites, marriage license applications this season were nearly triple the normal for couples around the world — about 20 per week — according to the Clatsop County Clerk. Tracy Klebanco said.

“I married people from India and Ukraine,” said Klevanko. “I only officiate when they can’t find someone else. At first, I wasn’t sure if they would like it. rice field.”

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Many would agree that there are very few details that determine how special (or not) a day is like the weather. You can hope for perfection, but the odds aren’t in your favor, which is why Cannon Beach-based Julie Adams, owner of her photography, Julie Adams, works with what nature has to offer. I encourage couples to work.

“Many brides want to plan for a T,” Adams said. Its portfolio includes the weddings of Senator Ron Wyden and Nancy Bass, and musicians Abigail Washburn and Bella Fleck. , you have to adapt, it seems that the person you want to control the most is the one who is raining.”

Adams recalls a beach wedding with a guest list of about 150 people.

“We had to run inside,” said Adams. “She got hit by the rain. The camera was fogging up. Everything was wet. She said, ‘I just want to get married.’

Sometimes a seemingly idyllic beach location turns out to be not so dreamy after all. Luckily, Dana and Horus Alkebu-Lan found out when they visited their home in Seattle before the big day.

“Although it’s a romantic idea, we need multiple large speakers so that our 125 guests can wear dress shoes and walk in deep sand, hear the strong breeze from the water, and hear the beautiful call of seagulls during the ceremony. It’s a different plan that’s more comfortable for our guests,” Dana recalls. The wedding weekend featured buffets, bonfires, music and dancing, ceremonies at Surfsand’s Haystack Her Gardens, African drumming and a tea ceremony. “Cannon Beach and Haystack Her Rock are wonderful and majestic places. We respected the land and the culture of the Indigenous peoples and wanted to treat the wedding as a ceremony,” said Dana.

Seattle’s Dana and Horus Alkebu-Lan planned a wedding weekend with bonfires, music, dancing and ceremony at Haystack Gardens at the Surfsand Resort in Cannon Beach. (Julie Adams)

In honor of their love of fishing, Jesse Matsumura and Steve Erickson wore waders at their wedding at Cannon Beach. (Julie Adams)

Of course, the definition of a perfect day is as diverse as the couples themselves. Formerly married Jesse Matsumura and Steve Erickson wanted something simple and small. But when COVID made that difficult, the Portland couple headed to Cannon Beach to hold a ceremony just for themselves. Dressed up, donned lace gloves and a bridal veil. Ericsson promised to always fish the hook. And the officiant used the fisherman’s knot to symbolize their commitment.

“The priest said of the knot,” Erickson said. “You keep your individuality, but you are tied in a strong knot. The harder you pull, the stronger the knot.”

Seaside-based Mary “Katie” Trees, a doctorate in theology, has been married to the couple since 1989. She challenges strangers to witness events (people love to be asked). Her advice to people coming to the coast is to plan ahead and be organized. Permit requirements vary from city to city and county to county, so it’s a good idea to check ahead of time.

“Sometimes we don’t know where the wedding is until the morning or the day before,” says Trees. “You come in and you have this idea of ​​how you want to make this day. They need a little time to find that perfect spot. I would like to get married near (haystack) and if you are right by the rock I tell them there is this huge structure behind you.

Kelli Alderman and JJ Weaver nearly learned Tree’s little advice the hard way. They considered getting married in their hometown of Chicago, but found it too expensive and too much work. We decided on the beach. However, when it rained the day before their wedding, they realized that just about anywhere would not work.

“It was a bad day,” Weaver said. “We drove around and asked locals for advice.” Then they came across a small sheltered cove at Hug Point. ’” After all, we didn’t need protection, but we certainly found a place like no other.

“I don’t think there’s any other way to describe it than a perfect day,” the alderman said.

Tonya and Ashley “Ash” Breaux chose Seaside for their wedding after a friend told them they had availability for Starry Night. (Courtesy of Tonya and Ashley Breaux)

Jessica and Brian Kincade planned as well as anyone could. The Oklahoma couple chose her August with reference to Farmer’s Almanac. They booked a hotel room in Cannon Beach. It was “the most beautiful place we have visited”. But when the two left for Oregon with Bryan’s children, their connection in Denver hit a dead end with multiple delays. The four eventually ended up living in separate cities. Jessica lived in Oakland, Brian and his daughter in Portland, and his son in Santa Barbara. They arrived in Oregon a day after him, but still had time to spare.

“I’m glad I planned it a few days in advance,” Jessica said.

For Tonya and Ashley “Ash” Breaux, the coast became the runner-up location after the couple found their first choice, Dollywood, to be “super expensive.” Starry Night in Seaside They were about to elope when a friend who owns her inn said there were vacancies. Soon, they notified their friends and family and hosted a 1920s-themed gold and black wedding. The weather was just as it was shaping up, with sunshine, clouds and the threat of rain. The clouds may have obscured the water, but they also hid the crowds walking on the beach. In the end, for better or worse, like most beach weddings, it was a memorable day.

“All of our friends and family made the day wonderful,” said Tonya. “On our way home from Portland, I asked Ash, ‘Would you rather we elope than avoid the mess of making a wedding?’ No. This is precious.

— Lori Tobias, The Oregonian/OregonLive

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