Here’s the Chill Surfer Wedding Inspo You Never Knew You Needed

Elle and Caleb reached out to us about 3 weeks before they wanted to have their surfer wedding and we were of course STOKED (because when are we not). 

They Knew they wanted a wedding day that:

1. felt authentic to them
2. Was intentional 
3. Had a hint of adventure 

Their year had been a beautiful one, buying a house together, welcoming a sweet lil’ babe into the world, and building a beautiful life together.

They wanted their wedding day to celebrate all of these milestones and pieces of their story. 

They also wanted to get married at the end of September/early October, which was approaching V quickly.

We had our first call with Caleb & Elle and immediately felt such an amazing connection with them. We chatted for over an hour and pretty much had their day planned on our first call. 

We were all buzzing with excitement when we finished up the flow of their day that incorporated the things that made them happiest. 

1. A chill family morning walk 
2. A surf session
3. Getting ready in their home
4. Exploring their fave local beach together 
5. Exchanging vows + celebrating

We work with couples to help plan and document Oregon Coast elopements, so planning a chill surfer wedding in 3ish weeks, was no sweat!

Their surfer wedding was less than a month away, and with a “just us” elopement on the Central Oregon Coast, putting everything together was a breeze. 

Here are some of the logistics we considered for their day:

Surfer Wedding Logistic #1 | Weather + Surf

Keeping an eye on the weather and the surf is probably the biggest logistic to consider when you’re planning a surfer wedding. 

Having multiple locations and a flexible timeline made pivoting easy-peasy when faced with the unpredictability of autumn on the Pacific Coast. To check the tides go here.

Surfer Wedding Logistic #2 | Permits

When planning an Oregon Coast Elopement or wedding, you’ll need to be ultra sure you’re getting any necessary permits. If you’re having a surfer wedding that’s just the two of you (plus your Oregon elopement photographers) you likely won’t need to worry about getting a special use permit. 

Surfer Wedding Logistics #3 | The Details

Pulling the details together had to happen quickly. Elle ordered her dress and their vow books from Etsy, and they used a local florist, Florence in Bloom to create some STUNNING florals for their surfer wedding. Keeping the details simple, but intentional was key in making this surfer wedding chill and gorgeous.

The morning of their day

Caleb and Elle began their day with a chill family walk in the woods with their sweet babe and pup. It was a moody morning and the fog settled in over the treetops creating that iconic PNW feel.

It was important to begin their day with a calm experience to set the tone for the rest of their day together.

After a sweet walk in the woods, we popped over to the beach for a sweet lil’ surf sesh on the chilly coast.

Their home provided the perfect, cozy setting for them to get ready

After getting ready in their sweet home, we arrived at their favorite local beach. The one where they had spent countless mornings watching the sun rise and set, where they explored tide pools for endless hours, where they felt grounded in themselves.

We hiked around the bright, green coastal woods, popping over to the popular lighthouse that stood watch over the sea.

As we explored, the wind began to pick up and the surf started to churn, creating thick, white sea foam and icy waves.

It felt like the weather was matching the excitement and adventure we were all feeling.

Caleb and Elle wanted to embrace the elements and lean into the what the day had in store for them.

Under the billowing sky, standing by the roiling waves, Elle and Caleb exchanged hand written vows.

The salty air wiped through their hair and their clothes accentuating the drama of the weather.

Warm from the excitement of their ceremony and inspired by the scenery, we explored the sea stacks and ran through waves until we lost all the feeling in our fingers and toes.

As their day came to a close, we all shotgunned a beer to celebrate their epic day, their sweet new chapter, and the beautiful life they had cultivated together.

Working with us for their surfer wedding

Here’s what these two amazing folks said about their day and working with us:

“WOW. We wish we could leave a 10 star review for Sam and Kyle! My (now husband) and I were searching for the right photographer on the central Oregon coast for our private elopement. After reaching out to many, we scheduled a phone call with Sam+ Kyle. We immediately noticed how much these two truly care about your wishes for your special day(s). They want to work WITH you and made our sessions so natural. They are extremely prompt with communication + planning, and having two skilled photographers working with you makes a world of difference as well. Sam and Kyle spent a couple of days with us on the Oregon coast, multiple adventure sessions and included sweetest moments with our new daughter as well. We will cherish our photos from The Dropped Pin, and our friendship with Sam + Kyle, forever! If you’re looking to step out of the traditional wedding box and do it your own way, hire them. “