Ecola State Park Intimate Wedding in Cannon Beach, Oregon | Emma and Emily

Emma and Emily’s wedding at Cannon Beach, Oregon looked like it was straight out of a movie! They said “I do” at Ecola State Park, a stunning blend of ocean and forest and a perfect spot to have a wedding. 

Why Emma and Emily Chose Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park for Their Wedding

Emma and Emily chose to have their wedding at Cannon Beach because some relatives would be vacationing there, and because they are so family-focused, they wanted to make it possible for all important relatives to attend the wedding. They chose Ecola because it was both beautiful and convenient, especially for grandparents who needed wheelchair access. “Ecola State Park is a beautiful mix of the ocean and the forest, and we don’t have to get our feet sandy to do it,” they said. It was a great blend of relaxation because of the access and adventure because of the dramatic backdrop. 

But it wouldn’t be an adventure without a few mishaps! The wedding weekend began with Emily forgetting her wedding shoes and handmade veil back in Washington, so a last-minute shopping trip was needed. She quickly recreated the veil the night before, so the show could go on! Then, we had to snake one of the wedding rings out of a drain after it went tumbling down. But, we solved it and were able to carry on.

Getting Ready at The Waves Cannon Beach: An Emotional Start to the Day

The day of the wedding began at The Waves Cannon Beach, where both brides had their hair and makeup done in separate rooms. Then, they each got ready separately with each of their Moms. They exchanged cards while getting ready, which brought many emotions to the surface. When I asked Emma if I could see hers, she read it again and immediately started crying. It was an emotional day from the start!

Taking details photos for this wedding was especially fun, because of the ring box Emma had crafted from a piece of 100-year-old koa wood. “When I decided to propose to Emily I wanted to make her a ring box, so I asked my dad to help me,” said Emma. “It’s from a piece of 100-year-old Koa wood that my dad had. It was really special to do this as a project with my dad as it made my family a part of the proposal even though they weren’t there that day.” I love when couples have special objects worked into their wedding day, because it gives their gallery and the day's experience a more one-of-a-kind feel!

First Look overlooking Tillamook Rock Lighthouse: Matching Brides and a Perfect Moment

Once they each had their dresses on, it was time for a First Look. Little did they know, they both chose dresses from Brides for a Cause that looked very similar to each other. We had two matching brides! The First Look location overlooked the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, just off the coast of Oregon. It was a perfect spot for them to share a quiet moment together before the ceremony.

Then, we were off to the ceremony. Emma’s family is native Hawaiian, so they worked in an exchange of leis at the start of the ceremony. “We’ll be exchanging leis, which is a very special part as the lei is a symbol of love, unity, and celebration,” said Emma. It’s “one way that we are affirming our love and commitment to one another during the ceremony.”

Emma gave a lei to Emily’s mom, and Emily gave a lei to Emma’s mom. Then, Emma put a lei on her brother, the officiant, and her grandmother. Each bride then proceeded to walk down the aisle with both their mother and father. 

Emotional Vows and a First Kiss: A Wedding Full of Love and Tears

The ceremony was incredibly emotional, particularly when they read their own handwritten vows. They had agreed on a word count beforehand so that their vows could be about the same length! There wasn’t a dry eye around while they read these vows! Then, they were officially married and had their first kiss!

After the ceremony, as this was a small wedding, the newlyweds and I had time to wander around the forest and the beach taking beautiful images. From towering pines to sweeping oceanscapes with the iconic sea stacks and Haystack Rock in the distance, Ecola State Park really showed off for us! 

I loved every minute of photographing this wedding because I felt that I got to return to my photojournalistic roots of capturing deep human connection and emotion. The day was simple, without a huge reception planned after. So I got to focus on the humans of the day rather than the objects, which made for a deeply heartfelt gallery of images!

a woman in a blue robe wipes a tear while reading a card from her partner on her wedding day
a bride in a floral crown puts on an earring
a bride in a white dress with a floral crown shares a moment with their mother on their wedding day
a bride in a floral robe writes her wedding vows into a small book
the mother of the bride in a blue dress, helps the bride in a white dress finish up the buttons
a bride in a white gown walks up behind a second bride wearing a floral crown for their first look at Ecola State Park
a bride in a white gown taps the shoulder of a second bride wearing a floral crown during their first look at Ecole State Park
two brides in white dresses share an emotional moment immediately following their first look at Ecola State Park
two brides share a kiss immediately following their first look at Ecola State Park
family members lift the trains of two brides as they walk up a hill at Ecola State Park
two brides and their guests attend a wedding ceremony on top of the hill at Ecola State Park
a bride in a white dress and floral crown cries while her partner reads her vows
bride smiles at her partner while listening to vows during their Ecola State Park wedding ceremony
two brides at their wedding hold hand in front of an ocean view at Ecola State Park
a woman in a blue dress wipes away a tear during the wedding ceremony of two brides at Ecola State Park
two brides share a kiss at the end of their wedding aisle after their ceremony at Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, Oregon
BW image of two brides wiping their tears immediately following their wedding ceremony
two brides hold hands walking into the forest during their Ecola State Park wedding
two brides wearing Hawaiian lei's gaze at each other in the Ecola State Park forest while standing on a wooden bridge
a bride in a veil holds her partner in floral crown during their portrait session at Ecola State Park
detail photo of bridal jewelry of two brides during their wedding portrait session at Ecola State Park
two brides high five while standing in front of a view of the ocean at Ecola State Park
a bride in a floral crown holds another bride wearing a veil, while holding both of her hands
two brides hold each other out of focus, with a view of a sandy beach and ocean in the background at their Ecola State Park wedding
two brides hold hands in front of a view of a sandy beach and ocean at Ecola State Park in Cannon Beach, Oregon
two brides walk on a path at their Ecola State Park wedding
a bride stares off at the ocean in her white dress, with buttons all the way to the floor
a bridal portrait of a woman wearing a flower crown, a lei, and glasses
two brides walk up a path together at their Ecola State Park wedding

If you’re planning a wedding at Cannon Beach, Oregon or anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest, I would love to document it! Get in touch here. I also love capturing an intimate wedding, check out some other ones below for inspiration!

Getting Ready Venue : The Waves Cannon Beach
Ceremony Venue : Ecola State Park, Cannon Beach, OR
Bridal Shop : Brides for a Cause


xx,

Jennifer Lourie

WeddingJennifer LourieOregon, Intimate, PNW