Otter Rock, Oregon Coast Wedding

With wedding plans originally set for September 2020, covid redirected them to create a different, yet nonetheless exciting and adventurous plan.

Dana and Debbie rescheduled their big wedding to September 2021, but with covid still lurking, they decided it would be best to elope now, and worry about the big wedding when the time is right.

They spontaneously booked a month long stay in Otter Rock, Oregon and agreed it would be fun to elope there. Their wedding day fell on the most celebrated day of love, Valentine’s Day.

The Oregon Coast in the middle of winter isn’t the place you want to be if you’re looking for a sunny, white sand beach themed wedding. It’s gloomy and rainy, but moody and beautiful as it’s covered with lush green trees and giant rocky cliffs. That moody, PNW vibe was exactly what they were looking forward to for their elopement day; sandy wedding boots, a dirty dress train, cloudy skies, and a bit of rain in the air because that’s said to be good luck, right?

Well, let’s just say we were drenched in luck. But we had the most fun and memorable time marrying and celebrating them. They brought a few of their closest friends, their dogs, Fiona and Kobe (who IMO kind of stole the show), and they live streamed their wedding for their loved ones who couldn’t be there.

In honor of Debbie’s Korean heritage, they helped each other get into their traditional Hanbok attire and we spent the following morning taking portraits on the grassy sea cliffs that overlooked the Pacific Ocean. It’s tradition to have the groom carry the bride on his back and walk in circles to show his strength and support for the family.

I was fortunate enough to spend so much time with Debbie and Dana and really get to know them. From sharing stories in the evening and getting coffee with Debbie in the morning, to receiving a Valentine’s Day gift from them, containing hand picked gifts that had meaning to them as individuals and their relationship. These two people are some of the most thoughtful and kind people I’ve had the opportunity to work side by side with. I’m forever grateful to have been a part of this crazy journey with them, and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Thank you Debbie and Dana.