Private Vows at a Redwoods Elopement in Oregon 

What made you realize this was your forever person?

Honestly, I am someone who usually needs a lot of alone time to recharge – thanks, anxiety – but with Hailey, it is different. I could spend every single moment with her and never get tired of it. 

She makes me feel safe in a way I never thought possible. 

Plus, we have so much fun together! Whether it is dancing around the kitchen, going to Braves games, or having one of our “dead to the world” days where we stay in, play games, and build Legos, every moment feels special with her.

What inspired your decision to elope rather than have a traditional wedding?

Eloping was our plan from the jump. I had always envisioned an elopement, and Hailey felt the same way. We are not huge fans of being the center of attention, so an intimate day in nature was perfect for us. 

We still wanted to include our families, though, because they mean so much to us. We invited some of our closest relatives to Oregon for the week of our elopement. We all stayed in a big, beautiful house together, celebrating and adventuring along the coast and through the Redwoods. 

On the day of our elopement, it was just the two of us. We left everyone behind to share private vows and capture memories in the most breathtaking places.

How did you choose Brookings, Oregon, as your elopement destination?

Since I had spent time in Oregon for work, I fell in love with the beauty of the area. When we started planning, we wanted a location that combined our love for nature with an intimate and magical vibe. Brookings was perfect because it offered the best of both worlds – the majestic Redwoods and stunning coastal views. It was everything we dreamed of.

What were some of your favorite moments from your elopement day?

Spending the day completely focused on each other created so many unforgettable moments. Of course, our vows were incredibly special to us, but there were other highlights too. We exchanged small, meaningful gifts that marked the day. 

One of the sweetest touches came from my brother-in-law’s mother, who sent homemade Tunisian treats for us to enjoy during our week in Oregon. We even brought some along for our photos and shared them during a little break in the day. 

To end the celebration, we ran around on the beach together, laughing and soaking in the moment. It was the perfect way to close such a meaningful day.

What role did your photographer play in bringing your elopement vision to life?

Milly from The Rose Reflective was our only vendor, and she was incredible. 

I had admired her work for years and knew she would be the perfect photographer for us. She and her husband brought such joyful energy to the day, which helped us feel comfortable and allowed us to truly enjoy ourselves. Milly’s attention to detail was amazing. She scouted locations beforehand to ensure we had the perfect scenery, and her guidance throughout the day made everything effortless. She captured every moment beautifully, and we could not have been happier.

Did you share vows? What was that experience like?

Yes, we did! Hailey had previously made a leather-bound book filled with memories from our trips together, and we knew we wanted to add our vows to it. We each wrote our vows separately and added them to the book in private.

 Sharing them with each other was incredibly emotional and special. It felt so meaningful to have our promises documented in a way that we can continue to add to as we build our life together.

What advice would you give to other couples planning their elopement

Focus on what feels right for you as a couple and make the day your own. Having the freedom to enjoy each moment, whether it’s a special gift exchange or a quiet break to savor the day, made it so meaningful for us.

Trust your vendors and let them take the stress off your shoulders so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. Most importantly, remember to relax, have fun, and celebrate your love in a way that feels true to you.