Gabriella Rankin Photography

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A quick 2.7 mile hike through the forest takes you past endless huckleberry bushes, dense moss covered trees, and a fore...
06/17/2026

A quick 2.7 mile hike through the forest takes you past endless huckleberry bushes, dense moss covered trees, and a forest floor blanketed in vibrant green moss before finally spitting you out onto one of the most beautiful beaches we have here in Brookings.

For most couples, keeping hiking to a minimum on their elopement day is the goal, and I can’t blame them. Hiking in a dress or suit is no small feat. But with a little extra effort comes access to places that most people never get to experience, opening up a whole new world of possibilities for your day.

For couples looking for a bit more adventure and who don’t mind taking the scenic route, this beach is hands down my favorite place to watch the sunset in all of Brookings.

So, what do you think? Would you hike for views like these?

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The Southern Oregon Coast is not only hands down the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the entire country, but it’s...
06/10/2026

The Southern Oregon Coast is not only hands down the most beautiful stretch of coastline in the entire country, but it’s also one of the best places for couples who are planning their elopement on a shorter planning timeline.

Lately, I’ve been seeing more couples than ever plan their elopements on shorter timelines. Whether it’s because they don’t want to spend a year planning, are eager to start the next chapter of their lives together, or simply want a more stress-free experience, many couples are choosing to elope sooner rather than later.

If you have fewer than 50 guests and no setups, then you won’t need a permit, and you can have your ceremony anywhere on the coast that you’d like. This means that you have a ton of flexibility for when, where, and how you say “I do.”

With coastlines and hidden cove beaches that span for miles, the options for places to have a quiet and private ceremony away from the hustle and bustle of summer crowds are endless. So, for couples who really value privacy, that’s another reason I can’t recommend the Oregon Coast enough.

Last but not least, for couples who are eloping during seasons with more unpredictable weather, the Oregon Coast allows more flexibility for finding a weather window in the event of bad weather.

So, if you’re craving privacy, planning your elopement on a shorter timeline, or happen to be eloping in the off season, it’s pretty dang hard to beat the Oregon Coast.

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It’s a rainy day here in The Redwoods today which has me thinking back to warm & sunny elopement days.Redwoods elopement...
06/08/2026

It’s a rainy day here in The Redwoods today which has me thinking back to warm & sunny elopement days.

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Thinking you’ll be warm during your Oregon coast elopement because it’s summer? The Coast may have other plans…One of th...
06/05/2026

Thinking you’ll be warm during your Oregon coast elopement because it’s summer? The Coast may have other plans…

One of the best ways to stay comfortable on your Oregon Coast elopement day is by layering properly - even in the middle of summer and on our warmest days. The wind out here can be brutal, so knowing what to wear, when to layer, and how to stay warm can make a huge difference in your overall experience.

My top recommendation is always having some sort of outer layer that can help break the wind, whether that’s a rain jacket, windbreaker, or puffy jacket. For my ladies who are always looking for an excuse to add a new piece to their wardrobe, making sure you pack a jacket you don’t mind being photographed in (or using this as an excuse to buy a new one) can be a game changer.

Next I always recommend some sort of base layer on your legs. While most grooms tend to stay warm in their multi piece suits, my brides often feel the effects of the wind a little more. Fleece lined leggings in a skin tone color can provide an extra layer of protection without anyone ever knowing they’re there.

Last but not least, I always carry Hot Hands with me on elopement days. The coast can be incredibly windy, and your comfort is one of my top priorities. If you’ve layered properly and you’re still feeling cold, we can always crack open a hand warmer and tuck it into the bottom of your dress to help keep you warm throughout the evening.

While I always warn my couples about how intense the wind can be during our planning calls, it’s surprisingly easy to underestimate. Pack more layers than you think you’ll need, even if you never end up wearing them. Staying warm allows you to focus on enjoying the experience and soaking in the views, because even with the wind, the Oregon Coast is more than worth it!

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05/29/2026

One of the best things about the Redwoods and Oregon Coast combo is that it’s diverse making for beautifully different backgrounds. With so much diversity, it’s also important to prepare properly!

One of the best ways to intentionally fill up your day to ensure that you’re making lasting memories while also honoring...
05/27/2026

One of the best ways to intentionally fill up your day to ensure that you’re making lasting memories while also honoring you and your relationship is by adding activities into your day. So what even is an activity?

I don’t know about you, but for the longest time when I thought of activities, I pictured couples hiking 20+ miles into the backcountry, taking a private helicopter ride into the middle of a remote glacier, rock climbing, really just overly involved outdoor rugged sports.

After a long time thinking on this topic, though, activities are so much more than that. They are a way to slow down your day, bring meaning back into it, and help dial it in so that your day is a perfect reflection of the two of you. So activities that my couples often will take on are things like cake cutting, exchanging gifts, having a picnic, a fire, play cards, kayaking, hiking, and lounging by the river. The activity that each couple decides to incorporate into their day varies based on the personality and experience of the individual couple. Some couples prefer to really lean into the adventure part of an adventure elopement, while others lean into quality time, slowness, and good conversation.

Incorporating activities into your elopement day isn’t meant to push the limits of what you can endure, but the whole purpose is to reground you and recenter your day around the connection you and your partner have.

So what do you think, what activities would you incorporate into your elopement day?

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The trees here in the redwoods are absolutely massive. I mean, these are some true BFTs (big fckn trees.) Many of these ...
05/20/2026

The trees here in the redwoods are absolutely massive. I mean, these are some true BFTs (big fckn trees.) Many of these trees are over 250 feet tall and more than 2,000 years old, making them among the longest living tree species on Earth. Their trunks can range anywhere from 10 to 20 feet in diameter.

But what does that actually mean, aside from the fact that these are some serious BFTs?

I think the redwoods are one of the most perfect places to symbolize marriage because these trees have withstood fires, floods, droughts, and human impact, and through all of it they remain tall, graceful, and standing. Just like you and your partner will experience different seasons of life, regardless of the challenges you face, you come out the other side stronger.

Despite being incredibly tall, redwoods don’t actually have deep root systems, they have wide ones. Their roots intertwine with the trees around them, physically holding each other up during times of need. These trees remind us that during difficult seasons, we’re meant to lean on each other instead of trying to stand alone, because we can’t go the distance by ourselves.

I have many more reasons why I think the redwoods are literally the perfect place to elope, but these are just a few of my favorites.

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How much hiking is really involved in an adventure elopement? This answer varies based on each couple and what they want...
05/18/2026

How much hiking is really involved in an adventure elopement?

This answer varies based on each couple and what they want their day to look like.

On average, my couples hike ~5 miles on their elopement day however I’ve had couples hike as many as 17 miles.

When looking at where you want to elope, it’s important to be honest with yourselves and your photographer about how much physical activity you’re wanting to do during your elopement. It’s important to remember that no amount of hiking makes your elopement any more or less valid.

One of the reasons it’s so important to hire a photographer who specializes in the area you’re wanting to elope in is that they’ll know the area well. They’ll be able to provide a list of locations that fit your criteria so you have the best day possible!

Not all couples want to spend their wedding day hiking miles and that’s completely okay. You don’t have to sacrifice your views or experience - there’s plenty of incredible locations that don’t require miles of hiking to access.
Your day is just that, YOUR day.

Do you plan to hike on your day?

Brookings elopement | Brookings elopement photographer | Samuel h boardman | secret beach | Brookings Oregon

Officiants… do you need one? How do you find one? Can your photographer be your officiant?These are questions I get aske...
05/13/2026

Officiants… do you need one? How do you find one? Can your photographer be your officiant?

These are questions I get asked all the time by eloping couples, and honestly, you’ve got a few solid options.

- Hiring an officiant: this is the most common option for my couples and usually the best fit if you want your ceremony to feel a bit more structured or traditional. Most officiants will work with you to create a ceremony that feels personal to the two of you that includes things like personal stories, undertones of the foundation your relationship is built upon, and a bit of their own style. If you’re having guests in attendance, this is typically the route I’d recommend.

- Having your photographer officiate: myself, along with many other photographers, are ordained and can legally perform ceremonies. This option usually feels a lot more laid-back and flexible since I’m balancing both officiating and photographing at the same time. It works really well for couples wanting a simple, relaxed ceremony, but I typically don’t recommend it for larger guest counts or more traditional ceremonies.

- Having a loved one officiate: a lot of couples choose to have a friend or family member officiate for a more personal experience. It’s a great way to include someone important in your day, especially someone who knows your relationship well. If they aren’t ordained already, they can usually get ordained online through places like the Universal Life Church.

Truthfully, there’s no “right” way to choose an officiant. It really just comes down to the kind of experience you want your ceremony to have.

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Today I want to talk about something that has been weighing on me for a while: second marriages.The wedding and elopemen...
05/11/2026

Today I want to talk about something that has been weighing on me for a while: second marriages.

The wedding and elopement industry often leads us to believe that your wedding day is a “one and done” thing. That you only get to do this once. And in a perfect world, maybe that would be the case, but life is rarely that simple.

Sometimes after heartbreak, loss, growth, or years spent becoming who you truly are, you get a second chance at love, and in turn, a second chance at how you choose to celebrate that love.

As a young divorcée myself, I know what it feels like to look back and realize the first wedding didn’t actually reflect who you were. I did the big white wedding with the seating charts, 200 guests, and linens that perfectly matched the colors… and truthfully, it couldn’t have been further from me.

What I’ve found is that many of the couples who elope with me are in a similar position. They did the big traditional wedding the first time around, so when they get a second chance, they dive into it fully, honoring the connection they share with their person in a way that feels intentional and true to who they are now.

For couples stepping into a second marriage, this is a chance to embrace your wedding day with intention, depth, and unbridled emotion. A chance to do and say all the things you may have been too afraid to the first time around. A chance to let your wedding day be about more than just the day itself, but the beginning of an entirely new chapter.

For many couples, eloping becomes so much more than an instagram adventure. It becomes the chance to celebrate your relationship in a way that feels meaningful to you, with the courage and confidence you may not have had the first time around.

So to the couples stepping into a second marriage: I see you. I see how meaningful this day is to you. Your love is just as worthy of celebration as anyone else’s, and this chapter deserves to be honored with reverence and intention.

This time, you get to do it your way. And I’m here to make sure it’s everything you’ve dreamed of and more.

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