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Intriguing Wedding Spots on the Oregon Coast

Getting married on the beach in Yachats

(Oregon Coast) – It’s a bit of a secret industry on the Oregon coast, running rather silently beneath the excitement and hubbub of the tourism industry – but it’s a huge one.

The nuptial market on the coast is what can only be described as bonkers, and getting more so. Hundreds of thousands of dollars are fed into some businesses each year from new couples and their families.

There are some incredible options for places to wed, as well. (Click here for full listing of Oregon coast lodging). Here is a sampling:

Cannon Beach Community Hall. Located downtown next to the Visitors Center, it features a large stone fireplace, vaulted ceilings and French doors that open to decks; has a capacity of 160. Cannon Beach. (503) 436-2623 ext: 3.

Nehalem Bay Winery. Experience this wonderful section of the coast in a truly unique way, with this oft-times quirky, offbeat winery providing the nuptial fun and frivolity. Receptions, weddings, rehearsal dinners and all the catering - you can use all of their large facility's amenities or just a little bit. They'll even take their facilities to the beach. Wine, beer, food, DJ, band and shuttles for the wedding party are available as well. But most of all, it's hard to resist this pastoral setting at this winery where - with its architecture and the tiny, green mountains cramped around it - it's not hard to believe you're in the wine-producing areas of France or Germany. Plus, they're very pet friendly, so animals at your function are always welcome. Hwy 53 - between Nehalem and Wheeler. 888-368-9463. www.nehalembaywinery.com

Stone Crest Cellars B&B during a wedding

Stone Crest Cellars B&B, Newport. It's like mixing a trip to the coast with a trip to Europe. Weddings, receptions, rehearsal dinners - they do it all. Capacity of 65, inside or outside, and they have packages for every budget. There's even an elopement package where all you do is show up with the marriage license. 9556 S. Coast Hwy., Newport. (541) 867-6621. See more at www.stonecrestbb.com

Connie Hansen Garden, Lincoln City. You can rent out this Lincoln City wonder of nature, with a capacity of 62. 1931 NW 33rd ST., Lincoln City. (541) 994-6338. www.conniehansengarden.com

BeachcombersNW.com. A massive site listing rental homes that fit any criteria, such as romantic retreats, families, pet friendly houses, ocean front, ocean views and hot tubs - including a special link for large groups and wedding situations.

BeachcombersNW includes a rental locator map, annual events calendar, seasonal specials listings, newsletter sign up, availability request forms, quick & easy rental search results, and much more.

Find vacation rentals in Astoria, Warrenton, Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Arch Cape, Manzanita, Nehalem, Wheeler, Rockaway, Garibaldi, Oceanside, Netarts, Tillamook, Tierra Del Mar, Pacific City, Neskowin, Lincoln City, Gleneden Beach, Depoe Bay, Otter Rock, Newport, South Beach, Waldport, Yachats, Heceta Beach, Florence, Dunes City and rentals all the way down to Brookings….as well as Washington towns Moclips, Pacific Beach, Copalis, Ocean Shores, Westport, North Cove, Oysterville, Nahcotta, Ocean Park, Long Beach, Seaview and Ilwaco.

Inn at Spanish Head

Inn At Spanish Head, Lincoln City. Have your wedding overlooking the waves at this Lincoln City resort. It boasts 120 guestrooms, and all the banquet rooms face incredible views of the ocean. The El Toro comes with more the 2000 square feet and floor-to-ceiling windows. More intimate weddings can be had at two of the smaller rooms, which are on the ground floor and closer to the surf. Check out the wedding packages at www.spanishhead.com. 4009 SW Hwy 101, Lincoln City. 800-452-8127.

Starfish Point

Starfish Point, Newport. All sorts of wedding packages available, especially for getting hitched right on the beach below. They offer only the finest in luxury condominium lodging, with every unit focused on the beauty of the sea and the beach. All units boast two bedrooms, two bathrooms, designer kitchens, wireless broadband Internet, fireplaces, Jacuzzi’s and private decks. 140 NW 48th Street, Newport. (541) 265-3751. (800) 870-7795. www.starfishpoint.com

Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport. For a delightfully unusual wedding, you may want to seriously consider the Oregon Coast Aquarium after-hours. You can use the lobby, which overlooks an estuary. Or there are four indoor galleries. The Sandy Shores Gallery features exotic marine exhibits. The Rocky Shores Gallery includes a tide pool. The Coastal Waters Gallery boasts moon jellies and sea nettles. And the Wetlands and New Currents Galleries feature educational traveling exhibits. Or to make a really big impression, you can rent the Passages of the Deep in several areas. Imagine your ceremony with sharks swimming around you and your guests. Capacity ranges from 50 to 500 or more. Rates and arrangements vary widely and often include special group rates for aquarium admission. A two-hour period during the day will cost more, plus special group admittance rates. Additional hourly rates apply. After-hours rates are different. Outside catering is not permitted, but director will work with you on food. www.aquarium.org. (541) 867-3474 ext. 5221.

Yachats Commons, downtown Yachats. ($6 per hour to $275 per day; holds several hundred, with playground, picnic shelter, theater, piano, lighting, sound and kitchen.) (541) 547-4734. www.yachats.org

The Little Log Church Museum, downtown Yachats. A charming, even stunning bit of Americana, set just off the waves in this amazing little town. (sanctuary $50; museum $50; century-old pump organ; wheelchair accessible.) (541) 547-3976. www.yachats.org

Hug Point, a favorite for weddings

Getting Hitched on the Beach. You do need a permit to have a ceremony on the beach itself, which you can get from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. (541) 994-8152. Some popular places for this are Cannon Beach - of course. Hug Point, just south of town, has a bevy of interesting features, such as freaky sea caves, a waterfall, and the remnants of an ancient road that was blasted into the basalt rock.

The wild, rugged rocky slabs around Yachats is another favorite with nuptial-types, where the tide creates a consistently dramatic show.

Gift Registry for the Oregon Coast

Registerlocally.com. In recent years, Manzanita resident Rachel Sip started an idea that’s not only different but needed in the world of gift registries. Instead of signing up at one particular large store for your registry, why not have the entire coast at your disposal with its unique, handcrafted items? Thompson also added another interesting slant by including the element of eco-friendly gift items. She was inspired by noticing that at the bridal and baby showers of friends, the best gifts were the indie ones purchased from smaller shops on the coast. The site is still relatively new, but new places are added all the time. And you can buy with the good conscience of knowing you’ve supported local small business people as well as assisted the environment. www.registerlocally.com.

Inn at Cannon Beach. Beautifully wooded natural setting at quiet south end of Cannon Beach. Great during winter storms with a new book by the fireplace – or when the sun is out for family fun and beach strolling. Handsome beach cottage-style architecture. Lush flowering gardens and naturalized courtyard pond. Warm, inviting guest rooms. Continental buffet breakfast. Warm Cookies. Family and Pet Friendly. Welcome gifts. Smoke-free. Complimentary Wireless Connectivity. Wine and book signing events. 800-321-6304 or 503-436-9085. Hemlock At Surfcrest, Cannon Beach, Oregon. www.atcannonbeach.com.

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