Planning a wedding on the Oregon Coast is difficult for so many couples. While you can control many elements of your day, you can’t control the weather. As a wedding photographer I have photographed outdoor coast weddings in wind, rain, clouds and sun. You roll with the punches, listen to your clients, and think about their comfort over your own.

Thankfully Matt and Ria had little to worry about on their August wedding day at the McMenamin’s Gearhart Hotel. Rather than stay overnight, I drove out to the coast the morning of the wedding. When I left Portland it was in the 80s with a forecast for the mid-90s. By the time I arrived in Gearhart, a small town just four miles north of Seaside, the weather was cold, overcast and a bit foggy/misty. And with an outdoor ceremony just a couple hours away, I wasn’t sure what Mother Nature would toss at us.

Thankfully by ceremony time, Matt and Ria’s celebration at the McMenamin’s Gearhart Hotel was picture perfect. The couple was blessed with sun and blue skies. Even a little bit of heat. 🙂

The couple’s wedding had a beach/nautical theme that was so perfect for the setting. Their amazing cake was made by the groom’s step-mother and the attention to detail was fantastic. Guests enjoyed noshing on delicious appetizers and lunch provided by McMenamin’s Gearhart Hotel. And when it came to dancing, a McMinnville-based DJ spun the hits.

Even more fun was our mini photo shoot on the beach. Gearhart/Seaside is the only place (that I know of) on the Oregon Coast where you can actually drive on the beach. The DJ volunteered to play chauffeur, and the four of us climbed into his Honda CRV for an adventure through the sand dune. What a blast and what great memories! (Which included almost getting stuck in deep sand!)

Here is a look into Matt and Ria’s wonderful day. I enjoyed meeting the couple months before during their engagement shoot. And I felt honored to be a capture their wedding memories.