The Couple and Their Decision to Plan a Secret Beach, Oregon Elopement
Caitlyn and Avley and I connected over our coming out stories.
With how many struggles the couple had to face when they decided to live their truths, they came to realize that their wedding day should only consist of moments that they truly cared about, activities they truly loved, and sceneries they truly enjoyed.
During their wedding planning, the couple found my images on the Oregon Coast. They immediately fell in love and knew that they wanted to elope here. With their engagement, they had gotten to touch the Atlantic Ocean water so for their elopement day, they want to be able to feel the Pacific Ocean water.
Just a short couple of months before their day, I learned that the primary location where they had initially wanted to elope had been closed down by the state of Oregon due to safety issues. The location closure threw a curve at us but Caitlyn and Avley never let bother their excitement for their elopement day. They allowed me time and space to do additional research so we could pivot and plan for an even better day.
From Hiking Through the Redwoods To Touching the Pacific Ocean Water, This Is How To Elope at Secret Beach, Oregon Adventurously
On this Secret Beach, Oregon elopement day, I wanted to preserve everything Caitlyn and Avley experienced and felt from getting ready together, writing vows next to each other, hiking through the redwoods, taking a mid-day break for McDonald’s, exchanging vows in the craziest wind, having a picnic while feeling the ocean breeze, touching the Pacific Ocean water for the first time, to reading letters from family while the stars slowly came out to dance across the sky.
We stayed out until after dark when the light we had to guide us home was our lanterns and the starlit sky. It was one long day but it was one long day full of carefree laughter and loving words that made all of us cry.
I’m incredibly honored to share that this image of Caitlin and Avley’s elopement has won Junebug’s 2022 Best of The Best Wedding Photos.
The day Junebug Weddings notified me of this win, was also the day Respect for Marriage Act got signed into law, a law that helps same-sex marriages get recognized across state lines as well as ensuring we get the same federal benefits as any other married couples.
As a small business, we can’t always do much, but what Sergio and I try to always do is celebrate each person as they are and give them the best of ourselves to document their story and their day regardless of where they get married, how much their wedding dresses are, or how they look. We celebrate love, not the fluff around what love should be.
Caitlin and Avley, thank you for allowing me to be a part of your incredible day! Thank you for allowing me to document your love and share it for all the world to see!
– Henry
Meet The Best Secret Beach, Oregon Elopement Vendors:
Photographer: Henry Tieu Photography (aka Henry)
Day-of Coordinator: Rain and Pines
Elopement Dresses: Dearly Loved Bridal
Cake: Sift and Gather
Hair and Makeup Artist: Fancy as Nancy
Meet Your Intimate Wedding & Elopement Photographers
We’re Henry, Sergio, and Nick, the faces behind these honest, meaningful, and artful photographs of couples eloping in the most beautiful places. Since 2018, we’ve photographed more than 200+ intimate weddings and elopements all over the world and on 6 different continents. Our work has been published on Junebug Weddings, Green Wedding Shoes, Brides, Dancing With Her, etc…We’ve won international awards for best wedding photos but what’s most important to us is actually winning our clients’ hearts with our art.
With 15 years of combined photography experience, we’ve learned that the only way to a beautiful wedding experience & photos is through intentionality.
We’re here for you and with you from “let’s do this” to “I do”, one step at a time, each step of the way. We’re in this together