Join me on Christian and Samantha’s adventurous elopement at The Ruins in Astoria on the stunning Oregon Coast. This session is a perfect blend of coastal PNW enchantment and small-town charm. Eloping here means embracing love in its purest form, set against a backdrop of history and natural beauty. If you’re ready to break free from the ordinary and say “I do” in a quaint coastal town with a touch of vintage elegance, The Ruins in Astoria is the place to be. 

Getting Married at The Ruins in Astoria, Oregon

Our first stop on this adventure took us to the hauntingly beautiful Ruins in Astoria, Oregon. This abandoned structure, once part of the grand Hotel Astoria, is steeped in mystery and history. Originally built in the early 1900s, the building had fallen into disrepair over the years, leaving behind crumbling walls and overgrown vegetation. But in 2008, Paul Caruana, along with a business partner, purchased the property, and by 2015, he became the sole owner. Since then, Paul has carefully revitalized The Ruins with renovations that honor its historical integrity while updating the structure to breathe new life into the space.

What was once a forgotten relic has transformed into a destination. Caruana’s vision of restoring the building’s beauty without compromising its history has not only brought fresh vibrancy to the property but also changed the way locals and visitors perceive the area. The expansive spaces on the lower floors, which were once empty and boarded up, now house retail vendors, drawing crowds to what used to be a sleepy section of downtown.

One of the most striking transformations is the grand lobby of the former Hotel Astoria, now repurposed as The Ruins, a distinctive and burgeoning venue. The space retains its crumbling beauty, offering an eerie yet enchanting atmosphere. Its weathered walls and untamed surroundings provide an unforgettable backdrop for anyone seeking a unique elopement or intimate event. The Ruins have become a symbol of preservation, blending the building’s past with the energy of the present, making it one of Astoria’s most unexpected and captivating spots to visit.

Why get Elopement at The Ruins in Astoria, Oregon 

Well, firstly, look at it. This venue is simply stunning and sets a tone for your wedding pictures of old-world charm that can’t be ignored. Its Venetian architecture is a stunning backdrop for your love story.

If the venue itself doesn’t sell you, how could it not? It’s also in a great location in Astoria, Oregon. You are close to shops and quirky storefronts, making it the ideal location to get some small-town pictures around the area with the gorgeous storefront and coastal features as your backdrop. You can even hop in the car and drive to a local beach in under 20 minutes, adding an extra spontaneous layer to capture the breathtaking Oregon coast as your backdrop. Which we’ll explore later in this post. 

Wedding pictures in the small coastal town of Astoria, Oregon

In the next spot on our adventure, Christian and Samantha did just what we mentioned above. They explored the local coastal town of Astoria, featuring pictures along the streets and quirky storefronts in the background. Surrounded by forests and three rivers, Astoria is a fishing village with a fort, museums, and incredible local quirks that make this small town offer an endless array of creative and visually appealing backdrops.

Wedding Pictures on the Oregon Coast, Wreck of Peter Iredale, Fort Stevens State Park.

But our session doesn’t end there. The perks of being in a small coastal town in Oregon are. Yep, you guessed it. Being close to the Oregon coastline. Oregon has some stunning beaches along its coast filled with lighthouses and dunes to explore. Suppose you’re thinking of eloping at the Liberty Theatre. Why not end your day strolling along the shoreline and soaking up the sunset for a magical finale? I’ve listed a few beaches near the Theatre below for you to explore. However, we visited the Wreck of Peter Iredale, A famous shipwreck of a schooner shipwrecked in 1906.

Christian and Samantha were absolutely radiant as they strolled hand in hand along the water’s edge. The gentle water’s waves against the shore provided a soothing soundtrack to their intimate moments. The beach was the perfect way to conclude an already incredible day.

Capturing these stunning images for Christian and Samantha was an absolute joy, and I’m soooo honored to have been part of it. There’s nothing I love more than helping a couple plan the day they’ve been dreaming of and capture those moments that truly reflect who they are, and create a day that resembles their love and wild adventure.  

Find out more about it here.

Other beaches to explore close by:

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is great because you can drive directly to the beach, making it ideal for returning to the car and changing or including activities or props. 

Delaura Beach

There is a lovely secluded beach along the coastline, which is less crowded at peak times and great for capturing images. 

My top 5 tips for eloping in Astoria from a local wedding photographer.

Planning a wedding can be just a tad bit overwhelming, so I’m always on hand to help. Here are just some tips that came to me when writing this post that you might find helpful:

• Consider the time of year if you want to be outside and explore the small town of Astoria. Although areas and venues might be busier during the summer (as is with any location or wedding venue), do consider the time of year if you want to be outside exploring the small coastal town or paddling in the sea. 
• Explore other venues and plan in advance: Besides the incredible Liberty Theater, there are many great venues and spots for your wedding photos. If you need help finding something that works for you, get in touch here. Consider other historic locations like the Astoria Column or Fort Stevens State Park for your ceremony or photos.
• Diving deep into the local culture and history is always necessary in small towns like this. When you embrace what’s around you, it creates real, genuine memories, connections, experiences, and unique photo opportunities for you both.
• When hiring vendors, I always say local is best because they know the area and have likely worked with each other before. They should be able to give you a wealth of knowledge and information and help make your day smooth and as seamless as possible.

10 Oregon Wedding Vendors:

Speaking of vendors, here is a list of the talented individuals who contributed to the magic of Christian and Samantha’s session. These are just a few of the many local vendors we love working with and can recommend. If you like what you see, don’t hesitate to reach out to them! 

Planning/Design: @curatedmess.co

Lead videographer: @alesiafilms

Florals: @noblefloralco

Venue: @theruinsastoria

Stationary: @courting_design

Catering: @miere.catering

Cake: @wildferncakes

Rentals: @greatjonesnw

Veil: @_inseptember_

Dress: @curateddressrentals

Are you Ready for your Oregon Coastal Elopement?

Looking back on this day, it was a gorgeous day like no other, full of fun, romance, and vintage coastal charm, which made for a truly unique backdrop to Christian and Samantha’s love story. Only Astoria could have provided that perfect blend of coastal beauty, historic charm, and stunning backdrops. 

If you’re looking to get married in the Pacific Northwest and want to work with a photographer who knows the area like the back of her hand and is there to support you every step of the way, click here and say hi. I’d love to chat with you more.