pacific northwest wedding location? (Ocean Shores, Forks: RV park, appointed, rent)

[Mikela17]

we visited oregon this past summer (live in denver) and think we might want to have our wedding (more of an elopement) in the pacific northwest...hopefully in oregon or washington if we can find the right location.

it will be VERY small (4-6 people tops), will definitely involve dogs, will most likely be mid-march 2008...and i really, really want it located near the ocean...we drove that entire state of oregon and i was most taken with the coastline views. we didn't have the time to explore washington, which is why i need your help here.

an outside ceremony near an indoor venue would be ideal - for outside pics with the ocean in the background, but inside eating & relaxing...will figure out what to do with the dogs later!

can anyone tell me what the weather will be like during that time...and any great restaurants/museums/lodges/venues that would be best for what we are looking for?

thank you!

[Aquajox]

March is usually very wet, and even wetter near the coast. The Washington coast does not even come close to Oregon's. IMHO, You should post this in the Oregon Forum and narrow your search from there. There is much to love about Washington state, but the coast in March is not one of them.

[bmsea]

Weather in March is typically lows of high 30's, highs of mid-50's, and we get an average 8" of rain.

I would recommend, for a party that small:

(1) Westport's Islander. You can get married out on the patio, overlooking the Marina. You can rent a tent in case it rains, or just be ready for the rain.

(2) The Maritime Museum in Westport, destruction Island Lens Room. This is a room with the beautiful destruction island lens with a skylight, so rain or shine, it makes a beautiful lighted pattern on the walls. You can go outside and take pictures on the marina, or go down the road and take pictures at Half Moon Bay. If its raining, you can take pics outside, if not, you have a beautiful indoor location. Catering can be done, or you can go down the street and have a private reception (even for only a few people) at the Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill

(3) Ocean Crest up North of Copalis. This is an older property, with some stunning views, but its up on a bluff, so you'd have to walk down some steep wood stairs to get down to the beach.

I disagree that the Washington coast is not as lovely as the Oregon Coast. There are a lot of really stunning areas on the Washington Coast, it is just FAR less populated.

Weatherwise, we are almost exactly the same as Oregon. Last February, we had a week of 70 degree weather. Check out Discovering Westport to see pictures of high temps in early April. So, you could hit the jackpot weather wise, but it makes more sense to plan for what is most likely - overcast or light rain and temps in the 50's.

Good luck!

Oh, I just thought of one more thing - TOKELAND! The Tokeland Hotel or the Tradewinds both have really beautiful locations, and they are in Tokeland, on Willapa Bay. So, not quite the Ocean, but truly beautiful.

Some pictures can be viewed at:
Bayshore RV Park - a photoset on Flickr

Maritime Museum:


Willapa Bay:


Willapa Bay at low tide:


View of Olympics from Half Moon Bay:


Other pictures of the area from Westport to Grayland:
discoveringwestport's photosets on Flickr

[sean98125]

Ocean's Crest is a lovely place, and has one of the better restaurants on the peninsula.

Keep in mind that March is the height of whale watching season, so make sure you start booking your place as soon as possible. March is also likely to be gray, windy, and rainy...

The Washington coast is nice, but the Oregon Coast is stunningly beautiful. There are parts of Washington - north of Copalis, mainly - that have a coastline that is just as beautiful, but the Oregon Coast is heavenly from the Columbia to the California border. The northern part of the coast is more crowded, but once you get south of Newport in Oregon there are a lot fewer people.

If you're looking for the spectacular headlands plunging into the sea that are characteristic of the Oregon Coast, you're going to be disappointed anywhere south of Pacific Beach in Washington. Ocean Shores and Long Beach are low-lying sand bar peninsulas. If you are taking pictures in Ocean Shores with the ocean in the background, it's going to be at the same level as the people and will just look like a line. In Oregon, or north of Pacific Beach, you'll be above the ocean and the height of the land will make for better photos.

If you are looking for very remote places in Washington, take a look at Kalaloch and La Push. You might also take a look at the San Juan Islands in Washington - they aren't in the deep ocean, but there are great lodgings and venues there and the scenery is beautiful. It'll be nice and peaceful there in the off season, too - with a slightly better chance at decent weather.

[NCWmark]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... isn't that what they say? I grew up visiting both coasts regularly and my opinion is that though they are entirely different, they are equally beautiful. While Washington's coastline cannot compare with Oregon's surf and sand... similarly Oregon's coastline cannot compare with Washington's rugged and wild beauty.

Yes, during that time of year you will want to plan on it being wet, just think of it as a bonus if you get a warm and sunny day. That being said, warm sunny days on the coast CAN be overrated. Few things compare in beauty to either the Washington or Oregon Coast with a nice big old fat storm rolling in off the Pacific Ocean.

Just my opinion

[LMB]

Originally Posted by sean98125

You might also take a look at the San Juan Islands in Washington - they aren't in the deep ocean, but there are great lodgings and venues there and the scenery is beautiful. It'll be nice and peaceful there in the off season, too - with a slightly better chance at decent weather.

A few years ago I attended my nephew's outdoor wedding at the Rosario Resort on Orcas Island in the San Juan's. It was held in mid-June, which can be a risky weather month. However, it was a gorgeous warm sunny day at the most beautiful wedding location I've ever seen. It was a breathtaking boat trip just to get there! I don't know if they allow dogs, but I'm sure you could find their website with a Google search. The wedding dinner was held in a private dining room at the resort and it was so elegant, with beautiful scenery all around.

Good luck with your search, Mikela17. Happy wedding!

Lynn

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by Mikela17

...will definitely involve dogs...

I can't help myself. I have to ask.

How will it involve dogs?

Will you have a Best Mutt?
Or maybe a couple of Bridesmutts?

Instead of throwing rice you can throw sticks and watch the wedding party charge out into the water to retrieve them.

[Mikela17]

Originally Posted by Fat Freddy

How will it involve dogs?

Will you have a Best Mutt?
Or maybe a couple of Bridesmutts?

Instead of throwing rice you can throw sticks and watch the wedding party charge out into the water to retrieve them.

we think this guy is going to be our ring bearer ---

[WendyK]

What adorable faces!! Is that a boxer or a mastiff? The top pic looks like my boxer but I can't tell if these are 2 different dogs. So cute!!

[onavtx]

I've traveled, by car and MC, hiked and camped on coasts of both states. March can be the best month on any Pacific coast. The rugged and more remote WA coast would be THE place and March can be THE month. Bring a kite and warm clothes: boots, gloves, hat and a good raincoat for a great time beach combing, walking or hiking (beach or Olympic Mtns). I agree with Oceancrest as an all inclusive resort. The Sandpiper or Iron Spings Resort are also nearby. Spent honeymoon 27 yrs ago at Sandpiper. Oceancrest Resort has a very good restaurant (none at Sandpiper or Iron Springs), a health spa. The others are more rustic but have spectacular views. The Sandpiper has a tourist and kite shop with many kitchenettes units.
Other places to check out are N. and E. of Forks . North on coast are Olympic National Park cabins might have difficulty getting reservations less than yr out