How to plan a micro wedding in Lincoln City, Oregon
Lincoln City, Oregon is one of the best locations on the Oregon Coast for a micro wedding.
With dramatic coastal cliffs, quiet stretches of beach, ocean-view vacation homes, and easy access from Portland, it offers couples the ability to host something intimate without sacrificing scenery.
If you’re planning a micro wedding in Lincoln City — think 10 to 30 for your guest list — this guide will walk you through location options, permits, weather considerations, vendors, timeline ideas, and realistic budget expectations.
As a Lincoln City wedding photographer, I’ve seen what works here, and what you should avoid. Grab your fancy wedding planning notebook and lets get at it! But first… a little about me!
Sample Timeline below…..
Hey, my name is Tyler!
I shoot couples for a living (in a nice way). Photography started as a hyperfixation that turned into a second career, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The majority of my couples love travelling and it just so happens that I do too.
I live right here in Lincoln City, OR, so if you happen to be travelling out here for your wedding, hit me up and let me show you all of my favorite spots! Check out my social media for cool behind the scenes content and to see my most recent work!
Here is a Wedding film from a micro wedding at Roads End Beach…
What is a micro wedding?
Well, it depends on who you ask really… but here’s my definition and why I separate it from both traditional weddings and elopements.
A micro wedding typically includes 10–30 guests and blends the intimacy of an elopement with the structure of a traditional wedding day. You still have a ceremony, meaningful moments with family, and often a reception-style dinner — just without the 150-person logistics.
From a photographer’s perspective, this changes my gameplan for the day and really allows me to focus on the intimate moments between you and your family. Traditional weddings can pull a photographer 100 different ways, really limiting the time that we get to spend with you as a couple.
Simply put… Micro Weddings allow more time for you.
Micro Wedding Timeline Example
One of the most important parts of preparing for your big day is to lock in a timeline. This give structure to your day and keeps things from feeling hectic. Being intentional is important!
Here is an example of a simple timeline to follow.
Getting Ready - Ceremony - Family Photos - Couples Photos - Reception/Dinner
The beautiful thing about this structure is that it will fit a wide variety of plans. Want to plan your whole day to fit into 4 hours? How about 10? Plug in your activities, the amount of time it takes to get your hair/makeup done, and how dedicated you want to be to getting those couples beach portraits… and boom, you’ve got a framework for your wedding day.
Best Locations for a micro wedding in lincoln City
There are a ton of locations in Lincoln City to set up for your ceremony. The beach, a cliff overlooking the ocean, or even a massive tree stump you can climb into deep inside the coastal forest.. but for the sake of accessibility, and your guests, lets keep it simple for now.
Your Micro Wedding ceremony can take place right on the back patio of a beach front AirBnb. It’s simple, accessible, and makes for a super quick transition from getting ready, to ceremony, to reception. It’s all in one place!
My Photographer Brain Recommendation: Road’s End Beach
Located on the northern end of Lincoln City, Road’s End Beach is one of the most picturesque locations on the central coast of Oregon. God’s Thumb (epic hiking trail) is located just north, and the actual peak of the hike (accessible via trails) is visible on a clear day. The drone footage I can capture right from your ceremony location would blow your mind!
Getting Ready
Adding some style and elegance to your day is a must. If you want your photos to look like they are straight out of a movie, don’t forget your details!
Whenever I am taking photos of a bride or groom getting ready, I alway look for bright and open spaces. This gives me a place to work, get creative angles, and not have to worry about fighting the darkness with an intrusive flash. I like to keep this part of the day very casual and carefree.
So while you’re researching AirBnb’s, make sure to check out the bedrooms with your photos in mind.
PRO TIP: find an AirBnb with a balcony!
Do you need a permit for a lincoln city beach wedding?
In most cases, small ceremonies on public Oregon beaches do not require a formal permit if they are low impact (no large structures, minimal setup).
Keeping things close to the AirBnb will make your life super easy and stress free. The only thing you will have to make sure of is that your AirBnb is okay with you hosting a wedding there… technically you should prooobably let them know this is happening… 👀
If you plan on having your ceremony on the beach, the rules are a little different. Like it say above, if you are not going to put up any structures and you will be low impact (don’t disturb stuff) then you’re good to go.
If you want to put up an arbor, set up rows of chairs, and add floral arrangements to your ceremony location, you’ll have to call the city and confirm with them on what you’re allowed to do.
Sample 4 Hour Lincoln City Micro Wedding Timeline
2:00 PM – Getting Ready at Airbnb
Photographer Arrives: Hair, makeup, candid moments.
3:00 PM – First Look + Couples Portraits
Private moment before all guests arrive.
4:00 PM – Beach Ceremony
Aim for this about 2 hours before sunset
4:45 PM – Family Portraits
Time spent here depends on your guest count
5:30 PM – Sunset Couple Portraits
Cliffside or beach depending on conditions.
6:00 PM – Leave For Dinner Reception
There are lots of incredible restaurants nearby. Go big, it’s your wedding!
Choosing Local Vendors
One of the most important parts of planning out your Micro Wedding in Lincoln City is choosing your vendor team.
Vendors are such a huge part of your day, and will take a mediocre micro wedding and turn it into an unforgettable experience you will remember forever. Here are some of my suggestions on companies to inquire with…
Red Crab Rentals
If you want some help setting up a really nice ceremony space, or a beach bonfire for after your reception, this is your go to! Great company with a passion for making your day extra special.
https://redcrabrentals.com/weddings/
Newport Florist
This company is family owned and does an excellent job. I frequently pick up flower bouquets here for my proposals, and they are always the absolute highest quality and most beautiful arrangements!
https://newportfloral.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopEydREC4qJ67TaV73RgTj7bWqe53KzEcv_gWVh_K618Tj2o-kT
Thanks for reading!
I hope this gives you some direction on how to plan out your Micro Wedding here in Lincoln City. You’ve picked an excellent place to tie the knot!
I take great pride in making wedding days as intentional as possible for my clients, focusing on connection with them and their families, and capturing intimate moments without being intrusive. If you’re looking for a photographer or videographer who will go the extra mile to make your day great, fill out my contact form and let’s work together!
