Headlands Lodge: A Coastal Haven for Your Intimate Wedding
Smaller, more intimate weddings are all the rage these days, and it's easy to see why! Couples are ditching the mega guest lists and opting for celebrations that are not only easier on the wallet but also way more personalized and meaningful. With fewer people, you can splurge on the things that really matter to you—think gourmet food, unforgettable experiences, and dreamy venues. We had the absolute privilege of visiting Oregon’s most incredible coastal hotel, Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa.
Picture this: A stunning coastal lodge with a design aesthetic that immediately makes you feel calm and at peace, with views of Pacific City's Haystack Rock and infamous Cape Kiwanda Dune. As you enter the lobby, you smell the wood burning fireplace mixed with the ocean breeze and hear the cocktails shaking.
Nestled right on Oregon’s stunning North Coast, Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa is the most incredible place for your intimate wedding. Their Meridian Restaurant & Bar teams up with local Oregon businesses to bring you the freshest and most delicious flavors around. Plus, their Adventure Team sets up super cool foraging excursions that let you dive into the local scene. And when it’s time to unwind, their cozy guest rooms are just what you need for a dreamy getaway. Headlands is where the magic happens for any special occasion!
We recently visited Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa for an incredible day celebrating our very own bride-to-be for her Bachelorette party. We got a first-hand experience of enjoying an intimate gathering at the venue of our Oregon Coast dreams. Not only did we get to take in the amazing views, but we also learned how to shuck oysters and enjoyed a beautiful reception on their patio with some of the best local cuisine the coast has to offer.
Let's dive into just a few of the many reasons we're obsessing over Headlands Lodge...
The Amenities
Bachelorette Brunch Idea
When we first arrived at Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa, we were warmly greeted by the Special Events Team and walked into one of the three reception spaces Headlands offers for gatherings, the Fireside Room. We were speechless at the beauty of the space - from the accordion windows letting in the ocean breeze, to the beautiful views of the coast to the cozy fireplace, this space was perfect for our group.
The space was all set up and ready for our Oyster Shucking class hosted by Meridian Restaurant & Bar's Chef de Cuisine and Restaurant Manager. Each table setting was adorned with a half dozen oysters, chic cloth napkins and sparkling wine. We were educated about the coast the lodge was built on along with the waters the oysters were raised - which was extremely interesting and really made you appreciate the local environment.
We then got a quick anatomy lesson on Oysters so when we were demonstrating the shucking techniques from the team, we actually understood what we were doing and why. Our whole group of 12 ended up being successful oyster shuckers, as our teachers were clear, concise, and super patient with us. The best part? Eating those oysters! They couldn't have been any fresher and more delicious.
Something that really sets Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa apart from the rest is their adventures! They offer a ton of local adventures, from kayaking and crabbing to yoga and painting. Booking an adventure during your stay at Headlands would be a great way to kick off a wedding weekend, welcoming your guests to a little local flair. If you and your guests are looking to sit back and relax, then booking a spa day at the Tidepools Spa & Wellness would be the perfect fit. The spa offers a wide range of treatments and uses local, non-toxic skincare from Landia Skincare.
The Food
After we were done with our Oyster Shucking class, we headed over to another reception space, the Latitude Room, which had a patio that was sunny and protected from the wind. The patio was beautifully set up for our small group, from the super chic wine barrel cocktail tables to the luxe indoor space with floor-to-ceiling French doors - a perfect option for an intimate wedding reception.
The team at Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa set up an incredible array of hors d'oeuvres - from fresh smoked salmon, to the best local cheese and our favorite, the decadent crab cakes. All of the ingredients are sourced from local Pacific Northwest producers, growers, and artisans - like the infamous Tillamook Cheese and Ocean Beauty Seafoods to name a few.
The Headlands team did an excellent job of offering a variety of appetizers and perfectly pairing up with local Oregon wine. Our group was impressed with the attention to detail with the variety of dietary restrictions we listed off to them - our dairy-free, vegans, and gluten-free girls were all very well-fed and happy with the food that was provided.
"Visiting Headlands Lodge was the highlight of my bachelorette weekend on the Oregon Coast. The lodge itself was absolutely amazing and the staff made us feel so special and welcome. Their event spaces were perfect for my group of twelve. My fiance and I are now planning a little honeymoon weekend at the Headlands, I seriously cannot wait to go back!" -Bride, Lizzy H.
The Location and Space
Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa is located on the Oregon Coast and is just a 2-hour drive from Portland - and let us tell you, the drive is half the fun because it is over-the-top beautiful. Once you arrive in Pacific City, you’ll see the infamous Haystack Rock and the huge Cape Kiwanda Dune (and if you’re up to it, you can even sandboard down the dunes!). Pacific City itself is a super cute little beach town, with adorable coffee shops, a seaside market with all your needs, and even a beachfront brewery, Pelican Brewing.
Pacific City Beach would be our vote for an intimate wedding ceremony on the sand followed by your reception at Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa. We did hard work for you and we contacted Oregon Parks & Rec about laws and permits for a beach wedding on Pacific City Beach:
- A Special Use Permit is required for weddings if 50-plus persons attend, or if structures and/or embellishments are brought and/or setup in a park or on the beach, regardless of the number of persons participating. That includes tables, chairs (10 or more), archways, canopies, tiki torches, all those structures or items that are non-recreational or non-traditional to the beach.
- Permits on the beach are a first come first serve basis, for ocean shore permit requests.
- There is a $100.00 processing fee and an additional fee based on the number of people; 1-50=$50.00 an additional $1.00 per person after 50.
- A certificate of liability insurance, naming the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department as “additionally insured” is required.
- Applications may be requested 9 months in advance of the event date, however, will not be accepted less than a month before the event.
- All Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs) for Special Use Permits (Division 16) and the Ocean Shore (Division 21) may be found HERE.
Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa offers three different event spaces on their property that can accommodate up to 20 guests for a seated dinner or 40 people for a cocktail reception. Each space has its own vibe and feel that can be laid out to your wanting. They even have some great outdoor space options which will allow for even more room for your guests.
Speaking of your guests, they will be pumped on Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa because each one of their 33 guest rooms is an inviting sanctuary. All rooms have a private balcony that overlooks the ocean and is stocked with the finest, local products - like the Kim Rose Adams bath salts, and the tea from Steven Smith Tea. Did we mention that the lodge is dog friendly?! Guests can bring their furry ones to accompany them on the weekend trip and you can also enjoy having your fur baby join you at your wedding reception!
Ready to book your intimate Oregon Coast wedding? Head over to the Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa Event Space page and fill out the form to get a custom quote and start planning your perfect day.
Follow @headlandslodge for even more reasons to crush on this hidden gem of a wedding destination.
- Venues: Headlands Coastal Lodge & Spa
- Photography: Ali Chidester