Permits for Oregon beach weddings on hold until July

Couples hoping to have a large beach wedding in Oregon will have to wait. 

The Oregon State Parks and Recrecreation Department will not be issuing permits for outdoor gatherings of 50 people or more, including weddings, until after July 1. 

Smaller wedding ceremonies are still welcome, but couples won’t be allowed to bring in supplies like chairs, tables, tents, or other structures. 

The temporary hold and additional safety precautions are intended to slow the spread of COVID - 19 in the area. The pause will also give the Department time to rehire needed staff members, many of whom were let go after economic hardship rocked the region in 2020. 

Get the full scoop and hear from local wedding vendors in Galen Ettlin’s article for KGW8. 

Visit the Ocean Shores Permit page to learn more about obtaining a special use permit for your beach or park wedding and reception in Oregon. 

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• Read How to Become a Marriage Officiant in Oregon

• Read Who can officiate weddings in Oregon?

• Get ordained now and receive your minister credentials from American Marriage Ministries online.

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States are loosening restrictions for weddings, but strict guidelines remain in place. 

Over the past several months, states across the country have loosened their restrictions on public gatherings. Some states, like Texas, have lifted restrictions completely. The hope is that lifting gathering restrictions will increase income for struggling businesses, including those in the wedding industry. 

Throughout the pandemic, the wedding industry -- including wedding officiants, venue owners, DJs, photographers, bakers, florists, and others -- have expressed continued frustration at a lack of adequate guidance from local governments. And at each step of the way, wedding professionals faced new challenges and unknowns head on with creative (and often beautiful) solutions. 

As vaccines are distributed more widely during the next few weeks, big weddings will continue to make a comeback. We look forward to a summer filled with joyful celebrations! 

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