BANDON — The bride was beautiful, the groom cleaned up well, and despite the strong westward wind and a couple of last-minute stresses, the whole wedding was wrapped up in a matter of minutes under the watchful eyes of a rusting, historic lighthouse.

Bullards Beach State Park, located on the north side of the Coquille River in Bandon, was the site of my sister’s recent wedding. She decided to pull together a DIY event on a shoestring budget, choosing to save her and her (now) husband’s funds for a honeymoon.

Add in the couple’s love of the Oregon coast (or any coast for that matter), the nearby campground, proximity to Bandon and the Coquille River Lighthouse’s overall stoic look, Bullards had most of what was needed for not only their petit, budget-friendly ceremony but for a wonderful time in the sun and sand.

Married in a hurry

It is free to get married on an Oregon beach, so long as you follow some basic rules: There must be under 50 people (including the couple); you can’t have any structures like arches, tents or chuppahs; you can’t have chairs for guests — they must sit on the sand or stand; you cannot block public access to the area.

If you go beyond these stipulations, you will need to get a permit from Oregon State Parks.

It is wise to contact the park’s department anyway to ensure that there are also no imminent closures to the beach for wildlife nesting seasons or other permits that have been already pulled for the date and place you are looking at. They also advise to call the park where you plan on getting married for any further details or restrictions.

With so many wonderful parks along our splendid coastline, there are ample options for an intimate and simple ceremony or elopement for you and your sweetie.

But don’t worry, if your only love at the moment is just a good view, this place has that, too.

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To the lighthouse

The beach at Bullards is long and bordered by smaller sand dunes covered in beach grasses (which do have ticks that like to attach to furry friends) as well as a great variety of large pieces of driftwood on its southern edges. Once past these natural barriers, the beach itself is gently sloped towards the sea, though not incredibly wide.

The focal point, though, is of course the Coquille River Lighthouse. It’s not as tall or as classic-looking as some of the lighthouses that guard the headlands and capes of the state, but it makes up for it in its overall look perched on the rocky outcropping.

This lighthouse has seen both better and worse days in its 128 years standing at the north jetty of the Coquille River, from its early life guiding ships into Bandon’s harbor and even guiding the people of the small town to the safety of the river during a devastating fire in 1936 that consumed most of Bandon.

However, just three years later, the Coast Guard decided that the lighthouse was no longer necessary and installed a signal light on the south jetty, abandoning the building and leaving it at the mercy of the elements and vandals.

It was purchased in 1962 by the parks department as it began establishing Bullards Beach State Park (that had all 1,289 acres fully acquired by 1985) and it has gone through two major refurbishments in those 60-some years.

Now visitors can go in the lighthouse’s signal room (the tower is closed for safety) which is open seasonally and run by park volunteers. It includes a gift shop sporting lighthouse and state park swag as well as several plaques on display illustrating the history of the lighthouse amongst the merchandise.

Camp out

Whether you’re in the mood to get hitched or just want a weekend away from the hustle and heat of Central Oregon life, Bullards Beach State Park offers a lot for a place that is relatively tucked away.

The campground (which will be closed for sewer upgrades Sept. 16-March 17, 2025) is well placed with three loops with 103 sites with full hookups, 82 with electric and water, 13 yurts, an eight-space horse camp and a hiker/biker camp. While it is set back a little over a mile from the beach, there are easy trails to get you there.

If you’re not planning on staying out under the stars, there are plenty of picnic areas placed along the river side of the park with ample picnic tables to choose from. From here you can enjoy the river view and spot many of the birds that call the Coquille River estuary home.

Lighthouse aficionados, beachcombers, outdoor explorers, campers of all levels and, yes, even a bride and groom can find something to love about this sandy spot on the Southern Oregon coast.

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