But what is an elopement? It doesn’t mean going to Vegas and getting married in a chapel and not telling anyone anymore! My definition of an elopement is this:
Getting married in Oregon in a small intimate gathering of 30 people or less where the focus is more on the couple than the guests. You can get married wherever you want and wherever you want!
Yes, you read that right. You don’t have to think about a DJ or catering a meal for 150 people, you can begin to think hmm maybe the food I want on my wedding day is actually attainable now that I don’t have to feed every cousin and friend I’ve ever known. Or instead of being sad that you can’t have your wedding at a big barn, you can get married at the location of your first camping trip with your partner. These are just some of the ideas that I have.
A lot of people come to me thinking that their elopement should just be a 1 or 2-hour photo shoot and I want to show you that it doesn’t need to be like that. Your wedding day is your day, and even though it’s not the big day that you originally planned doesn’t mean it should be any less fabulous! This is going to be a day you look back on forever and I want you to remember just how awesome it was. Not that it was during a pandemic. This is your chance to do what you want and make it last all day long.
You deserve a whole day to remember. You deserve to have exactly what you want on your wedding day, pandemic or not, and I want to help you make that happen.
I have put together a potential timeline for a couple who wants to elope on Mt. Hood. There are many ideas on how to elope in Mt Hood, if this is not your cup of tea, – don’t stop reading. You can apply this timeline to the Oregon Coast, the Columbia River Gorge, the city of Portland, or really anywhere else that you love. A Portland elopement is just as special as an adventure elopement.
Example Mt. Hood Elopement- summer 2021
Getting Ready Location: Airbnb on Mt. Hood
1: Niksen House airbnb – 2 nights $569 – 2 bedrooms
2: Refreshing Mid Century Mountain Escape Airbnb– 2 nights – $403 – 2 bedrooms
3: Waterfront Mountain Retreat Airbnb – two nights $985 – 2 bedrooms
4: Timberline Lodge – 2 nights $600-$900 range for 1 room for 2 nights
5: Camping! Getting ready at your campsite or renting a camper van could be cool too
Ceremony Location: Trillium Lake
Additional Portrait Location: Behind Timberline Lodge with Mt Hood and wildflower Backdrop, along Sandy River
Meal/Celebration Location:
1: at your airbnb with private chef and they cook right in front of you
2 : Spending time at Timberline Lodge
3 : Stay at your outdoor table setup with catering and meal served to you
1 : Hire an awesome vehicle like a Jeep that you can take the top off
2 : Rent a camper van that you could also potentially get ready in
3 : Use your own car
Example Timeline
1:00 pm – hair and makeup artist at airbnb – getting ready photos
2:00 pm – first look
3:00 pm – Couple goes to Timberline lodge (or another spot) for photos
4:00 pm – Meet guests at Trillium Lake for an intimate wedding ceremony – after the ceremony a champagne toast and signing marriage certificate with Mt. Hood as the backdrop
5:00 pm – Head back to airbnb for drinks
6:00 pm – drinks with guests
7:00 pm – have dinner served to them by a private chef
8:00 pm – speeches/toasts – Couple has their first dance around a campfire
9:00 pm – Have custom yummy smores (my personal favorite would be to have 1859 smores come and make them for you.) Music by the fire
Alternate Timeline with Helicopter Ride:
11:00 am – hair and makeup artist at airbnb – getting ready photos
12:00 pm – first look and photos
1:00 pm – Couple drives to Troutdale to catch helicopter
2:00 pm – Helicopter ride around Mt. Hood – stop somewhere beautiful to say their vows
4:00 pm – Head back to airbnb for drinks with guests
6:00 pm – have dinner served to them by a private chef
7:00 pm – speeches/toasts – Couple has their first dance around a campfire
8:00 pm- Have custom yummy smores (my personal favorite would be to have 1859 smores come and make them for you.) Music by the fire
If you’d like me to help you put together something and also document your elopement, contact me!
I’m an intuitive wedding photographer who captures intimate moments and meaningful images with my personality approach. I’m based in Portland, Oregon and am available for travel worldwide.