Snowy elopements are so beautiful. I understand why most folks seek out warmer months… predictable weather is important when planning an adventure elopement… but if you can get it right, it’s a beautiful, unforgettable way to throw an elopement.

This particular elopement was not even solidly in winter. Monet + Dominic came out to the Central Cascades in March. Snowpack varies wildly from year to year, and this happened to be a year when the snow was still several feet deep in late March.

Perhaps choosing a date in March may lend one to hope for Spring weather and Spring scenery… in hindsight, I can’t really picture this elopement day going any differently, or any better 🙂

Monet and Dominic’s elopement took place at the Shelter Cove Resort on the beautiful, and highly underrated, Odell Lake. In the summer, this is a hotspot for anglers, boaters, hikers, etc.

Opting to stay warm-ish for the vow exchange, Monet and Dominic decided to set up some stunning floral arrangements at the cabin. It is easy to pop inside and warm up real quick if we need to, but they wanted to have their beautiful attire show cased for these photos. After getting rady and writing down their vows in their vow books, they needed only step outside onto the porch for an idyllic vow exchange.

Farther away, jackets needed to be worn.

For portraits, we took a stroll around the property. Wandering down the road lined with those tall snow banks, then heading over to the docks for that epic lake backdrop. Moving slowly and carefully was a requisite for this part… do not mess around with frozen lake water.

The advantage to a snowy elopement, especially if you’ve rented an adorable log cabin by the lake, is you get to fully lean into cozy vibes. Starting a little later in the day, most of the coziness happened after the sun went down, making photos a bit trickier. And with dwindling light on a snowy highway, I needed to drive home to Bend (unfortunately Shelter Cove was fully booked and I couldn’t get a last minute room).

We did, however, spend some time warming up and making s’mores by the fire. I absolutely adore ending an elopement day by the campfire.

Odell Lake is an amazing elopement location for so many reasons.

It’s stunning… so, duh.
Activities abound, so you can shape a full elopement day to fit your vision.
The Deschutes National Forest is easy to elope in– no permits necessary for groups under 75 people (which isn’t an elopement at that point).
There are cool lava flows to hike around in.
Just a short hike away, there’s the Rosary Lakes, which are beautiful, clear alpine lakes that are just BEGGING you to take a dip… beware mosquitoes though…
There are many places to stay– a few resorts and hotels, campgrounds, and about an hour and fifteen minutes away from Bend, which has A LOT to offer to eloping couples.

I, personally, feel very connected to Odell Lake. In 2016, I was hiking South bound on the Pacific Crest Trail, when I stopped at Shelter Cove for a resupply… Shelter Cove is positively LITTERED with thru hikers in the summer… It was here that I met Grizz and Gaucha*, two of my best trail friends. I went on to hike with them for many many days. Perhaps a week and a half, which is FOREVER in trail time. I had to part ways with them at Crater Lake… it was a super sad parting… I cried. I did meet up with them later, but that’s quite a long story.

*”Grizz” and “Gaucha” are trail names. My trail name was Tule, which is where the business name Tule Walks comes from 🙂

Normally I visit Odell Lake in the summer, so it was so cool to visit on what was essentially a winter day. With the frozen lake, and cotton candy skies… it was a dreamy day out in the Cascades.

Oregon Cascades Mountain Elopement Photographer

Some of the most beautiful alpine lake elopement spots in the PNW are in Central Oregon. Since moving here, I have fallen completely in love with the vast and diverse landscapes here. The mountains, rivers, deserts, forests… There are so many amazing elopement locations in and around Bend, OR (my home base).

As a self-proclaimed nature nerd, it’s like a fantasy playground… so many interesting ecosystems to explore! My background in ecology and outdoor education give me (I believe) a unique take on planning and photographing adventure elopements. If you have any questions or curiosities concerning my approach, I’d be stoked to answer any questions you have. Feel free to reach out here (no pressure!).