This magical waterfall elopement in the Columbia River Gorge was one of my favorite days ever!!! Carly and Zach have a special bond with the Portland area, and I was so stoked to get out there and explore not one, but two stunning waterfalls with them! We ended the day with a sunset toast high on the cliffs above the river, then drove down to a secluded beach for their first dance. An absolutely incredible and emotional elopement day from start to finish.
↓ Keep reading for the full story + pics of this Oregon waterfall elopement ↓
AN INTIMATE ELOPEMENT IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
To kick off Carly and Zach’s elopement day, I met up with them at their Airbnb just outside of Portland, OR. They’re both huge music junkies, so their cabin was perfect for them – I loved the vintage records lining the walls and the eclectic furniture! After snapping a couple of detail photos, we packed up our gear and headed to the first waterfall.
The drive through the Columbia River Gorge is one of the best parts about eloping in Oregon. The narrow highway winds through the river canyon, with waterfall viewpoints and hikes all along the way! Definitely a hiker’s paradise, and the perfect place to explore for a mini honeymoon trip. Although the Gorge is known for being pretty rainy and moody (welcome to the PNW, hahaha), this particular fall day was perfectly sunny! We didn’t get a drop of rain all day, unless you count the mist from the waterfalls 😉 Rain or shine though, this area is absolutely incredible – especially in the fall, winter or spring when the waterfalls are raging.
After parking at the first location, it was time for the first look. Zach headed out to the waterfall to wait for his bride, and I helped Carly button up her bohemian-style dress. Then we headed down to the waterfall to show off the finished look! After she tapped him on the shoulder, they shared a huge hug and wiped away a few tears. We shot a few more portraits near the waterfall before heading to the next location to meet up with their officiant, Jimmie Berguin, for the ceremony.
Looking to elope in Oregon? Check out our “Best Places to Elope in Oregon” for epic coastlines, snowy mountains, and more!
A DREAMY ELOPEMENT CEREMONY BENEATH A TOWERING WATERFALL
SUNSET IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Planning an Elopement of your own? Check out these elopement planning resources:
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