Brently and Shamoil’s adventurous Oregon waterfall elopement close to Portland was nothing short of magical. Surrounded by the lush, rain-soaked beauty of the Columbia River Gorge and joined by their closest friends, we crafted a day that felt uniquely theirs. 

I excitedly tagged along with them to capture their celebration from start to finish. It was an unforgettable experience, and I can’t wait for you to experience all the fun I had with the couple below!

The Adventurous Waterfall Elopement Day Begins at Wahclella Falls

The day began at the Wahclella Falls trailhead, where a light rain added a romantic touch to the lush, green surroundings. After a short, scenic hike, Brently changed into her dress by the waterfall for a private first look with Shamoil. The cascading water created the perfect backdrop for the moment.

We spent some time exploring the trail and capturing portraits with the incredible Gorge scenery. The towering trees, moss-covered rocks, and the waterfall itself provided a stunning variety of backdrops. Brently and Shamoil’s friends joined in for a few group shots before we hiked back to the trailhead, rain softly falling the entire way.

A Cozy Picnic by the Fire

From the trail, everyone boarded a chartered shuttle bus that transported us to a nearby picnic shelter where a professional picnic company set up an amazing picnic complete with charcuterie, mimosas, and plenty of cozy blankets to fend off the chilly fall weather. I had brought along firewood, and we built a fire in the shelter’s hearth, which quickly became the centerpiece of this part of the day. Warming up by the fire, laughing, and sharing stories with their friends created such a heartfelt and relaxed vibe.

This pause in the day allowed Brently and Shamoil to savor the moment and connect with their loved ones. This part of the day is a great example of how you can have an intimate elopement experience while still including your closest people!

A Ceremony with a View at Government Cove

After the picnic and quick warm up, the group hopped back on the shuttle to head to Government Cove, a stunning peninsula on the Columbia River Gorge. The sun broke through the clouds just as we arrived, illuminating the cliffs and water with warm sunshine. It was a bit windy too, but that’s how it goes in the Columbia River Gorge. Brently and Shamoil exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony overlooking the river, surrounded by their friends. Eloping with these kinds of views will seriously never get old!

Afterward, we explored the peninsula for more portraits, taking advantage of the golden hour light and incredible scenery. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we wrapped up the day with lantern-lit blue hour photos that felt like something out of a fairytale.

Ending the Day at a Brewery

Finally, we finished the day at Thunder Island Brewing Co., where everyone gathered for a celebratory dinner. Over delicious food and drinks, the group made toasts, played foosball, and reflected on the amazing day. It was the perfect way to end an epic elopement! Then, everyone boarded their chartered bus from Martin’s Gorge Tours a little tipsy and tired, and had a safe & comfortable ride back to Portland, Oregon.

Why Choose the Columbia River Gorge for Your Oregon Waterfall Elopement?

For Brently and Shamoil, the Gorge offered everything they were looking for: waterfalls, breathtaking views, and a sense of adventure. Planning their elopement outside of the busy summer months and choosing a weekday meant we had these popular spots mostly to ourselves, making their day feel even more personal and special.

The Columbia River Gorge is a dream destination for couples who want a mix of adventure and natural beauty. Just an hour from Portland, this region boasts countless waterfalls, stunning viewpoints, and easy access to charming towns like Hood River. Wahclella Falls and Government Cove are just two examples of the incredible locations available for your special day.

You can learn more about planning your Columbia River Gorge elopement here!

A Minimalist, Experience-Focused Elopement

Brently and Shamoil’s day was all about the experience. They kept the details simple, but nature provided everything they needed. From the rain-soaked hike to the cozy fire at the picnic shelter and the stunning sunset ceremony, every moment was a testament to their love and their shared sense of adventure.

One of the best decisions of their day was chartering the shuttle bus. It made transportation between locations seamless, eliminated parking hassles, and allowed everyone to relax and enjoy the day—even after a few celebratory mimosas and beers! Definitely recommend!

Kind Words from the Couple

“Hey! I just need you to know that the pictures were already gorgeous but we got the prints in, and I fell in love all over again. You are magical, and Shamoil and I are so grateful for you. ” -Brently

“We came across Erica entirely sight unseen and by luck. We had only a very general idea about an intimate destination elopement-style wedding, we had never been to Oregon, and we didn’t know quite where to start. A google search led us to Erica and we set up a virtual meeting with her because we loved the style of her photography and inclusive and welcoming messages delivered on her website.

We could not have been more fortunate. And the experience exceeded any expectation that we had.

From the moment that we met, Erica felt like someone we had known for years, more akin to a close friend. More than merely photography, Erica helped construct our entire day with photography as an element of an overall experience.

Erica took the time to understand our personalities and what we had in mind, constructed the perfect itinerary and found amazing locations, and made incredible suggestions along the way. She scouted out the locations beforehand and told us exactly what to expect before we even made it to Oregon.

The day itself was magical. Erica met us as our first stop, and guided us each step along the way. She was equal parts tour guide, photographer, planner, and friend, and she fit seamlessly within our group. I’ll admit that I was skeptical about the itinerary — e.g, how could she predict how long a mixed group would take to hike and return to transportation? — but I was shocked to find out how precise her predictions were. And she was prepared for seemingly every eventuality: Umbrellas? Check. Extra jackets? Check. Impromptu allergy medicine? Check.

It strikes us as incredible that our review has only now gotten to the quality of the photography (we hope that you get a sense that Erica is far more than the word “photographer” gives her credit for). Our pictures captured everything that we wanted from our day and more. From the portraits to the group pictures to the special moments along the way, Erica captured everything with her special and extraordinary touch.

If we could give 10/5 stars to Erica, we would — but 5/5 is what we are limited to. We have no hesitation in recommending her to you: quite simply, she is the best. And in just the course of a few months virtually and a day in person, she became our friend.

Erica, thank you for making our day so special! It’s impossible to put into words how grateful we are for everything that you did to make our day so special. From the meticulous planning to the impromptu preparedness, it was just amazing all around. We appreciate you so much.”- Shamoil

Let’s Plan Your Columbia River Gorge Elopement!

If you’re dreaming of a waterfall elopement filled with adventure, stunning scenery, and heartfelt moments, the Columbia River Gorge might just be the perfect place for you. With my full-service planning and photography package, I’ll help you create a day that reflects your love story and takes the stress out of planning.

Whether you’re drawn to the trails of Wahclella Falls, the views at Government Cove, or one of the many other incredible spots in the Gorge, I’m here to guide you every step of the way. 

Reach out today, and let’s start planning your Oregon waterfall elopement and Columbia River Gorge adventure!

And if you liked this elopement, you might also like Chris & Patricia’s Columbia River Gorge elopement day here.

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Vendors:

Dress Shop: Luxe Redux Bridal – designer @alessandrarinaudo 

Picnic: Picnics with Elegance

Brewery: Thunder Island Brewing

Suit: State and Liberty

Transportation: Martin’s Gorge Tours