Karla and Nick’s intimate Smith Rock Elopement in Terrebonne, Oregon

The perfect Elopement at Smith Rock

Anytime I get an inquiry for a true elopement, I get so excited. I mean, I’m a sucker for any type of love story but something about an adventurous elopement in the Pacific Northwest just brings warmth to my soul! This Smith Rock elopement was no exception. I met Karla and Nick on a sunny summer Wednesday evening for their elopement in Terrebonne, Oregon.

Karla and Nick were not from the area but immediately fell in love (from a picture) with the desert foliage and red rock landscapes at Smith Rock State Park. With Nick’s short and unpredictable deployment schedule, they knew that a low-key, no fuss elopement was right for them. While they would still celebrate later and locally with friends and family, Karla and Nick wanted to have a special ceremony with just the two of them at an epic location.

Telling the Love Story

My favorite part of documentary style photography is the challenge of telling the love story I can see right in front of me through photos. You should be able to feel the emotions, the love, the story in the photographs even years from the actual date itself. In the case of an elopement, this means really honing in on the couple. I focus on their movements and expressions through prompting and capturing little moments in between prompts that show who they are.

While Karla and Nick were more introverted and reserved, the bond they shared was apparent in every photo. The way Nick lead Karla through the desert while she traversed the ground with gorgeous heels or the way he held her hands tightly while overlooking the cliff- these just show his protective nature but desire to share in the big moments with his new wife. It was beautiful to watch and be a part of.

Karla and Nick chose to keep the ceremony a true elopement. Beyond myself, an officiant, a stylist and a florist, they were the only ones there. As a side note, elopements usually contain anywhere from just the couple to the couple and their closest family and friends, usually under 10 people.

The Elopement Setting

Smith Rock State Park

Smith Rock State Park in Oregon offers a stunning backdrop for couples looking to elope amidst breathtaking natural scenery. Known for its towering cliffs and world-class rock climbing routes, the park provides tons of picturesque locations for intimate ceremonies or photo sessions.

Nearby accommodations include campsites, cabins, and lodges in Terrebonne and Redmond, with Redmond Municipal Airport being the closest major airport for travelers. By car, Redmond is about 20 minutes from both Bend and Sisters, Oregon. Our family always chooses to stay in Sisters, Oregon, known for it’s cute shops, hiking trails, western inspired streets and iconic Sisters coffee house.

While couples can choose to hike the cliffs (exchanging vows beneath the iconic Monkey Face formation is a favorite), the best part about Smith Rock is that you can experience insane scenery with little to no hiking. One of my favorite views overlooking the Crooked River in the valley of two giant formations is accessible by walking fifty yards from the parking lot!

Elopement Styling at Smith Rock

Karla and Nick used Emily of Emily Aitken Events for their elopement styling. The best part: they left it completely up to her! Emily chose to showcase desert beauty by choosing pampas grass and jewel-toned desert inspired florals and a intimate picnic table setting on the left side of the rock formation. Bend Floral design made her small floral ground arch vision come to life under the red rock scenery. Emily kept it simple with intimate picnic table for an after-ceremony toast of the couple’s favorite- sangria (and treats of course!).

Timing in Smith Rock

Choosing to elope in the summer at Smith Rock is ideal as it rarely rains in the summer and can get super cold in the winter months. While sunrise is always a beautiful time to elope, sunset and golden hour is ideal at Smith Rock in the summer with the placement of the sun. I would recommend sticking to a weekday if possible as this beautiful area fills up on the weekends. We chose to start about two hours before sunset with a ceremony just before golden hour and the picnic and couples photos at golden hour and sunset.

Local Central Oregon Recommendations

For the perfect elopement weekend at Smith Rock, there are so many places to stay within a half hour! The central Oregon towns of Redmond, Bend and Sisters are situated in a triangle, all about 20 minutes from each other. Terrebonne is a rural area just outside of Redmond (we are talking minutes, many people consider Smith Rock in Redmond). I touched on it earlier but you can’t go wrong staying in the iconic western inspired town of Sisters, Oregon.

Black Butte Lodge, Five Pine Lodge, and The Ski inn are great lodging options but there are hundreds of cute, walkable properties on Air BnB and VRBO. Camping is also an option in the area at Three Creeks campground or the more adventurous Sister’s Wilderness area.

While you are there, Sisters has tons of boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and walking and hiking options. Just promise me you will stop by Sisters Coffee House for a Black Butte Gold or Metolius Chai Latte. And a visit to the Sister’s Bakery for breakfast scones or donuts one day is a must!

If you choose to stay in Bend, you have to visit at least one local brewery. Bend Brewing, 10 Barrel, Crux and Deschutes are all our favorites. Downtown Bend is also a cute spot for shopping and eating. The area is also known for its outdoorsy feel and options. Fly fishing, water rafting, hiking and mountain biking are all popular past times in Central Oregon.

You can’t go wrong eloping or even having a big wedding in Central Oregon. There are so many options to make your day unforgettable. Contact me for help planning or photographing your Bend or Sisters wedding or Smith Rock elopement!