Maxine and Kyle wanted to spend their wedding day doing things that felt totally normal to them, including a stroll through Tryon Creek State Park where they met, eating brunch and drinking a bunch of bloody mary’s, and hiking Mt. Hood. So it made perfect sense for them to elope with a small ceremony in the morning, followed by brunch and an afternoon of hiking! Lucky for them, those happen to be my favorite things to do too, and I was on board for the adventurous pacific northwest waterfall elopement as soon as I saw their inquiry!

We started the morning with an intimate, bright, woodsy ceremony at Tryon Creek State Park. Kyle decorated the pavilion with his soon to be father-in-law, with florals supplied by Alan Loo. I loved the ethereal garlands and whimsical arrangements built in. Kyle surprised Maxine with a fern and pine covered floor, a tradition he learned of while working in Guatemala. Maxine’s bridal flower crown and bouquet were the perfect mix of fresh and dried elements, colorful yet pairing perfectly with the dense woods.

After their ceremony and brunch, we all piled in the car and drove up to one of my favorite hikes— Tamanawas Falls on Mt. Hood. The hike isn’t too strenuous (they both hiked in their wedding clothes!!) and you’re rewarded at the end with an epic waterfall landscape to hike around for some truly earthy PNW wedding portraits. We had a blast climbing the mossy rocks and taking in the view, and still had time to swing by the Mt. Hood Ski Bowl for some sunset portraits with the iconic Mt. Hood peak in the background.

What’s not pictured: we ended the night by meeting their friends at TImberline for a reception dinner, and then on the drive back to Portland I fell asleep in the back seat like a happy kid at the end of the best day ever while Kyle drove us all back. I had the BEST day with these two, and really felt like long lost soul companions by the end of the day. I’m so grateful they trusted me with their precious wedding memories, and brought me along for their elopement adventure. Congrats you two!!!!!