Hayley + Tiffany
Here come the brides, all dressed in diaphanous, mud-stained dresses and rugged hiking boots. Now THAT is our kind of adventure elopement!
The Grand Canyon State [you guessed it, Arizona!] is where Hayley + Tiffany call home, and these two brides made the trip with their moms and two best friends to elope in Oregon! The waterfalls of Oregon's Columbia River Gorge called to the two of them, and they knew they wanted a secluded and intimate elopement spot to have their waterfall wedding ceremony.
The Pacific Northwest holds a special place in the hearts of these two brides, because the first trip they took together was to Portland, Oregon, and they got engaged during a trip to Seattle, Washington! Adventure elopements completely allow you the freedom to take a location that resonates with you and implement it into your wedding day. Now the next time Tiffany + Hayley visit Oregon, they can stop off at the special place they said their vows in the Columbia River Gorge. That's pure magic.
We met Hayley + Tiffany and their guests at the trailhead in Cascade Locks, Oregon, along with adventure officiant, Stacy! Together, we set off to the waterfall that would serve as the perfect backdrop to their elopement ceremony.
When you can see the love two people have for each other through their eyes, there is no room for doubt. With every kiss, every caress, every glance, there was tenderness between Hayley + Tiffany that doesn't come around very often. As they said their vows to each other, there wasn't a dry eye to be found. It was such a significant moment, especially for a queer couple, that their best friends and moms were able to witness their heartfelt wedding ceremony!
Eloping can mean just you + your partner, but it can also mean a couple of loved ones in attendance as well! And even if you choose to not have any guests, there are still plenty of ways to include your family + friends during your elopement.
Once the marriage license was signed, Tiffany + Hayley and their guests went back to their Airbnb for food and celebration! Having all of their loved ones stay together in an Airbnb meant their elopement adventure was a bit more cozy and homey than if everyone stayed at a hotel. We definitely recommend staying at an Airbnb or VRBO for your elopement - this allows for your guests to stay with you if you so choose, to have a unique homebase during your trip, and a photogenic space for getting-ready photos on your wedding day!
We adore being able to offer day-after sessions for our couples. Since most of our couples come from out of state to elope in Washington, Oregon, or California, a day-after session provides a wonderful way to include variety with locations and photos! Hayley + Tiffany's elopement was no exception, and they wanted a day-after session adventure with mountain views. This made Mount Hood an easy decision for gorgeous vistas and tree-lined scenery.
Hayley was admittedly a little afraid of heights, but was determined to push through; both for Tiffany, to prove to herself that she could conquer her fear, and for beautiful photos of their adventure. With her wife by her side with reassurance and support, Hayley was a trooper! We left the waterfalls of the Columbia River Gorge behind, so this beautiful queer couple could enjoy a picnic lunch together underneath the pine trees. Tiffany + Hayley packed their favorite snacks, champagne, and of course a slice of their wedding cake from Sweetpea Baking Company! A cool mountain breeze encircling their picnic blanket, Hayley + Tiffany got to soak up some cherished moments as new wives.
Such a fun way to personalize your elopement can be the inclusion of food! We've seen a coffee and donut breakfast for a sunrise elopement at Mount Baker, croissants and champagne at John Day Fossil Beds in Central Oregon, cake for a Joshua Tree elopement, pizza and charcuterie during a desert wedding, and the CUTEST cupcakes during a lesbian elopement at Mt. Hood! What's your favorite dessert?! Let's make it a part of your big day!
A word of advice about adventure elopements: don't forget to take a moment and just BE. You + your partner. This instance, together. Making your universe a little smaller, to really relish the emotions. This is your day! For these two brides eloping in Oregon, they found joy in defying tradition and embracing their authentic selves, marking an unforgettable. This magical moment for an LGBTQ couple is a true celebration of love, freedom, and individuality.
