Bend Oregon Adventure Elopement & Intimate Wedding Photographer
Bend Oregon is a beautiful and vibrant destination for your Oregon adventure elopement, where the ponderosa pine forests meet the jagged mountain peaks of the high desert. This Central Oregon city boasts diverse landscape with snow-capped mountains, prisitine lakes, gushing rivers, and desert-like terrain.
Bend Oregon Adventure Elopements + Intimate Weddings
So you’ve decided to elope in BEND OREGON! Congratulations on making one of the most important decisions of your lives.
Take a deep breath and let’s start dreaming!
Imagine a moment
where you feel loved, limitless, joyful, and free. Whether it’s on a mountaintop with the wind blowing through your hair, on the beach with your toes in the sand, or maybe its watching the sunrise as it peeks over the horizon. Imagine your perfect day together. What would you be doing? What would the surroundings look like? What smells would be in the air? Your wedding day can be ANYTHING your heart desires. Whatever you’re envisioning I will help you bring your dream to life!
What is an adventure wedding or elopement?
Eloping doesn’t mean secretly running off to the courthouse anymore. It’s an intentional wedding day that is authentically focused on who you are as a couple. It’s an opportunity to create a meaningful experience to begin your journey together as a couple. You may want to say your vows with your intimate family on a mountaintop or have an epic adventure flying in a helicopter to explore Alaska’s amazing glaciers. It can literally be anything your heart desires! How cool is that?!
I know it can feel overwhelming planning your own wedding
That’s where I come in! Whether you want to hike up a mountain, hop in a helicopter to explore with a birds eye view, or go canoeing in a pristine lake, I’ll be here to help create an epic elopement experience that is unique to YOU.
I am not just your Bend Oregon elopement photographer! I am your tour guide, planner, and new friend. I’m here to help you every step of the way with planning assistance, location suggestions, vendor recommendations, and more. I will also bring champagne and granola bars to keep you nourished while we’re exploring!
Hey friends! I’m Naomi your new Bend Oregon adventure buddy :)
I’m granola AF with a lil’ bit of woowoo sprinkled in. I’m an outdoorsy, nature loving human who is absolutely in LOVE with adventure elopements and small weddings. Nothing makes me happier than a day filled with adventures in wild places getting my feet dirty and breathing the fresh air.
Whether it’s in the mountains, the forest, or on the beach I am here for ALL of it! I’m a mountain gal but I’m also a beach gal, so I split my time between Alaska, Oregon, and Hawaii. You’ll usually find me hiking in the Pacific Northwest spring and fall, Alaska during the summer, and surfing in Hawaii during the winter months. I’m also available to travel throughout the year so don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in booking me for your destination adventure wedding!
I believe experiences are more important than having a lot of stuff. Your wedding day will be one of the greatest experiences of your life and I’m here to help you bring that dream to life!
Why You Should Elope in Bend, Oregon
Known as the outdoor playground of the west, Bend is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Situated along the Cascade Mountains with the Deschutes River flowing through it, recreational activities are boundless – biking, hiking, kayaking, whitewater rafting, skiing, and rock climbing are all popular among residents and visitors. If you’re looking for an epic, off-the-grid elopement, Bend is the perfect location for an adventure elopement or intimate wedding!
Weather in Bend Oregon
Because of its location in the Great Basin, Bend enjoys a mostly dry, desert-like climate with plenty of sunshine. Days are moderate with cooler evenings year-round. Temperatures at night are often 30 to 40 degrees below daytime highs so it’s always a good idea to bring a jacket, even in the summer. Spring weather can be more unpredictable than fall but both seasons enjoy milder temperatures. Summers are warm with low humidity, while winters bring colder temps and snowfall.
Getting To Bend
The closest major airport to Bend is Portland International Airport (PDX). From Portland, it’s about a 3 hour drive to Bend. Alternatively, Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM) has non-stop flights from some major west coast cities and is only a 20 minute drive from Bend.
Where to Elope in BEND OREGON
The best adventure elopement locations in Bend
I’ve done a lot of adventuring in and around Bend and have found so many secret spots for private elopements! There is soooo much untouched wilderness in the backcountry of Bend it’s actually pretty easy to find locations that aren’t busy with tourists if you’re down for a hike or snowmobile adventure! There are also easy access locations that feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere!
Tumalo Mountain
About 20 miles west of Bend, Tumalo Mountain lies within the Cascade Mountain Range. The shield volcano’s barren peak provides breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness. To get to the summit, you can take a moderate four-mile hike through a forest of whitebark pines and alongside rugged lava terrain. At the top, you’ll be treated to epic vistas of Three Sisters, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor.
Broken Top
An eroded stratovolcano surrounded by wilderness, Broken Top is one of Bend’s most popular destinations. Its jagged peaks tower over 9000 feet into the sky. One of its best features is No Name Lake, a beautifully bright turquoise blue lake tucked on the mountain’s east side. With beautiful views, colorful wildflowers, and rugged terrain, Broken Top is perfect for adventurous couples.
Sparks Lake
Just 25 miles west of Bend, Sparks Lake is located in Deschutes National Forest. The lake is a part of 370 acres of scenic wetlands and is surrounded by open meadows and pine forests. Here you’ll find incredible views of the distant mountains of South Sister, Broken Top, and Mt. Bachelor. Check out this creative Bend elopement I shot at Sparks Lake.
Smith Rock State Park
In contrast to the lush forests of Central Oregon, Smith Rock State Park boasts high mountain desert-like terrain. The state park is one of Oregon’s seven wonders and it’s easy to see why when you’re visiting. Here you’ll discover towering peaks, rugged desert, and a deep river canyon flowing through the heart of it all. For inspiration, check out this gorgeous Smith Rock State Park elopement I photographed on a beautiful summer afternoon. It’s one of my favorite elopement locations in the Bend area!
Metolius River
The Metolius River flows for 20 miles meandering through Deschutes National Forest past old-growth ponderosa pines and tall grass meadows. Beginning at the base of the Black Butte and emptying into Lake Billy Chinook, the Metolius is one of the largest spring-fed rivers in the U.S. which gives the river its deep blue color. It’s close to Sisters, which is a cute little mountain town with an old west vibe and nice shops and restaurants. There are also beautiful hiking and mountain biking trails with incredible views of the Cascade Mountains.
Eloping in BEND OREGON – Frequently Asked Questions
FIFTY TREES PLANTED FOR EVERY SHOOT BOOKED
When I became a photographer I knew that I wanted to utilize my passion to make a positive impact in the world. Throughout my career I have volunteered for non-profits but I want to do more. I want to have a greater impact on our beautiful planet. Nature is where I find my peace, joy and inspiration and I want my business to reflect my passion for the environment. I am very excited about my partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects . Eden reduces extreme poverty and restores healthy forests in Nepal, Madagascar, Haiti, Indonesia, Mozambique and Kenya by employing local villagers to plant millions of trees every year. Fifty trees are planted for every shoot booked with Naomi Levit Photography.
“Working with Naomi was a dream. From the easy communication of planning our little intimate elopement ceremony at Smith Rock State Park near Bend Oregon, to the final edited gallery, my husband and I could not be more happy with our experience with her. She made us feel at ease during the whole shoot and offered her own expertise while listening to our preferences as well. A lovely professional photographer and person all around. Thank you, Naomi!”
– Emily + John