Romantic Snowy Elopement at Tumalo Lake near Bend Oregon

Tiffany and Joshua’s love feels like that exciting, electric kind of teenager love. Before they eloped, they had only met each other six months earlier. They had met in the park one day after church. They struck up a conversation, and well, the rest is history!

When I first met Tiffany and Joshua, I could instantly tell they were an incredible match for each other. Their energy was infectious. The day of their Oregon elopement was super relaxed. Since it was just the two of them, we didn’t have a strict timeline and just let the day unfold naturally.

Tiffany and Joshua decided to elope near Bend Oregon on Tumalo Lake. The morning of their elopement, I met them at their cabin. They had rented a beautiful log cabin just on the edge of Tumalo Lake. It was in the snow zone so there was snow everywhere and the lake was frozen over. It was a snowy winter wonderland dream.

We started with some first look photos just outside their cabin. For their ceremony, we chose a spot in the forest near their cabin.

After their first look, they had an intimate ceremony in the forest. A winter storm was rolling in and the wind was starting to pick up. The snow was beginning to fall and it was just absolutely magical.

After their ceremony, we went back to their cabin to warm up! We had some hot coffee and they cut the cake. It was so sweet. 

After we could feel our fingers and toes again, we ventured back out and down to the edge of the lake. We took some fun photos there, running around like kids. They even brought some cute sunglasses to wear.

After a bit, we got cold again and went back to the cabin to warm up once more. Once we had warmed up again, we headed out on a mini snowshoeing hike along a beautiful river that leads up to Tumalo Falls. They popped champagne and we explored a bit more before heading back to the cabin to take some individual photos.

It was such a special day. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day for these two.

 

Eloping in Bend, Oregon

Meet Oregon’s outdoor playground—Bend. Here in the high desert where mountain peaks meet ponderosa pines, you’ll find a small mountain city with tons of outdoor activities, craft breweries, delicious restaurants, and plenty more. With its diverse landscape, you can experience mountains, desert, and forest all in one day, making it a clear contender for any Oregon elopement.

Where to Elope: Tumalo Lake

Located just west of downtown Bend, Tumalo Lake is a beautiful place to elope. The lake itself is located on private property and only accessible to those that rent cabins there, so it’s perfect if you;re looking for a little more privacy and tranquility. The small clear blue lake is surrounded by densely forested mountains—a picturesque backdrop for an Oregon elopement. If you don’t want to rent a cabin to access Tumalo Lake, there are plenty of other amazing elopement spots in and around Bend, including Tumalo Falls! Check out some of the other locations I recommend for eloping in Bend!

Where to Stay: Tumalo Lake Lodge

Tumalo Lake Lodge consists of four luxury lakeside cabins and an amazing lodge that can be completely rented out for your entire group (it sleeps up to 20 people!). Every cabin is stunning with wrap around decks, a hot tub, and huge windows with incredible views of the surrounding scenery. If you rent a cabin, you’ll have private access to Tumalo Lake where you can hike, fish, canoe, snowshoe, and more!

When to Elope: Anytime!

Bend enjoys a mostly dry climate with plenty of sunshine year-round, but you’ll still experience different seasons throughout the year. Spring brings moderate temperatures with somewhat unpredictable weather and some colder days. Summer brings abundant sunshine, warm days, and cooler nights—perfect for outdoor activities. Fall is one of my favorite times to visit Bend. The air is crisp, the temperatures are perfect, and there aren’t as many summer crowds. Winter is also totally doable, especially if you love snow! Although the days are colder, Bend transforms into the most beautiful winter wonderland.

Considering Bend for your Oregon elopement? Find everything you need to know about eloping in Bend in my post, How to Elope in Bend, Oregon.