Trillium Lake Wedding Elopement

Trillium Lake in the fall—arguably one of the dreamiest spots for a wedding elopement. Crisp mountain air, golden leaves, and that moody Pacific Northwest vibe.

Of course, because this is the PNW in late October, nature threw a little curveball. The original location P+J had their hearts set on wasn’t exactly playing nice with the weather. (Let’s just say hiking through a mountain blizzard in wedding attire probably wasn’t the vibe they were going for.) Luckily, I had already scoped out some backup locations because if there’s one thing I know about elopements—flexibility is key. The way things worked out couldn’t have been more perfect.

Morning Preparations and Private First-Look & Vow Exchange

Since P+J’s original ceremony spot was already completely snowy, I had backup locations ready and did a final check that morning—Trillium Lake was clear and perfect. I met them at their beautiful Airbnb. As they got ready, I captured the quiet anticipation, little moments, and details before everything began to tell the whole story.

It was just the two of them for their first look, soaking in the moment before exchanging personal vows. Doing vows privately like this takes the pressure off and lets couples be present. P+J’s moment was intimate and set the tone for the rest of the day. Next stop: Trillium Lake for the ceremony.

Trillium Lake Wedding Elopement Ceremony & Blue Hour Portraits

Trillium Lake delivered—mist rolling over the water, towering trees, and just the right amount of chill in the air. P+J’s ceremony was simple, intimate, and exactly what elopements should be—no stress, just two people exchanging vows in an epic place.

After the ceremony, we caught golden hour—soft light, rich autumn tones, and that just-married glow. P+J wandered the lakeshore, and as the sun faded, we leaned into blue hour and whipped out the lanterns—darker, moodier, and romantic. They wrapped up the night at their Airbnb with cake and a quiet dinner.

Love Note From P + J

“Mattie was absolutely wonderful to work with for our elopement. From the very beginning of our first chat with her, she was easy to talk to and gave a clear idea of what to expect. She also scouted locations for us after we told her the vibe and scenery we were trying to capture. When we had to shift locations the day of due to weather, she was on it and prepared with alternatives. We could not be more happy with how the photos turned out. For two people who feel very awkward in front of the camera, she set us at ease, and everything she captured was beautiful. So grateful and happy with the results!”

Oregon Elopement Packages

Hi, I’m Mattie! I’m an elopement photographer based in Portland. If you’re dreaming of a stress-free, adventure-filled day captured in a way that feels authentic to you, you’re in the right place.

Whether you’re planning a Trillium Lake wedding elopement, an engagement session, or a just-because adventure, I’m here to ensure your photos reflect your day’s magic. Click HERE to check out another breathtaking elopement, or click HERE to learn more about me and my approach.

Ready to start planning? Let’s make it happen—reach out to get started!