This Mount Hood Elopement at Trillium Lake for U & L was so much fun, and also a classic example of what it means to be prepared for any kind of weather on your wedding day. Keep reading to see how we combatted rainy skies and embraced the dramatic mountain atmosphere!
6 Hour Elopement Day
A Peaceful Start at the Cabin
U + L got ready with their guests at a cabin at Government Camp on separate levels, so that they could be surprised for the first look. U was upstairs getting her hair and makeup professionally done by the amazing Lash and Lox, while L got ready downstairs in a separate room. Once it was time for the boutonnieres, we stepped outside for some natural lighting. L and his brother fastened on their boutonnieres; this step always takes the longest so make sure you plan for extra time!
After that, it was time to capture U getting into her wedding gown and putting on the finishing touches of jewelry.
First Look at the Lakeshore
Once everyone was ready to go, we drove down separately to Trillium Lake for their first look. If you don’t have an Annual Northwest Forest Pass you will need to pay a $10 day use fee to park.
We made use of the clear umbrellas for their first look at the lake shore; I always suggest to couples to have these as a back up in case of rain.
A Small and Intimate Ceremony
There were a few other small weddings and elopements taking place at the same time, but fortunately we were able to snag a spot on the dock for their ceremony. Because the dock is public land, it can’t be reserved for private events so we set up a small sign letting people know to be courteous as a short ceremony was taking place.
The bride and groom had purchased clear umbrellas for everyone in advance, so they were able to stay dry as the rain sprinkled through their vows.
Moody Mountain Portraits
Once the ceremony wrapped up the bride and groom (and myself included) took a few minutes to warm up in our cars before we continued with their portraits.
There’s a trail that goes all around Trillium so we strolled along about a quarter of the way, stopping now and then anytime we saw an especially picturesque spot we liked the look of.
We wrapped up couples portraits after about a half hour as it started raining rather hard, so we were all eager to warm up at the cabin for the reception dinner.
A Cozy Cabin Dinner
U and L hired a private chef for the dinner, who prepared some scrumptious appetizers, and got busy cooking up a feast for dinner.
Everyone enjoyed a cozy cocktail hour chatting, and U’s sister worked on decorating the cake with flowers left over from the bouquet.
U bought the flowers and did the bouquet and centerpieces herself! I was absolutely blown away by this because they looked so professional and I honestly thought she herself was a professional florist.
Once dinner was ready they all gathered around to toast the end to a beautiful day, complete with cake cutting and champagne.
Floral Pinks and Deep Burgundys
I absolutely loved the colors they chose for their elopement day- gorgeous jewel tones that fit so perfectly with the Fall leaves of the trees and the moody atmosphere. The bride’s bouquet and tablescape all used the same color palette with pops of soft pinks, deep burgundy maroon, and dark greens.
Even the lighting inside for their dinner was so cozy and intimate, with the pink table runner acting as the perfect accent color to the black tablecloth.
The bride did her bouquet and all the floral centerpieces for the table herself and used the same flowers to decorate the cake, creating a gorgeously harmonious theme of deep, rich colors.
It’s All in the Details
They chose to celebrate surrounded only by their closest loved ones, with the groom’s brother, the bride’s sister, and a few dear friends joining them for this intimate gathering in the mountains. Their beloved dog attended the ceremony as well, and we made sure to get lots of photo ops with him throughout the day. Afterward, they returned to a cozy cabin in Government Camp, where a private chef prepared a delicious dinner for everyone to enjoy together.
Dressed to Impress
Because it was a colder day and we were up on the mountain U opted to wear tights under her dress with blundstone boots, and a wrap that she said kept her quite warm!
L was layered up as well in his suit and the guests had brought their jackets and coats for the outside ceremony.
They changed into their wedding attire at the cabin we were staying at that morning, and when we arrived back at the cabin for the evening meal the bride changed into a separate dress. (The first one having gotten quite wet and heavy from all the rain.)
The groom’s suit highlighted the colors of the bride’s bouquet and the boutonniere added an extra touch of color on his lapel!
Mount Hood – Trillium Lake
Trillium Lake is a beautiful spot nestled in Mount Hood, just past Government Camp. Because there wasn’t any snow in that area yet we were able to drive all the way down to the lake shore where there was available parking. However, if you are coming here in Winter when snow is piled high there is parking at the sno-pak trailhead lot, but the road down to the lake is blocked off to cars due to the snow.
I downloaded offline maps just to make sure I had what I needed to navigate, but I did end up having service at Trillium Lake itself and at Government Camp. From the cabin at Government Camp to the Trillium Lake Dam parking lot it was about an 8 minute drive.
The Trillium Lake loop hike is an easy 1.9 mile trail, with an elevation gain of about 20 feet. The trail stays very flat and steady for the loop around the lake making this a great walk to try for all skill levels. It’s barrier free and designed to be accessible for wheelchair users, mobility equipment, and strollers.
This location is incredibly popular in summer and gets quite busy, so if you’re planning a summer elopement here I definitely recommend an early morning time to beat the crowds. It’s just as beautiful in Fall but can be very rainy as seen for this elopement day, so come prepared with umbrellas and layers. In Winter the main trailhead is closed to vehicles due to the snow, adding more miles to the hike and a higher elevation gain. For more information on the Winter Loop check out the All Trails listing here.
Permits, passes, & legalities
Special Use Permit
A special use permit was not required for this small of a gathering, and because we didn’t have a specific space to rent out and brought no decorations or arbors with us.
A special use permit would be needed to get married here if there are 75 or more people in attendance, or if you wanted to forego the day pass parking fee for your guests and pay for a special use permit instead.
Day Use Fee
A $10 day use fee is required at Trillium Lake, one pass per vehicle. Day passes can be purchased from the ranger station at the entrance to the lake parking lot. The only recreation pass accepted in lieu of day use fee payment is the $30 Annual Northwest Forest Pass.
Oregon State Marriage License Info
To get a marriage license in Oregon you will need to visit the respective county website; for example Clackamas County would be the county for Trillium Lake. You would first fill out the online application, and then schedule an appointment for the recording division. Both parties:
- need to be present at the appointment with valid government identification
- must be at least 18 years of age (those 17 years of age may get a marriage license with a signed consent form from either parent or guardian. Parent or guardian must be present when the license is purchased.)
- Birth record is requested
There is a non refundable fee of $60 for the license, but it will not be effective for three days. Once the license is effective after the three days you then have 60 days to have a ceremony performed anywhere in Oregon.
For more info on the Clackamas County Marriage License steps click here
Vendor Shoutout
Here are the amazing vendors that took part of the day for this Trillium Lake Mount Hood Elopement:
Wedding Dress: Brides for a Cause
Makeup and Hair: Lash and Lox
Personal Chef: Live Greens PDX
Flowers: the bride did these herself!! (I am still in awe)
Mount Hood Elopement & Wedding Photographer
Hi there, I’m Olivia! An lgbtq+ affirming Mount Hood elopement and wedding photographer based in Portland, Oregon. I’ve always been inspired by fairytales and fantasy growing up, with my work evoking that of a storybook romance come to life.
I specialize in images that truly capture the beauty of the nature around you; not only documenting events but weaving them into captivating visual stories that celebrate love in its most enchanting form.
From breathtaking landscapes to intimate, candid moments, I help couples plan their dream day in nature’s most magical settings. If you envision your day as a harmonious blend of intimacy and natural splendor, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s make your day feel like a fairytale come to life! Click here to inquire with me
Mount Hood Elopement & Wedding Packages
Elopement packages start at 4 hours of coverage at $2,500 and include a high resolution online gallery with printing rights, over 200 digital images, and my exclusive elopement planning guide.
Wedding packages start at 5 hours of coverage at $2,875 and include over 250 high resolution digital images with printing rights, and my exclusive wedding planning guide.
My most popular package includes 6 hours of coverage at $3,500, over 400 digital images, a high resolution online gallery with printing rights, and a complimentary engagement session.
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Rave Review
“The end result is 1000% better than I had originally envisioned. Olivia fully understood the desired vibe of the photo shoot, and with upbeat precision, she absolutely delivered! Her work wonderfully captures a moody contrast of fall-colors in dark weather, and yet a theme of joy shines through the misty ambiance. The successful capture of our emotional, joyful, wacky, and wet wedding day means so much. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, Olivia.”
