A winter elopement at Jefferson View Shelter

Hayley and Andrew’s winter elopement at Jefferson View Shelter was everything they had wished for! traveled all the way from Boise, Idaho, to get married in Bend. The one thing they most wanted was some snow! At the start of planning, we considered a few spots around Central Oregon, depending on the winter weather. Since Hayley and Andrew were up for adventure, I suggested we snowshoe to Jefferson Shelter, a cozy spot in the woods with amazing mountain views on clear days.

Before their elopement, Hayley and Andrew visited Bend, and we finally met in person. They checked out the trail themselves and loved it, so Jefferson Shelter became the official plan for their wedding.

Central Oregon weather is always unpredictable. That winter in Bend was pretty dry, and for a while, it looked like we wouldn’t get the snow we wanted. But just a couple of days before the elopement, fresh snow finally fell. The timing was perfect, and everything was covered in white just in time.

Hayley and Andrew chose to keep things small, inviting just three close friends and their dog to join the adventure. One friend officiated, and the other two were witnesses, making it a truly intimate group. We all set out on the hike together, and I took photos along the way instead of waiting until we arrived. That’s what I love about adventure elopements: the journey is just as important as the ceremony. When we reached Jefferson Shelter, Hayley and Andrew changed into their wedding clothes and started a fire inside the hut. They had some drinks, warmed up, and took their time before heading outside to exchange vows.

Their outfits looked amazing against the fresh snow. Andrew wore a green velvet suit jacket, and Hayley chose a fitted, sparkly gold dress instead of something traditional. The combination was perfect for their unique winter elopement.

After the ceremony, we explored the area for more photos before packing up and hiking back together. I kept taking pictures along the way, capturing the small moments with their friends, their dog, and the two of them enjoying the day they had planned. Photographing an elopement like this was so much fun. There was no strict schedule or rush to get to the next thing. We hiked, made a fire, had drinks, exchanged vows in the snow, took photos, and hiked back together.

For two people who traveled from Boise hoping for a snowy winter elopement in Bend, Central Oregon delivered at just the right moment.

Looking to elope in the snow somewhere near Bend, Oregon? Check out this proposal at Dutchman Flat Sno-park for more inspiration here!