This year has certainly been one of trials and difficulty! With the pandemic causing stress and re-planning for many couples, my first reaction is of course that my heart breaks for them. The last thing I would ever wish on a couple is not being able to have the wedding they truly want, celebrating with all the people they love.

However, once the dust settles on that initial heart break, there can be a positive side to things, and my broken heart fills right back up when a new wedding vision is born; one that is intimate and wild, adventurous and unique.  

Re-planning Justin and Sarah’s wedding went just this way, from the heartbreak and uncertainty of their original venue closing, to estimating a re-opening in time for their wedding date, and then the final acceptance that the closures from  pandemic were going to be much longer, effecting even September wedding dates.  Following this, there were several phone and video chats back and forth re-creating a new vision for an intimate elopement out in the wild- where that could be, and how that could all work.  

All of this change and uncertainty ultimately led us to a beautiful 70-degree fall evening in Sparks Lake where two people united their lives together amidst the wild beauty of the mountains and the serenity of the lakes, surrounded by the love of a small gathering of their closest family and friends. 

If you’ve been following along with Dom and I through the last few months of instagram/Facebook and blog posts, you probably know our deep passion and love for the Bend/Sisters Wilderness area. There’s just something about that high desert combined with valleys nestled amidst towering volcanoes that gets our hearts racing!  So when Sarah, Justin and I were discussing possible locations for their elopement, I had to suggest Sparks Lake for its raw beauty and close proximity to Bend and Sunriver. 

Justin and Sarah live down near Orange County and had originally planned a big wedding at McMenamins Edgefield.  McMenamins unfortunately wasn’t able to re-open in time for a summer or even late fall wedding, so choosing a new location for their now-intimate celebration was a big choice! Keeping their wedding in the Northwest was important to these two, and there are so many beautiful options that it was hard to narrow it down! 

When Sparks Lake was finally chosen I e-mailed Ely Roberts, a fellow photographer who Dom and  I had met while photographing down at Smith Rock this last spring. Ely is an incredible photographer and just about the nicest person in the world, so was eager to give us tons of information on how to work out the perfect Sparks Lake Elopement.

On the morning of Sept. 3rd Dom and I headed out the door at 6am, cresting the top of the pass over Mount Hood just as the sun was coming up. I have cousins who live in Redmond, so we stopped in for some coffee and a catch-up before heading out to Sparks Lake to see how the light was looking.  In the late summer/early fall Sparks Lake’s water level drops significantly and there is a little spit of land which in the spring and early summer is an island and only accessible by canoe or paddle board. It had been a hot week so the island had become accessible by foot and provided the most perfect spot for Justin and Sarah’s ceremony. 

Dom and I had fun running around and picking portrait locations and I even got a little over-excited and ended up losing my shoe in some thick mud!  After scoping things out, we headed over to the Air B+B that Justin, Sarah and their family had rented in Sunriver.  

As we arrived Sarah had just finished curling her gorgeous blond hair and was starting in on her makeup.  Dom and I snapped detail photos while Sarah and her mom watched you-tube videos on how to do a wedding up-do, finishing up her simple yet elegant style with a crystal pin above a low-sitting bun.  Sarah explained to me that she had originally planned to have a friend come and do her makeup but situations changed, so she was doing it all herself from notes her friend had given her.  I watched in amazement as Sarah put together the perfect “Smokey Eye“ (something I’ve never been able to do, no matter how many makeup tutorials I watch!) and touch up her nails with just a bit of sparkle on top of a beautiful white manicure.  Dom snapped photos of Justin donning his suit and then took him out into the field behind the house to get some stunning portraits.  

Sarah’s mom helped her slip into her beautiful dress which she found online and was adorned with the most delicate lace. Her mom burst into tears as Sarah turned, finally all done up in her wedding attire and looking absolutely breathtaking!

We gathered flowers, (which were also made and arranged by Sarah that morning!) dogs, and Champaign and headed out to the lake just as the sun was starting its evening descent. 

On the way out to the lake Sarah told Dom and I all about her and Justin’s epic travel adventures which include Patagonia, Ireland, and Hawaii.  Sarah and Justin had also planned for a honeymoon in Borneo which included visiting the exact island where Dom and I worked as SCUBA instructors and where we fell in love, so there was much excitement in our discussions of where to go and what to see! Although to be honest, Justin and Sarah are such experienced travelers the itinerary they had put together was already perfect, and even included the must-have experience of SCUBA diving at Sipidan island, Dom’s #1 favorite place he’s ever dove!

Pulling up to Sparks Lake, Sarah’s brother was personally hauling a gigantic box of elopement necessities all by himself, so Dom and I tried to grab the carpet and a table to help out as we found Justin and got him placed for the first look.  

Turning to see his stunning bride for the first time, Justin was all smiles as he took in her shining beauty which honestly put the epic mountains surrounding them to shame!

We trekked over to the far edge of the lake, Sarah in her hiking boots for sure footing, and found an epic rock to set these two gorgeous people on while Dom and I clicked away, snapping portraits that reflected Justin and Sarah’s love and adventurous spirit.  

I swear the whole time during portraits we were talking about their travels and epic places they’d been, and after this weekend my travel list has for sure grown longer, so stay tuned for when the world boarders open back up because South America is for sure now on the list! 

We headed over to the ceremony location, and Sarah and her dad waited on the “island” while music and last minute decor arrangements were put together. 

Walking up to Justin, Sarah’s dad’s eyes shone with pride as he handed her over to her soon-to-be husband.  Sarah’s brother officiated and as the rings were passed around the guests to warm them with their love and blessings, Sarah and Justin exchanged vows that will bond them from now to eternity.  As the sun just started to hit the tops of the hill and fill the valley lake with its golden light, Justin and Sarah shared their first kiss as husband and wife and were greeted with an enthusiastic romp of approval from their canine kiddo. 

As Champaign was poured Dom and I took sunset bridal portraits of Justin and Sarah with the placid lake reflecting the beauty of the South Sister and Broken Top mountain.  The evening was concluded with a group cheers, a first dance and a twilight combination father/daughter and mother/son dance that melted my heart.  We packed up and the group headed to their dinner reservations for roasts and a celebration of the union just witnessed. 

Justin and Sarah spend this last week hiking to Broken Top/No Name Lake and exploring the Oregon coast as they traveled back home. Although their Borneo honeymoon will have to be postponed, I look forward to following along and vicariously revisiting that part of the world through their travel photos when they do go! 

Justin and Sarah, Dom and I wish you the most amazing future together and thank you for trusting us to capture your love and this stunning day! 

Check out their beautiful elopement below and leave your love in the comments for these two newlyweds!