Latourell Falls
Kayla and Gus did not always live in Portland, but the Pacific Northwest vibes permeating this Latourell Falls photo session would convince you otherwise. These two live for the moody, dark, foggy days of the PNW. Both originally from New York, they have made Portland their home in the truest form. They love Oregon because of the thousands of miles of trails to explore, hundreds of waterfalls like the one pictured here, and all the amazing vegan food!
↓ Keep reading to see more photos of Latourell Falls, & learn more about eloping in the Columbia River Gorge! ↓
Latourell Falls is one of my favorite places to elope in The Gorge
Latourell is one of a dozen accessible waterfalls you can hike to on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a gorgeous natural recreation site just outside Portland, Oregon. Head east on I-84 (or take the longer route along old highway 30) and you’ll enter the awe-inspiring river valley that spans the northern border of Oregon. On any day in the summer, you’ll be lucky to find parking. The pull-outs, parking lots, and roads are busy with tourists craning their necks to get a glimpse of any one of the dozens of waterfalls. As a Portland local, this means I don’t have the time or patience to that. Instead, I head to The Gorge in the off season. When all the college students are back on campus and everyone else is home for the winter holidays, I get the trails to myself.
Latourell Falls is one of the most easily accessed waterfalls in The Gorge. It’s not as tall as Multnomah Falls, but the short walk to the base is even easier. There is no barrier between hikers and the falls themselves, which means those daring enough to get close will feel the spray of water bouncing back up from the rocky floor of the valley. This particular morning was a Wednesday in November, and we were not competing for access or cropping other visitors out of frame. The experience was sweet and intimate - Kayla & Gus were obviously having fun leaning into each other with their arms wrapped around for warmth.
One of the best things about eloping is having the freedom to choose YOUR best schedule, not the one that most easily suits your guests. You don’t have to get married on a Sunday afternoon in a church, or a Saturday at the event center downtown. You can choose a weekday, when the rest of the world is busy, and find a space just for you two. Eloping in a beautiful place where you feel like the only two people in the world - there’s not really anything else that feels so intimate and personal. It’s something I wish everyone could experience!
From the couple:
“Jenn and Dillen are gems and go above and beyond in their photography- not only capturing amazing photos but giving an experience that makes you feel comfortable and seen. My partner and I normally hate being in front of the camera.. but were instantly comfortable during our photo session, and had all the room in the world to be ourselves. We felt comfortable and supported on our adventures because of their experience and knowledge of the landscape and the outdoors. Not to mention, the photos we received were gorgeous and captured us 100% authentically. I would definitely recommend Jenn + Dillen (and of course, their pup Samson) – it was more than a pleasure to work with them!”
Oregon Waterfalls - Over 200 Intimate Wedding Locations to Choose From
Oregon is known for being a close-to-nature elopement location
When you choose to elope in Oregon (or anywhere in the Pacific Northwest) you’re choosing a place where nature rules! No matter how well you plan your day, you’re at the mercy of Mother Nature and her whimsical weather!
When we plan your elopement timeline, we’ll of course do our duty to research the best time to be at your chosen location for the best chance at the weather and environment you want. But, we’re just being honest when we say things rarely go exactly as planned! On the day Kayla & Gus celebrated their love at Latourell Falls, we witnessed sunlight, fog, and even rain for a few minutes! But we took each change with a positive attitude and I must say that on this autumn date the PNW was on good behavior.
The hundreds of waterfalls in Oregon are at all levels of accessibility, and even significant different altitudes! Latourell Falls is near sea level, which makes it much more accessible during the off season, and therefore Autumn/Winter is your best chance to have some privacy during your elopement. But, there are other falls that take a little bit of hike to get to, and therefore you’re able to find privacy even during the summer! A sunrise elopement at an Oregon waterfall in the mountains is one of the most romantic and intimate ways to begin your marriage.
Elope in the Columbia River Gorge - Choose From a Dozen Waterfalls
Or, there are many more hikes, walk-up locations & viewpoints where you can witness Oregon’s incredible natural beauty
If you have the ability, opportunity, and drive to get to a gorgeous location to say your vows - do it. Whether you’re imagining a waterfall, a mountain top, or a forested meadow, I hope you get there. When it comes to places I suggest as elopement locations to my couples, I’ll try and choose a place that also has a lovely journey to the big reveal.
At Latourell Falls, the most impressive features beside the falls themselves, are the rock formations. Captivating shapes and jagged edges circle the cave created by the falls. The path leading up to this location is made from the same stone. At one point, there is a spot where the rock wall has weathered to create a sort of step-up, or a seat, and this is where we paused for more images before the end of this session. It was a moment for Kayla & Gus to warm up a little, dance a little, and reflect on the beauty of their surroundings without the rush of water drowning out whispers.
The deep green moss and fallen leaves give the PNW a muted, almost quiet, vibe at any time of year. But there is something about the transition from a busy summer to the slower and more reflective season of autumn that makes me smile. It’s almost like wherever you go, the tall trees and early setting sun are telling you it is time to get cozy and snuggle up with those you love. I can’t think of a better time to elope in the PNW than the season where your trees stand stark as witnesses against a darker thoughtful sky!
Want to see more Oregon elopement inspiration? Check out these blogs:
Oregon Coast Elopement
Astoria Couples Session
Ready To Plan Your Own Oregon Elopement?
