An elopement at Smith Rock in Oregon.
Looking for the perfect elopement location? Smith Rock State Park is an elopement location I find myself in often. Year round it continues to be beautiful. Crowds come and go with the seasons, so plan your elopement around tourist flow.
Whether it’s just you and your honey with the officiant, or you want to bring along your closest friends and family who have been there for you through it all, Smith Rock is an elopement location that can do it all. The Smith Rock Amphitheater is available for small ceremonies, with the back drop being the rocky hillside ledges on (almost) all sides.
Parking can be scarce, so consider a bus for your group like this one that H + A had! The Bend Trolley is awesome, and perfect for small group transportation to and from the elopement.
Smith Rock is an iconic elopement location, but is loved by rock climbers, hikers, sightseeing tourists, and locals alike. I’d recommend planning your elopement for a weekday spring through fall, and if you plan for a winter elopement, expect wind or rain. I’ve only seen snow at Smith Rock one time, but we had the place to ourselves and it was breathtaking.
There are many backdrops at Smith Rock that are worth photographing. This is at the amphitheater, on the far side of the parking lot loop. Many couples choose to have their ceremony here at the Smith Rock and wander around for bridal portraits separately to get even more variety of views for their elopement photos.
Smith Rock looks vastly different depending on the time of day, weather, and the season. This elopement at Smith Rock in Oregon was in spring on a mostly cloudy afternoon when the sun was high and bright. You can find other galleries of days I’ve shot at Smith Rock when it was evening golden hour, or moody cloudy autumn.
