A July Sparks Lake Oregon Elopement, surrounded by the Cascade Mountain Range. This is one of the best elopement locations in Bend, and maybe even in all of Oregon. You get wide grassy meadow criss crossed with creeks. Views of the cascade mountains, including Broken Top Mt, Three Sisters Mountains, and Mt Bachelor. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets can be seen from this meadow. You are a short 15 minute drive to the shore of Sparks Lake, should you want elopement photos on the lake itself. Another reason this location is one of the best elopement locations in Bend, is that it is so close and easy to access!
C + N reached out to me wanting to plan a really laid back and relaxed elopement. We chatted about a few elopement locations but ultimately decided on the meadow at Sparks Lake in Bend, Oregon for their elopement. They were legally married at the court, and so we shot these photos to celebrate their marriage. Just the Bride + Groom in the valley between three huge mountains. From this Sparks Lake meadow, you are surrounded by Mt Bachelor, Broken Top Mt, and the South Sister mountain.
Sparks Lake is about a 45 minute drive from Bend, Oregon, if you go all the way in the gravel/dirt road to the lake shore access. This meadow is about 15 minutes closer, and has the cutest creeks winding all through it. I absolutely adore photographing elopements or portrait sessions here whenever the season permits. The light changes all throughout the seasons making it feel different each time. It is inaccessible during the winter due to the road snow closures. It can get busy though! This was a Monday evening and there was at least 3 other groups out here taking advantage of the beautiful location. Luckily, the location in this area is quite large and can handle all everyone without feeling crowded. When planning your a July elopement, I highly recommend picking a weekday just to have more privacy.
Brides often ask me what they should bring for their elopement or how they can better plan the celebration. As an Oregon elopement photographer I love this question!! You should bring whatever makes you feel excited. The classic champagne is an obvious choice! But if you genuinely do not like champagne, what is something you love that you can incorporate? Many of my Brides + Grooms enjoy kombucha, beer, wine, burritos, coffee, donuts, pizza, shots, and many other delightfullll wedding day treats. Don’t feel boxed in with your options! This is 100% your elopement day and you can do whatever the heck you want.
If you want to uplevel and make your elopement day a little more luxury, consider a private chef! Many of my elopement couples book private chef meals or desserts for their elopement day.
Being a Bend elopement photographer, I love when my couples are down for whatever and lean into the moment. This creek bank with the patch of tempting green grass was just asking for a sit. C + N took a break just breathing the view in from this spot. This creek is another highlight of this elopement location. It is seasonally changing but here in July at this elopement it was flowing beautifully.
Photographing elopements out here at this location in the Cascades is the perfect time to get to bring out my drone! I don’t get to use my drone a lot during weddings, so when I do it is always a fun treat.
Planning your Oregon elopement and looking for the best location? Lets chat!! I am an Oregon elopement photographer based in Bend, Oregon but I will travel anywhere for your elopement <3 I love to help my couples with the location planning, scouting, and timeline logistics for their elopements!
