Rachel & Ments | River Run Lodge Wedding Near Bend, Oregon

Rachel and Ments are particularly special to me. I first photographed their engagement, then their wedding, followed by maternity and newborn sessions. And now we're getting ready for their daughter's first birthday. I don't often get to follow someone's life so closely through my camera, and I cherish that they've kept inviting me back.

For their wedding, they chose River Run Lodge near Bend, Oregon. The venue sits above the Deschutes River canyon, with unparalleled views of the mountains and surrounding high desert. The outdoor ceremony space is pretty spectacular on its own, and the lodge has large windows, a wraparound deck, and plenty of space to enjoy the landscape without spending the entire day outside.

It's also an great venue from a photographer's perspective. Everything is close enough I don’t have to worry about missing something important, but there is also plenty of different areas for guests to disperse and for me to create a better variety of images. Open views, beautiful natural light, wooded areas - you name it, and an indoor space that works just as well once the sun goes down.

And speaking of evenings, Rachel and Ments were the very last two on the dance floor. Just the two of them, dancing as if the rest of the world had disappeared somewhere along the way. It’s been a few years now, but I think about them slow dancing in the dark late at night, just the two of them.

A wedding dress hanging inside a room with cream curtains. The dress is white with lace details and buttons down the back.
Wedding invitations, a white calla lily flower with a green stem, a light blue wax seal, and a small hexagonal box, all arranged on a light green fabric background.
Two bottles of white wine chilling in a glass bowl filled with ice cubes.
Elegant wedding table arrangement with a floral centerpiece of white roses, calla lilies, and baby's breath, with table number 7 sign, surrounded by glassware, candles, and place setting with a green napkin and silverware.
A pair of white high-heeled shoes, a small gold perfume bottle, and a small box on a wooden surface.
A woman is helping another woman fasten a lace detail on her dress, possibly preparing for a wedding. The focus is on their hands and the back of the dress, with the woman wearing jewelry including rings and a gold bracelet.
A woman helps a bride with her wedding dress, adjusting the lace sleeve.
Wedding invitation, wedding rings in a green ring box, a pair of white lace ballet flats, colorful earrings, perfume bottle, and a small box on a white surface.
A perfume bottle, a pair of rings in a green velvet box, and a pair of pearl and gemstone earrings on a white surface.
A bride with long hair and a veil, viewed from the back, stands in front of four women in matching dresses who are smiling and reacting with surprise, in a room with wooden beams and hanging lamps.
A bride in a wedding dress with a long veil standing on an outdoor balcony, looking at a man in a suit walking away.
A groom in a blue suit greets a bride in a lace wedding dress and veil on a wooden balcony surrounded by trees.
Bride and groom in wedding attire standing on a wooden balcony, leaning against a building with large windows, surrounded by trees.
Wedding reception table set with plates, glasses, silverware, white and green table linens, and floral centerpieces, viewed through a window with reflections of hanging lanterns.
A bride in a white lace wedding dress and veil stands on a wooden observation deck, looking toward a groom in a dark suit standing at the edge with the back to the camera, overlooking a river and dense forest in a mountainous area.
A bride and groom exchanging vows on a wooden balcony overlooking a river and forested hills.
A groom in a dark suit with a boutonniere reads vows from a booklet to a bride with a lace wedding dress and veil outdoors on a sunny day.
A bride wiping tears from her eyes during her wedding ceremony as a groom holds her hand.
Bride and groom kissing on a wooden balcony surrounded by trees.
A bride and groom smiling and looking at each other outdoors, standing on a wooden platform with a tree branch overhead, surrounded by green trees.
A bride and groom touching foreheads with their eyes closed, holding hands outdoors during their wedding.
A bride and groom holding hands, walking on a forest trail, smiling, with trees and sunlight in the background.
Bride in a lace wedding gown with an open back, wearing a veil and earrings, holding a bouquet of white flowers including roses, orchids, and baby's breath, standing outdoors with a blurred natural background.
Wedding welcome sign with white metal border, decorated with small white flowers, placed in front of a tree with a brown wooden fence in the background.
Bride in a white wedding dress with lace and floral details, holding a bouquet of white flowers, standing outdoors on a grassy area with trees and hills in the background.
A bride in a white gown and six bridesmaids in green dresses posed outdoors in a scenic landscape with trees and hills, smiling and looking at the camera.
Group of men in suits smiling and celebrating outdoors at a wedding, with some wearing boutonnieres.
A group of men in suits, some with boutonnières, lifting a man in a suit and tie horizontally in an outdoor setting with trees and a blue sky.
Smiling elderly woman and young man in a suit hugging outdoors under a large tree with green leaves. The woman is wearing a patterned dress with a pink shawl and a white corsage, and the man is dressed in a gray suit with a white shirt and light-colo
A group of men dressed in suits raising glasses in a toast indoors.
A seating chart on a white metal stand with the heading "Find Your Seat," displaying rows of names and table numbers for a wedding reception outside on a wooden deck, with greenery and a building in the background.
A bride in a wedding dress with lace details and a veil, smiling and holding a bouquet, walking in a hallway with bridesmaids behind her.
Groom and groomsmen standing at an outdoor wedding ceremony near a backdrop of hills and trees, with seated guests watching.
A bride and groom share a kiss during their outdoor wedding ceremony, with bridesmaids and groomsmen standing nearby and a scenic natural landscape in the background.
Group of groomsmen dressed in gray suits with white shirts and light-colored ties at an outdoor wedding, standing on a platform with greenery and trees in the background.
A group of six women standing outdoors on a balcony, dressed in shades of green satin dresses, holding bouquets of white flowers, with a background of trees and a cloudy sky.
Close-up of a wedding ceremony with a bride and groom holding hands during a vow exchange, an officiant reading from a book in the background.
Outdoor wedding ceremony with a bride and groom exchanging vows under a floral arch, surrounded by bridesmaids and groomsmen, with guests seated in front.
People attending an outdoor event, likely a wedding, seated on white chairs in front of a wooden fence with trees in the background.
A bride and groom holding hands during their wedding ceremony, with an officiant in the background, outdoors on a balcony decorated with white flowers and greenery.
A bride and groom kiss during their outdoor wedding ceremony, with three bridesmaids holding bouquets on the left and a man in a gray suit clapping on the right, all under a decorated wooden arch with white roses and baby's breath.
A newlywed couple holding hands and smiling at their wedding ceremony outdoors, with guests seated in the background and floral decorations on either side.
Close-up of a woman wearing an lace dress and a man wearing a suit. The woman’s hand is resting on the man’s arm, with rings on her fingers.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom smiling, with a woman in a dress bending down in front of them, all inside a room with a mirror.
A bride and groom kiss inside a wooden room, seen through a window with multiple panes, during their wedding.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom standing on steps, holding hands, in front of a modern building with large windows and a ceiling decorated with balloons.
A bride and groom standing close together outdoors among trees, with the bride wearing a white lace wedding gown and veil, and the groom in a black suit and tie, on a grassy area.
A couple kissing on their wedding day, with the groom in a dark suit and light-colored tie, and the bride in a white lace wedding dress with floral embroidery, wearing earrings, outdoors with trees in the background.
Round table set for a meal with white plates, gold utensils, green napkins, glassware, small candles, and a floral centerpiece of white roses and baby's breath.
People socializing at an outdoor event under trees, with small tables holding drinks and flower arrangements.
Elegant dining setup with white tablecloths, floral centerpieces, glassware, and place settings at a wedding reception or special event, viewed through a glass window with reflections of trees and ceiling lights.
Decorative setup with white candles in glass holders, white baby's breath flowers, and a glass jar of chocolate chip cookies.
A bride and groom smiling and holding hands while descending a wooden staircase. The bride is wearing a long, form-fitting wedding gown with lace details on the top and sleeves. The groom is dressed in a dark suit with a light tie and boutonniere.
A bride and groom wedding dance in a warmly lit reception hall surrounded by seated guests, with large windows and wooden beams overhead.
A bride and groom dancing at a wedding reception indoors, with guests seated at tables in the background.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom sharing a kiss during their wedding reception in a bright, modern room with large windows. Guests are seated at tables in the background.
Close-up of a floral arrangement with white orchids, roses, and baby's breath, set in a glass vase on a decorated table.
Wedding welcome sign for Rachel and Ments on a metal stand decorated with white flowers, outdoors with trees in the background.
A formal dining table setup with a centerpiece of white roses, baby's breath, and anthuriums, surrounded by wine glasses, candles, and place cards.
A man giving a speech at a wedding reception, with the bride and groom seated at a decorated table behind him. The table has white floral arrangements and candles. The setting has large windows showing trees outside.
Close-up of a bride and groom holding hands, with the groom wearing a gold watch and the bride wearing a lace wedding dress.
A wedding reception with a man and woman laughing at a table, and a man giving a speech with a microphone in front of them.
A young man in a suit hugging an elderly woman in a red dress during a wedding reception, with guests seated at tables in a warmly lit venue with large windows in the background.
Bride and groom dancing at their wedding reception with seated guests in the background.
Group of women embracing and hugging each other at a social gathering or celebration.
A woman in a white dress smiling and enjoying a drink at a lively event or party, with other guests in the background.
A black-and-white photo of a couple kissing during a celebration, with other people in the background.
People dancing and celebrating at a party or wedding reception in a crowded indoor space.
A black and white photo of a lively party with many people dancing and socializing indoors, with a DJ in the background.
Group of people dancing and celebrating at a party, with some holding drinks, in a lively and festive atmosphere.
Elegant table centerpiece with white flowers, orchids, and baby's breath surrounded by lit candles in glass holders, set against a softly lit background with trees and string lights.
A group of women in formal dresses dancing and enjoying themselves at a party or celebration in a decorated indoor venue.
Group of women at a celebration, dancing and celebrating indoors, wearing colorful dresses with a floral bouquet in one woman's hands.
A group of women at a wedding reception, celebrating and dancing with the bride who is hugging a fellow woman, with others clapping and smiling around them.
Two women embrace in the center of a group of people at a wedding reception, with everyone smiling and clapping.
A woman in a wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers, smiling with her arm raised, surrounded by people at a celebration or party.
A couple hugging, with the woman resting her head on the man's chest during a dance at their wedding reception, both with closed eyes.
A woman in a white dress dancing with a man in a white shirt and brown shoes at a wedding reception venue with wooden floors, round tables, and a large chandelier.
A smiling bride and groom walking through a party surrounded by friends, holding hands, as guests cheer and raise their hands in celebration during a wedding reception.

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