Waterfalls are just my jam. And this beautiful elopement at Mill Creek Falls was amazing. So when you give me a laid-back couple who is willing to get their wedding clothes dirty, put on hiking boots, bring the dog, and head into the woods for some epic portraits… I am SO IN.
Marlena and Colin’s waterfall elopement at Mill Creek Falls was exactly the kind of wedding day I love to photograph. Intimate, adventurous, personal, and completely focused on doing things their way.
The area around Mill Creek Falls is absolutely gorgeous, with mossy trees, towering evergreens, rocky trails, and all those dreamy Pacific Northwest textures that make my photographer heart very happy. There were beautiful woodsy backdrops everywhere we looked, and of course, the waterfall was the star of the show.
But what I loved most about their day was how unapologetically them it was.
Marlena and Colin chose a non-traditional approach to their wedding and created a day around what actually felt right for them. There was no pressure to follow a traditional wedding formula just because that’s what you’re “supposed” to do. Instead, they made space for the things they loved: nature, adventure, their pup, and each other.
And I am HERE FOR IT.
Marlena was absolutely stunning. Her dress was beautiful, but I especially loved the way she made it her own. The slit showed off her adorable boots and those gorgeous leg tattoos, and let me tell you…
OW. 🔥
That little peek of boots and tattoos against the forest was perfection.
And Colin’s pea coat? The color looked SO good against all that lush green. It complemented the forest beautifully and gave his portraits such a cool, timeless feel.
Then there was their dog, because obviously we needed a furry member of the wedding party along for the adventure. 🐾 You know how I feel about this—dogs are family, and I will never get tired of couples including them in their wedding days.
What I loved most about photographing Marlena and Colin was how relaxed they were. They weren’t worried about keeping their clothes pristine or making everything look perfectly traditional. They were willing to hike, explore, get a little dirty, and have some fun together.
And that freedom shows in the photos.
Their day felt intimate and sweet, but it also felt like an adventure. Exactly what an elopement should be when you’re creating a wedding day around the two of you rather than everyone else’s expectations.
Marlena and Colin, you were so lovely to work with, and I am genuinely thrilled I got to be a part of your beautiful, unconventional, wonderfully adventurous wedding day.
Congratulations to the newlyweds! 🤍 And thank you for letting me hang out with you in the woods, chase waterfalls, photograph your adorable pup, and celebrate your love in the best possible way.
