After years of friendship, trust and traveling, these two best friends took the ultimate leap by eloping by the riverside on a chilly December day. On the day of the wedding, the forecast called for "freezing rain and snow" at the ceremony location of Lucia Falls, in Yacolt, Washington. They woke up to rain, and knew they were in for a true Pacific Northwest winter experience.

Planning, design, florals, rentals, photography & officiating by Arche Creative

Ceremony Location, Lucia Falls

Reception Location, at home on the Lux Farm

Catering, Art of Catering

Custom Dishware, A Frame Pottery

Wedding cake, Dream Cakes

The best way to spend the morning before your elopement

Before the quick car ride to the waterfalls, the couple spent a quiet morning at home eating bagels from their favorite local spot. While at home and listening to music, the couple got ready together. Once the gown was zipped and the bowtie tied, they paused for family portraits in their backyard with their beloved furbaby, Lux.

A forest hike to the wedding ceremony

One of the best parts of eloping in the Pacific Northwest, is when a traditional processional is disguised as a nature walk. Once they arrived to the chosen site of their ceremony the rain stopped as if by magic.

Closing the wedding ceremony with a toast!

The rain held off for the entire ceremony, allowing the sun to peek out from behind the towering evergreens. In their wool socks and snow boots, they listened to the ceremony custom written to their values & life goals. The ceremony script was themed around the strength and fluidity of a river but also included lyrics from their song, Forever Like That by Ben Rector. They read their written vows to each other with teary eyes and sealed their marriage with a toast!

“Love, like a river, will cut a new path whenever it meets an obstacle.”

—Crystal Middlemas

The coziest winter elopement!

Celebrating at home with a private chef & mixologist

With a newlywed glow, the couple headed home to properly celebrate the occasion. Upon their arrival, they warmed up with hot toddys and hors d'oeuvres.

Rachel and Eric poured so much love and customization into their private wedding dinner. They made charger plates and soup bowls for their meal. They gave their little barn a fresh coat of paint and hung boutique lighting fixtures. They even went "tree-hunting" in the local national forest (with permits, of course!) for fresh greenery. Arche Creative completed the decor and brought in a private mixologist and chef who created their 5 course custom menu complete with cocktail pairings. Even their doggo got her very own plated entree of salmon skin and carrot puree.