Rachel reached out to me on the Winter Solstice and her Oregon elopement inquiry was pure magic. I felt immediately connected to these soulmate clients and I couldn’t wait to document such an epic love story. Rachel shared “we are absolute lovebirds connected in this life and most definitely others before.” This sentiment is so deeply beautiful to me, and I could see and feel the passionate intimacy between them every time we met, and even more intensely on their day of union.

Rachel and Toby held their elopement ceremony in the magical and wooded Tillamook Forest in Oregon. They incorporated unique and personal elements into the morning and every second felt slow, intentional and full of wonder. They created an alter of crystals, forest treasures and smudge sticks. Before getting ready, they took a private walk in the woods to ground themselves in the moments. They sipped tea and took in the day as it unfolded, focusing on what the universe intended for them. An officiant joined to share vows under a mystical fall tree and the light and autumnal colors were supreme. After vows and creating images throughout the river and forest, Rachel and Toby moved into their Rebirth ceremony and very bravely did a cold plunge in the Wilson River. The water was just below 40 degrees on this crisp November day. What a treat to photograph!

It’s so important to me that couples have photos of the all the scenes and details from their elopement, and I was spoiled with an incredibly picturesque Oregon location that sparked so much creativity. What I love about Oregon forest elopements is the way you can create images that have such vastly different moods, tones and details simply by walking a few feet in different directions.

Documenting connection is pure joy to me, and these two have a chemistry that begs to be written about. I found myself taking so many close frames of how they embraced and held each other, like extensions of one another, always touching and looking at the other as if no one else in the world exists. A love so, so beautiful! Enjoy these frames from a truly special day with a legendary couple. Still pinching myself I was the one to document!

• Location: Tillamook State Forest

• Officiant: Sarah from Young,Hip & Married

Congrats, lovebirds! ❤️🕊️

-Angelina