Being asked to shoot Woody and Casey’s Minam River Lodge Oregon Wedding was like winning the lottery. The moment I received their email, I felt jittery with excitement. Despite living within 2 hours of Joseph Oregon and the Wallowas for almost 20 years of my life, I had never heard of the Minam River Lodge. Tucked away deep in the wilderness of the Wallowas, the Minam River Lodge is only accessible via private plane or a strenuous hike. Their website advertises an otherworldly experience. Without cell service or internet access, the Lodge feels truly remote.
Planning an Adventure Wedding in The Oregon Wilderness
After meeting Woody and Casey on Facetime, my vision for how I wanted to shoot their wedding came together quickly. As they told me about their plans, I imagined a story unfolding right away. My hope was to document their adventure wedding with as many candid moments and landscape shots as possible. I told them right away I wanted to feel like a fly on the wall with my camera and take part in as many of their wedding events as possible. Sure enough, the moment I arrived at the Minam River Lodge, I was lovingly welcomed into their group of 10 people.
The logistics of bringing 8 friends from different parts of the country to remote Oregon wasn’t easy. Accessing the River Lodge is easiest from Pendleton, Enterprise, La Grande, and Walla Walla. Several of their friends decided to hike in from the Minam River Access Trailhead. The hike is a strenuous 8.5 mile hike with 2000 feet of elevation gain. It is classified as a difficult hike. 4 of their friends decided to fly in on chartered private planes. I have flown on private bush planes in Alaska, but never in the Lower 48.
Once in a Lifetime Experience
It’s hard to narrow down one thing that makes the Minam River Lodge so special. The staff stands out in my mind because of how personable, warm, and exceptionally passionate they are about providing an experience you’ll never forget. The moment I stepped on the property, it felt like every staff member already knew my name. Throughout the week, we got to know the personal stories and backgrounds of every staff member on site. Those relationships are the heart behind the lodge. It feels like a sacred oasis and sacred community of people who value connection, nature, and sustainability.
Each cabin is designed thoughtfully to feel rustic yet luxurious. I took a giant deep breath the moment I walked into my cabin for the first time. The stunning wood logs and scent of pine trees throughout the cabin felt immersive with the surrounding woods. Each cabin has a small wood burning stove with stacks of logs adjacent. My favorite part of the cabin was the incredible bathrooms. I took one of the best showers of my life in the black tiled shower with a rain showerhead. Also, of the cabins have an expansive front porch. I loved taking a few moments to journal or wake up with coffee on the porch. Getting cozy with a blanket in their wooden rocking chairs felt like returning to an older time.
The Minam River
The property is filled with activities and recreation. A short 10 minute walk from the lodge is an amazing sandy river beach. Every afternoon, when the sun was at its peak, we laid in tubs in the river to cool off. Next to the river, there is a wooden sauna. Also! A cedar hot tub is located down a private trail right on the river for privacy. Surrounding the lodge, there are tons of hikes, opportunities for fly fishing, exploring, berry picking, and more.
If you’re considering a Minam River Lodge Oregon wedding, I have to mention the exquisite food. The lodge is proud of their amazing organic farm and greenhouse on site. Each day, their talented chef plans their creative family style dinner with the ingredients available right on the farm. The food is intricately made, healthy, and a true experience in and of itself. I will never forget spending every evening on the expansive porch overlooking the canyon watching planes land and take off as we ate dinner. Each night, there were 4-5 courses. The chef presents each course as it is served.
Minam River Lodge Wedding
My favorite thing about Woody and Casey’s Minam River Lodge Oregon wedding was how intentional they were with how they invested their wedding budget into the best experience possible. They invited their 6 best friends to indulge in a once in a lifetime experience, with a wedding thrown in the mix. Rather than spending their wedding budget on a venue they could spend 5 hours at, they invested in a full 3 day weekend vacation with their favorite people. There was enough time to get to have one on one conversations with every person present. And the build up to their wedding on the last day was so special as everyone bonded and grew excited together.
LGBTQ/Same Sex Wedding Photographer
I was ecstatic when Woody and Casey told me they found my work from my LGBTQ Boise Wedding Vendor Guide. They decided to search for an LGBTQ wedding photographer in Boise because it is the biggest, most liberal city surrounding Eastern Oregon. I felt so honored that they felt safe and seen in my wedding portfolio. Queer weddings are simply the best of the best! They mentioned how challenging it was to find a same sex wedding photographer in Eastern Oregon for their Minam River Lodge Oregon Wedding.
I am the luckiest wedding photographer in the world to have experienced the magic of this beautiful place.
The Best Remote Luxury Lodges for an Intimate Wedding or Elopement
- Sage Lodge in Big Sky Montana
- Amangani in Jackson Wyoming
- Rainbow Ranch Big Sky Montana
- Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch in Sun Valley Idaho
- Sorrel River Lodge in Moab, Utah
- Bishop’s Lodge in Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California
- The Sea Ranch Lodge in the Bay Area, California
- The Rock at Ranch Creek in Missoula, MT
- Moose Creek Ranch in Victor, Idaho
My favorite Intimate Weddings & Elopements on my Blog
Traci and Pilgrim’s Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch Wedding
Kait & Robbie’s Ventana Big Sur Elopement
Kara & Jordan’s Cabin Wedding in Colorado
Meghan & Sam’s Lazy H Ranch Idaho Wedding
