I have been so excited to share more photos from this rainy Oregon wedding at Camp Westwind on the coast! This was a 3-day photo adventure for me, and I had such a great time documenting it all! This is also the biggest blog post I have ever made, and narrowing it down to just these was hard enough as it was! Find the link to see the full gallery and even more amazingness below.

As the couple answered how they found me on my online photo inquiry form, “we met in a large house in Utah”. Which is true! These two are friends with my bestie and her husband, and we all met during a big group trip that my friend planned in Utah early last year. I was so excited when they chose me as their wedding photographer, and even more excited about their wedding plans. The plans included hiking in 2 miles to a secluded summer camp on the Oregon coast and staying put for 3 days. It also included an evening of Contra Dancing, which if you know me at all, you know I’m a big fan of it!

Oregon Summer Camp Wedding Orientation

The big weekend finally came, and I arrived to the parking area just moments before the charter bus arrived to drop off some of the guests. Everyone’s luggage was loaded up on a big truck and driven to camp, but everyone else had to enjoy a 2 mile hike via foot. The hike in was lush and green and very pretty. About half-way in we were met with a lemonade stand created by the bride’s mom. I heard at least one guest singing a Camp Westwind song, and learned that they had attended Summer Camp here as a child.

Once we arrived at camp, everyone was assigned a cabin. I’m not kidding when I say my cabin was straight up the side of the mountain, up about 1500 stairs, and the outhouse next to it had the best view of camp and the ocean. But, I didn’t take a photo of any of it, because it was such a trek, I left most of my luggage and photo gear down below for the whole weekend! See a timelapse I made of the hike up and down here.

Later that evening everyone gathered in the main lodge for a welcome dinner. There was live music, and after dinner, everyone learned how to do a bit of contra & square dancing. Once dinner was over, lots of people headed down to the beach for a bonfire.

Rainy Oregon Wedding at Camp Westwind

The next morning, everyone met back in the main lodge for breakfast, and planned out their activities for the morning. Everyone knew a big storm was rolling in, but we all tried to pretend it was going to disappear! By lunch time, the rain had really started coming down, and the wind was picking up. The couple had some big decisions to make about whether or not to pivot their plans for having a ceremony on the beach. After some deliberation, the groom stood on a table in the dining hall and announced to everyone that the show would continue as planned. Everyone cheered and hollered. Guests were told to wear whatever they felt comfortable in for the ceremony, and that they could change into their official wedding attire after the ceremony. Ponchos were available for everyone to wear.

After lunch, I headed to the bride’s cabin to start photographing the getting ready preparations. The wind and rain continued to pick up outside but indoors, the fireplace was warm and cozy bustling vibes were all around. The bride had her hair and makeup done while looking out over the stormy ocean. After a while, I ran down the hill to document the groom getting ready.

Once they were both ready, they had a first look in front of the cabin. It looked so cozy and romantic in the background, with smoke streaming up from the chimney. They wanted to have a more private vow reading to each other, so after the first look they ducked underneath some bushes on a cliffwall and did just that! It was such a sweet moment and these are some of my favorite photos from the day.

After a few more portraits, family and wedding party braved the rain for their portraits as well. Then everyone headed to the lodge to prepare for the ceremony.

Ceremony on the Beach

By this time the wind was really whipping around, and the rain was strong and steady. It was decided that the couple & wedding party would exit from the lodge and lead the guests behind them to the ceremony site. Once everyone was seated, the ceremony began. The wind was so strong that I could not carry my umbrella like I normally do while shooting in the rain. Luckily, a very nice guest offered to hold my umbrella for me the entire time! He ran around and followed me all over the site to keep my camera from getting drenched. I don’t know how I would have done it without him! If he’s reading this… thank you again!! And, if anyone reading this has any photos of me running around during the ceremony, I would very much like to see them! I love that everyone was supportive of the couple’s adventurous decision to marry in the rain. I love so many of these photos!

After the ceremony, everyone followed the couple back up the hill to the lodge and started the party! Dinner was full of some of the most enthusiastic and exuberant toasting I’ve ever witnessed. And the couple decided to do a cake stand, instead of the traditional cake cutting! The awesome DJ, Zacch, of Paradox Productions arrived this day and due to downed trees had to stay overnight, unplanned. Lucky for the guests, the dance party went late into the night!

The Vendors

Venue – Camp Westwind

Cake & Desserts – Ville Velo Bakeshop

Rings – ABC Jewelry Portland

Groom’s Attire – Collier Portland

DJ – Paradox Productions | Zacch

Photographer – Crystal Genes Photography

See More Photos From This Rainy Wedding at Camp Westwind

Scroll down to see more photos from this wedding. Also, check out this link to see the full wedding day gallery. And, please leave a comment for the couple down below to help them earn some free prints!

See More Photos From This Wedding

Don’t forget to check out this link to see the full wedding day gallery. And, please leave a comment for the couple down below to help them earn some free prints!