Fall Wedding at House on Metolius in Central Oregon | Hannah and Sam

11/05/26

Wedding

Most wedding guests arrive by car. At Hannah and Sam’s fall wedding at House on Metolius, a whole group showed up on bikes, after riding all the way from Bend to Camp Sherman with the couple. As avid cyclists, Hannah and Sam couldn’t imagine getting to their own wedding any other way, and that pretty much sums up how personal their whole day felt.

If you’re planning a fall wedding at House on Metolius, I’m sharing the story of Hannah and Sam’s day, plus a few things I’d want you to know about the venue.

Bride glancing back with a smile as she and the groom walk past a historic wood cabin framed by yellow aspens and ponderosa pines
Stone and wood cabin surrounded by golden aspens, evergreens, and red autumn shrubs at House on Metolius
Bride laughing as her mom buttons up her lace wedding dress in a wood-paneled room
Bride holding out the skirt of her floral lace ball gown in front of wooden French doors
Smiling guest in cycling gear unbuckling her helmet beside a gravel bike after riding in to the wedding in Camp Sherman
Groom in a rust bow tie looking down as his dried-flower boutonniere is pinned to his jacket
Hannah and Sam welcome sign, hanging from a copper stand with a dried floral arrangement at its base

Flowers Grown in Their Own Backyard

Hannah and Sam put so much thought into the little details, and nothing shows that more than their flowers. Months before the wedding, they planted seeds in the front and back yards of their home in Bend. They grew every flower themselves, then cut and dried them so they’d be ready by fall.

I first saw that garden when we shot their Bend Oregon engagement session there, surrounded by the blooms they’d been tending. Seeing those same flowers again on their wedding day made the whole thing come full circle.

Bride tapping the groom’s shoulder for their first look as their black dog watches, with fallen leaves on the lawn at their fall wedding at House on Metolius
Groom in a navy suit and rust bow tie laughing beside the bride in front of a dark wood barn
Bride and groom sharing a kiss as she holds a dried bouquet of orange strawflowers and hanging amaranth
Dried hydrangeas, grasses, and seed pods gathered at the base of a natural wood ceremony arbor
Dried flower bundle tied with silk ribbon to a white folding chair along the ceremony aisle

A Ceremony Led by Their Friends

A few minutes before the ceremony, Hannah sat down with a puzzle. She stayed calm and focused on it right up until it was time to walk down the aisle.

Their friends officiated, and during the ceremony they asked every guest to take the hands of the people beside them. Row by row, the whole crowd linked up while Hannah and Sam said their vows.

Bride in her gown and veil working on a jigsaw puzzle with her mom and a friend at a wooden table before the ceremony
Black dog wearing a rust bow tie sitting between the bride and groom on a lawn scattered with fall leaves
Guests smiling as they join hands across the aisle during the ceremony, with the arbor and mountains in the distance
Bride and groom holding hands with their guests along the aisle as their dog lies on the grass beside them
Row of guests holding hands and laughing under golden fall trees while a guitarist plays nearby
Groom standing at the wooden arbor with his dog on a leash as a guitarist and singer perform behind him
Bride walking down the aisle arm in arm with her mom, both carrying dried bouquets, as guests smile from white chairs
Bride and groom laughing as they hold hands under a wood arbor, with the Metolius River valley and Mt. Jefferson behind their fall wedding at House on Metolius
Groom raising his foot to break the glass as the bride laughs and their dog stands beside them under the arbor
Officiant throwing a fist in the air as the bride and groom kiss under the arbor with snowcapped mountains behind them

Sam Kept Hannah Laughing

Hannah had told me early on that she gets nervous in front of a camera, and Sam seemed to know exactly what to do about it. Any time things got a little too serious, he found a way to crack her up.

During their couple’s portraits, he borrowed her veil, put it on his own head, and took off running across the field. Hannah doubled over laughing while I kept shooting.

Their engagement session had already given us a head start. By the wedding day, Hannah knew how I worked, and you can see how easily she relaxed in every photo.

Groom bowing before the bride near a split-rail fence
Groom wrapped in the bride’s long veil in a golden meadow, with a mountain peak behind them at their fall wedding at House on Metolius
Bride and groom laughing as they walk through tall grass with her veil draped over his head
Groom spreading the bride’s veil wide like wings as she laughs in a sunlit meadow

Who House on Metolius Is Right For

House on Metolius sits on about 200 acres along the Metolius River in Camp Sherman, just a few minutes from Lake Creek Lodge. It’s perfect for couples who want a wedding weekend with complete privacy, no neighbors, and views of Mt. Jefferson from the property.

It’s also a great fit for outdoorsy couples like Hannah and Sam who want their guests close by. The main house and cabins sleep up to 46 guests on site, and the patio seats up to 180 for the reception. Weddings run June through October, so a fall wedding lands near the end of the season.

Wood and stone main house at House on Metolius framed by golden fall leaves
The Metolius River winding through ponderosa pines and golden autumn brush in Camp Sherman
Wooden House on Metolius sign reading “Registered Guests Only” beside a gravel road through the pines

Tips for Planning a Fall Wedding at House on Metolius

For a full breakdown of the ceremony and reception spaces, see my guide to planning your wedding at House on Metolius.

Send guests directions ahead of time

The venue is tucked deep in the trees, and you’d never spot it just driving by. I’ve taken a wrong turn out there myself, so give guests directions or a map pin before they leave.

Try a morning cold plunge

Some couples and guests start the wedding morning with a quick dip in the Metolius River before getting ready.

Keep the decor simple

The vintage, rustic buildings already feel elevated, so you can keep things as minimal as you like. Hannah and Sam’s dried flowers fit right in.

Plan for the walk

The property is spread out, so let older guests know the venue has golf carts to get them from one space to the next.

Vendors

Photography: Kayla Cindy Photo @kaylacindyphoto
Planning: Ponderosa Planning @ponderosaplanning
Venue: House on Metolius @houseonmetolius
Floral: grown, dried, arranged by the couple 🥹
Catering: High Desert Catering @highdesertcatering
Bar: Byrne Event Services
Illustrations: Rachel Lee-Carmen @rachel_leecarman
Hair: The Garrison Collective @the_garrison_collective
Makeup: Kate Hana Artistry @kate_hana_artistry
DJ: @flipflopsounds
Rentals & Signage: Heirlooms and Co. @heirloomsandco
Tent & Furniture: O’Brien Events @obrieneventsinc
Transportation: Shuttle Oregon @shuttle_oregon
Pie: Sisters Bakery @sistersbakeryoregon

Looking for a Camp Sherman wedding photographer to capture your own homegrown details and favorite people? Reach out, and let’s start planning your day.

More from the Gallery

Arched terracotta drinks menu listing local Oregon beer, wine, and Tumalo cider on a wood bar
Guests seated at long wooden tables for dinner inside a clear tent strung with bistro lights
Golden sunset glowing over the Metolius River and meadow through the pines
Dried allium and coneflower centerpiece with amber goblets and terracotta plates on a long farm table
Calligraphy table number on deckled paper in a walnut holder beside a wine glass
Groom laughing as he holds the bride’s hand at a blue and white tile table after signing marriage license
Close-up of the bride and groom holding hands, his watch visible at his wrist
Bride and groom walking along the Metolius River at golden hour, her dried bouquet trailing ribbon
Bride and groom holding hands in a riverside meadow with a snowy mountain peak in the distance
Bride laughing as she lifts her long veil over the groom on a wooden deck surrounded by fall color
Bride and groom sitting close and smiling at each other in a navy tweed suit and lace gown
Groom smiling at the camera as the bride wraps her arms around him beneath golden autumn branches
Terracotta pre-ceremony drinks sign with directions to the lower lawn hanging from a copper stand
Roserock Oregon pinot noir bottles and DRAM botanical sparkling waters lined up beside a lemon water dispenser at the reception bar
Guest writing a note beside a vintage typewriter and illustrated cards at the guest book table
Glowing clear reception tent with seating chart frames and patio heaters under tall pines at dusk
Hand-illustrated portraits of guests clipped to twine as escort cards
Tall dried arrangement of grasses, seed pods, and amaranth on a black linen table
Place setting with a terracotta plate, mustard napkin, gold flatware, and amber goblet on a wood farm table
Rustic wood frames with photo seating charts glowing in the sunset outside the tent
Dozens of illustrated guest portraits clipped to string across an ornate gold mirror
Seating chart pinned with photos of the couple and their garden, with table assignments on terracotta tags
Bride and groom laughing through their first dance under a canopy of string lights
Black and white photo of the bride speaking into a microphone as the groom laughs beside her
Guests in suits laughing at the toasts from their seats under the string-lit tent
Groom laughing with his mouth wide open next to the bride at the candlelit dinner table
Bride and groom laughing through their first dance under a canopy of string lights
Two guests hugging and laughing on the dance floor, one holding a drink
Guests lifting the bride and groom up on chairs as everyone claps under the tent lights
Bride throwing her hands up in the middle of a clapping circle of guests on the dance floor

“Working with Kayla was a dream! She made us feel extremely comfortable, especially me who is generally pretty nervous in front of the camera! We loved that she included an engagement session with her wedding package, as it provided a great opportunity to get comfortable with her and made our photo session on our wedding day lovely! She is down to earth, kind, and we love love all the photos she took. They are such a treat to look at and relive our big day. Thank you, Kayla!!”

-Hannah and Sam
Bride resting her head on the groom’s shoulder in a golden meadow beside the Metolius River
Bride and groom walking hand in hand down a leaf-covered path, her long veil trailing behind

I’m your hype girl, fly on the wall, & friend. I believe you should always feel comfortable having your photo taken. With a photojournalistic style, I gravitate towards capturing candid moments between you and your closest people. If you’re looking for lightly posed, natural, and genuine photos to help you remember how the moment felt, then I'm your girl.

hi! i'm kayla

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