McKenzie River Wedding at Eagle Rock Lodge
Dreaming of saying “I do” on the banks of the sparkling McKenzie River? Look no further than Eagle Rock Lodge, my favorite waterfront wedding venue just 45 minutes from Eugene, Oregon.
Michaela & Noah enjoyed the most beautiful wedding day in late September, with a warm, sunlit ceremony and cool evening for dancing with their friends and family.
Eagle Rock Lodge is a charming bed & breakfast with lush, manicured gardens and a wide, sweeping lawn, plus 9 guest rooms to host the couple & some of their VIP guests. It’s a wonderful place to unplug for the weekend, and soak up all the pre-and-post-wedding fun. Noah & his groomsmen even did some fishing on the river before guests arrived!
After getting ready with their separate wedding parties, Michaela & Noah shared a private first look together.
Their ceremony, surrounded by gorgeous florals from Raybell Farms, was bathed in September sunlight. They’d made the nontraditional decision to be escorted down the aisle by their parents: Michaela with her mom and dad, and Noah with his mom and dad. I absolutely loved this and I think their families did too!
Midway through the ceremony, the couple was invited by their pastor to step through the altar and share a private communion together out of sight from their guests. It was a brief pause in the ceremony, and I loved how we were able to incorporate this personal moment for them. The guests sat quietly until their return, and the rest of the ceremony flowed smoothly. I’m sure that moment of privacy will be one of the couples’ favorite memories from the day: in my experience, wedding days can be a whirlwind and it’s nice to build in some calm, separate moments where my clients can be fully present without an audience watching them.
One of my favorite details for this wedding was the handwritten notes. Michaela & Noah had written love notes to each other throughout their relationship, and some of these were printed on their cocktail napkins. The couple also wrote a thank-you message to each guest, which were put into small envelopes and became part of their seating chart. It was a heartfelt way to welcome their guests into reception.
Destination Events provided the dramatic checkered dancefloor, some heat lamps, and other rentals to keep our guests comfortable. But the gorgeous Vineyard Chairs were rented from Birdie June Events, and I confess the ceremony and reception would have looked so different without them… these chairs add a touch of elegance to any event!
Dinner was delicious pizza from Oregon Wood Fired Pizza Truck, dessert was an amazing buffet of sweets from Soft Peaks Cakery, and dancing was encouraged by DJ Drake. When the evening grew chilly, guests could wrap small fleece blankets around their shoulders - another thoughtful touch to this intentional, sweet day. (Michaela’s mom had actually noticed cool temperatures in the forecast that week and she quickly sewed a batch of the blankets before the wedding day!)
Thank you to Michaela & Noah for choosing me as your wedding coordinator. Your magical weekend at Eagle Rock Lodge is one I will never forget. Congratulations to you both, and cheers to your amazing future together!
Vendor Team:
Venue: Eagle Rock Lodge
Photo: Emily Battles Photography
Video: Stone Light Film
Florals: Raybell Farms
Chairs: Birdie June Events
Rentals: Destination Events
Charcuterie: Annie’s Treats & Trays
Dinner: Oregon Wood Fired Pizza Truck
Dessert: Soft Peaks Cakery
Bridal Gown: Blush Bridal Eugene
Bartending, Hair, & Makeup: DIY
