As far as views go- Black Butte Ranch is of my favorite venues to shoot a wedding at. Mountains can sometimes photograph far away but at Black Butte they are impossible to miss. Even better, there is a huge meadow and pond in the foreground and sometimes even some horses meandering nearby. I can’t think of a better view anywhere near Sisters.

The new lodge at Black Butte Ranch is a beautiful backdrop. The interior is a mixture of dark tones with light wood to create a neutral and modern feel. It’s a great option for those wanting less of the traditional ranch vibes found in many venues around Bend.

Taking time for sunset photos at Black Butte is an absolute must. The moment the sun is slightly lower behind the mountains is when you’ll get those truly epic shots. My favorite spot is to adventure to the field, about a 7 minute walk away, but there are amazing spots just right near the lodge if you’re not up for a longer walk. On this no wind late June wedding the mountains perfectly reflected off of the pond and it’s some of the my favorite photos I’ve ever taken at Black Butte (photo above)!

My best advice for a Black Butte Ranch Wedding:

• Pick your getting ready space wisely! The getting ready space at Black Butte has great light but some of the cabins can be hit or miss. Rachel got ready in a modern cabins that had the grate windows and I love how it turned out. Keep in mind that all of your detail shots (dress etc) will be taken at your getting ready space so if it’s cluttered or you don’t love the decor, it will likely be a part of many of your photos. If your fiance is getting ready at a far away cabin- consider using the fireplace room at Black Butte Ranch for a few “faux” getting ready shots.

• Make a whole wedding weekend! There are truly an endless amount of activities for your guests to enjoy at Black Butte Ranch. From hiking and horseback riding to golfing and tennis to hiking. They even have an onsite spa and several swimming pools. The ranch is very large so if you can- try and get cabins close to your friends/family.

• As always in Bend, think through your alternative weather plans and try and roll with how the day unfolds. Kate and Jonathan were planning a spring wedding when they got an unexpected blizzard. These two happily rolled with the weather punches and we got some of my favorite winter wonderland photos I’ve ever taken – but had they been focused on how different their wedding day was than how they pictured they would have never been able to enjoy the day like they did!

• Sisters has tons of places to offer if you’re looking to venture out. The entire town is western themed so you might as well lean in, places like the Sisters Saloon have that traditional old west feel while the tap house is more modern. I highly recommend stopping in at Sisters Bakery for brunchy type baked goods and the food cart pods The Barn has some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.

• Take time for sunset photos! My couples are often on fence about taking the time for these as it feels like you’re leaving your wedding but it was such a good moment for you to refocus on each other and take a moment to take in the mountains.

Looking for a wedding photographer for your Black Butte wedding? Take a look at my favorite wedding photos below and I would LOVE to chat!

Thinking of planning a wedding at Black Butte Ranch or one of Central Oregon’s other epic wedding venues? Check out my blog posts below and I would LOVE to chat!