Congratulations on your engagement! Now it’s time to get those beautiful engagement photos to use in your announcements and preserve the memory of this momentous occasion. Beavers Bend offers some of the most romantic scenery for photos that will capture the beginning of your forever story.
Let’s start on the banks of the Mountain Fork River during the early morning when the rays of the golden sun are just beginning to warm the air above the water. The fog created will dramatically rise off of the slowly flowing river behind you as your photographer captures the two of you wrapped in the warm embrace of one another. This location can be found just down the hill from the Lookout Kitchen in Beavers Bend State Park. Park and stroll hand-in-hand down the hill to the river bank.
This enchanting covered pier is also found in this same location. This covered area is perfect for photos of the two of you leaning against the railing, sneaking a kiss, holding hands, or staring out over the river as the fog rises behind you.
Next, take a short walk up the paved sidewalk to discover this picturesque bridge over the creek. I’ve seen this creek with rushing water and just a trickle as seen in this photo. That will depend on the season and the weather, but the bridge is the ideal spot to stop for a photo shoot regardless. The two of you will be able to capture the essence of your fairytale romance on this bridge straight out of the pages of a woodland fairytale.
For our next photo opportunity, drive over to Cedar Bluff Hiking Trail. Make sure you’re up to a short uphill hike. It is not a long hike, and you don't have to hike the entire loop. The hike up the hill is a great opportunity to shoot a few hiking photos, but the magic is at the top of the hill. Here you will discover a rocky lookout with the Mountain Fork River in the valley below. There’s a bench ready for the two of you to cuddle up on as well.
Another great idea after this hike is to drive around the bend and rent a canoe. Couple photos in a canoe floating down the Mountain Fork River are beautiful and romantic. This canoe location is an easy, calm float, so no worries about getting wet and ruining your outfits. For extra charm, consider a banner that announcing your recent engagment attached to the back of the canoe.
Our next stop is at the Friends Trail Loop. Drive on down the road to find this hiking trail. Once you get near the river, you will hear the flow of the water over the stones and know you have found an enchanting location for photographs. There are several stops along the river’s edge side of this trail that would make perfect backdrops for photos. You can pose with the river behind you, sit on the massive stones on the edge or even in the river, or take off your shoes and pose standing on the stones in the shallow edges.
As you head back out on your drive through Beavers Bend State Park, you will find your next photo opportunity as you top the hill and discover the parking area atop the Broken Bow Lake Dam. Here you can take photos with the glistening lake far below.
Now it’s finally time to head to the lake for some romantic sunset photos. You will follow the road out of Beavers Bend State Park and back into Hochatown. Drive north to the Stevens Gap Area. At the end of this drive, you will find a beautiful, rocky picnic area at the edge of the lake. Another option is to rent a boat from the marina and take photos on the boat.
I have another option for a very beautiful photo session, but it requires a little more of an adventurous spirit. Are you up to it? Let’s drive north for about 35 minutes on US-259 to Octavia, OK. This will take you into the foothills of the Ouachita National Forest. Look for 51300 Camp Ranch Rd. This road will end and there will be a small area to park. From here you will be hiking. Head to the right at the fork in the trail. Your exact coordinates for Whiskey Falls are 34.57873, -94.69858. Imagine taking engagement photos in front of a waterfall. How amazing is that?
At the end of all of these adventures, we recommend heading back to the Cabins at Holly Creek to take some romantic photos bundled up around the campfire roasting marshmallows while you plan your dream wedding at the Rustic Rose Hall.
The photos above were taken in the spring with the soft green leaves and grass. Pastels, florals, cotton, or linen would be ideal attire for the photo session. Take a wicker picnic basket and lightweight blanket along for the day.
If you get engaged during the summer months, the green will be a little darker, and the air will be warmer and more humid. Dress accordingly. Light dresses and short sleeves will be more appropriate, as will sandals and sunset colors.
Perhaps you are a fall couple. Choose earth tones and neutrals because the green will be replaced with rich autumnal leaves of orange, red, yellow, and brown. The weather may vary this time of year, so bring layers. Take a blanket to wrap around your shoulders as you watch the sunset over the lake.
Finally, winter can be a stunning backdrop as well. Wear layers, jewel tones, wool coats, boots, and knitted accessories. This southeast corner of Oklahoma doesn't usually get a lot of icy weather, so dress in layers so you can adjust depending on temperatures.
If you choose any of the hiking options, be prepared by wearing hiking shoes and bring water bottles to stay hydrated.
There are so many stunning locations within the park to take photos; these are some of my favorites. Maybe your photographer has some favorites of his/her own to add to the list. Now is the time to reach out to them and ask for the perfect, adventurous photo shoot for your special engagement.
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