Destination Weddings: The Old Mill
Visiting the Old Mill while in Bend for your destination wedding
The visionary who started the Old Mill, Bill Smith, told me when I got to do his portrait for the newspaper that he had the idea for the Old Mill in the early 1970's when he bought the property. I moved to Bend in May, 2000 to work as a newspaper photographer for the Bulletin and watched buildings being built. The three silver stacks rise out of the brick building now housing REI and a place where I used to occasionally do portraits because it was an empty pigeon ghetto. I remember when the theater first opened. When construction crews placed long iron rods with bolts attached through the REI building for support. Watching the roof beams go into where Banana Republic now stands.
Want seafood? go to Anthony's. Summertime ice cream can be found at Ben & Jerry's near the movie theater. Going for a hike in the Three Sisters and forgot your water bottles? REI has you covered. Plus you have many clothing stores for the tie or pair of shoes you forgot at home.
Old Mill visionary Bill Smith. Honestly, looking at this picture I'm wondering why I didn't square his tie away better. If I remember correctly we were both rushed and I had maybe two minutes to get this shot done.
Rental bikes, river floating and music
More you can enjoy in the hot summer while recovering from the wedding festivities are floating the river and renting bikes for the ride around the path through the Old Mill and up to Farewell Bend Park. You can find coffee shops, lunch shops, and most of what you might need if visiting Bend. Plus the Hayden Homes Amphitheater is right across the river where you can enjoy concerts all summer long.
And remember, when you book a photographer for your destination wedding, please check out my Bend Wedding Photography website. Yay! Shameless keywords thrown in for your reading enjoyment!
Balloons Over Bend at the Old Mill.
