The most important thing to know is that A & Z’s Redwood National Park elopement can’t be summed up into a blog post or even a gallery. Their day was pure magic in every single aspect.
The Start
We were off to rough start when A & Z ran into issues while getting ready. We started our day and hour late and with the sunsetting just 5 hours later, we were on a time crunch and incredibly determined to make sure A & Z got to enjoy all of the locations they had planned while chasing the sun and making sure we had enough daylight to do so.
When going over their schedule and locations for the final time, I told them what kind of vehicle I’d be driving in and they responded with “heck yeah, we’ll be in a van painted with colorful tropical birds.” I thought they were joking but the moment they pulled into the parking lot, their van stood out like a sore thumb. The camper van they rented from Escape Campervans was decked out in painted macaws and rainforest parrots. It was perfect and matched A & Z so well. I later learned that they named her “Polly”.
The Ceremony & Hike
I’m a firm believer that everything happens when it needs to. Since we were an hour off schedule, there was a lull in the day that allowed A & Z to have all of Templeman Grove to themselves. Instead of hiring an officiant, they decided to self solemnize (California is one of the few states that allows this) and marry themselves. A Their ceremony was full of emotion, love, and even a little bit of chocolate. Once we made it official, they took some time to explore the grove and take in their moments of complete and total privacy.
We started the day with their private ceremony under the giants in Templemann Grove located in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park . When I asked them what kind of vehicle they’d be arriving in they said “look for the van with the birds on it”. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of that but when they rolled in in a camper van covered with colorful, painted Macaws I knew their day was going to be absolutely kick ass.
They decided to self solemnize and lead their own beautiful ceremony sharing a chocolate bar, taking a moment to intentionally choose and ground themselves in the spot where they’d officially join their lives, and taking a moment to remember their loved ones that couldn’t be present.
They talked about the Coast Redwoods scientific name ‘Sequoia Sempervirens’ which literally means “always living”. Ever changing and forever evolving as they grow and encounter new challenges – that’s exactly what marriage is.
After they sealed their union with a kiss they did a little dance and we got moving to walk along through the breath taking Grove of Titans trail where they came across a family who signed their license as their witnesses. They counted banana slugs and took their time admiring the massive gentle giants.
Then it was time to head to Oregon where they would finish their day watching the sun set over sea stacks and crashing waves at Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. When we walked down to the beach, just as the trees opened up to sweeping views and dreamy lighting, I said to them “you guys are going to lose your shit”. And they did.
Awestruck by the views they chose a little patch of grass where they shared a small cake, bottle of champagne, and sang a song together. Z brought his ukulele and they sang the song that was playing the first time they met. The thick marine layer turned the cotton candy colored light into a dreamy haze that settled over Secret Beach.
While we waited for the tide to recede, they sat in silence for a few moments recharging and talking about how they finally did the dang thing then we headed for the sand and their next adventure.
They kicked off their shoes and ran around like 2 kids in love, laughing, playing in the waves, and occasionally coming back together for a cuddle while watching the light change from a dreamy cotton candy glow to a perfectly soft blue and purple sky. They hung out until it was completely dark then threw on their headlamps and began their hike out.
On the way out I had an idea, the thick fog made me think of dusty lava tubes deep in the Mojave Desert so we decided to take a few minutes and play around with some headlamp photos in the dark. The resulting photos were surreal and unlike anything I’d ever seen before.
We finished our evening and tearfully said our goodbyes in the parking lot before going our separate ways.
Meet Your Redwoods Elopement Photographer
As a Redwood National Park Elopement Photographer, I have tons of knowledge when it comes to planning an epic elopement. As someone who is super passionate about my job, I don’t want to just be your photographer. I want to help you with the planning process, finding locations, places to stay, vendors, and most of all help you figure out solutions when things derail. It’s your wedding day and the last thing you should be doing is stressing out. I want to ensure that my couples have the best day possible and that means being a shoulder for them to lean on when problems arise!
Hey, I’m Gabbi!
I’m an elopement photographer based in Northern California. I’m a lover of the outdoors and spend most of my time with my husband and our 3 dogs camping, rock climbing, hiking, and enjoying nature!
Elopements hold a special place in my heart. They throw out the rule book on tradition and allow you the complete freedom to do what you really want to do on the biggest day of your lives!
Whatever your elopement day looks like, I can’t wait to help create the most intentional and authentic day that is perfectly and uniquely you.
I’m here to help you through the entire process of planning your elopement from start to finish. I’ll help you with everything from choosing a perfect location to creating your Day Of schedule to officiating and of course, photography!
