Written by our rad team member, Kiersten Roy
There is nothing we love more than witnessing our couples experience their best day ever in a stunning location and Kimberlee and Chad’s Redwoods elopement went above and beyond what any of us could have imagined! This couple got to experience not just one, but TWO jaw-dropping locations in two different states at both sunrise and sunset! Talk about an incredible day! Keep scrolling to read more about this jaw-dropping Redwoods elopement and learn why Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is one of our favorite forest elopement locations!
Meet Kimberlee & Chad: The Couple of This Jaw-Dropping Sunrise to Sunset Redwoods Elopement
It’s probably no secret that here at Between the Pine we LOVE pine trees…in fact, we love exploring any kind of forest, so when I (Mollie) got the chance to photograph Kimberlee and Chad’s Redwoods elopement, you could say I was a little excited (ok, I was a lot excited!!).
Kimberlee and Chad had decided to elope at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and, one of the cool things about this location (aside from the redwood trees, of course) is that while it is located in California, it is also very near the Oregon border, meaning we got to experience not just one Redwoods elopement location, but two!!
For their special day, Kimberlee and Chad chose our sunrise to sunset elopement package (more information about our Redwoods elopement packages below). We woke up early and headed to a grove of giant redwoods for their first look. There, Kimberlee and Chad changed into their wedding attire in the van and shared a first look before we continued wandering all the trails. As we were exploring, the sun rays had a moment of their own and I had zero chill – I mean ZERO chill!! It is moments like these that I truly cannot believe are real life.
One of the cool things about hiking in the redwoods at sunrise (and some of my personal favorite moments from this Redwoods elopement day) was that we had the entire trail to ourselves for almost an hour! As we hiked through the forest trails, Kimberlee asked us all what stood out to us the most when hiking. We talked through the sounds, the colors, the ferns, the trees and it was so cool to hear how each of us saw the trail in such a different way. We all noticed something very different as our favorite thing (also, it was clear Kimberlee loves pine trees as much as me…which is saying A LOT!!).
After a midday break, I met back up with the couple at their Airbnb where they played a round of cornhole before heading out to their ceremony location. The spot they got married at was one I had location scouted and found the week before. It was by the river, amongst the redwoods and completely private. No one else was around, and there were two large picnic tables nearby which made for the perfect spot for their celebratory meal. After toasts from family, we drove up to the Oregon Coast where Kimberlee and Chad shared their first dance and stood in awe of the beauty around them! Not only did these two get to experience the magic of a Redwoods elopement ceremony, but they also got to witness the magic that is the Oregon Coast – two iconic locations and two states all in one day, making for the best day ever!
Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park: The Best Place for a Redwoods Elopement
Why Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park is the Perfect Place for a Redwoods Elopement
Imagine – over 10,000 acres of old-growth forests and towering redwood trees! Sounds pretty incredible, right? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll get at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park! While this park is one of California’s many state parks, it’s also one of four state parks that make up Redwoods National Park, so a visit to this redwoods forest, is also a visit to one of the state’s most well-known national parks.
Located in Northern California, Jedediah Smith Redwoods is very near the California coast and the Oregon border, giving you tons of location options to choose from for your Redwoods elopement. Want to experience both forest and coastal vibes for your best day ever? This area has got you covered!
The park is open year-round (including the campground) and allows visitors access from sunrise to sunset. Many of the trails are accessible for all mobility types, which means you can get married with all your loved ones present.
One of our favorite things about this amazing state park is just how private and secluded it feels (especially during weekdays). During Kimberlee and Chad’s elopement, we got to hike the forest trails completely alone for over an hour which (when eloping on public land) is a rare and special treat!
3 Redwoods Elopement Trails We Love in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
While there are lots of locations we love at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, here are a few of our favorites:
- Stout Grove – cathedral-like forest with lush undergrowth; one the most photogenic redwoods groves in the world and makes for the perfect redwoods elopement ceremony spot
- Fern Falls – out and back redwoods forest trail that takes you through a waterfall; a perfect trail for couples up for a little more adventure
- The Campground – while you might not think a campground would make it on the list of our favorite locations, the site at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park has a trail bordering the campground that feeds into the day use area that is STUNNING!
These are just a few of the many redwoods elopement locations that we love at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park! Here at Between the Pine, our team knows all the perfect locations based on time of day, and we have even more locations that we love sharing with just our couples.
What You Need to Know About Your Redwoods Elopement Packages
When choosing to have a Redwoods elopement, we highly recommend three elopement packages to our couples – half-day, full-day or sunrise to sunset. If you are looking for a more budget friendly option, our half-day package would be a great choice and can take place at either sunrise or sunset with a stunning backdrop for your Redwoods elopement.
Our second option for your Redwoods elopement is our full-day package, which includes first look photos at your cabin in the early afternoon. We will then head out to two unique locations for you and your partner to explore. After, we will head to your ceremony location, where you will elope with the most stunning backdrop at sunset!
The last elopement package option is our sunrise to sunset package. This is one of our most popular elopement packages booked by our couples and here’s why: when booking a sunrise to sunset elopement, you are going to have golden hour and blue hour at BOTH sunrise and sunset! This means you are going to get the best light on your day (twice!!) and get to experience multiple locations. Click here to learn more about our packages for your Redwoods elopement.
Meet Your Redwoods Elopement Photographers
We feel most at home in the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that is where we gravitate towards as your Redwoods elopement photographers. Between the Pine was founded by Mollie in 2018 and she has hiked hundreds of miles all over the Pacific Northwest and Kauai, to capture couples during their Redwoods elopement. Since 2018, we’ve grown our team and hired two incredible photographers (cue Dawn and Kass)!
Dawn has photographed Redwoods elopements all over the Pacific Northwest for the last seven years and is truly incredible when it comes to capturing all the in-between moments of your best day ever!
Kass was previously an outdoor recreation guide and knows all the best locations to adventure during your Redwoods elopement. She transitioned from guide to photographer six years ago and hasn’t looked back since!
Our team at Between the Pine is passionate about our jobs and adventuring to the most beautiful locations to document your Redwoods elopement. We know the Pacific Northwest like the back of our hands and are dying for a reason to head back to the mountains, forest and everything in between! Click here to learn more about the Between the Pine team, your Redwoods elopement photographers!
Check out these other forest elopements on the blog!
Meet the Other Incredible Vendors From This Redwoods Elopement
Florals: Solabee Flowers & Botanicals
Dress: Blue Sky Bridal
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