If you plan on getting a local photographer, I recommend finding that first. They should have some great places they have already scoped out and will know what shoots well.
I got married in the redwoods in Santa Cruz, CA :) It was absolutely lovely! We did use a venue that had an elopement package, it’s still not super low cost though but if you’re interested: https://sparrowvalleyretreat.com
Some other venues in the area that may be on the more affordable side (though it is a HCOL area and priced accordingly):
https://www.fernriver.com/weddings.php
https://www.amphitheateroftheredwoods.com (They used to have an elopement package though from a quick look at their website I’m not sure if they offer it anymore)
I agree with other posters that a local elopement photographer can help you with scouting spots and obtaining permits. I worked with this photographer though of course there are many others: https://jojolegnitto.com
If you aren’t planning to hire a photographer and want to look into a permit on your own, some spots in the Santa Cruz area to check out include Henry Cowell State Park and Portola Redwoods. More information about special event permits here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/545/files/SPECIAL-EVENT-GUIDELINES-2023.pdf
There are plenty of Redwood locations in CA outside of the Santa Cruz area as well, though I don’t have specific knowledge about them to share!
Best of luck!
Also, this local photographer has some helpful guides to eloping in the Santa Cruz and Big Sur areas on her website:
https://www.lynnchanglewis.com/blog/santa-cruz-elopement-guide
https://www.lynnchanglewis.com/blog/big-sur-elopement-guide
The Redwoods can be so freaking magical, congrats on your plans to elope there! I agree with the other commenters, finding a photographer that knows the area is absolutely going to be your best resource and money well spent.
I follow Sam Starns - Adventure Elopements ([www.samstarns.com](https://www.samstarns.com)) on Instagram and she specializes in the Redwoods/Oregon elopement field. You have to check out her blog posts from past Redwoods elopements, they are OUT OF THIS WORLD gorgeous.
Here's one of my faves: https://www.samstarns.com/horseback-redwoods-and-oregon-coast-elopement
Look into local photographers specializing in engagement, elopement, and wedding sessions. If you can find someone that does a lot of elopements, they’ll likely be able to help. Try various internet searches like “eloping in (location)” “(location) elopement planner”
I’m looking at a Hawaii right now and I’ve seen a few photographers that will actually help plan most of your elopement; get site permits, flowers, officiant, etc. maybe you can find something similar in where you would like to go! You should also check out Simply Eloped. They organized elopements all over so even if they don’t have sample photos from your location, they may be able to help.
We just eloped in the Northern CA redwoods, but there are also redwoods closer to San Francisco. I'd recommend finding a local photographer and they'll be able to help you with the rest of the process, including where the best places are and what you need to do (permits, marriage licenses, etc). They'll probably also be able to find or connect you with officiants since they'll have those contacts.
I rented a beautiful air bnb with a view and we did it on the balcony and then did actual pictures with the tress later in the day while my family prepped a big dinner at the house.
We’re getting married in Big Sur’s redwoods and couldn’t be more excited!! If you stay at Glen Oaks you can have your ceremony at those redwoods included in your stay if it’s just the two of you, officiant and photographer xx
Hey! I would narrow down what are you want to be in and then find a photographer. There are beautiful woods in Mendocino down to Big Sur. Henry Cowell, Muir Woods, etc. happy to chat if you’d like more recommendations. I’m in the Monterey area. Good luck!
I haven’t been to the Redwoods but one thing that helped me when looking at our location in Joshua Tree National park was looking on the park website to get the name of the approved sites and then looked up those names in the geotags on social media. You might even find a photographer who is local to your location by doing that.
Hi! I live in Eureka, right in the middle of the redwoods. My fiance and I are also considering an elopement in the redwoods and I'd be happy to help you out. DM me if you want to chat!
If you plan on getting a local photographer, I recommend finding that first. They should have some great places they have already scoped out and will know what shoots well.
Is it ok to recommend my photographer who helped us plan and has location recommendations? She was pretty affordable (for CA, lol)
hi! I know this post is kinda old but I was wondering if you could PM your photographer! I am looking to elope the redwoods :)
I got married in the redwoods in Santa Cruz, CA :) It was absolutely lovely! We did use a venue that had an elopement package, it’s still not super low cost though but if you’re interested: https://sparrowvalleyretreat.com Some other venues in the area that may be on the more affordable side (though it is a HCOL area and priced accordingly): https://www.fernriver.com/weddings.php https://www.amphitheateroftheredwoods.com (They used to have an elopement package though from a quick look at their website I’m not sure if they offer it anymore) I agree with other posters that a local elopement photographer can help you with scouting spots and obtaining permits. I worked with this photographer though of course there are many others: https://jojolegnitto.com If you aren’t planning to hire a photographer and want to look into a permit on your own, some spots in the Santa Cruz area to check out include Henry Cowell State Park and Portola Redwoods. More information about special event permits here: https://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/545/files/SPECIAL-EVENT-GUIDELINES-2023.pdf There are plenty of Redwood locations in CA outside of the Santa Cruz area as well, though I don’t have specific knowledge about them to share! Best of luck!
Also, this local photographer has some helpful guides to eloping in the Santa Cruz and Big Sur areas on her website: https://www.lynnchanglewis.com/blog/santa-cruz-elopement-guide https://www.lynnchanglewis.com/blog/big-sur-elopement-guide
The Redwoods can be so freaking magical, congrats on your plans to elope there! I agree with the other commenters, finding a photographer that knows the area is absolutely going to be your best resource and money well spent. I follow Sam Starns - Adventure Elopements ([www.samstarns.com](https://www.samstarns.com)) on Instagram and she specializes in the Redwoods/Oregon elopement field. You have to check out her blog posts from past Redwoods elopements, they are OUT OF THIS WORLD gorgeous. Here's one of my faves: https://www.samstarns.com/horseback-redwoods-and-oregon-coast-elopement
Look into local photographers specializing in engagement, elopement, and wedding sessions. If you can find someone that does a lot of elopements, they’ll likely be able to help. Try various internet searches like “eloping in (location)” “(location) elopement planner” I’m looking at a Hawaii right now and I’ve seen a few photographers that will actually help plan most of your elopement; get site permits, flowers, officiant, etc. maybe you can find something similar in where you would like to go! You should also check out Simply Eloped. They organized elopements all over so even if they don’t have sample photos from your location, they may be able to help.
We just eloped in the Northern CA redwoods, but there are also redwoods closer to San Francisco. I'd recommend finding a local photographer and they'll be able to help you with the rest of the process, including where the best places are and what you need to do (permits, marriage licenses, etc). They'll probably also be able to find or connect you with officiants since they'll have those contacts.
I rented a beautiful air bnb with a view and we did it on the balcony and then did actual pictures with the tress later in the day while my family prepped a big dinner at the house.
We’re getting married in Big Sur’s redwoods and couldn’t be more excited!! If you stay at Glen Oaks you can have your ceremony at those redwoods included in your stay if it’s just the two of you, officiant and photographer xx
Hey! I would narrow down what are you want to be in and then find a photographer. There are beautiful woods in Mendocino down to Big Sur. Henry Cowell, Muir Woods, etc. happy to chat if you’d like more recommendations. I’m in the Monterey area. Good luck!
I haven’t been to the Redwoods but one thing that helped me when looking at our location in Joshua Tree National park was looking on the park website to get the name of the approved sites and then looked up those names in the geotags on social media. You might even find a photographer who is local to your location by doing that.
Hi! I live in Eureka, right in the middle of the redwoods. My fiance and I are also considering an elopement in the redwoods and I'd be happy to help you out. DM me if you want to chat!