So you’re thinking of eloping in the Redwoods, among the words tallest trees? I have to say- I think this is a *fantastic* idea. I am so so taken with redwood trees. They are so so incredible and they are precious and unique. If you want to get some serious Redwood inspiration check out this intimate wedding in the Redwoods or this romantic two-day Big Sur elopement.
Redwoods only grow in three areas; coastal California and Oregon, California’s Sierra Nevada, and in China. Redwoods are the largest and tallest trees in the world and can live for thousands of years. There are actually several places that redwoods grow along the coast, so! Here’s what how to plan for your elopement in the Redwoods:
One of the things thats so special about Redwood trees is how they are pretty rare. There aren’t groves of them out in, I don’t know, Ohio. They only grow in a very specific environment, and we are lucky here in the US that there are groves of them all up and down the California and Oregon coast. Some of these spots are super popular, some are hidden gems, some are easy to get to, some hard to get to. There’s lots of options (which is great!) and I’m sure there’s a perfect fit for you. Here are some of my favorites:
(pro tip! It’s okay if you haven’t narrowed down your exact spot yet. I love helping folks hone in on their perfect elopement location.)
And if you want to see other amazing places in California to elope, check out my post on the best places to elope in California!
Probably the most popular spot on this list, Redwoods National park has some truly stunning scenery, and a staggering amount of Redwoods (nearly half the redwoods on the planet are in this park). While this spot is popular, it’s also large so there are spots that are super easy to get to, and there are longer hikes you can adventure at. It’s also super close to a stunning beach location, so if you dream of saying your vows amongst the trees and than playing on the beach, this is a perfect spot for you.
Recommended Airport: Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport
Will you Need a permit: Yes.
Best for: Couples who REALLY want a dense and plentiful redwood experience, and who may also want to play on the beach 🙂
A smaller park than the national park, but still one to consider if the Redwoods are your jam. The permitting process at Humboldt is a lot more chill. It’s a bit further from the coast, so if you’re wanting to stay exclusively in the redwoods, this may be a good fit for you.
Recommended Airport: SFO
Will you Need a permit: Yes.
Best for: Couples who REALLY want a dense and plentiful redwood experience, and who may also want to play on the beach 🙂 And want to see a stunning Intimate Wedding in the Redwoods? Check out this blog post.
Ohh do I love Big Sur. This stretch of stunning land has beautiful groves of redwoods and stunning coastal cliffs. There’s no cell service in Big Sur, so you really feel like you’re getting away from it all. There’s a magic to this place that’s hard to describe (and I know this is a weird thing to say… but it seriously just smells amazing there.)
Real Redwoods Elopement: Check out this two day Big Sur elopement!
Recommended Airport: Monterey Regional Airport
Will you Need a permit: You will- and if redwoods are your jam, having your ceremony on Public Land (IE: the state parks), having that happen among the redwoods is pretty tricky. I recommend having your ceremony on private property (like an airbnb) and taking portraits in the redwoods, which is much much easier to do permit wise!
Best for: Couples who want Redwoods and some stunning vistas- the coastal cliffs really cannot be beat.
Did you know that the Redwoods and Sequoias are related? So if you love the Redwoods, you may love Sequoias, too. There are groves in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and Yosemite National park, and they are INCREDIBLE. They are huge and ancient and make you feel small and humbled in the best way. So if the bigger the tree, the better? Don’t rule out eloping in a Sequoia grove.
Because the Redwoods are situated on the coast, it never get’s too cold. But! In the winter it does tend to be rainy, all the way into April. If you want a moody Redwoods elopement, the spring is a good fit for you. If you want a better change of a sunny day, June or October are my favorite months.
Pro Tip: Elope on a week day. This is true of basically any elopement, but eloping a weekday really gives you a better chance of less crowds and and easier time navigating roads and trails.
There are many reasons why people choose to elope in the redwoods. Here are a few potential benefits:
Overall, eloping in the redwoods can be a romantic and meaningful way to start your married life together.
Your elopement is not just an all day photo shoot. What you do during your elopement is just as important as where you elope. The Redwoods are so romantic and there’s tons of things you can do to celebrate your elopement.
If you’re trying to figure out what you want to do on your elopement day, here are some questions to think about: What are your favorite activities to do together? What do you do for fun on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis? What have you always wanted or dreamed of doing, but never gotten around to? How can you incorporate what you love to do on your elopement day? What just sounds *fun*?
But if you want some ideas, here are a few options for elopement day activities!
I’m in California multiple times a year and consider much of the state to be my backyard. And I don’t charge travel fees for any stateside elopement or adventure wedding. So what’s included and what does your Redwood elopement cost?
Four hours: $6400 | Eight Hours: $8400 | One 8-hr day + 4 hr day: $11500
Like big trees but want some mountains to go with it? Yosemite is a great option, full of rocky cliffs and tall Sequoias. Check out how to elope in Yosemite or my blog on the best places to elope in California.
— Ryan + Styhiln