Samuel H. Boardman and Redwood National Park elopement featuring Crook Point.
This day was just packed with intention and love! Our little vendor team loved following these two on their special day and helping them bring their vision to life.
We started our day at Crook Point for their getting ready photos. Have you heard about the update about Airbnb’s rules on events? Some locations are no longer allowing getting ready photos but Crook Point is privately owned and separate from Airbnb so you’re able to still use this space for events (communicate with them, of course). Their vacation rental overlooked the ocean and the amazing Meghan of Black Fern Beauty took care of hair and makeup.
We went all the way to the Redwood National Park for their first look. It was so important to them to have that moment among the giant, ancient trees so we ran interference on the trail to get them both to their ceremony location without seeing each other. My husband (our on staff officiant) married them at the base of two giant Redwood trees without another soul in sight. Sabrina and I were photographing and videoing through blurry eyes as we listened to their vow exchange. (If you want your ceremony in the Redwoods, you do need a permit! Even if it’s a very small ceremony with just vow reading.)
After the ceremony, we kicked off the adventure part of their day. We hiked the rest of the Redwood trail before going to the beach for cake and pizza. We hiked to a cliff overlook for their first dance as the sun set over the ocean. We stretched every bit of sunlight we could to get some epic blue hour and early nighttime photos of them.
The Vendors:
Photography: Venturing Vows
Videography: Sabrina Fitz Photo and Film
Hair and Makeup: Black Fern Beauty
Vacation Rental: Crook Point
Officiant: Venturing Vows Officiant
Florals: Flora
Cake: Delish Bakery
Pizza: Wild River Pizza
The video footage Sabrina captured!
Getting Ready at Crook Point
First Look in Redwood National Park
Redwood National Park Ceremony
Permit rules have been updated as of 2025. The park is now separated based on whether it’s a state or national park section (though all are under the Redwood National and State Park umbrella still). For more on rules for the national park section, check out this resource from NPS. For the state park sections, like Jedidiah Smith Redwoods featured here, you now need a $20 permit for any kind of photos. If you’re having a ceremony, you need an additional permit and liability insurance. Photographers need an additional permit via the California Film Commission to use any images taken in any capacity. This information is not currently available online and you will need to contact California State Parks to work out permits for your elopement. I was able to get the contact via contacting the federal Redwoods permit coordinator.
Redwood National Park Hike
Beach Picnic in Samuel H. Boardman
Sunset Portraits in Samuel H. Boardman
Check out these resources to inspire your Oregon Coast elopement!
