Molly and Patrick were clear from the start about what mattered to them when it came to their wedding: no elaborate setups, no performative elements, no pressure to make their wedding look a certain way for other people. They wanted to be outside in their favorite environments and to focus on connection with their closest people. And that’s exactly what we created together over two days for their redwood and coast elopement.

These two booked me for a multi-day Mendocino redwoods elopement spanning 14 hours across two days in June. Day one centered on family: a ceremony under old-growth redwoods at Hendy Woods State Park, followed by wine tasting and dinner in nearby Anderson Valley. Day two was reserved for their closest friends with pizza and lawn games at their Airbnb, followed by blue hour portraits on the Mendocino coast.

When I asked them to describe their vision at the beginning of our planning, Molly wrote: “Going into the woods and having a quick casual ceremony, then food and drinks after.” Patrick added that he wanted to “feel good and not stressed, and for people to be happy for us.” That’s the foundation we built from.

Day 1: A Slow Morning & Forest Ceremony

These two hail from the South Bay Area, and when we were in the early location discussion phase, they knew they wanted redwoods but weren’t sure how to choose from the myriad redwood forest options California offers up and down the state. They settled on Mendocino because it was far enough away to feel like a true getaway (Santa Cruz is in their metaphorical backyard), but not so far that getting there would be a big ordeal for all their guests (as is usually the case with Redwood National Park up north).

We started with a slow morning at their Airbnb nestled in the Mendocino redwoods just outside of downtown. Their romantic first look and portraits happened on the property mid-morning under the classic moody Mendocino fog, then we made the 45-minute drive south to Hendy Woods State Park.

Old Growth Redwoods & Family Ceremony at Hendy Woods State Park

Once we narrowed in on the region, the second consideration we had was accessibility. They had some family members that needed an accessible ceremony spot without long hikes or difficult terrain. Hendy Woods solved this: Big Hendy Grove has trails throughout it that are almost completely flat the whole way.

Hendy Woods State Park specifically offers something that many other redwood parks don’t: lack of name recognition. This park is mostly known for its family-friendly campground (fun fact: I have childhood camping memories there), but not as many people know it for its world-class redwood grove. This means that you have the best of both worlds: epic old-growth trees without the crowds.

Read this next: The Complete Guide to Eloping at Hendy Woods State Park – How to Get There, What to Do, Where to Stay & More

Celebratory Wine Tasting & Dinner Al Fresco at The Madrones

After their ceremony and group photos, we headed to Long Meadow Ranch in Philo for a group wine tasting out in the garden. Dinner followed at Wickson Restaurant, where the evening unfolded on the patio with great food, wine, and quality time together.

During their wedding day, both of Molly and Patrick’s parents came up to me separately to express gratitude for the support I’d given them throughout the planning process. They’d heard how much my guidance and structure had helped, and they wanted to thank me personally. This gesture meant so much more to me than I can convey (truly), and it really speaks to how much a well-rounded and comprehensive planning process with an elopement expert can matter. So far, none of my couples have planned an elopement before, and almost none (if any) have attended one, so it makes total sense that they would have no idea how to go about creating one. That’s where I come in, as someone who’s helped plan and subsequently documented dozens of elopements.

Why Anderson Valley is Perfect for Multi-Day Elopements

This region gives you access to dramatically different landscapes within a reasonable drive while also being sparsely populated. For couples planning a Mendocino redwoods elopement, this means you can experience both ancient forests and dramatic coastline without the crowds. Hendy Woods to the Mendocino coast is about 45 minutes, so you can plan a redwood ceremony under an old-growth forest and watch the sunset over the ocean the same day or the next.

The flat trails in Big Hendy Grove make it possible to include guests who can’t manage long hikes or steep terrain, and the grove also has a few connecting loops, which means there are multiple routes to take for your portraits and ceremony away from other visitors.

When it comes to dining and wine tasting options, Anderson Valley has a number of options that work for small celebration groups, including some wineries that don’t have strict rules and welcome you to bring your own picnic. 

What to Know Before Planning Your Mendocino County Elopement

If you’re considering a Hendy Woods elopement or anything in Anderson Valley and the broader Mendocino County, here are the practical pieces worth knowing:

Weather Considerations

The Mendocino coast is notorious for being foggy and cold, even during the summer. So if you’re planning coastal portraits during this time of year (and especially in colder seasons), bring layers you’re willing to be photographed in (I also keep hand and body warmers on hand for couples to stay extra warm and comfortable). Farther inland in Anderson Valley and around Hendy Woods, temperatures are more in line with what you’d expect of a typical California climate, with rain in the winter and hot sunny days in the summer.

Timing and logistics

The drive from Mendocino to Anderson Valley takes about 45 minutes on winding roads. I always make sure to build buffer time into your day for travel, bathroom breaks, and the reality that there might be unexpected delays on the two-lane highways in this area.

Permits

Hendy Woods State Park requires a ceremony permit for any formal ceremony IF you have 13 or more guests. 12 guests or fewer gets you a free pass (woohoo!). A California state park ceremony permit will run you $200, and always make sure to submit your application at least 30 days in advance (the farther in advance the better, as Hendy Woods only issues one permit per day). There’s also an $8 day-use fee for park entry.

Where to Stay

Accommodations can range from boutique inns to vacation rentals, and Mendocino itself has a wider selection if you want more options. If you’re planning a multi-day elopement, I recommend looking for an accommodation that can be more than just a place to sleep; it should be part of your venue. Molly and Patrick’s two Airbnbs (one for their wedding day, one to host all their friends) gave them space, privacy, and outdoor areas for both getting ready and gathering loved ones.

Food and Wine

If you’re planning a dinner out with guests, make reservations well in advance, especially during summer and fall. Some restaurants have size limits for reservations, so confirm they can accommodate your group. Beyond Long Meadow Ranch and Wickson, in Anderson Valley you’ll find places like Toulouse Vineyards, Goldeneye Winery (groups up to 10 people), Navarro Vineyards & Winery, and even more tasting rooms in both Philo and Boonville.

Day 2: Coastal Portraits and Celebrating with Friends in Mendocino

The second day had a completely different rhythm. I arrived in the late afternoon, and the focus was on celebrating with their closest friends rather than family. They’d set up croquet and bocce on the lawn to playfully compete in (I totally forgot to bring my badminton set I’d offered, but thankfully it wasn’t missed). There was pizza, casual conversation, and lots of laughter – the kind of relaxed and unhurried gathering that happens when you’re not on a strict timeline and watching the clock.

This is where the two-day format really showcased its value. Molly and Patrick had been skeptical initially; it was going to be their biggest expense. But separating family from friends meant each gathering got the attention it deserved, and they could slow down to fully enjoy both of them. As they put it later, “Some of our favorite photos are from the day with friends, and it would have been a shame to not have those memories captured. Plus the sunset and coastal photos are beautiful. Totally worth it!”

Bonus: with me there, no one had to worry about getting photos on their phones to document the celebration, which meant all they needed to worry about was being present in the experience with each other. (The more mindfully you can experience something, including and especially your wedding, the more likely you are to remember details as time goes on.)

Blue Hour Newlywed Portraits on the Coast

After a few hours on the lawn in the fading sunlight, we left for Navarro Point Preserve on the Mendocino coast for their third dedicated couple portrait block (the first two were on Day 1: in the morning at their Airbnb and before their ceremony at Hendy Woods), where the rugged coastline offered a completely different landscape from the redwoods.

June on the California coast is not always warm. It’s also not usually calm. The seasonal shift between spring and summer creates a temperature differential between the ocean and the air that results in wind, fog, and cold conditions. (Here’s a local joke: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” And no, even though it’s attributed to him, it was not said by Mark Twain.)

At Navarro Point that evening, it was windy and cold enough that they needed to wrap up in blankets between shots. This is the reality of coastal elopements in Northern California: having a tradeoff of stunningly dramatic cliffs and unpredictable weather.

We spent the better part of an hour mostly just working with the environment as it was: wind in their hair, the light shifting as the sun fell below the horizon, the waves and wind loud enough that conversation required shouting. It wasn’t entirely comfortable, but it was wild and real, and that mattered more to them.

How Does a Multi-Day Elopement Work? What to Expect

The two-day format gave Molly and Patrick space to spread out their celebration between family and friends, and to soak up their elopement without feeling rushed. It also meant they could visit multiple completely different environments without trying to cram everything into a single day’s timeline. Each part got the attention and time it deserved without creating exhaustion.

This approach isn’t for everyone, but if you’re someone who wants to balance adventure, community involvement, and private couple time, experience multiple settings without rushing, or who just doesn’t want to compress your entire wedding into six or eight hours, the multi-day elopement format offers something that single-day coverage can’t.

These two had clarity about what did and didn’t matter to them (and if you don’t, that’s what my free planning consultations are for). All of the decisions they made through that lens freed up time and energy for what they cared about most: being outside, feeling connected to their people, and not being stressed about logistics.

They weren’t trying to have a flawless wedding; they were trying to have their wedding. That’s what made it perfect.

Their Mendocino Redwoods Elopement Experience in Their Own Words

Molly and Patrick offered me an incredibly generous novel of a review; here’s some of what they had to say about working with me:

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“We really wanted to get married surrounded by redwoods, and Meg’s portfolio resonated with us. Once we learned that she also provides resources and guidance to prepare, and vibed with her over an introductory call, we were instantly sold.

“Her insights and personable approach took so much of the stress out of the entire experience for us. Neither of us are super comfortable being the center of attention, nor are we the most comfortable in front of a camera, but Meg made the whole thing feel much more natural. A lot of people say that their wedding day goes by so fast, and while that may be true no matter what, the pace Meg encouraged us to take made every part of our elopement memorable and less frantic feeling than it almost definitely would have felt otherwise. She made sure we would take moments to be present and take in where we were, which really added to that unrushed feeling.

“Having her photograph both days ended up being perfect for us. Our guests on both days spoke highly of Meg and their interactions with her, not to mention the photos that she delivered. She did a great job of getting a mix of photos of everyone! The candids in particular captured precious moments and the overall vibes.

“Not to mention, the turnaround time on the photos was impressive and there were so many gorgeous photos. It made it impossible to narrow down even for an album of 200 photos! Especially impressive given that we had a few very distinct locations where we had photos taken. She really captured the environments so well, not to mention the more artistic detail shots were beautifully arranged.

“We would absolutely recommend getting in touch with Meg if any of this resonates with you! She really is the best, and we can’t imagine navigating this whole experience without her.”

Interested in planning your own multi-day redwood and coast elopement in Northern California? I’d love for you to get in touch so we can start designing your dream wedding. We’ll hop on a zero-strings planning consultation to give you clarity on where to start and ideas customized to the two of you.

Not ready for that yet? Head to my FAQs to learn more about planning an elopement, or scroll my pricing page to read about my specific service.