Madison and Logan are married. They said I do with a Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park wedding. But, before we set off to this stunning setting for their wedding, I met with the couple on the campus of UC Santa Cruz. Where their love story began!
They met while attending university because their dorms were situated directly across from one another. It gave their love story a “person next door” tale that they’ll be able to tell for years to come. So Madison & Logan chose to pay homage to their beginning. On their wedding day, they had their first look on the lawn of their alma mater.
I knew what a full-circle moment this was for Madison & Logan. So I chose to set them up for their first look in a way that was a break from the norm. Typically, one person stands with their back to the other while the second walks up behind them and taps them on the shoulder. But having come to know their love story, I thought something a bit more exhilarating was called for.
Madison stood and waited for her Logan. It was a particularly windy day so the layers of her gown danced in the breeze. Instead of coming up directly behind her. Logan walked in a semi-circle in her direction. Ending his walk by meeting Madison in the direction she was facing. I was behind my camera, capturing it all as it unfolded. However, I could easily feel that at this very moment, a flood of beautiful emotions was running high between them.
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They took a moment to embrace, and let the experience wash over them. But Madison and Logan also had another plan for their first look. They wanted to use this opportunity to recite personal vows to each other. There was laughter, a few happy tears, and two beautiful souls who were ready to embark on life’s journey together.
With their first look completed and their personal vows recited, it was time to head to Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park for their wedding ceremony. Their elopement-style wedding was infused with nature’s scenery and we hiked into a cozy forest grove for their intimate ceremony.
Their friends and family awaited their arrival, as well as their “flower pup”. There were no rows of setup chairs waiting, no draped decor or aisle runners. But, in such an amazing natural setting, those elements would only detract from the surrounding beauty. Among those towering, ancient redwoods Madison and Logan became joined in marriage. It is one thing to describe the redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park, it’s entirely another to experience them up close, on the day of your wedding.
Once Madison and Logan were pronounced, I spent some time with them walking through the surroundings. All the while snapping away those first few moments of their life as newlyweds. As our time among the redwoods drew to a close, we prepared to meet their friends and extended family at Woodhouse Brewery for a reception celebration.
You can see all the details of Madison and Logan’s Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park wedding, including their first look on the campus of UC Santa Cruz, through the photos below.
