Get Married on the Redwood Coast

The Best Places to Elope in Humboldt County

All the local recommendations from your friendly neighborhood redwoods elopement photographer

Maybe you’ve only seen the epic trees in photographs. Maybe you visited every summer when you were a kid. Maybe you once climbed to the top of the cliff overlooking Wedding Rock on a trip with your boyfriend and now you’ve photographed love stories here for ten years.

Oh wait, that was me. However you fell in love with the magic behind the redwood curtain, you’re ready to get married here and I’m here to help you make it happen.


Your Humboldt County elopement will be an epic fairytale. Plain and simple. If epic and fairytale can be considered simple words. There is nothing about the landscape of towering redwood forests winding down to the roaring ocean surf that doesn’t conjure visions of romantic quests. No words can replace what it feels like to stand listening to the slight sway of the trees as sunlight barely breaks through. Carl Sagan was talking about experiencing another world but it definitely applies here: No words. Should have sent a poet.


Best Locations for your Humboldt County Elopement

Trinidad, CA

Arcata, CA

Eureka, CA

Ferndale, CA

Shelter Cove, CA

FAQS TO GET YOU STARTED

What to know to start planning your Humboldt county elopement


Redwood National Park and Humboldt Redwoods State Park both require a wedding permit and have pre-approved ceremony locations. For an additional fee, you may request a location that doesn’t appear on the designated list. Many clients opt for a custom scouted location that meets their vision for the ceremony. Detailed info is available here. Please note that several locations allow portraits but do not allow ceremonies.

You will want to rent a car for your Humboldt County elopement. The distance you’ll travel to reach the redwoods depends on your point of arrival and where you choose to stay during your elopement.

Absolutely! Humboldt County is not ends of the earth remote but we are hours away from a big city. It’s super helpful to have an insider that can connect you with vendors you might not be able to scout out on the internet or provide recommendations for out of the way dining spots.

Odds are good that Humboldt County weather is considerably cooler and rainier than what most typically envision when they think about California. Make sure you pack layers and plan for rain even if rain is unusual for that time of year.

This really depends on the day you’re envisioning.

Not unless you want to. One of the many beautiful things about the redwoods is that they are supremely user friendly. The wide range of trails makes room for the casual meander and the knee deep in the creek adventure. Yes, I will advise you on the difference.

Featured Humboldt Elopements

For your Humboldt County Elopement

Where to Stay

When planning out your Humboldt County elopement experience you’ll want to consider both your ceremony location and the type of accommodations you’d like to elevate your experience. Do you crave a truly remote place to settle into for your elopement? Are you foodies who want to mix stunning views with an unforgettable meal? An unexpected hidden gem with an outdoor hot tub? How about vibey vintage decor and sweeping staircases? Your options are wide open.

Couple embrace after redwood elopement ceremony in Prairie Creek Redwoods

A few basic things to consider when choosing where to stay for your elopement

Couple walks together in the rain down Newton B Drury Parkway in Northern California

Distance from Redwoods

Factor drive times into your plans for the day. Consider how far you are comfortable driving on your wedding day and be sure to review drive times in conjunction with miles. It’s not uncommon for a road to measure 12 miles and actually take 35 minutes to drive.

Guests

If you are bringing friends and family along you’ll want to consider their participation in the day or weekend. How many group activities are planned? Do you need space for a dinner reception? Centralizing guest accommodations minimizes organizational headaches and maximizes car pool options as well.

Getting ready Vibes

Travel style and aesthetic tend to go hand in hand. There are some really unique bed and breakfasts, hotels and boutique style Airbnbs in Humboldt. A little room to spread out goes a very long way. Luggage and the contents thereof have a way of multiplying like a sci fi movie meets backstage at fashion week. Especially when you’ve been told to pack layers. Psst. Pack layers.

Look for large windows with lots of natural light. This is great for makeup and detail images of preparations, not to mention your overall sense of well being.

Two brides in the California forest

Arcata, California

Picturesque college town nestled in the Redwoods – yes, it does remind me of the opening scenes of a horror movie because it’s so cute.


A Redwood Forest in the city

If Endor had sidewalks.

Arcata mixes a small, walkable city with immediate and easy access to a sprawling redwood forest. The forest is actually woven through the campus edge of the city. Great coffee, amazing crepes, the best fries, wonderful book stores and a winery around the corner from a grocery chain, to list a few perks.


Arcata Redwood Park

790 acres of woodland forest just blocks from downtown.

Mad River Beach

Rolling dunes dotted with beach grass and endless vistas of crashing waves. Easy to feel like you’re the only people there.

Trinidad, California

Large white dog with floral collar howls during wedding portraits on Luffenholtz beach with groom in navy suit and bride in classic column dress with a floral adorned hat in Trinidad, California

Trinidad, California is located less than 40 minutes from Redwood National Park and boasts some of the most breathtaking venues and private estates for your wedding or elopement.


Sea lion serenades

All Season Beach Wandering

And you probably need a mashed potato cone. Just saying.


Wedding Rock

Located in Sue-meg State Park and named accordingly after the park’s original caretaker was married there in the early 20th century. If you aren’t able to make the trek to the top, Patrick’s Point is a beautiful alternate for your small ceremony.

Trinidad State Beach

Mixes beautiful Pacific Northwest forest trails with gorgeous, craggy beaches.

Moonstone Beach

When my son was a sleepless newborn we used to head to Moonstone at sunrise and walk the flat beaches with breakfast burritos. Parking lot to beach distance is minimal. A must if you love dogs or have a well behaved dog of your own.