Santa Cruz Wedding

Elopement
Written By Flora Gibson

K & E eloped in the redwoods at the Sequoia Retreat Center in Santa Cruz California, with the most amazing getting-ready suite, private redwood grove, and close access to the wildflowers and bluffs off the coast. K & E said their vows under the redwoods and had a first look outside of their suite. They had the sweetest cake from Gayle’s Bakery which they enjoyed on the bluffs, cut with a giant butcher knife because sometimes aesthetic cake cutters are overrated. They asked their family and friends to write them letters that they got to sit down together and open on the coast in place of wedding day toasts. And they finished their beautiful elopement day with a first dance as the sun tucked below the horizon. I felt so lucky to be their photographer and feel so grateful for K & E trusting me to preserve their memories.

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California Couples Photography
California Couples Photography

I’ve been shooting non stop weddings and elopements lately and even my adventure shoots have been arriving in long dresses which has made it hard to capture movement. I really wanted to have a full session shooting with a slow shutter, ZERO expectations of anything being perfectly in focus. I wanted rolling in the grass, running as fast as you can and gripping each other tightly. I was so excited when this couple responded willing to do it! With a brain that immediately wants to create when inspiration hits, I was so grateful for them coming out to spend the afternoon with me!

Big Sur Wedding Venue’s
Big Sur Wedding Venue’s

K & G booked me for two-day wedding coverage over their wedding weekend in Big Sur. I had so much fun getting to hang with them the day before their wedding for portraits; It’s always so nice to be able to do portraits in a relaxed way . This allowed K & G to really get to know me and relax on their wedding. K allowed me to really just document most of her day which allowed so much opportunity to be creative, have a relaxed loose timeline without rushing from one thing to the next. I loved how they utilized the Wind and Sea property with most of their wedding day happening outside. Using the grassy lawn for the ceremony, the deck for dancing and cocktails, and the fire pit lawn for beautiful farm-style dining. It’s exactly how I think the property should be used.

Vintage Car Engagement Session
Vintage Car Engagement Session

When B reached out to me, his immediate love of vintage cars came through. His question was how he could include a vintage Porsche during his engagement session and I connected him to Monterey Touring Vehicles locally. When he showed up with this beauty I was sooo excited, their willingness to sit down in the dirt and drive a little farther really paid off. Their shoot feels so editorial to me, and I was so excited they chose me for this one!

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Let’s get on the phone
Let’s get on the phone

I want to make sure I can serve you well, let’s get to know each other.
I want to hear about your vision or pain points in the planning journey so I can help!

Reserve your date!
Reserve your date!

Once the retainer and contract are received your date is booked with me, now we can start really planning!!
I’ll send you some questionnaires so I can better get a feel for your vision, favorite music and drink of choice!

Check out your custom timeline!
Check out your custom timeline!

Make sure your ceremony is exactly where you envision it, your picnic is set up and waiting for you at the beach and we got to see all the adventurous locations you wanted to.

Flora Gibson
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Big Sur Engagement
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Garrapata Beach Elopement