Russ and Kim chose the town of Mendocino as the destination for their elopement. The trees, coast, fog, and the quaint architecture of the village set the scene for an elegant but relaxed day. 

Driving to the coast from Placerville, they stopped in at W/E flowers Ukiah to pick up Russ's boutoniere and Kim's bouquet. I adored the coastal feeling of the sea holly and the little pops of vivid and passionate red in the roses, perfect for this couple. I met the couple at the trail head for the Mendocino Cypress Grove at the Mendocino Headlands State Park and could not help but start snapping away. Russ was full of good humor, Kim was full of love, and officiant James Sibbet 's eyes were smiling above his mask.

While this particular area of the Northern California coast is never truly crowded, choosing a weekday in Fall gave this couple plenty of privacy and peace for the exchange of their vows. The nearly circular grove of these giants created the feeling of an ocean view embrace. The rest of the world disappeared behind branches and the waves lowered normal speaking voices and laughter to mere whispers, inaudible at the opposite edge of the grove. Although Russ and Kim's elopement was not unknown to their family and friends, being the photographer for their ceremony had the feeling of being in on a very special secret. 

After the ceremony, we hopped in our cars for a short caravan over to where they were staying at The Sea Rock Inn to take some portraits around the garden and grounds. This bed and breakfast has such lovely views of trees and the ocean. The flowers brought a lovely splash of color in the fog and the cooler temperatures gave lots of opportunities for cuddling and closeness. 

Another quick drive in our cars parked us on Main Street in Mendocino at the headlands area above Portuguese Beach. I knew they would enjoy the views from the trails there. Panoramic coastline in one direction and a wide screen perspective of building facades in the other direction. When Russ and Kim learned I was driving from Mendocino county to Humboldt county to photograph in the redwoods, they just couldn't resist asking if I would be willing to take some portraits of them in the redwoods as well.

I was happy to oblige. What resulted are images that represent two of the biggest spaces in my west coast wedding photographer's heart... big water and big trees.