Kaila and Kiara’s Redwoods elopement in Jedediah Smith State Park and on the Oregon Coast was such a dream! It was intentional, emotional, and filled with the kind of love that wraps around you like a warm blanket. They wanted to celebrate their journey together in a way that felt quiet, magical, and full of meaning, and everything about this day delivered.

From misty forest trails to sunny coastal cliffs, a catered lunch with family to lantern-lit beach portraits, this elopement had it all. Here’s a little peek into the unforgettable day Kaila & Kiara created together.

Getting Ready + First Looks

Their day began before sunrise at their Airbnb tucked into the coast of Brookings, Oregon. Getting ready separately, each with their families in different corners of the house, the excitement was already in the air. This spot gave them room for their families, views of the ocean, and the perfect base for everything they had planned. 

Getting ready was peaceful and full of intention with handwritten vows, quiet moments with family, and a first look in the backyard. Then we hit the road, headed for the Boy Scout Trail in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.

HMU: Black Fern Beauty Co

A Private Redwoods Elopement Ceremony in Jedediah Smith State Park

These trees are no joke. Towering, ancient, and somehow still warm and inviting…this part of the Redwoods feels like a portal to another world! With just their sister by their side to officiate, they exchanged vows among the ferns and giants. It was amazing!

Exploring the Redwoods

After the ceremony, we spent the morning adventuring through Stout Grove and the Forks Trail.  These areas can get busy in peak season, but in the spring, we had so many moments of total seclusion. The winding trails made it feel like they had the whole forest to themselves.

And of course, I had to sneak in a little surprise stop… I took them to a tucked-away spot overlooking the Smith River, where the water practically glows a blue-green hue. Just a quiet moment to soak it all in—and they were obsessed! Honestly, it was hard not to be.

That’s one of the best parts of this area! You get to experience the grandeur of California’s redwoods and the dramatic Oregon coastline in the same day. It’s surreal how close these two are.

If you’re considering a redwood elopement, here’s a pro tip: silk flowers are your best friend. Kaila and Kiara chose incredibly realistic silk florals for their day, and they looked amazing! This choice is especially important in protected environments like the redwood forests, where preserving the ecosystem is a top priority. Their bouquet photographed beautifully, stayed perfect all day, and didn’t run the risk of introducing anything harmful to the forest.

Silk Bouquet by Something Borrowed Blooms.

Lunch + Family Time at the Airbnb

We headed back to their Airbnb in Brookings, Oregon. There, they reunited with their family for a sweet midday welcome and delicious catered lunch. 

We recreated some sweet moments for photos, signed certificates, and captured family portraits in the backyard with the coastline as a backdrop.

Everything, and I mean everything, was intentional. Their sister handmade the décor, the florals, and even designed the signage. Kaila and Kiara personalized their hiking packs and styled the table with so much love. 

Lunch catered by: Black Trumpet Bistro

Golden Hour Portraits + Sunset at Secret Beach

After lunch and a bit of rest, we set out for their sunset adventure at Secret Beach—one of my favorite coastal spots on the Oregon side, just minutes from their Airbnb. They brought their own charcuterie spread (it was stunning) and I layered in my picnic setup to bring it all together.

The trail down is short but steep (bring your hiking shoes!), and the view when you hit the sand is pure magic. The clouds that had been building all afternoon for their elopement parted right as the sun hit the horizon. It truly couldn’t have worked out any better!

Kaila and Kiara wandered barefoot along the beach, hand-in-hand, laughing and soaking up the final golden hour light. We stayed just long enough for lantern photos at blue hour, and OH MY GOSH… they were giving serious coastal romance vibes. These two know how to glow.

Bonfire at Harris Beach

Kaila and Kiara wanted to feel the summer camp vibes for their elopement day. So, their families met us at Harris Beach just in time for a bonfire for s’mores and singing. We wrapped the night with candids and all these cozy moments together. It was the perfect close to an already amazing day!

Why Consider Jedediah Smith State Park for Your Redwoods Elopement

Kaila and Kiara dreamed of a day surrounded by towering trees and coast. We explored options in both national and state parks to prioritize privacy, and chose Jedediah Smith for its epic trees and quiet trails. And for the coastal views, Secret Beach was a favorite from the beginning.

If you’re dreaming of Redwoods AND the coast for your elopement, this spot is it! The Jedediah Smith Redwoods offer winding, intimate trails that feel secluded even on busier weekends. The redwoods here are massive (think Jurassic Park or Endor vibes) and the Smith River is one of the most vibrant blues I’ve ever seen.

And just 30–45 minutes away, you’ve got dramatic cliffs, moody beaches, and cozy coastal Airbnbs in Brookings and along the Southern Oregon coast.

Spring is one of my favorite seasons here. It’s peaceful, less crowded, and full of soft light and lush greenery. Plus, it’s cool enough for hiking and cozy enough for beach bonfires.

My biggest piece of advice for couples choosing to elope is to slow the day down. Handwrite your vows, go for a morning hike, eat something delicious, play music, and watch the sunset. Make it feel like you. The photos will be beautiful no matter what, but they’ll mean something deeper when you’re having the time of your life just being present together. 

More Redwoods Elopement Resources

• The Best California Redwood Elopement Locations
• The Ultimate Redwood National Park Elopement Guide
• How to Plan a Big Sur Redwood Elopement

Kind Words from the Couple

“Hi, Christina!!!

We’ve spent the last month cherishing all of the special memories and excitedly sharing our sneak peek photos with everyone. It still feels like it was just yesterday!!

We’ve been so excited to receive the full gallery, and we finally had a chance to sit down tonight to take it all in … and we were SO BLOWN AWAY!! Thank you so much for capturing our day in the most magical way<3 Everything took us right back to all of the emotions — such an incredible day filled with so much laughter, joy, and love. We love all of the details, from the special moments shared with family to the intimate close ups of nature. These photos are absolutely gorgeous, and we’re going to cherish them for the rest of our lives!

We are so, so, so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with you for our special day. You were a rockstar through the whole process, from the early days of providing vendor suggestions and helping us navigate permit woes, to scouting some beautiful surprise locations and making sure our timeline went off without a hitch. You made us feel so natural and comfortable the whole day, and we’re still so grateful that you encouraged us to weave in plenty of spots for intimacy like our picnic. We had such a blast traipsing through the forest and beaches with you!

We would absolutely love to leave you a review!! […] We’d love to help show other couples what a dream it’s been working with you!

Can’t wait to reconnect soon for our wedding album! In the meantime, we can’t wait to continue taking in all of these gorgeous photos and sharing them with our families and friends!!!”

Kiara & Kaila

Let’s Capture Your Jedediah Smith Redwood Elopement Photos Next!

Hi! I’m Christina, and I’m a Redwoods elopement photographer who’s equal parts planner, location scout, and memory keeper. I’d love to help you turn that wild, beautiful idea in your head into an effortless, intentional day you’ll never forget!

My Redwoods elopement packages offer a half-, full–, or multi-day experience! I offer a ton of flexibility in designing our time together and would love to get to know you more to help you plan! To learn more, head over to my contact form, and we can get together on a call!

Every elopement package includes:

• Custom location scouting and on-the-ground research
• Timeline options that create breathing room and magic
• Permitting help, vendor recs, and meaningful add-on options
• Joyful guidance from the start, along with swoon-worthy photos in your own online gallery (plus sneak peeks in 72 hours)