Kas and Tim traveled from Colorado for a Crescent City elopement that was really about getting away together and making the entire day an experience. Since this wasn’t their first marriage, they knew they didn’t need to follow a traditional wedding-day format just because they were getting married. They wanted adventure, time together, and a day where they could feel completely present with each other. So we planned exactly that, starting along the Smith River, spending the day exploring the redwoods, and eventually making our way up to the Southern Oregon coast for sunset.

A Crescent City Elopement in the Redwoods

Kas and Tim started the morning at their Airbnb tucked along the quiet Smith River in Hiouchi. Where they had their first look before we headed into Jedediah Smith Redwoods. We took Howland Hill Road toward their ceremony spot and stopped along the way to explore because, honestly, it’s hard to drive through here without wanting to pull over every five minutes. There are massive trees, little caves, moss, ferns, and so many places that make you want to slow down and look around.

We hiked into the forest for their ceremony, where they exchanged vows surrounded by the redwoods before spending some time exploring and taking portraits. Kas and Tim call each other the fairy and her dragon prince, which felt pretty fitting once you saw the two of them wandering through these trees together. We headed to a second redwood location afterward and even found a banana slug, which is always a highlight around here. Their time in the forest wasn’t about rushing from one photo spot to another. They actually had time to hike, explore, stop when something caught their attention, and enjoy where they had chosen to get married.

From the Redwoods to the Southern Oregon Coast

Later, we met back up on the Southern Oregon coast for sunset, and it gave Kas and Tim a completely different experience without having to fit another adventure into another day. The tide was really high at our first location, so we stayed above the beach and took in the views from the top instead. With coastal elopements, sometimes you have to adjust the plan based on what the ocean is doing that day, and that’s exactly what we did.

We continued farther north and ended up at a quiet stretch of coastline with sand dunes, huge rock formations, and the beach practically to ourselves. The light was so good as the sun started getting lower, and after spending the first half of their day surrounded by dark green forest, having all of that open coastline felt like the perfect way to end it. Before calling it a night, Kas and Tim pulled out their wedding cake and ate it together at the back of their Jeep while the sun dipped toward the ocean. Just a really simple, fun ending to a day that felt completely like them.

Ready for an Elopement Day That Feels Like You? Would Love To Chat!

Christina Perhac Photo | Adventurous California Elopement Photographer

One of the best parts about getting married in this area is that you really don’t have to choose between the redwoods and the coast. You can spend part of your day hiking beneath some of the biggest trees you’ve ever seen and finish it watching the sun go down over the ocean, and actually give yourself enough time to enjoy both. If a day filled with exploring, quiet moments, and plans built around what the two of you actually want sounds like your kind of wedding, I’d love to help you plan your Crescent City elopement. Head to my contact page so we can chat about the ideas you have! If you want to learn more about me and what I do, click here. Can’t wait to hear from you!