A Wedding Overlooking the Water – Part IV
We conclude our beach week series with a trip up the Northern Coast. Thank you to San Francisco wedding photographer Kevin Chin Photography, for these beautiful NorCal wedding photos!
You’ve chosen your destination, now the fun can begin! Thoughts of the decor, the color palette and of course, your dress run rampant, but planning any event requires great attention to detail. Hiring a wedding coordinator can alleviate much of the stress associated with the process. The job of a wedding planner is to bring your vision to life. Contemplate locating a consultant with beach wedding experience. They will be able to equip you with insider’s tips to creating a stylish, stress-free event.
Since the beach is an informal setting you are not constricted by expectations often attached to a traditional wedding setting and may fashion an affair suited to your unique personality. An intimate ceremony can be attained by having your loved ones encircle you while exchanging your vows, or spread pristine white beach beach towels on the sand for a laid back feel. A more formal environment can be established by constructing a chuppah (a traditional Jewish wedding canopy) and adding chairs to the site, if permitted. Remember that the sparkling water of the Pacific Ocean is the most spectacular backdrop for your wedding. Subtly incorporate elements of the natural environment for a stunning event.
The northern coast of California has a vast, somewhat empty shoreline brimming with wildlife and peppered with majestic redwoods. This region of California does have a bit more fog and a longer rainy season. Keep this in mind when choosing a time of year to wed in this lovely part of the state.
Santa Cruz has an abundance of beaches for any imaginable seaside activity. Hawaiian royalty first introduced the sport of surfing to the United States in the city of Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz County website has detailed information in assisting a couple who has chosen this county as a wedding destination.
Can you imagine a trip up the coast without a visit to San Francisco Bay? Many couples choose a location that features the stunning and truly iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge is merely one aspect of this national recreation area that extends from San Francisco County and San Mateo, south of the bridge to Marin County, north of the bridge. A plethora of information can be found on the National Parks website for acquiring permits and finding the perfect location.
Moving north to Point Reyes National Seashore are some gorgeous views of the ocean from this national park. Weddings are allowed in some places. A call to the Special Use Coordinator will get the process started.
The spectacular scenery of Mendocino affords advantages for the couple who desire a seaside escape. From personal experience, there is nothing more romantic than a ceremony with views of a lighthouse. Point Arena Lighthouse is a lovely place to wed. This site offers several locations such as the tower and a gazebo to conduct a wedding. The Botanical Gardens of the Mendocino Coast is a glorious convergence of land and sea. The Botanical Gardens offer several picturesque outdor settings including a ceremony on the bluff.
The terrain becomes rugged and very natural in the northernmost territory of California. In Del Norte County, the “redwoods meet the sea.” Battery Point Island has its own lighthouse that has been the scene of many memorable wedding events. Remember when looking at an area that is sparcely populated that you may have an abundance of natural beauty but may lack some of the amenities that a more urban atmosphere can afford.
Whatever destination you choose remind yourself that this is your special day. Create an event for you and your spouse that will remain in your memory for a lifetime!
