Mendocino Woodlands Summer Camp Disco Wedding | Alison + Brendan
Mendocino Wedding Photographer | Mendocino Woodlands Wedding | Wedding in Mendocino, CA
“ we didn’t want a little ribbon around our day. we wanted to build it with our people. our friends and family came through for us, and they made our weekend magic. our people helped us set up camp, and together we created a space that was beautiful and joyful and ours. all weekend we worked together, sang together, cooked together, laughed together, danced together. “ - Ali, the bride
As you approach Mendocino along Highway 1, the landscape transforms into a masterpiece of towering redwoods, dramatic cliffs, and the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of saltwater and pine.
About a 20 minute drive from the coast is the Mendocino Woodlands, a quaint summer camp set within lush redwood forest, with enough off-grid cabins for guests to stay the weekend and not enough cell reception for them to be fully immersed in the nature and present with one another.
I arrived the day before the wedding to a welcoming group of Ali + Brendan’s closest loved ones sharing a meal, singing songs around a campfire and excitedly anticipating the next day’s festivities. On the day of the wedding, the sun shone bright through the redwood trees, creating a dappled dance of light wherever we stepped foot on the dusty floor. Everything about this wedding day was DIY, done by the bride herself. From the ceremony marigold mandala they stepped into to become one, to the dried floral garland hanging lovingly on the redwoods, it was all a true labor of love to set the tone for a magical wedding day.
As Ali and Brendan exchanged vows surrounded by the wisdom of the trees- it felt as though the forest itself was bearing witness to their union. The guests were treated to a spectacular vegan, southern-inspired meal made lovingly by a Mendocino local, Fog Eater Cafe. Running the show effortlessly and quietly behind the scenes was Madeline Hurst and her team, FernFoot Events. She was absolutely lovely to work with and being a local she knows so much about Mendocino and the surrounding area… highly recommend reaching out to her if you are ever thinking of getting married in Mendocino.
Mendocino Woodlands Wedding Vendors—>
Photographer : Diana Lake Photography
Ceremony + Reception Location : Mendocino Woodlands
Planner/ Coordinator : FernFoot Events
Floral : Evalina Floral
Ali’s Dress : Sarah Seven
Catering : Fog Eater Cafe
Rentals : Matt Rowland Events
Catering : Fog Eater Cafe