California Redwood Forest Elopement: Joaquin Miller Park
S + C wanted to have their redwood forest elopement here in the San Francisco Bay Area. They were looking for a beautiful place to celebrate their marriage with their friends and their adorable dog, Milo. The Bay Area is very fortunate to have a lot of redwood options to choose from, but Joaquin Miller Park ended up being the perfect choice: dog friendly, easily accessible, and not crowded. Oh, and it’s absolutely gorgeous!
Five tips for your redwood forest elopement in
Joaquin Miller Park:
Plan your elopement for a weekday! Popular with trail runners and kid camps, Joaquin Miller Park is best enjoyed on weekdays to maximize the tranquility (and privacy) of the space.
Wear comfortable walking shoes. Most of the trails here are dirt with a fair amount of bark and sticks that have dropped from the redwoods. You’ll want to wear sturdy shoes for getting around.
Download offline maps and make sure to screenshot and share your exact meeting spot for everyone who’s coming. Service can be spotty here so make sure you and your guests can navigate regardless. I wouldn’t count of being able to call or text when you arrive.
Bring a jacket just in case. You’ll be mostly in the shade under the redwood trees and temperatures can be much cooler than the nearby forecast will lead you to believe.
If you’re planning to bring your dog with you to your elopement, be sure to give them plenty of exercise beforehand. Joaquin Miller Park is popular with the pups (it’s one of the few dog friendly redwood destinations in California) and there is a lot of fun things for a dog to be distracted and excited by. If you want your dog to be a bit more relaxed, giving them some quality playtime before you head out will make a huge difference. Oh, and bring treats of course :)
Don’t miss this other fantastic place to elope in the Bay Area: Point Reyes. And if you love dogs at weddings, be sure to take a look at the cutest flower girl dog ever.
After their ceremony, we took some photos with their friends, and then S + C celebrated with champagne and cake. Then we explored the redwoods a bit for couple portraits.
Kind words from the couple:
“We are loving the pictures! Everyone is.. Thank you so much for being a part of our day, I couldn’t have imagined anyone else planning the day as well as you did!”
I will never get over the feeling of walking through a redwood forest — it’s so peaceful and serene. There’s a feeling of awe at the height of the trees, of feeling small, but also a feeling of connection, of being welcomed home. It’s a wonderful place to share with someone special.
Check out another awe-inspiring and special elopement location: Slot Canyons in Utah.
Location: Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, CA
Traditional territory of: Muwekma, Ohlone, Confederated Villages of Lisjan, and Miwok Peoples
Bride’s Dress: JJ’s House
Groom’s Suit: Brooks Brothers
Cake: Butter&
Jewelry from India