Redwood Dreams + River Adventures: A Sonoma County Elopement
By Hannah Childress | Vérité Visuals
Some days are pure magic from start to finish — and this Sonoma County elopement was exactly that.
We kicked off the morning at Grove of the Old Trees in Occidental, a hidden gem where ancient redwoods towered overhead, creating the dreamiest natural cathedral. In the quiet hush of the forest, with only the soft sounds of the breeze and birds above, Katie and Scott exchanged heartfelt vows surrounded by nothing but towering trees and love. It felt sacred, peaceful, and exactly the way an intimate elopement should.
After the ceremony, we swapped hiking boots for bare feet and paddles, heading down to the Russian River for a little post-wedding adventure. Katie and Scott climbed into a canoe — laughter and excitement filling the air — and paddled into the golden afternoon light. In true celebration style, they popped a bottle of champagne mid-river, toasting to their new life together with wide grins and a few wobbly cheers (it’s harder than it looks to pop a cork while balancing in a canoe, but they nailed it).
As the sun dipped lower, we wrapped up the day with the most romantic riverside setup you can imagine. On a secluded spot along the riverbank, we laid out a cozy charcuterie spread, complete with candles, a warm blanket for two. Katie and Scott shared bites, snuck kisses, and cut into a gorgeous little wedding cake as the river quietly flowed by and golden light illuminated the tree tops.
From the towering redwoods to a canoe full of love and laughter, and a candlelit riverside feast to top it all off — this Sonoma County elopement was an absolute dream.
If you’re dreaming of an adventurous elopement that’s full of heart (and maybe a little river paddle action), Sonoma County might just be calling your name.