Camping-Inspired Wedding in the Mountains: Andria + Kevin

Camping Inspired Wedding

Giant redwood trees, a moody blue and earthy palette, a seriously crafty bride who is all about DIYs… This camping-inspired wedding in the mountains of Santa Cruz, California is one for the books! Photographed by Anna Delores Photography, the nuptials of Andria + Kevin was nothing short of enchanted. The bride, Andria, is an aerospace engineer and deliberately chose the date for her wedding to Kevin (May 21) because it was a blue moon! Vanessa Noel Events helped them to create their dream day by favoring elements inspired by camping and nature.

Andria shares Ever since I was a little girl, my favorite place on Earth was somewhere deep in a dark forest – a place where your imagination could run faster than you. Serendipitously, Kevin grew up on a misty mountain, in section of a redwood tree forest known by early settlers as the Howling Wilderness. We’re so connected to the woods – and since we couldn’t have our wedding on the moon (fingers crossed for a 20th anniversary party there, though!) we decided that the Howling Wilderness under a “Blue Moon”, which is a semi-rare celestial event, would be the perfect combination. Not every bride can say the moon is her “something blue”! 

The mountains are calling… Let’s go!

invitations

faunaASTRALIS (otherwise known as our darling bride, Andria!) handmade each invitation with a sprig of greenery under a wax seal, so each guest received a meticulously-crafted, one-of-a-kind invitation.

bridesmaids

Watters Wedding Dress

That gorgeous bouquet is by the planner, Vanessa Noel Events! And we’re head over heels for the bride’s ‘Santina’ dress by Watters.

Camping Inspired Wedding

navy suit

His boutonnière looks SO lovely on his dark blue suit by Hugo Boss!

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Once Upon a Dream by Lana Del Rey

Recessional: Concrete & Clay by Unit 4 + 2

First Dance: Into My Arms by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds

Watters Wedding Dress

Camping Inspired Wedding

wooden signage

candle backdrop

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

For the week leading up to the wedding, we went out into the woods to begin setting up our 'amphitheater' - we built wood benches, created an altar, and even crafted stairs for the aisle. It was a ton of work, and each of us had dirt under our nails... but it was so worth it! On our wedding day I walked down the handmade aisle that we built together, with misty fog hovering in the redwood trees to Lana Del Rey's rendition of "Once Upon A Dream". I've never felt so charmed in all my life.

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Andria shares Yes, hotels were far, bathrooms were portable, weather was chilly, and parking was far with patchy shuttle service. However, we were under a blue moon, deep in a candlelit forest, with the smell of BBQ cooking on a huge wood grill, with all the people we love most in this world. And that’s what WE wanted.

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

That handmade candlelit altar is SO GOOD!

moon card

So SWEET!

seating chart

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

I’m a crafting maniac and I also like to always be in charge… So I (foolishly) thought that I could do it all by myself. That definitely wasn’t the case. No matter how long your engagement is, you will ALWAYS find something else to add/or craft until the very last day. So, my advice for DIY-ers would be to prioritize those crafts, and outsource the ones that don't require your particular brand of quality control. Also, make sure to get an awesome coordinator/planner that will help you execute your vision – because you simply can’t set up your own wedding!

Camping Inspired Wedding

Camping Inspired Wedding

It’s only once in a blue moon that you see a wedding as spectacular as this one… Congrats A + K!

photography: Anna Delores Photography // planning: Vanessa Noel Events // florals: Vanessa Noel Events // wedding dress: Watters 'Santina' // hairpiece: Vanessa Noel Events // getting ready robes: BHLDN // groom attire: Hugo Boss // videography: The Gathering Season // paper goods: faunaASTRALIS (bride Andria) // catering: Sid's Smokehouse // tabletop rentals: Alexis Party Rental // furniture rentals: Alexis Party Rental // music: Santa Cruz DJ - Josh

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