Laina + Jeremy grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains so they knew they had to get married underneath the redwoods. In fact, they were actually high school sweethearts who remained friends, but reconnected as a couple and got married 11 years later! Love that. :) They pictured their entire wedding outside with redwoods and lots of candles + cafe lights. And lucky for them, one of Laina’s best friends parents offered their beautiful home as their venue! Jeremy then worked for months to transform a bumpy redwood grove into a beautiful flat ceremony venue in the middle of a forest. Their wedding was full of handmade details – including lots of paper flowers, the ribbon backdrop and more – and felt like a beautiful backyard party which is exactly what they imagined.
Thanks to Sun and Life Photography for the photos and congrats to Laina + Jeremy!
Our Musical Choices
Our Favorite Memory
It is really hard to pick just one favorite memory of the day, the whole wedding was so memorable. Writing and reciting our own vows to one another for the first time during the ceremony, walking down the aisle and seeing the faces of all our favorite people with tears in their eyes, having friends and family who came from as far as Australia, China, Hawaii and Wisconsin was amazing! And last but not least, the massive dance party and people saying to me the next day "that was the most fun we've ever had at a wedding!" really made all the hard work pay off. It was a day we will never forget. I wish we could do it every month! ; )
One of my favorite details of our wedding is that my dad made 200 gorgeous white vases for the centerpieces and for our guests to take home as a gift. My mom, with a little help from friends made over 200 paper roses to put in the vases.
Our Advice
My advice for future planners would be to pool your resources! We were working with a small budget so we had to get creative and utilize the people in our lives based on their talents, abilities, connections, etc. Then we delegated jobs to friends and family who could help. We feel so lucky to have so many talented people in our lives that helped us achieve our vision for the wedding.
The day goes by SO fast. Be present and take time to look around and enjoy it. Let everything go on the day of the event, at this point whatever happens will be great because you worked so hard to get to there. Look each other in the eye during the ceremony, speak slowly and take deep breaths. Eat dinner, dance a lot, and smile! because everyone who is there to celebrate with you all love you so much and have been a part of the journey that has led you to the person you are today!
GWS Preferred Wedding Artists
Love our partner’s work featured in this post? See more of it by visiting their Artist Guide profile.
Santa Cruz DJ Company
Featured in This Wedding
Sun and Life Photography
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Other Vendors in This Wedding
Venue: Private Residence, Santa Cruz Mountains, California // Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven // Hairpiece: Twigs & Honey // Bride's Shoes: Mix No. 6 (for pictures) & Seychelles- Point of No Return (for dancing) // Hair Stylist: Holly Ashley @ Studio 3, Sacramento // Makeup Artist: Holly Ashley @ Studio 3, Sacramento // Groom Attire: Men's Warehouse & the Tie Bar // Paper Goods: Envelopments // Catering: Hector Quiroz Catering // centerpiece vases: Stan Welsh Ceramics // invitations: Envelopments // cookie bar: Pacific Cookie Company
