San Diego Elopement & Wedding Photographer

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Kings Canyon National Park intimate Redwoods wedding and reception at Moniker General | Bethany and Eric

Exchange your written, personal vows with each other at the top of a mountain, and make them legal in front of your family in the meadow below. This is exactly what Bethany and Eric did in Kings Canyon National Park on the most freaking magical day of my whole life.

Right after their first look at the John Muir Lodge, we headed up to Panoramic Point. We came across a bunch of deer and stopped for a minute to watch them all before heading to the top. As we soaked in the views, the quiet and stillness of the mountains gave Bethany and Eric an intimate and private space to share their vows.

After exchanging vows and posing for some photos with some hikers, we made our way back to the lodge to meet the rest of our party. With 10 people in tow, we made the trek to Zumwalt Meadow. Despite parts of a bridge being flooded out, everyone was able to make it to the meadow to make it official. At one point during the ceremony, Eric dropped the ring and like a freaking ninja, was able to snag it on the first bounce. Everyone was impressed.

We seemed to somehow perfectly time our drive home and the sunset freaking exploded all over the sky. All 3 of us were screaming in the car over the colors in the sky, pulling over as quickly as we could to catch some photos in it. I live for couples who are down to make unplanned stops because the light is too good not to.

Bethany is a kick ass wedding florist and everything she touches is magic (I HIGHLY recommend hiring her!!!!). Since their ceremony was just for immediate family, they had a reception for friends a few weeks later at Moniker General. She designed the flowers and table scape using locally sourced Garden Roses and tableware she slowly collected from Target to transform the patio into a magical, secret garden. Buona Forchetta kept fresh and hot wood fired pizza coming as the sunset and the candles set the coziest mood. Once the pizza slowed down and it was time for tiramisu, Bethany and Eric said thank you and one of their friends stood up to give a speech. Somehow, he managed to wish them well and share stories about then, while seamlessly transitioning to the speech from Independence Day. Everyone was out of breath afterwards from laughing so hard.

Beginning to end, Bethany and Eric did their wedding exactly they way they wanted to with exactly who they wanted to. Their careful intention created an intimate and magical experience that was so true to who they are and I’m insanely lucky to have been a part of it and NOW NEIGHBORS with them. One of their photos was included in a post about writing your vows and you can check that out HERE!

Ceremony: Kings Canyon National Park

Reception: Moniker General

Bridal Bouquet: Siren Floral Co

Reception Flowers: Tiny Victories

Reception Assistance: Love Always Planning

Catering: Buona Forchetta

Cocktails: Moniker General

Dress: BHLDN

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Bethany and Eric did their engagement photos at the San Diego Fair and it was definitely one of the most fun days EVER. You will 100% want to check it out HERE!