Intimate Santa Cruz Wedding | Andrew & Samantha
I met Andrew through our local church and was thrilled when he and Samantha asked me to photograph their backyard wedding at Samantha's parents' home in Santa Cruz. When I first met Samantha at their engagement shoot, I just knew she and Andrew were meant to be.
It was wonderful seeing Samantha getting ready for her wedding day, surrounded by family pictures on the walls and so many other memorabilia in her childhood home. She and her best friend were hanging out doing hair and makeup and chatting away. It felt so casual and relaxed.
One of my favorite moments was when Samantha knelt next to their family golden retriever and explained that she would be the dog of honor today. She received a beautiful lace bandana that replaced her color for the day and seemed thrilled about the whole affair.
![bride getting into wedding dress](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/407506101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-bride-getting-ready-111703fd.jpg)
Meanwhile, out in the driveway in a gorgeous old airstream trailer, Andrew was also getting ready. Being over 6 ft, it was almost comical seeing this tall man getting prepared in such a small space. He also chose to wear a traditional kilt, which looked good on him. With a bit of help from his soon-to-be father-in-law, he was ready.
![groom wearing a kilt getting ready inside an airstream trailer](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/602706101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-groom-prep-in-airstream-trailer-ad1aadf7.jpg)
![groom straightening his tie that matches the fabric of his kilt](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/412706101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-groom-tie-prep-c3a1316e.jpg)
![dad patting groom on the back](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/122706101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-groom-getting-ready-in-airstream-trailer-0126ccf7.jpg)
![dad helping groom with his tie](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/822706101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-groom-prep-8ed6d8d7.jpg)
The couple chose to say their vows underneath the old tree Sam used to climb as a child. With just over a dozen guests, it was a wonderfully intimate ceremony, performed by Andrew's brother-law. It was beautiful. Yet, after their first kiss, you could not tell from the cheers that erupted that there were only a dozen guests or so; it seemed more like a hundred! All their closest family and friends here in this not only beautiful but meaningful place on what seemed like a perfect summer day in Santa Cruz.
![Small backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/232806101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-intimate-ceremony-guests-2f0829bd.jpg)
![Bride wiping away tears at her small backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/308906101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-ceremony-bride-723a1700.jpg)
![Groom looking lovingly at his bride during their small backyard wedding ceremony in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/018906101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-ceremony-groom-4592e2cd.jpg)
![Beautiful bride at her wedding intimate wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/718906101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-ceremony-bride-vows-b8383265.jpg)
![Bride and groom having their first kiss at their intimate backyard wedding ceremony in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/172806101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-ceremony-kiss-a27ce528.jpg)
![Little girl hugging grooms leg after their wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/182806101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-candid-kid-f04ac667.jpg)
![Bride and Groom being congratulated by family after their wedding ceremony](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/882806101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-ceremony-celebration-79e986fd.jpg)
![Bride introducing little girl to her dog of honor at their small backyard wedding in Santa Cruz.](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/592806101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-candid-kid-dog-fb023d64.jpg)
We choose to go down to New Brighton State Park beach for some portraits. This is a beach I go to all the time with my family. While there is a beautiful camping ground, it never seems to get as overrun with tourists as the other beaches in Santa Cruz. The light on top of the cliffs was magical. Sam looked like an angel in a pre-renaissance painting as the sun shone on her. All the warm colors in the trees behind them seemed to match her bouquet.
![Beautiful bride in a golden grassy field with bouquet of red and orange flowers.](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/973116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-beautiful-bride-portrait-5b85c91b.jpg)
![Bridal bouquet of orange, red, and pink flowers.](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/683116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-bridal-bouquet-flowers-4fbe890c.jpg)
![Beautiful bride in a golden grassy field with bouquet of red and orange flowers.](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/393116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-bride-portrait-f6e4001e.jpg)
![Bride and groom in a golden field at sunset](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/344116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-sunset-portrait-bride-and-groom-1fd4df9f.jpg)
![Bride and groom sharing a kiss in a golden field at sunset](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/054116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-couples-portrait-6fc03017.jpg)
![Bride and groom in a golden field at sunset](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/754116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-wedding-bride-and-groom-portrait-ae4b6bf0.jpg)
We headed down to the beach just before the sun began setting behind the cliffs. We had to keep running up the beach to keep up with the setting sun, but we had a blast doing so! Sam and Andrew are both super playful, and this indeed was one of the most fun portrait sessions ever!
![Bride and groom and sharing a kiss on the beach in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/155116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Beach-wedding-bride-and-groom-portrait-70c14256.jpg)
![Bride and groom on the beach in Santa Cruz at sunset](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/955116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Beach-wedding-couples-portrait-ec216dac.jpg)
![Newlyweds on the beach in Santa Cruz at sunset](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/665116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Beach-bride-and-groom-a88bb2ae.jpg)
![Bride and groom playing on the beach in Santa Cruz at sunset](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/375116101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Beach-wedding-funny-couples-photo-858b8efb.jpg)
![Bride and groom on the beach in Santa Cruz at sunset](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/206426101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Beach-wedding-cool-couples-photo-311b2f8b.jpg)
When we had gotten back to her parent's backyard, all the candles had been lit. The table was made by Andrew and his father-in-law, especially for the occasion. Samantha had rummage goodwills all around Santa Cruz County for colorful and unique glassware, while her mother had helped arrange the flowers. It was hard to believe that this was all DIY and not some styled shoot set up for a magazine.
The bonus was that there was a place at the table for me with my name on it. ❤️
![DIY decor with candles and colorful glass wear at this intimate backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/933726101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-DIY-wedding-table-candle-light-9ac2776e.jpg)
![DIY decor with candles and colorful glass wear at this intimate backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/506626101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-DIY-wedding-colorful-table-details-ef6a9c1b.jpg)
![DIY decor with candles and colorful glass wear at this intimate backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/216626101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-DIY-wedding-table-setting-1a2b8181.jpg)
![DIY decor with candles and colorful glass wear at this intimate backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/916626101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-DIY-wedding-colorful-florals-table-details-0756c0e5.jpg)
![DIY decor with candles and colorful glass wear at this intimate backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/795626101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-DIY-wedding-candle-light-florals-eebae318.jpg)
Thank you, Andrew and Samantha, for letting me be a part of your most special day. It is one that I will never forget!
![Saying grace at this intimate backyard wedding in Santa Cruz](http://images-pw.pixieset.com/elementfield/693726101/Monterey-wedding-photographer-Santa-Cruz-Backyard-DIY-wedding-890e708a.jpg)