This non-conformist couple had the most beautiful yet unconventional wedding. Rachelle, a product researcher, and Remy, a saxophonist, planned their magical forest wedding from their home in New York. Remy grew up on a beautiful property near USSC. With plenty of space to run around and trees to climb, it sounds like the perfect childhood and now the perfect setting to bring things full circle. What stood out for me more than their modern and unconventional ideas on marriage, which definitely stands out, was their love for each other. It is clear to see that Rachelle adores Remy just the way he is and that Remy cherishes Rachelle for the amazing woman she is. 

Wooden chairs arranged for a wedding ceremony in a majestic redwood forest.
Elegant floral arrangements in gold vases displayed on wooden stool in redwood forest.
Intimate wedding ceremony setup with wooden chairs between towering redwood trees.
White and peach floral arrangement with delicate blooms and greenery.

A fairy circle happens when a mother tree dies to feed the saplings around her. This results in a near-perfect circle of trees with a clearing in the middle. It doesn't get more magical than a redwood fairy circle. Lia's team did a fantastic job setting up the gorgeous copper pots with the most beautiful white and orange flowers as an alternative to the usual wedding arch and even lining the aisle with redwood leaves. It made for a beautiful and unique venue.

Wedding couple viewing their forest venue from behind.
Couple sharing a playful moment during their forest wedding photoshoot.
Wedding couple photographed under golden tree branches with soft bokeh effect.
Couple shares an intimate moment during their wedding photoshoot in a sun-dappled outdoor setting.
A romantic moment captured between newlyweds under sunlit spring foliage.
Elegant wedding portrait beneath sunlit trees in a natural forest setting.
Wedding couple embracing and smiling under dappled sunlight in a garden setting.
Tender wedding moment captured in a natural outdoor setting with soft lighting.
Couple standing on a wooded path surrounded by overhanging branches and filtered sunlight.
Wedding couple walking along a sunlit forest path surrounded by lush greenery.
Elegant couple holding hands while walking through a garden setting on their wedding day.

On the other side of the property, near another grove of redwood trees, Rachelle & Remy had their first look. I would describe Rachelle's look as bridal avant-garde. She looked radiant in her European cotton dress (which had pockets, what more could a girl want?!) and her handmade earrings. After they took it all in, we also took a few portraits under the cover of the giant redwood tree's branches in some much-needed shade. It was a good hot summer day in Santa Cruz, and up here near UCSC is as hot as it gets in this area.

Wedding ceremony processional in a majestic redwood forest setting.
A wedding ceremony nestled among towering redwood trees with guests seated on wooden chairs.
A wedding ceremony takes place in a redwood forest with officiant reading from a book.

I'm sure you are beginning to see the trend here. True to their individualism, Rachelle & Remy walked together into the ceremony, choosing to leave the old traditions well behind. Instead, they are showing up together to their union as equal partners. Remy's twin brother, also a talented musician, played piano for the ceremony while their sister officiated it. Being an Entomologist, she couldn't help but include a few comparisons from her favorite insect, the ant. It was the most unique but beautiful sermon I've heard. Not one that any of us there will soon forget. 

A server carries glasses on a tray during an outdoor event.
Guests clink glasses together in a black and white celebratory moment.
A black and white photo captures an intimate forest wedding ceremony.
A black and white candid moment during an outdoor forest ceremony.
A candid black and white moment during wedding vows in a forest setting.

Rachelle and Remy are tea lovers and found the most beautiful way to include this in their ceremony. Carefully collected Japanese yunomi tea cups were being passed out to the guests, meant to be kept as a wedding favor. While drinking the tea, friends and family were asked to think of a special memory they had with the couple. What a great gift to their guests!

An emotional exchange of vows during a forest wedding ceremony.
A heartfelt moment shared during wedding vows in a sunlit forest.
Guests watch a wedding ceremony through a natural frame of redwood trees.
A couple shares their first kiss during an intimate wedding ceremony among towering redwood trees.
Newlyweds embrace in a tender moment surrounded by majestic redwood trees in a forest setting.
Black and white photo of an outdoor forest wedding ceremony with guests seated among tall redwood trees.
Newlyweds walk down the aisle while guests smile during a redwood forest wedding ceremony.
Black and white capture of a wedding celebration moment between guests and couple in a forest setting.

It's hard to believe this is not a wedding venue in Santa Cruz but someone's backyard. It was a beautiful, magical ceremony, and I'm so happy that these two are officially Mr. & Mrs. 

White linen covered cocktail table set in a secluded garden setting.
Elegant white and orange floral arrangement with roses and delphinium blooms.
Round cocktail tables with white linens set up outdoors under evergreen trees.
Wedding guests gather at outdoor reception tables in a sunlit forest clearing at dusk.
Wedding reception moment with joyful reactions during toasts at outdoor forest celebration.
Candid black and white moment of laughter shared between wedding couple and guests during reception.
Celebration erupts during wedding reception as guests cheer at outdoor forest venue.
Wedding reception guests enjoying drinks and toasts at outdoor tables.
Outdoor wedding reception with tables and guests seated in a wooded setting at golden hour.
Black and white photo of wedding guests celebrating enthusiastically at outdoor reception.
Outdoor wedding celebration with family sharing drinks and laughter.

The reception took place outside the fairy circle. The shade of the massive redwood trees offered some relief from the hot summer sun. Friends and family had come from all over the U.S. and abroad. The afternoon was filled with good conversation and laughter. Remy's brother rewrote the lyrics to an old song the two of them wrote together as kids as a surprise for the couple on their wedding day. Unfortunately, Rachelle's best friend got covid before their wedding and couldn't be there to give her toasts, so it was read instead, and man, it was a tear-jerker!

Intimate wedding portrait with golden sunset light filtering through trees.
A couple embraces in a golden sunset against a backdrop of tall trees in a rustic outdoor setting.
Romantic sunset wedding portrait in a natural outdoor setting.
Couple sharing a candid laughing moment during golden hour wedding photos.
Joyful wedding couple laughing together at sunset with bokeh lights in background.

After doing some fun group photos, (Why only do family photos, right? Take pictures with all the important people in your life! But that is for another blog post.) We snuck off for a few sunset portraits in the beautiful golden light streaming through the trees. Sunset portraits are so worth it! Plus, it gives the couple a few minutes away from everyone else to take it all in before the day is all over.

Couple sharing a romantic dance under string lights at an evening forest reception.
A wedding dance takes place on a wooden floor surrounded by tall trees and string lights.
Newlyweds dancing joyfully on a wooden dance floor in a forest setting with twinkling lights.
Wedding guests dancing and celebrating at an outdoor reception under string lights among tall trees.
Two people sharing an intimate dance moment at a nighttime outdoor reception.
Wedding celebration with guests dancing under string lights at a forest venue.
Joyful dancing and celebration at a dimly lit outdoor wedding reception.
String lights illuminate a magical forest gathering with towering redwood trees.

We ended the night back in the fairy circle, this time on the dancefloor. Ready for the chilly night air in her new outfit Rachell & Remy opened up the dancefloor that was soon packed. Everyone enjoyed the party, from the little kiddos to the grandmas. Is there a better way to end the night than dancing under the stars in a fairy circle? Oh and don't forget the disco ball!

A special thank you to the fantastic vendors who made this beautiful day possible!

Planner/ Coordinator Lia Adams Events

Rentals Alexis Party Rental 

Catering Uncle Ro's

Five star review praising wedding photographer's work and professionalism.

Click to read Rachelle's Reveiw on Google.