DIY Redwood Forest Wedding by Let’s Frolic Together

An autumn wedding amongst the redwoods in Corralitos, CA

Meaghen and Nik got married on a foggy September day on the 104 acres of redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains otherwise known as the Pema Osel Ling Retreat Center. The bride and groom both went to school in Santa Cruz and were compelled to trek back out there from L.A. for their wedding at a buddhist retreat. Their incredibly dreamy ceremony in the “Amphitheatre of the Redwoods” led to a celebration with beer, lawn games, camping, playing guitar and laughing in the rain. Let’s Frolic Together captured these lovely images and had beautiful words to describe Meaghen and Nik’s day.

The day started by waking up to a morning of forest shrouded in a thick fog — a dense and mystic haze that permeated every little corner of the beautiful land that is the Pema Osel Ling Buddhist Retreat. Campers were parked beneath looming redwoods, and a glowing green pond was punctured with ripples. Hidden paths cloaked in mood sprawled out in every direction, between tall, tall trees. A hike to a family breakfast gathering in a cabin tucked away led to rallying the troops to get ready. Of course, this involved dueling guitars on the porch and suit-and-tie cornhole in the haze. Nestled in cabins, last-minute grooming, pinning, preening, and laughing welcomed arriving guests. Suddenly, just as the ceremony was meant to start, the sun peeked out, and amidst buddhas and strummed guitars the march into the trees began as these two soulful gems hitched their lives together.

As Meaghen said her vows, mentioning being there for each other even in tough times, the sky opened up and the rains fell… just for a few minutes. It’s like the weather was in cahoots with their wedding plans. This was the kind of wedding in which laughter abounded. And then suddenly, it was just the two of them, snuggling in the trees, walking through forest tunnels, and basking in the twinkling droplets sitting on all the boughs. I love how many people camped for this wedding, even in the midst of unexpected weather. This was the feeling. The wonderful, mountain-air, wild-and-free feeling. The festivities, protected under a tent in an open field, were a true delight. Celebrating on the autumnal equinox, this was exactly the fall fix I needed. The amazing homemade apple butter treat and gorgeous florals didn’t hurt, either. Swoon. We danced for hours, and when the official event shut down, the after party headed to yet another cabin, where we danced for several more hours, not to mention played some more cornhole, knocked back a whole bunch of booze, and celebrated an amazing love, and an amazing day, celebrating who they are, who they love, and who they will be in the future. – Jasmine
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