Summer Camp, But Make It Fashion: a Forest Wedding in the Redwoods

Feb 6, 2019 | 0 comments

I think it’s fairly safe to say that Ashley + Justin’s Summer Camp, But Make It Fashion theme at Leonard Lake Reserve in Redwood Valley, California is one of the most trendsetting wedding days I’ve seen. The entire day was good vibes and beautiful moments.

Leonard Lake Reserve is a unique venue hidden away in the Redwoods of Northern California not too far from San Francisco. This venue is such a gem! It’s like a summer camp all too yourself, your guests can stay and play in the lake making for a really inclusive, fun atmosphere.

Not only does Leonard Lake Reserve boast the funky camp vibes that’ll make your wedding weekend a refreshing little retreat, but it also has plenty of space to get everyone ready for the day. And the vintage feel of the decor is beyond perfect for a 60s inspired color palette! I love how moody the rooms are, making light so much fun to play with.

An ancient circle of Redwoods makes for a perfect hideaway to have a first look. We headed to this little spot to do just that! Justin + Ashley also wanted to exchange handwritten vows privately during their romantic first look. It was one of the sweetest moments I think they’ll cherish forever. Ashley said, “The first look was the most memorable part of our wedding. We choose to exchange our vows privately in a circle of redwood trees before our official ceremony with our friends and family. It was a beautifully magical setting and we were happy that we planned in one-on-one time because the rest of the time we were partying with the guests.”

This geometric window was also a spot we just had to play with. This venue is literally one of the most diverse settings!

These two chose to have their ceremony beneath the trees with the lake in the distance. Justin’s mom created this beautiful moon gate from pampas grass, it was such a killer backdrop for the moments shared during their ceremony.

And the pups! I think dogs should always be a part of wedding day, personally 😉

After the ceremony, we wanted to do a little adventuring so we headed down to the dock and enjoyed a little time on the lake before heading up to the hillside for an epic sunset.

The couple chose touches of vintage brass and moody colors to dress the picnic tables for dinner. Can we just agree that this reception is goals?!

This wedding was featured on Junebug Weddings!

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Hey! I’m Randi!
an elopement photographer + intimate wedding photographer based in Hawaii. I document real love stories around the world that you can read about here! You’ll also find insightful planning guides along with other resources to help you visualize your best day ever. Happy reading! ♡