Chelsea & Mark's
REDWOODS ELOPEMENT PLANNING GUIDE

WELCOME TO YOUR ONLINE PERSONALIZED PLANNING GUIDE!

In your guide, you'll find your photography timeline, packing list, vendor recommendations, and location recommendations! You'll have access to this guide throughout your elopement planning process and you can conveniently reference it anytime and anywhere as long as you have internet access! By the way, this is a live document so it will change overtime once we nail down all the details & vendors! If you have any questions or need more assistance, feel free to reach out via email! I'm here to support you and help make your elopement a stress-free experience! Happy planning!

In your guide, you'll find your photography timeline, packing list, vendor recommendations, and location recommendations! You'll have access to this guide throughout your elopement planning process and you can conveniently reference it anytime and anywhere as long as you have internet access! By the way, this is a live document so it will change overtime once we nail down all the details & vendors! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out via email! Happy planning!

xo Sheryl

Hey Chelsea & M ark!

Hey Chelsea & Mark!

Elopement Day Photography Timeline for SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025

ELOPEMENT DAY PHOTOGRAPHY TIMELINE FOR SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025

UP TO 8 HOURS OF COVERAGE: 1:30PM-9:30pm

1:20pm-1:50pm Guests leave for Redwoods (Approx. 30 minute drive, 20 minute walk to Big Wayside Tree from Prairie Creek Parking)

REDWOODS ADVENTURE
1:30pm-1:40pm Sheryl & Chelsea will meet at Big Wayside Tree! Then meet up with Mark at designated spot along trail for First Look!
1:40pm-2:20pm First Look, Private Vow Exchange, and Couples Photos exploring the Redwoods at Circle Loop & Cathedral Trail.

CEREMONY
2:30pm Meet up with family at Big Wayside Tree & usher to ceremony spot with Planner
2:40pm-3:00pm Ceremony at uprooted tree
3:00pm-3:15pm Family Photos
3:20pm-3:40pm Walk back to cars

FERN CANYON ADVENTURE
3:50pm-4:20pm Drive to Fern Canyon
4:20pm-5:00pm Fern Canyon Couples Photos & Adventure

DINNER
5:00pm-6:00pm Drive to Dinner
6:00pm Reception Detail Photos
6:15pm-6:30pm Grand Entrance, Thank You Speech, First Dance, Father Daughter Dance, and Groom & Daughter Dance
6:30pm-7:30pm Dinner

SUNSET & LANTERN PHOTOS
7:30pm-7:45pm Leave for Sunset Photos
7:45pm-8:15pm Sunset Photos with Kite & Bikes
8:15pm-8:35pm Lantern Photos
8:40pm-8:55pm Drive back to Airbnb
9:00pm-9:30pm Cake Cutting, Cake is served, and maybe star photos!

9:30pm End of Photography Coverage

Note: This is a draft timeline that will be reviewed together and approved by you two when ready! Feel free to provide feedback via email! We will have a timeline review prior to your elopement. Also, I will manage your photography timeline to ensure we stay on schedule so you don't need to worry about keeping track of time (:

Elopement Ceremony Trail Recommendation: Circle Trail in Redwoods National Park

permit information

A Special Use Permit is REQUIRED for any elopement taking place within Redwoods National & State Parks, Here is the information needed for the State Park.

You will need a Permit Form and the Endangered Species Addendum. I will provide it to you via email!

In addition to the forms, the park requires a Certificate of General Liability Insurance (COI); I will provide an example of how it should look via email as well. Here is more information from the park below:

"All Special Events, including weddings, require a Certificate of General Liability Insurance. This is due to the fact that these events are considered beyond the normal scope of regular park visitation. You can check your homeowner’s insurance to see if it covers events like weddings because some of them do. Your insurance company should be able to point you in the right direction if they can’t do it themselves. CA State Parks will need to be indicated as an “Additional Insured,” and the total combined single limit (CSL) needs to be $1,000,000. The address you need to use is: CA State Parks, PO Box 942896, Sacramento, CA 94296-0001."

NOTE: You can get a COI for pretty cheap and easily online, ranging from $100 to $400! Here are two options I'd use: https://www.protectmywedding.com/ OR https://www.wedsafe.com/Pages/home.aspx

Email the completed forms & your COI to ncrd.permits@parks.ca.gov. Once the park receives your application, a temporary hold will be placed on the location pending receipt of your non-refundable permit fee of $200. Unfortunately, they do not have an electronic payment method, and you will need to send the check or money order to: CA State Parks Attn: Permit Coordinator PO Box 2006, Eureka, CA 95502. You can make the check out to Department of Parks and Recreation, or DPR. Please ensure you submit an original and 2 copies of the completed forms, all with original signatures, with the check/money!

This is the trail I recommend for your ceremony with your family! Here is a link to AllTrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/big-tree-via-circle-trail

Additional Map of the Trail

Here is a more detailed map of the trail! It has a small parking lot, and it is also a short hiking loop for your family! There are several other connecting trails if you'd like to explore more for your couples photos.

Also, it is the trail that leads to the Cathedral Tree, which is a great ceremony spot.

TIP: Walk the trail with your family the day before so everyone knows where the ceremony spot will be, or you can make it an adventure the day of your elopement and surprise everyone with your epic elopement ceremony location!

FLORIST

HAIR & MUA

CAKE

rentals

caterer

VIDEOGRAPHER

picnic planner

(For Airbnb/Moonstone Beach only. Tables, chairs, and decorations are not allowed in National or State Parks)

https://aplannedaffair.com/
https://www.barndoorrentals.com/
Table Rentals: https://www.barrijeandesigns.com/
Kayak Rentals: https://kayaktrinidad.com/

https://abceventful.com/adventure-elopements/

VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS

I highly recommend the vendors below! Let them know @sherylannephoto sent you their way!

PACKING LIST FOR YOUR redwoods ELOPEMENT

WEDDING NECESSITIES

OTHER TRAVEL NECESSITIES FOR YOUR TRIP!

Dress
Wedding Veil
Suit and Tie
Garment Bags to put dress and suit in.
Hiking Shoes with good traction and stability at ankle, waterproof is best!
Vow Books
Rings
Jewelry
Sunglasses
Light Rain Jacket (just in case)
Nippy covers or bra insert for wedding dress
Water bottles
Champagne and glasses
Wedding Cake and utensils
A bag to put everything in on elopement day!

Headphones
Light jacket
Phone tripod (for your own personal photos or videos)
Any medication you may need
Phone chargers
Portable Chargers
Tooth Brush & Toothpaste
Hat
Underwear
Socks
Make Up / Make Up Remover
Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap
Sun lotion
Lip balm
Perfume / Cologne
Hair Brush
Hair Ties
Face Wash
Shaver
Q Tips

Flying into ACV Airport

The Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) is your gateway to Trinidad and the surrounding natural wonders. As a small regional airport, ACV provides a stress-free arrival experience, with shorter lines and a relaxed atmosphere compared to larger airports.

Renting a Car

While Trinidad is a small and charming town, it’s essential to have your own transportation during your stay. Rental cars are readily available at ACV airport, and having a car will give you the freedom to explore the area at your own pace. Whether you’re planning to visit Redwood National Park, the local beaches, or Arcata Community Forest, a rental car is the best way to ensure you can easily access all the elopement locations on your list.

Why Uber Isn’t Reliable

While ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are available in the area, they can be unreliable due to the small-town nature of Trinidad. Limited availability of drivers means you might find yourself waiting longer than expected or unable to secure a ride when you need one. To avoid any potential delays or inconveniences, it’s highly recommended that you rent a car for the duration of your stay. This will give you the peace of mind knowing you can get to your ceremony location on time and explore all that Trinidad has to offer without any transportation worries.

close