Sonny & Jasmine’s Angeles National Forest elopement shows how breathtaking a wedding day can be just outside Los Angeles. With sweeping mountain views, quiet forest trails, and golden California light, this guide will help you envision and plan your own intimate elopement in the San Gabriel Mountains.

Kate & Antonio’s elopement in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was a reminder of just how magical it feels to exchange vows beneath ancient trees. Nestled in Santa Cruz County, this redwood grove is one of California’s most enchanting and accessible elopement locations. From permit tips to the best times of year to visit, this guide will show you how to plan your own intimate wedding day in the redwoods.

Intimate elopement ceremony in a Redwood Grove at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California. A short hike with family to their ceremony site before adventuring around the redwoods for portraits.

Intimate elopement in Eldorado National Forest, California. Rebecca and Claire exchanged vows privately on an island before their lakeside ceremony with friends and family at Silver Lake. Following their ceremony we trekked across the street and down a short trail to The Potholes for a celebratory beer, portraits, and an amazing sunset before returning to their loved ones in South Lake Tahoe for a dinner celebration.

Nathan and Mackenzie drove across the country from Iowa to Crescent City, California to say their vows under the mystical redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. They ended their elopement with a celebration on Pebble Beach only a short drive from the redwoods.

An evening adventure in Joshua Tree with Samantha and Shane who traveled from Louisiana to say "I Do" in Joshua Tree National Park.

Evening elopement in Joshua Tree National Park. Monique + Ray exchanged vows with their daughter as their witness. Ending the evening with cake and champagne at one of the picnic tables at Hidden Valley Picnic Area.

A sunset engagement session in Brawley, California, at the Imperial Sand Dunes.

Intimate beach elopement at Crystal Cove State Park. Ashley, Bryan, their daughters, and closest friends enjoyed a sunset beach ceremony where Ashley and Bryan exchanged hand written vows. After their vows they explored the tide pools and watched the sunset before enjoying dinner with their guests.

Elopement in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park with a short walk along Redwood Grove Loop Trail to the ceremony site located in the heart of the grove.

Romantic Japanese Garden elopement in Pasadena, California. Portraits taken throughout the garden with vows at Arlington Garden in Pasadena across the street. Then back to Storrier Stearns Japanese Garden for champagne, cake, and dancing.

Overcast beach elopement in Malibu, California. Hiking to the top of Point Dume with a cliffside vow exchange. Ending the evening on the shores of Malibu as the sun set over the Pacific.

Sunrise engagement session at Hugh T. Osborne Lookout Park in Imperial Sand Dunes.

Intimate elopement in Joshua Tree at a mid-century modern style Airbnb. A fun filled elopement day with harsh light portraits, delicious food prepared by a private chef, fire side ceremony, and a champagne toast at sunset.

Intimate Joshua Tree Elopement in March at Cap Rock with only the bride and groom, their officiant, and I celebrating their love in the desert. We walked among the rock formations and iconic Joshua Trees until the sky started turning hues of blue, purple, and pink before hiking back to our cars.

Sunset Big Sur Elopement with family in Garrapata State Park. Ceremony on the bluffs and portraits on the beach from sunset to blue hour.

Lake Tahoe Elopement with a small hike to the top of Eagle Rock with expansive views of Lake Tahoe for their ceremony and couples portraits at the river at the bottom of the mountain.

Elopement at Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park with their immediate family there as witnesses.

Formal sunset engagement photos at Imperial Sand Dunes in Glamis, California.