Multi Day Elopement: California
There are so many things that I absolutely love about this wedding. Firstly, the bridal couple are amazing people and friends of mine. Secondly, it is a multi-day wedding and anyone that knows me, knows how much I value multi-day weddings/elopements. Thirdly, the variety of locations are epic. Last, but not least is their beautiful love story – the way their deep faith led them to each other and then finally to become husband and wife.
About the Couple
Emily and Jeff first met on a dating app called, ‘Coffee and Bagels’. After an initial 3hr facetime conversation they knew there was something special to start pursuing. Jeff shared that he saw how much joy Emily had on that call and he desired to put all his effort into her with no regrets. Emily was a little hesitant at first but one day she just decided to let go of all her relationship concerns and the rest is history. She admires the way Jeff is constant, consistent, and present. True love is showing up for each other consistently and wholeheartedly without any demands. You can listen to their intimate love story and personalized vows on the wedding video. This whole multi-day elopement from beginning to end is full of fun, joy, love, gratitude, and peace.
Emily wore an exquisite, kaftan style bohemian wedding dress, with long wide slit sleeves, and a plunging V-neck front and back. An inspirational romantic hairstyle with one side up, braided into the other side, and left to flow freely. Highlighted with an elegant silver diamante bridal clip and drop earrings to match. Emily said, “Jeff is the most handsome man I’ve ever met” and I’m sure he didn’t disappoint on the special day, looking fantastic in a dark grey suit with white formal shirt and auburn tie. Cheers to the awesome bridal party, they were amazing – inclusive of flower girls, page boy, precious pup, party of 10 bridesmaids and 3 groomsmen.

About the Multi-Day Elopement Timeline & Locations
Emily and Jeff married in Ben Lomond, which is located on Highway 9 in Santa Cruz County, northern California. The day after photoshoot was an hour south-east of Ben Lomond on the pacific coastline of Carmel Highlands. Choosing a multi-day wedding destination in a location that has a variety of landscapes has its advantages. Northern California is known for its stunning coastline and magical redwood forest and the bridal couple get magnificent backdrops for both the wedding day and the day after portraits.
I’m a massive fan of multi-day wedding experiences like this one, because I get to focus completely on the wedding-day experience with the couple. It’s amazing allowing a couple to stay in the moment without having to pull them away to record vows/narration/etc. I then have some really intimate one-on-one time with couples the day after to dive into their story, learn more of their hearts, and then capture some incredible additional footage apart from what we were able to get on the wedding day itself.
During this Fall multi-day wedding celebration, I filmed the full wedding day like usual, and then the day after the wedding I met up with Emily and Jeff in their hotel in the Carmel Highlands, right off the Pacific Coast Highway. We spent a couple of hours diving into their story and recording the audio for this film. Then headed out to a local state park on the coastline to shoot some sunset photos and capture candid, relaxed video to use in the wedding film.
- Wonderful, private, outdoor ceremony and reception space at Waterfall Santa Cruz
- Excellent and beautiful boho style setting in a stunning redwood forest
- Emotional heartfelt – first looks with Dad, ceremony, personalized vows, speeches
- Outstanding wedding vendors listed below
- Reception under the star-filled sky
- Exceptional food, coffee, music
- Lovely Tuscan colored fresh floral arrangements
Highlights from Day After:
- Panoramic coastal views
- Fantastic Fall weather with sparsely scattered clouds
- Golden hour sunset
- Rugged clefts, ledges, and rock formations
- Warm sand beneath feet
- Gentle foaming white waves
- Wildflowers on the beach cliffs and hills
- Favorite pic of Emily and Jeff – embracing with kiss beside two rock formations with the sun shining through to light everywhere with a radiant golden amber color and the ocean in the background.
- Don’t you love how the sand on the shoreline can be full of footprints from a busy day at the beach and then the waves wash over them and there is no record of anyone setting foot on that beach.
Multi-Day Elopement Photographer & Videographer
As a traveling professional photographer/videographer my passion is to give genuine details of the celebration through capturing the essence of the multi-days. I hope you embrace the multi-day wedding idea when you view Emily and Jeff’s photos and video. If you would like to chat with me about your special celebration please click the link, I’d be honored to hear from you. Happy planning, it’s a great joy that you are getting married!

Wedding Vendors:
Photography: @niravpatelweddings / @joshrexford
Venue: @waterfallsantacruz
Video: @joshrexford
Makeup / hair: @veilofgrace.bridal
Rentals: @otisandpearl , @alexispartyrental
Flowers: Friends Flower Co.
Catering: @native_mobile_kitchen
Coffee: @flatbedcoffee
Looking for more wedding & elopement inspiration?
If you’re dreaming up your own multi-day wedding or elopement, check out more inspo below!
HOW TO PLAN A MULTI-DAY ELOPEMENT
ELEGANT WISCONSIN WEDDING AT CHIPPEWA RETREAT RESORT
MULTI-DAY SUMMER WEDDING ON MACKINAC ISLAND, MICHIGAN
INTIMATE INTERNATIONAL ELOPEMENT IN MEXICO
