Mendocino Wedding in Northern California

Mendocino Wedding in Northern California

Let me take you on an adventure to the breathtaking coastal paradise of Mendocino, where magic lingers in the air and love paints the sky with its vibrant hues. It was here, amidst the majestic Cypress Grove and the mesmerizing ocean view, that Stephani and James embarked on an unforgettable journey, from a heartfelt proposal to an unconventional wedding day filled with personal touches, cherished friends, and the ever-charming Junior by their side. And let me tell you, Mendocino has absolutely stolen my heart. Come with me and let’s dive into the enchanting love story of Stephani and James.

Cypress Grove Proposal

Picture this: a captivated James plotting the perfect surprise during their romantic escapade to Mendocino, California. But James took it to a whole new level by seeking the advice of an AirBnB owner for a secret spot to drop down on one knee and pop the question to Stephani.

The AirBnB owner suggested he propose by the towering ancient trees in the enchanting Cypress Grove. James waited until they reached a breathtaking view where the trees opened up to a gorgeous view of the ocean waters before he dropped to one knee, his heart overflowing with love and joy. Stephani immediately said yes, and the wedding planning began!

Stephani and James knew they wanted something a little different for their wedding day. They chose to spend their wedding morning in a cozy and beautiful AirBnB cabin. Their dear friends joined then on this laid-back day as laughter filled the air, and their furry companion, Junior, added his own sparkle of mischief to the festivities. Junior ended up starring in quite a few photos, and loved the attention. I arrived just as Stephani was finishing up her gorgeous curls. It was honestly one of the most relaxed mornings I’ve ever photographed as a wedding photographer.

Alternate Ceremony

As the wedding afternoon came about, Stephani and James decided to celebrate their love at the charming Caspar Community Center, rejecting a traditional ceremony and opting to exchange rings in front of their loved ones, surrounded by pure and unfiltered love.

The Mendocino Wedding Love Story

As their wonderful day came to a close, I found myself reflecting on the beauty of Northern California and how it perfectly intertwined with Stephani and James’ love story. The ethereal Cypress Grove, the joyous company of loved ones, and the tender moments shared by Stephani, James, and their beloved Junior will forever hold a special place in my heart.

Stephani shared a beautifully written, kind review the morning I wrote this post.

“Our whole experience working with Ashley from beginning to end (and beyond) was absolutely amazing. I could go on and on but will try to reign this in…

I found Ashley through Instagram and followed her not only because of her beautiful photos, but because of her personable videos. Being able to get a glimpse of her journey and her sharing some of those personal details really made me feel like Ashley could be one of my friends and that I would be comfortable around her. This really made me want to work with her for our wedding!

We met Ashley for the first time through Zoom to confirm we were all a good fit for each other and on the same page. As soon as we started talking, I knew all the feelings I had were right. Ashley was down-to-Earth, professional, so calm and reassuring…it really felt like she was one of my friends. On top of this, I should mention, my husband (then fiancé) hates taking photos – doesn’t like how he looks in them, feels awkward taking them, etc…He even came out of this meeting feeling better about taking photos and confident that Ashley would help him look his best.

Ashley kept up communication with us and provided great tips leading up to the wedding day.

Come the day of our wedding, Ashley and Kyle showed up early and were ready for the day’s events. They scoped out beautiful spots on the property for photos that we never would have thought of to use for backdrops. Ashley gave great attention to detail and direction on where to put our hands, how to pose – so many little tips and tricks that really added to the moment.

In addition to the traditional bride/groom portraits and family photos, we wanted a lot of candid photos to really capture and help us remember the event. Ashley embraced this desire and went with the flow of our non-traditional day and captured every moment beautifully.

After the wedding, Ashley got us our preview so quickly – even with the fact she traveled out to our wedding and was not yet home herself. I was not expecting to receive a preview so soon or with so many photos. It was so exciting and every photo looked even more amazing than anticipated…even my husband liked how he looked in the photos!

Following the preview, the wait for our whole album started and I had gotten myself ready for said wait. It was another great surprise when Ashley got us ALL of our photos earlier than expected. Every photo came out fantastic and every moment was captured. I have spent hours gushing over them and I’m sure I will spend many more.

I look forward to working with Ashley in the future and am already thinking of the next life events we can incorporate her work into. For anyone looking for a photographer, I would highly recommend Ashley. She will listen and work with you, give you great pointers, be a calm and reassuring presence, and will provide you a product to admire for years to come.”

Stephani and James, thank you for entrusting me with the incredible honor of capturing your special day. It was an honor beyond measure to bear witness to the tender moments, heartfelt emotions, and the raw beauty of your love story. I wish you to nothing but the best as you continue your journey together.

Mendocino Wedding

Photographer: Ashley Norton Photography

Venue: Caspar Community Center

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