Enchanted Redwoods Wedding at Sand Rock Farm
October 11th, 2025
Kate and Kai hosted their wedding weekend at Sand Rock Farm, a historic bed and breakfast and wedding venue in Aptos, CA. Nestled in the towering redwoods, the October light filtered in through the trees all afternoon, providing a magical glow to the whole day.
I had such a great time photographing this wedding. I’ve known Kate and Kai for a few years now, and watching all the details of their shared life come together on the day was so delightful.
The day began by getting ready at the inn on site.
Kate and Kai’s first look took place under the canopy of the woods, through a garden arbor covered in vines. As if the scene couldn’t get any more magical, a rainbow poked through the sunlight.
Their ceremony was filled with details from their spiritual practice and family heritage. They exchanged vows under a hand-built chuppah, decorated with vines and flowers - as if it sprung up from the ground below. After their written vows, the couple engaged in the Celtic tradition of hand-fasting, during which a couple holds their hands together with a braided cord while saying their vows. Afterwards, the knot stays tied as a symbol of their union.
After cocktail hour, Kate and Kai sat for a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. As the sun was setting, they accepted blessings from friends and family while serving them offerings of tea. As the sunset deepened, it brought with it a beautiful purple glow.
I love the moment right after sunset, it’s my favorite part of the day to photograph. Colors are richer, tones are softer, and the palette of warm purples and blues lends an effortless romantic quality to the images.
After dinner, the party got going with a live band. The crowd loved to dance and the energy was so fun to photograph! At one point, even Bigfoot made an appearance… or did he??
If you made it this far, thank you so much for reading. If you’re interested in booking wedding photography service, you can see more of my galleries here or inquire here!