How to Elope in Redwoods, California | 2023 Guide with Airbnbs

Redwoods National Park is filled with romance and adventure, here are just some of the amazing reasons as to why you should elope in Redwoods, CA!

• Iconic: scenic setting with vast forestry for miles
• Warm Weather: best times to get married are May-October
• Wildflowers: All around
• World Renowned: The Redwood Groves have been used to film classic movies such as Jurassic Park, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and even a Star Wars Episode. Your wedding be the next best thing to be filmed here!
• Intimate: Perfect for small weddings and elopements
• Gorgeous Hikes: You are in a National Park, take advantage of the winding trails

The cost of a wedding permit at Redwoods National Park has a base cost of a $100 base wedding application fee for all permits. If you submit your application early, this fee is reduced to $25. You will need a special use permit to get married in the Coastal Redwoods. Since it is a National Park, you will need to indicate on your permit what professional services will be at your wedding, such as photography, catering and alcohol use.

• For a wedding with under 50 people, the fee is $200
• For a wedding with 51-100 people, the fee is $300
• For a wedding with over 100 people, the fee is $400

You will need to send in your application at least 30 days before your elopement. As a note, there may be other visitors at the park, as you cannot technically book out a public place, but the park is grand enough to find a romantic secluded spot just for the two of you. You will also need a marriage license to get married in the Redwoods.

• You can send your application + $100 non refundable fee to State Parks, Attn: HRSP Weddings P.O. Box 100, Weott, CA 95571, by USPS mail. Remember that this fee is $150 for Humboldt Redwoods State Park.
• Make sure to make all checks payable to “Department of Parks and Recreation.” 
• Online submissions are not possible, so if checks do not work, you can submit your fee payment via a money order. In person cash/check payments are also accepted.

For a marriage license for your elopement in Redwoods, California, you will need to apply at the Redwood City County Center. The Clerk’s office responsible for marriage licenses is located on the first floor, you will need to pay a small fee to receive your license. You can call the Redwood County Office at (650) 363-4500 for more information, or reach out to our Redwood Elopement planner at Wedy, who can take care of these details and help you from start to finish!

Here are the five best places you can get married in Redwoods, California. Since the Redwoods is so vast, there are multiple state parks to choose from for your elopement. Some will be further away from airports than others, some will be by very small towns, while others will be near more populated areas – like San Francisco. For a full map of locations, click here! The top five best locations to get married in Redwoods California are:

1. Redwoods National Park 
2. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park
3. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park
4. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park
5. Humboldt Redwoods State Park

More specifically, Redwood National Park has over 12 locations you can elope at and we have included a list below of popular spaces you can check out. be aware Redwoods is quite vast, so you will have lots of room to take pictures, hold your ceremony, go hiking, or hold a romantic garden picnic!

As a note – Humboldt State Park will require a separate special use permit than the other locations. As always – we are here to help! Click here to learn more about booking a spot in any of the Redwoods State Parks in California.

1. Berry Glen – with a capacity of 6 total people
2. Merriman Grove – with a capacity of 8 total people
3. River Trail – with a capacity of 8 total people
4. Zig Zag 2 Trail – with a capacity of 10 total people
5. High Bluff Overlook – with a capacity of 20 total people
6. Lost Man Creek Gate – with a capacity of 20 total people
7. Organ Donor’s Grove – with a capacity of 20 total people
8. Templeman Grove – with a capacity of 20 total people
9. Crescent Beach – with a capacity of 20 total people | Available for day use only between October 25th-May 1st
10. Crescent Beach Overlook – with a capacity of 20 total people | Available only between October 25th-May 1st
11. Prairie Creek Amphitheater – with a capacity of 20 total people | Available only between October 25 – May 1
12. Schmidt Grove with a capacity of 20 total people | Limited Vehicle Access

• A non-refundable permit application fee of $150 plus an additional use fee, dependent on location is required for all weddings/special events. 
  
• For Williams Grove, this fee will be $300, for 2-100 people. You can download the Williams Grove Wedding Permit Application here.
• Grizzly Creek allows weddings for under 10 people. For a permit application for Grizzly Creek, click here!
• If you’re getting married at any other grove in Humboldt Redwoods State Park: Download the Wedding Permit Packet (PDF) for other groves within Humboldt Redwoods State Park. 

• All fees are non-refundable, non-transferrable. There are fees for all areas and fees vary based on area.
  
• All wedding ceremonies regardless of size/time require a permit, this ensures there are not other events affecting your wedding or others who hold other permits for various activities.

• Reservations for special events are taken up to six (6) months in advance. Special event permit applications received before that will not be reviewed. No damage deposit is required.
• No signs or decorations may be attached to any State Park facility, sign, tree, or landmark, make sure to keep your decorations within your reserved area. No Arbors or other structures may be set-up in any forest groves. Chair set-up is only allowed in Williams Grove.
• No electricity is available. The Park generator hours are, per T-14 CCR 4320, are 10:00 am to 8:00 PM.
• The park is open year-round but some areas of the park do seasonally close and remain closed until Spring, such as Williams Grove. During the closed season, no special events are permitted.
• All use must be off of all vegetation, including but not limited to: redwood logs, sorrel, and ferns.
• Dogs are not allowed on State Park trails or within any groves. If you will be bringing your dog to your wedding or elopement, the following relevant rules can be found here.

The Just Us Two Package

What’s Included?

• 2 Hours of Professional Elopement Photography: includes ceremony coverage and portrait sessions📷
• Online Gallery with 150+ Edited: High-Resolution Images🖥
• Free Elopement Planning Mobile App: With the Wedy app, you can build the wedding package that is right for you and your budget. The best part? No minimums. You get to pick and choose the services you truly love.📲
• Dedicated Elopement Planner: Our planner will create a personalized wedding day timeline, assist with virtual vendor coordination and acquire the Special Use Permit🥂

Package Price: $1500

The Just us Two Luxe Package

What’s Included?

4 Hours of Professional Elopement Photography: includes ceremony coverage and portrait sessions📷
Online Gallery with 200+ Edited: High-Resolution Images🖥
Free Elopement Planning Mobile App: With the Wedy app, you can build the wedding package that is right for you and your budget. The best part? No minimums. You get to pick and choose the services you truly love. 📲
Dedicated Elopement Planner: Our planner will create a personalized wedding day timeline, assist with virtual vendor coordination and acquire the Special Use Permit🥂
On Site Hair and Makeup: Hairstyling of your choice for one + Makeup using high-end, photo-quality products for two and custom temporary lashes💄
Luxe Picnic Services: Picnic set up includes signature charcuterie grazing board, spindrift sodas, boxed water, decor + design including lanterns, candles, and more! Delivery fee will be added after the picnic location has been finalized🧺

Package Price: $4450

The Micro-Wedding + Reception Package

What’s Included?

• 4 Hours of Professional Elopement Photography Coverage: includes ceremony coverage and portrait sessions📷
• Online Gallery with 300+ Edited: High-Resolution Images🖥
• Free Elopement Planning Mobile App: With the Wedy app, you can build the wedding package that is right for you and your budget. The best part? No minimums. You get to pick and choose the services you truly love. 📲
• Dedicated Wedding Planner: Our planner will create a personalized wedding day timeline, assist with virtual vendor coordination and acquire the Special Use Permit🥂
• On Site Hair and Makeup: Hairstyling of your choice for one + Makeup using high-end, photo-quality products for two and custom temporary lashes💄
• Custom Florals: Bouquet + Boutonnière designed as per your Pinterest mood board💐
• Experienced Officiant: Top rated local officiant who will handcraft your wedding script and perform your choice of ceremony style📝
• Wedding Cake: 8” round cake with stand and serving ware🍰
• Bluetooth Speaker: We will help you create the perfect wedding reception playlist 🎼
  

Retails for: $5500

Private cabin close to lagoons, beaches, & the Redwood Parks

Capacity: 4 people
Location: Trinidad, CA
Distance from Redwoods: right across the road (>50m)
1 Bedrooms, 1 Bathrooms
Rating: 4.89 ⭐
Cleaning and Service Fees apply

Dream House in the Redwoods with hot tub and sauna

Capacity: 12 guests
Location: Trinidad, CA
Distance from Redwoods: right across the road (>50m)
5 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms
Rating: 4.81 ⭐
Cleaning and Service Fees apply

Peaceful Carlotta Cabin Near Hiking Trails!

Capacity: 4 people
Location: Carlotta, CA
Distance from Redwoods: 15 minute drive
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom
Rating: N/A ⭐
Cleaning and Service Fees apply

At the Bluff Wedding Stay with Dairy Tour

Capacity: 10 people
Location: Ferndale, CA
Distance from Redwoods: 15 minute drive
4 Bedrooms, 1.5 Bathrooms
Rating: 4.92 ⭐
Cleaning and Service Fees apply