A Redwoods Micro Wedding at Glen Oaks Big Sur

A 27-Guest Redwood Ceremony in the Grove at Glen Oaks Big Sur

The ceremony was in the Redwood Grove, the old-growth trunks rising straight up behind the couple and standing in for any arch or altar. From the back of the grove the whole thing read small and green — a couple of short rows of wooden chairs on the grass, the wedding party in burgundy dresses and blue and grey suits, the tall trees closing overhead. The party came in first, then Christopher walked in on his mother's arm. Alejandra's brother came down carrying the rings, and Alejandra followed with her mom to "Married Life" from the film Up.

Claire Fay officiated in a navy suit, holding the mic while Christopher read his vows and laughed through them, a groomsman in a blue suit and orange bow tie grinning off to the side. When it was over, Alejandra and Christopher walked back out together to Empire of the Sun's "Walking on a Dream," and all twenty-seven guests followed them out from under the trees.

“No first look, no arch, just both mothers, twenty-seven guests, and the redwoods standing in for everything else.”

Portraits in the Forest at a Big Sur Lodge

With the ceremony done, this was the moment they had held out for — portraits together and family groupings among the trees, the afternoon light coming down soft through the canopy. Christopher walked the dirt path alone in his grey suit, redwoods rising on both sides, and the two of them came up a garden path hand in hand, laughing. Glen Oaks started life as a 1957 motor lodge tucked between the old-growth forest and the banks of the Big Sur River, which hands a small wedding a lot of setting in a short walk.

While Alejandra and Christopher slipped off for photos, guests kept a signing book going and took turns at a polaroid station, drinks in hand through the cocktail hour, photographed by Viera Photographics as the groupings moved from the grove down toward the river.

Dinner on the Back Patio

Dinner was on the lodge's back patio at a long farm-style redwood table set for the whole group. A eucalyptus garland ran down the center with pillar candles and small white paper place-flags, a soft mound of blush and lavender blooms sat at one end, string lights hung overhead, and a fire pit glowed in the corner. Space heaters warmed the November evening. The bridesmaids had done the garland and candle work themselves, and a sweetheart spot sat at one end of the table.

By now Alejandra had changed into a rust-red velvet gown with her fur wrap over her shoulders, and she sat in the candlelight with a glass of red wine while the toasts went around. Then came the cake cutting — a blackberry lavender lemon cake from Sweet Reba's, topped with the topper they'd carried from home. Their first dance was to "Island Song" from Adventure Time, followed by dances with their mothers, a bouquet and garter toss, and open dancing that carried the night to its end under the trees.