Alia and Amanda got married in the Redwoods of Joaquin Miller Park, deep in the Oakland Hills of Northern California. Their intimate Oakland wedding was attended by a circle of their dearest friends and close family. They had planned the details of their wedding for many months, but in the end, their wedding vision became a dream come true through the contributions of their intimate community.
Friends arrived early to set up tables and help Alia create the sweetest ceremony site to surprise Amanda with. They made appetizers and homemade wedding gifts. They brought flowers and served cake. They offered words of encouragement and celebration every step of the way.
A dear friend played a dreamy violin melody as Alia and Amanda walked down the aisle. Their ceremony was simple, authentic and sincere. They had been in relationship together for many years before this day, and with years of deep connection and experience together, the certainty of their commitment was heartfelt.
During speeches, so many of their loved ones wanted a chance to share how inspired they were by Alia and Amanda’s relationship. There were dozens of speeches, tears of joy, and genuine happiness for their friends. It was clear that Alia and Amanda’s commitment was an inspiration to everyone they love. I was also deeply touched, and actually cried so much during speeches that it was hard to focus on my camera.
After cake was served, Alia, Amanda and I snuck away for some steamy portraits at dusk. The lighting and ambience of the redwoods in Joaquin Miller Park was beautiful all day, but dusk in those redwoods was magical! And the park couldn’t have been in a more ideal location. We were secluded by day for our ceremony, but close enough to the city of Oakland to make an indoor evening reception very convenient.
After a light clean up, Alia and Amanda’s wedding party made their way to a private Oakland residence for an after-party.The celebration was pure open hearted joy. It was evident that the community that supported the growth of Alia and Amanda’s relationship, made their intimate Oakland wedding a dream come true.
Here is a sample of the wedding photos from Alia & Amanda’s Joaquin Miller Park celebration. If you are planing a wedding and want to see if your date is available in my calendar, get in touch here. I would love to document the magic at your wedding! To view another beautiful outdoor wedding in Northern California, check out this link.
Ah!! Agreed, this is so beautiful and I’m thinking of doing the same for my wedding. If you find out the name, will you let me know? Thank you!
Thanks Christine! Yes-I will definitely let you know if I find out the name of the exact site within the park. The redwoods in Joaquin Miller are such a beautiful beautiful backdrop for a ceremony ( and ceremony pictures!) A BIG congratulations on your engagement. Much love & gratitude, Cathlene
Beautiful! Which wedding site/picnic area did they use? I’m looking to get married at this park next year and this site is perfect.
Thank you Zabrina! It was such a gorgeous location for a wedding. Unfortunately I don’t remember the name of the site, and although there are dozens of picnic areas in the park- I am not able to find a list of all the Joaquin Miller picnic areas online. I do remember it was a picnic site (and not a wedding site) somewhere along Skyline Blv.- maybe near the top of Big Trees trail. There were portable bathrooms in front of the parking area if that helps. I really hope you can find it- but of not, literally every picnic area in Joaquin Miller is a dream. Congratulations on your engagement! Sending all my love and blessings your way.