Katherine and Michael planned a special micro wedding weekend for their closest friends and family. This active, outdoorsy couple had the weekend packed full of activities including local hikes, yoga, and of course, a wedding! They all stayed at a wonderful Airbnb in Hopland with room for everyone. It had amazing views and you could easily mistake the Mendocino valley for Tuscany.

There are a several reasons I love shooting elopements and micro weddings, but the number one reason is the intimacy. You get to design the day (or weekend!) however you want to without the constraints of a traditional wedding day. They also provide the opportunity to really enjoy time with your guests. Wedding days can be a whirlwind and sometimes you aren’t even able to say hi to each of your guests (depending on the size of your wedding) but Katherine and Michael mingled and enjoyed drinks on the patio with their family post-ceremony before heading in for a delightfully cozy dinner.

Michael made the arch that was the backdrop for their ceremony and family photos. They had both of their brother’s officiate, which only made the moment more memorable.

Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma counties all offer beautiful options for eloping, so if you are in Northern California be sure to check out wine country!