i cannot sufficiently convey my love for this wedding in words. kendra and peter got ready together at home, exchanged vows under a canopy of nearby redwoods, and danced before dinner in a parade around the neighborhood led by the awesome gumbo band. mostly though, i just fell in love with their warmth and their focus on connection that persisted throughout the day.

one of the cool things about joaquin miller park is having access to redwoods and woodlands in such a dense urban area. it's only minutes from downtown oakland yet feels immersed in nature and far from city life. the redwood grove is an amazing location for a ceremony, not only to be surrounded by the beauty of the forest while still in close proximity to the city, but also because when we enter a redwood forest, we immediately feel a sense of calm. the energy of the giant trees (our wise elders, i believe) is grounding and healing. their presence creates a sacred space that can embrace us. kendra and peter stood barefoot on soft earth within a circle made of fallen redwood branches. their small gathering of community stood in a larger circle around them, listening and supporting.

after the ceremony, it was a quick drive back to jingletown art studios where they hosted a sweet outdoor dinner. this was the most DIY reception in the history of weddings, considering that the courtyard was previously an unused dumping ground, and peter spent months slowly clearing away all the clutter before it could even begin to be set up for a dinner party. when they arrived, the marching jazz band started playing and headed out to the street where they led a parade around the block with everyone following and dancing behind. kendra and peter made the day exactly what they wanted their wedding to be, and i was smitten. {kendra’s gorgeous outfit by Venezuelan designer efrain mogollón}