This early September wedding had the feel of a mid-summer vacation by the river. Views of colorful sunbrellas, picnic blankets, kayakers, and swimmers dotting the Russian River shore were visible from the room where they were staying and getting ready. Beyond the riverbank were evergreen trees and blue sky.
Lea and Tristan were truly two of the sweetest people I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Their ceremony was held in a small grassy area between the lodge and river. Afterwards we headed out front with their adorable dog Eclair to greet their family, and as they were hugging grandparents and siblings, a warm breeze shook pine needles from the trees that felt like it was raining confetti... a moment that felt completely magical. The day ended with a dinner party upstairs as the sun was setting over the river. It was quite an unforgettable wedding day with people I absolutely adored.
This was my first time at the historic Highland Dell Lodge, and I fell in love with its small river town charm. It's located in the tiny (population 1,000) town of Monte Rio, California, sitting along the bohemian highway not far from the ocean. There’s so much nature to explore in the area (by foot or kayak), or you can do nothing but relax by the river. :)
Tip: I stayed near Monte Rio in January in a rustic woodstove-heated cabin and it was the coziest cold weather retreat! In my opinion, the Russian River is equally amazing in the winter (and a lot less crowded). But if you’re dreaming of sun bathing and floating down the river, definitely wait until summer.
BEHIND-THE-SCENES ♡ venue: Highland Dell Lodge ~ food: Sarah’s Kitchen ~ florals: DIY ~ photography: Rachelle Derouin (p.s. getting married? reach out – I’d love to connect:)
